Since its debut in 2011, the 2012 Ford Focus has been winning awards left and right. In addition to being named to Car and Driver’s “10Best” list and Automobile magazine’s “All Stars,” the Focus was recently named “Connected Car of the Year 2012” by Connected World magazine.

 

The advanced technology offered in the Ford Focus, like SYNC^® and MyFord Touch^®, are the primary reasons for the most recent honor. MyFord Touch can turn the Focus into a Wi-Fi hotspot for passengers while also processing more than 10,000 voice commands for hands-free operation of MP3 players, climate control, navigation and phones.

 

“The Ford Focus sets a high bar in the small category when it comes to connectivity with MyFord Touch and SYNC,” stated Peggy Smedley, Editorial Director at Connected World. “They just keep getting better and better. No other car it its class comes close to offering such a high level of safety, convenience and infotainment.”

 

Connected World editors base the Connected Car of the Year Award on three factors: Safety, convenience and information options. 

Safety includes active safety features and distraction-free driving tools such as hands-free technology, roadside assistance and emergency response services.

 

Criteria for convenience include vehicle diagnostic information, remote access, traffic and navigation features and driver assistance programs.

 

Information options were rated based on how they assisted with distraction-free driving. Editors evaluated features for streaming content, social media connections, web connectivity and device-pairing capabilities.

 

“Ford is honored to receive this award from Connected World magazine,” said Paul Russell, Ford Focus Brand Manager. “The award embodies the global nature of the Focus with its fun-to-drive character and smart technology customers are looking for.”

As Ford continues to offer drivers more advanced technology than ever before, this award for the Focus proves that the company is speeding in the right direction.