Want to know what the future of personal transportation looks like? Take a test drive in the 2010 Ford Focus Sedan. (Those who answered: "George Jetson's flying car," move to the back of the class.)

The 2010 Focus with a five-speed manual transmission comes close to meeting that 39 mpg number. That's because CAFE is computed using the more-optimistic pre-2008 fuel-mileage testing cycle and is computed in a manner incomprehensible except to someone with both a law degree and a doctorate in engineering. The 2010 model is rated at an EPA-estimated 35 mpg on the government's highway test regime and 24 in the city. (The four-speed automatic gets 34 highway and 24 city.)

With a starting price of $16,690 (including destination and delivery charges) and 2016-style highway fuel economy, the Focus sedan is leading the way into the future.

There are many ways to increase fuel mileage. Some are proven and inexpensive. Some are proven but expensive. Some are unproven and even more expensive. The proven, inexpensive way to increase fuel economy is to make a vehicle smaller, lighter and more aerodynamic, and to reduce the horsepower of the engine. Proven-but-expensive ways to get better gas mileage include hybrid drivetrains, electronically controlled variable valve timing, direct-into-the-cylinder fuel injection, aluminum and carbon fiber body parts, seven- or eight-speed transmissions, diesel engines, and engineers. There are also many unproven and even more expensive methods to get better mileage, with plug-in hybrids and all-electric cars leading the list. But in our current economic situation, most folks prefer the proven (read: reliable) and inexpensive methods. And that's the Ford Focus.

Comfortable and Capable
There's no need to fear the future. The Focus will carry four full-sized adults in comfort. A fifth, small person can squeeze in the center rear seat for short trips: Longer trips are possible if the other rear passengers are in grade school, too. Focus' nice-sized trunk will accommodate plenty of suitcases for a family weekend getaway.

The Focus comes equipped with a 2.0-liter, 140-horsepower four-cylinder engine. It's more than adequate for easily maintaining extra-legal highway speeds. To ease freeway merging and climbing Colorado mountain passes, it makes a peak of 136 pound-feet of torque. Over the past 20 years, we've become spoiled with high-horsepower engines. To ground your future expectations, know that the 1984 Ford Mustang GT's 5.0-liter V8 made just 175 horsepower. Using the current measuring techniques, it got just over 20 mpg on the highway. In order to meet the 39 mpg and 35.5 mpg marks, it's a bet that horsepower will fall from current levels: In the future, 140 horses will seem very strong.

Trims and Features
The Focus sedan comes in four trim levels: The base Focus S, the mid-level SE, the sporty SES and the elaborately equipped SEL. The Focus sedan was redesigned for the 2008 model year and freshened for 2009. The 2010 has few changes, but they are notable. First, AdvanceTrac® electronic stability control (ESC) and anti-lock brakes—proven safety features—are now standard on all models. A new and standard safety feature on all 2010 Focus models is MyKey™, which allows parents to set limits on stereo volume and driving speed via a computer chip in the key. Remote keyless entry, Securilock® Passive Anti-Theft System, and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) are also standard on all Focus Sedans for 2010, as are six airbags: first row front and side impact and front/rear outboard side-curtain airbags.

The base S model gets 15-inch-diameter steel wheels; SE receives 15-inch alloys, and the SEL gets 16-inch euroflange alloys. SES models come standard with some very attractive painted aluminum 17s to complement its performance-tuned suspension. The sporty SES is set off by a unique fascia, dark chrome finish on the grille and darkened headlamp treatment. Ford's SYNC®voice-activated system for phones and MP3 players includes 911 Assist™ in the event of airbag deployment caused by an accident. For 2010 SYNC also incorporates GPS-based navigation features that supply traffic reports to help the driver avoid accidents, give driving directions and notify the driver with vehicle health report service needs.

Safety and Size
Crash test results for the 2010 Focus sedan weren't available as this was written, but the 2009 model earned four out of five stars in the government's test for frontal driver, frontal passenger and side rear passenger impacts, and five out five for side driver impact. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Focus its highest grade—Good—for frontal impacts and rated it Acceptable for side impacts.

If you look at what you—and our country and the environment—need, and not on what you want, you won't miss that huge Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries-supporting, size-15 carbon footprint stomping SUV. The pair of Great Danes won't be able to accompany the family on a road trip in the Focus sedan, but a well-trained Jack Russell terrier could.