My friend who owns a '04 GTI turbo often says when riding in my car, how impressed he is with my interior's quality compared to his. That is doesn't squeek and rattle. He said just last week that my car is in better shape than his 2 year newer and less miles GTI. So to say Ford is finally up to par with a 10 year old VW is well, stupid.
Especially since VW's didn't really hit their current stride till the 2000 model year.
Sure, its no Rolls Royce or anything. But for a car I paid les than $16K for brand new I'd put its interior up against anything else in it's class.

My SVT Focus interior:


new 2008 US focus interior:


Euro Focus Interior: