Technically the 2008 Ford Focus isn't really new, it's a revised version of the second generation Focus, introduced in 2004 with most of the faults of that model corrected. One other segment-exclusive feature that will be available in the Titanium is Active Park Assist—that's the system Ford has offered on several more expensive models that essentially allows the car to steer itself into a spot while you modulate the brake. The Titanium had 18-inch wheels as standard and here lies the area of some discontent. So, Microsoft's engineers do have some work left to do, but not much. The 2012 Focus is about average for the class with respect to road noise, while its engine isn't as boomy and raucous as most in this class when revved high. I've only had it in for one repair, other than brakes, tires etc. Ford is giving shoppers a choice as to whether they want a basic small car or a much more sophisticated one with all the features and options of a larger one.
Check for a service record, particularly on earlier cars to make they haven't been neglected. In Federal form, an improved intake manifold and cooling system help bump output from 132 to 140 horsepower---whether it's paired with the standard five-speed manual transmission or optional four-speed automatic. In profile, though, there is less to like, especially on the new coupe. The manual is the better car with a great gearbox and ratios; the auto needs a couple more gears to help it pull. The electric steering is a little light at low speeds but while not as communicative as a good hydraulic system, manages to impart some 'feel'. No matter how we tried and we tried , we could not get the system to understand our requests. The car is quiet and has a smooth ride along with extra comfy seats that are supportave with a roomy rear bench.
But there was one big drawback - the list price. Under the hood The 2008 Ford Focus comes with a single choice of power in the shape of a 2. Teenagers should feel immediately comfortable. Of course, the Focus is also more likely to have cash-back incentives than are its import-model competitors. However, while it's now virtually equal to a Chevrolet Cobalt in that department, the Focus is still not on par with Japanese foes, such as the Honda Civic, Mazda3 or Toyota Corolla. The front and rear are radically restyled, and around back you can really appreciate what the design team has done. My car was continually sluggish like it was bad gas from the beginning.
One gripe we did have with the audio selection interface was the fact that you can't back up just one level in the menu structure--for listening to another song by the current artist, for example; instead you have to press the Menu button to go right back to the root menu and start your selections from the top. There's hardly any body roll on twisty bits and it steers with complete accuracy. On the other hand, in the preceding 315 miles of mixed highway and city driving, our test car had recorded an average mileage of 22. Introduction The 2008 facelift Ford Focus may be a common sight on our roads and was the default choice for many company car drivers, but there's a very good reason for it. Had looked at a Golf but the Ford's lower price and better dynamics clinched the deal. The Focus offers two variations on the existing 2.
Its rollover rating is four stars. I wish they still made this model an updated version would be O. Where other systems require voice tagging or a dodgy connection between the car system and the equally dodgy voice recognition system on the phone itself, Sync indexes the text names of phonebook entries and makes them all accessible by voice command. He asks: What are some automotive fallacies you agree or disagree with? But these elements are about all that's similar between the 2007 and 2008 models. But Ford has done a good job in making the Focus feel light-footed off the line, with low first-gear ratios in either gearbox, and the dual-clutch gearbox does a great job keeping the revs high and uninterrupted. I was driving the car long distances of over 100 miles at 55mph and never got better than 50mpg despite ford claiming it will do 70+.
Our test names were: Andrew, Andrea, Andreas, Andre, Andy, and Anthony. Although Ford introduced an all-new second-generation model in 2005 for Europe, the U. It is a joy to drive when confronted with roads that twist, bend and snake through the country. This is equally true of the head unit controls, which comprise a mixture of hard black plastic buttons and dials. The previous-generation Focus was a little car that was fun to drive.
Titanium models with the Sport package get upgraded front seats with slightly deeper bolstering, and it results in a glovelike, extremely comfortable feel. The steering was horrendously light and gave poor feedback. Test the tech 1: The telephone game The two standout functions that Sync offers are control of Bluetooth hands-free calling and control of digital music via a combination of voice command and a hard-button control interface on the car's central column. The Focus handles as well as—or better than—the most deft handler in the class, the Mazda3, with a suspension that doesn't crash and bang over rough transitions. In fact size was just about all you surrendered in the move. But I guess since David Standley won't honor my warranty and fix it, the warranty really doesn't make any difference.
Suspect we will have to scour the country to try to find a petrol engines Mondeo if such a thing still exists. Those engines are familiar from other Ford models, but have been developed further for power and economy. Large motor company were helpful and replied to emails. The suspension was independent all round, with Macpherson Struts at the front and Ford's 'Control Blade' system at the rear. But although many will spot areas of the latest car's shape that pay homage to certain rivals, there's no denying today's Focus is a more handsome car than before. We were also impressed with the minimal amount of road noise admitted to the cabin on the freeway, although some wind noise was conspicuous. The ride is firm, sometimes firmer than ideal and the turning circle is appalling, no doubt because of the large and wide tyres.
Make the usual checks for evidence of crash repairs, particularly any that have been poorly done. Both body styles are rakish and sleek, and while the profile of the Focus sedan is uncommon and remarkably close to that of the recently introduced Chevrolet Cruze, as well as the Elantra , the distinction is in the details. We are also less than impressed with the Sync's voice, which sounds too much like a robot to us--hopefully Microsoft's software engineers can make it sound a little more natural for Sync 2. Interior comfort is good with excellent front seats that support well but I would have liked more under-thigh support. Gas mileage is very good considering it not a hybrid. Ford wants to both hang onto its existing customers and recapture those who have decamped to the premium , and.