I test drove both the SE and, more recently, the ST. Both are great cars. You can't go wrong with the Focus. The interior is a little busy but I like it. The Mazda 3 is also a great choice. Those ar the only ones in that segment I would consider. If it's purely cost/mpg you're after, then new Sentra has the highest mpg for one of the lowest costs. But it's a horrible car other than that.