Ok I believe it was stated earlier in this thread that I also had a Civic EX-L.
Dart is way quieter, the insulation and ride quality is just on a whole notha level with the dart. SOmething that even my car agnostic girlfriend sees. Dart is more peppy, and the 6 speed DSG in it just seems to work better compared to the archaic 5 speed in the civic. Civic went in for 4 dealer repairs since I got it Aug. of last year, Dart has been in for 1 (not a repair technically, a new headunit update that gave it the newer maps as well as fixed some bluetooth pairing issues). The screens (the limiteds have a screen in the dash instead of a speedo that is fully customizable) are just unlike anything other manufactures in this class. Once you use the 8.4N system of the Dart, 200, and 300 (the 300 having a more powerful 8.4N system), you wonder why it's not standard equipment in any car. The Civic EX-L's nav system is laughable at best and looks like a cheap tom tom. The leather quality and the two tone stitching in the dart are other notable qualities. There's just a lot of fit and finish things that the dart has that the civic didn't. The LED lit door pockets, floorboards, the red glow around the entire dashboard, even the rear pockets and floorboards are lit. At night the thing is just a pleasure to drive around town, and the manumatic can be a bit of beastly fun when cruising. The stock exhaust has an amazing growl (though the gf doesn't like it, she would prefer it quite and appliance like the civic).
To the civic's credit I have to give it a bit of a nod on space (seems a little less cramped) and on history (obviously the same engine/tranny combo has been thoroughly tested compared to the all new drive trains being used by ford, dodge, chrysler, and gm). To that note I still have to ask why hasn't honda rolled a DSG yet.
To the Focus, I've only tested hatchbacks. To be honest? I like it over the dart, but only fully loaded. I think the fit and finish was a notch up, there feels like a bit more power there, and I just think they are smexy . Problem is the only way (IMHO) to get them is with the Titanium package. But a loaded titanium with moonroof is about 29k, vs. 22k for the loaded dart with moonroof and HID's .