The automotive press has been pretty merciless towards the Ford Focus since its recent redesign. Comparisons with the European-market model are inevitable; critics claim the latter is gourmet cuisine while our Focus seems like leftovers.
That’s in theory. In the real world, though, we must stop and realize what consumers’ needs and wants are. Can the Focus deliver the goods on what’s really important?
Adequate drivetrain
There were two engine choices last year, as the Focus ZX4 ST was equipped with a 151-hp, 2.3-liter unit while all other models came with the 136-hp 2.0-liter. For 2008, the smaller engine is the only remaining choice, which now generates 140 horses and 136 lb-ft of torque.
The 5-speed manual transmission is a decent performer. The clutch is light and the shifter is easy to operate. This engine and tranny combo is good for 8.5-second sprints for 100 km/h, which is plenty quick. During this test, fuel consumption is averaging 9.6 L/100 km, which is fine.
The Focus’ drivetrain isn’t as smooth as what’s found in some competitors, but it does its job without fuss. The Sport model could use a little more power, though, to set it apart.
The last Focus I drove was a 2006 ZX5, and I found it to be one of the best-handling compacts around. The new Focus is more mature, more grown-up, and lost a little of its magic touch. Still, this SES coupe can be quite playful when you tease a stick at it. In case you’re wondering, the coupe is mechanically similar to the sedan.
Improved appearance
Nicer-looking materials grace the interior of the Focus, and I really like a black headliner, which looks classier than the usual beige. The dashboard is much more modern and, finally, ditches the awful cigarette lighter that poked out of the centre stack like a wart. The Focus has good seats, and three adults can even cram in the back seat and stay there for a while, provided they don’t mind a little shoulder rubbin’.
The heating and ventilation controls are straightforward and the blue backlighting of the instrument panel is nicer than the old green and red illumination. As for the Ambient Lighting Package that costs $295 on the SES but is included with the Sport Package, it’s basically a pretty dim illumination of the footwells and cupholders, with a choice of 7 colors–whoopidy-doo.
On the outside, the fake air vents on the front fenders don’t even try to look real, and the rear portion looks a little unfinished, as the trunklid seems to have been taken off a different car. Also, there are only 4 exterior colours for the coupe. Yet the Focus manages to distinguish itself style-wise in the compact class. The squeezed-in bumpers and the wraparound combination of the headlights and grille are to my liking.
Hooray for Sync!
Standard on SES and SES Sport versions as well as a $495 option on the SE, the Sync system is a must-have. It includes an auxiliary input jack, but also a USB port which is much better. Plug in your USB memory key full of MP3s (a 4-GB unit costs about $30 nowadays), and if you pre-arranged the music file IDs properly, you can fetch just about what you feel like listening by voice command. Artist, genre, album, you can easily filter through hours (actually, days) of music.
The Bluetooth connectivity is the best I’ve encountered so far. The system easily picks up my cell phone, and the keypad is good for calling the office and having to punch in an extension number to tell my boss I’m late again; some car-integrated systems don’t offer this. I can also download my whole address book instead of one entry at a time.
The Sync is, in my opinion a deciding purchase factor in favour of the Focus. An SE with Sync (Convenience Package also required) runs about $18,200, less than other Bluetooth-equipped compacts and subcompacts, and there’s only about a half-dozen of them.
Competition
The Focus SES Sport Coupe retails for $21,494, and this car includes the $1,000 Luxury Package (heated seats and sunroof) as well as the $695 Audiophile sound system with trunk space-eating subwoofer, for a grand total of $23,189.
Here’s a look at other compact 2-doors:
Chevrolet Cobalt LT 1SB with options, 148 hp, $21,835
Honda Civic LX Coupe with sunroof, 140 hp, $22,180
Mini Cooper Classic with options, 118 hp, $23,400
Pontiac G5 SE 1SB with options, 148 hp, $22,185
Saturn Astra XR 3-door with options, 138 hp, $22,360
Volkswagen Rabbit 2.5 3-door with options, 170 hp, $23,075
Conclusion
Most people who shop for a compact are looking for a car that’s reliable, comfortable, attractive and cheap to own and maintain. The Ford Focus will satisfy those needs and wants very well. It’s quieter and more refined than ever.
The SES Sport is a little pricey, nipping on the heels of the base Fusion SE. But a $19,999 SES Coupe is well-equipped and makes perfect sense, despite its black mirrors and door handles. In addition, the techno-savvy crowd should take a long look at the Sync system, a good reason in itself to consider the Focus.
The fact that the Honda Civic is more fuel-efficient or the Volkswagen Rabbit is more fun to drive isn’t that important for many, and the Focus always has good incentives to sweeten the deal. It may have been reheated in the microwave, but it sure doesn’t taste like leftovers.
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