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I like station wagons. Always have.

The versatility they embody wins me over, but maybe that’s because I like a vehicle whose cargo hold can swallow my bike, or a new television, or two child strollers or even bags of yard mulch (not that my wife will believe I ever haul home yard mulch). But you get the idea. If you’ve got something to haul, a station wagon can do it.

Plus, it drives like a car, not a truck. Gas mileage is better, too.

The subject of this week’s test drive is the Ford Focus wagon, a compact that has replaced the Escort and Contour in Ford’s product line. I find it appealing for a variety of reasons, chief among them: It doesn’t drive, or feel, like a bargain-basement economy car, yet its sticker price of $17,670 won’t break the bank. Overall fit and finish seems to be above average for a car in this price range.

Ford recently revealed that December-April sales of 228,000 units, in 60 countries, makes the Focus the world’s best-selling car. It is available as a four-door sedan, three-door hatchback and four-door station wagon. The five-door hatchback that is so popular abroad is not sold here. The exterior is clean and simple, while the interior is an excellent marriage of youthful exuberance tempered by functional simplicity. The instrument panel, for example, is a series of bold curves and varied textures. The center section houses controls that are angled toward the driver, and the radio has buttons that can be removed for theft protection. Oval air vents look good and work easily. Power-window buttons have tiny dots for a rich feel. The thick-rimmed steering wheel tilts and telescopes, which is unusual in this price range.

Large cupholders can be found at the front of the floor console.

One of the best things about the Focus is how well it handles. Independent suspension, both front and rear, gives it a supple ride with a notably sporty feel. Even in sharp turns, the wagon was devoid of excessive bounce and wallow.

The nicely weighted steering has superb feedback through the wheel. Even though this is a wagon, it tackled turns with the same kind of enthusiasm one expects of a small, sporty sedan. The body stays reasonably free of tilt, considering that this is a fairly tall vehicle.

Another significant feature is the efficient use of space. Focus has a tall roofline, which enables the seats to have a fairly high H point. The H point is the location of your hip joint, and since the Focus seating position is more like that of a dining room chair than a chaise lounge, it is easy to get in and out. Plus, the seating position gives a commanding view of the road.

Although the Focus is marketed to the young crowd (what car isn’t these days?), its upright seating position actually makes it more accommodating for older folks who have trouble getting in and out of low cars.

Folding down the rear seat is relatively easy, and the tall roofline gives it good cargo space. Power for the station wagon comes from the 130-horsepower, 2.0-liter Zetec engine. Because the wagon is heavier than the sedan, and because it will be used to carry loads, the 110-horsepower engine available in other Focus models is not offered in the wagon. For some curious reason, the station wagon is offered only with an automatic transmission. I would think that wagon buyers who might actually haul stuff would appreciate the added acceleration and control they get with a manual transmission. That said, I found the automatic to have adequate zip, even though the heaviest thing I hauled in it was my bicycle. Load it with four people, however, and the manual might be handy.

Anti-lock brakes and side-impact airbags for front-seat passengers are optional, but I would like to see both as standard equipment.

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Price: The base price of our test vehicle was 5,380. Options included tilt steering wheel, cruise control, anti-lock brakes, power windows, AM/FM/CD stereo, side-impact airbags and floor mats. The sticker price was $17,670.

Warranty: Three years or 36,000 miles.

Specifications:

Engine: 2.0-liter, 4-cyl.

Transmission: automatic

Front-wheel drive

Wheelbase: 103 inches

Curb weight: 2,717 lbs.

Base price: $15,380

As driven: $17,670

Mpg rating: 25 city, 32 hwy.