The second-generation Ford Focus was unveiled in 2004 at the Paris Motor Show as a 3- and 5-door hatchback.
The sedan body style appeared in mid-2005.

The 3-door version had the sportiest appearance of them all, with the coupe-like swept roofline.

Also known as the MK 2 Focus, the new generation was built on the all-new C1 platform used by the Volvo S40, V50, C70, Mazda 3, and Ford C-Max, all part of Ford’s Global Shared Technologies program.

The most notable change was the car’s increased dimensions compared to the first generation Focus: 25 mm (0.98-inch) increase in wheelbase, 168 mm (6.6-inch) longer, 8 mm (0.31.inch) taller, and 138 mm (5.4-inch) wider. The update brought more interior room, as well as increased cargo capacity.

Inside, the new Focus came with high-quality plastics, dropping the inexpensive and bad looking ones used with the first generation. The central console was refreshed, looking better and similar to the Mondeo’s.

Besides the both inside and outside modern look, the new Focus featured some mechanical upgrades as well. The highly praised suspension design of the MK1 was carried over pretty much unchanged, and the 10% stiffer bodyshell had a positive effect on handling.

The new Focus could no longer be equipped with the Zetec-SE power units, as the Duratec family replaced them with the 1.6-liter Duratec Ti-VCT powerplant. The new unit was able to switch off valves to reduce fuel consumption. All units could be mated with the newly added Durashift transmissions: 6-speed manual or 4-speed automatic.

In terms of safety, the Ford Focus 2 managed to outpace most of its competitors, earning high scores at the EuroNCAP.