Forget everything I ever told you about a Ford Focus.

The all new 2012 Ford Focus is a monumental improvement on the older version – even the good parts of the old Ford Focus.

Still available in four-door sedan and hatchback styles, the new Focus gets an exterior makeover with some new styling, including an attractive new front grille that’s a little Volvo-esque.

The sharply designed interior is iced with high-quality materials. The last time I drove a Ford Focus (a 2010, I think), I wasn’t displeased with the interior, but the new interiors are a drastic improvement and really put competitors like the Toyota Corolla, the Honda Civic and the Hyundai Elantra on notice that they need to up their game to keep their share of the market.

The new Focus also comes with a new four-cylinder engine that’s more fuel-efficient, and a suspension that delivers both above-average handling and a refined ride.

The most surprising thing about the new Focus was all the technology offered at the $20,000 something price-point.

There were several things that aren’t even offered as options on most competitors like, a rearview camera and automated parking assist, which can neatly slip the car into a curbside spot without the driver ever touching the steering wheel.

Ford’s latest version of it’s hands-free Sync technology is available and the new MyFord Touch system that largely does away with buttons and knobs in favor of a large center touchscreen and voice commands.

The new four-cylinder engine puts out 160 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. Entry-level S and SE models get a five-speed manual transmission standard, while a six-speed automatic transmission is standard on SEL and Titanium trim levels. It is optional on the S and SE.

It’s been a long time since I’ve driven a vehicle and found the price-tag a lot less than what I expected.

You can get a base Ford Focus sedan SE for about $16,000, but it is pretty basic.

The models that will be most prominent on the road, the sedan and hatchback SELs, come to just over $20,000.

For those looking for a small sedan or hatchback under $25,000, the Focus should be tested.