Its about as much as Mazda 3... The Focus has a great price point like the Fusion against japanese competitors. I'm not really that opposed to a spiced up one for now if they continue to keep it thousands below corolla/civic. The old one is a great car, it just suffered from 'MY 2000itis'. Never getting away from the bashing CR gave the original model. If it looks different to Americans, it is different. The new Foci might be a very smart move for now. With Mazda having success with the 3(c-1 platform), why make two of what would be virtually the same car? Compete at two price points with the $$ going in the same hopper.