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Comments
So the new Focus will be a selling success here after people test drove it.
Maybe it was about 9 yrs ago when I traveled to Asia. They happened to have a prettier version of the Sentra which was stylish enough to be an Infiniti, while our Sentra was fugly (& still is today). I was wondering if that would hurt their Maxima's sales. Well, they carpool a lot, so they need to buy the Maxima anyway.
From the standpoint of replacing my '04 ( it feels & drives exactly like new at over 100K, remarkable), I had become quite concerned that the new car had appeared small in that first encounter. Casual observations recounted in this blog space had bolstered that original impression.
Now looking at the two vehicles side by side, my old one did have a few more inches of length over the Hatchback, but in every other quality of a vehicles' "presence", this new model showed me more heft. The latest reviews I have read and seen on PBS's Motor Week also seem to confirm my emerging perspective, that Ford which after all spends millions on Marketing Studies, may have their Focus just right.
If I was 6' 1" and had the same proportions as I do now (i.e. same inseam to height ratio) there's no way I'd even be able to sit in the rear of the Focus even for a short trip.
That is amazing. My inseam is 34" and I had no problem sitting in the back seat of a 2012 Focus yesterday. I actually checked it out because of so many here called it "unusable". :confuse:
The rear seat legroom is very similar to my former 2000 Audi A4 1.8T and 1992 Honda Accord LX sedan. It's fine for full-size adults on short trips or kids on any trip. If I was hauling around 4 full-size adults all the time, I wouldn't be in the market for a compact seden.
Compared to the competition, the back seat of the Focus is unusable; in fact, even when compared to the previous generation Focus the back seat is still unusable. Were it not for the fact that there are a number of other cars out there in class with significantly more room I might agree with you that there's nothing wrong per-se, with how Ford configured the new car; that they failed to meet their competition is inexcusable.
Handles very well. Fun to drive. Better than my Accord.
Feels slow, but it was an automatic and I am used to a stick. I am sure the stick would feel fine.
Interior materials are OK. I prefer more straightforward ergonomics - not buttons trying to look like an old cell phone.
Seats were comfortable. Better room in back than I expected. I would put it as the same as a Mazda 3, better than a Cruze, but a little worse than a Civic (has more headroom than Civic though), way more room than a Fiesta which is tiny. I am 6' and could sit behind myself. Not stretch out room like my Accord but doable. My 3 sons are 6' - 5'4, all are still growing and the oldest is a Freshman, so they probably wouldn't want to take a Focus on a long trip.
I agree that if this car had a skoosh more rear leg room it would be more appealing. Right now it is border line. If it was 2 inches longer and had all that extra space as rear legroom I would be all over it. Especially in a hatch with a stick.
I like the way the Jetta added so much leg room, but the kind of goofed with the rest of the car.
33.2 2012 Focus
38 Versa
35.4 Cruze
36.1 2011 Focus
36.2 Mazda3
33.1 Elantra (sedan)
35.1 Jetta (wagon)
38.1 Jetta (sedan)
35.5 Golf
36.2 Civic
36.3 Corolla
35 Forte
35.9 Lancer
33.5 Impreza
17.1 Celica
Based on the above, it's pretty apparent that it's fair to criticize the 2012 Focus as having abnormally tight rear legroom. A few of the other numbers stand out. The Elantra is just as bad, though there were prior postings here observing that the Elantra seemed to have more room. I posted my celica just for kicks (perception is everything!).
This was prompted by my recalling that I rented a Versa with a child seat around a year ago and didn't think the rear was tiny at all. Surely, thought I, if a sorta-C-segment like the Versa is sufficient, then the Focus would be no problem. As evident from the numbers, the Versa actually has freakishly generous legroom for its size.
You didn't have to say "excuse me" like you were offended because I said that I in no way meant my comment in an offensive way. Yes, I do think that an inseam of over 36" is rare for someone that is 5'9" tall. Even for a women. There are probably plenty but not common or average by any degree especially as a percentage of population.
This is what I found to be true of the Focus. Knee room was sufficient for me sitting behind myself (5'10", 32" inseam) but my legs were not comfortable because my ankles were pressed into the front seat before my thighs were well supported--i.e. "knees up in the air". The Cruze was worse than the Focus here, the Mazda3 no better, and cars like the Elantra, Jetta, and Versa much better (with the Versa offering the best rear legroom, almost limo-like despite its short length). So comparing "rear seat leg room" for, e.g. Focus and Elantra is really meaningless unless the numbers are much different (e.g. Focus vs. Versa). In the case of Focus vs. Elantra, there's a huge difference for me in rear seat comfort, because I can comfortably rest my thighs on the rear seat before my ankles are stopped by the front seat.
So... go check out the back seats for yourself. Don't rely only on the numbers.
I knew there was something familiar about the center stack controls!
Having better steering feel w/ the ride comfort sacrificed is no big deal, but having both better steering AND better ride comfort is something. & the Elantra trails the new Focus badly in these areas.
Anyway, the new premium-price Focus is so good in BOTH driving pleasure & comfort that it's got the balls to lose the leg room for back-seat drivers. Other compacts have to bribe buyers w/ limo-like room in the back, such as the Versa trying to compete w/ the xB?
Look how high the prices are on the A3, 1-series, IS250... Do they got rear leg room? No. So why can't the new $30k Focus do the same? B/c the name "Focus" isn't good enough to compete w/ them? Again, that's Americans' opinion :P
Since the the 1-series was introduced over 1/2 a decade ago, a British car magazine was comparing it to the Golf & Focus in a group test. But in America, magazines are comparing the new $30k Focus to the Elantra? Why not comparing the new quiet Focus to the quiet Toyota Altezza (IS250)?
You wanna know why that Euro car magazine was comparing the newly introduced 1-series hatch & the newly introduced Mk5 Golf to the "20th Century design" Mk1 Focus hatch in 2004?
The Focus platform actually gave birth to the other 2 cars! VW hired the original Focus engineer to design the Control Blade 4-link suspension for the Mk5 Golf. BMW was considering using the Focus platform but ended up designing a 5-link suspension w/ similar principle for the current 3-series & 1-series.
What does the new Elantra & the new Focus have in common other than being FWD? :P
W/o multi-links, the roomy Elantra is actually more similar to the new Jetta, the Corolla & even the Lexus ES sedan.
You're kdding, right?
Try, size, MPG, hp, torque, generally the same price and the same class of car(compact, non-luxury) that people usually cross shop. The Focus is not a sports car nor is it a luxury car. The Focus price range stops where the other cars you mentioned begin. They are not cross shopped by the average car buyer IMO.
Really, about the only difference between the two is the suspension/steering quality that you are so in love with and keep citing comparisons to 6-8 year old cars that aren't manufactured anymore. Instead of comparing the cars in this compact class to cars from yesterday, it is much more practical to compare them to cars in their same class that are being manufactured today. Just because one car has better suspension and steering mechanisms than others in the same class doesn't move it up from that class. It just excels in that area compared to the rest
You got to be kidding me that the Focus is not a 4-seat sports car. & I'm pretty sure those of you who have driven the Focus SVT wouldn't dare to say that.
Once you get the optional SVT (ST170 in Europe) package, it had already achieved Porsche Boxter territory in handling, per Consumer Reports. & the ST package will re-appear in this country soon.
A $30k Focus you're looking at is just the tip of the iceburg. In other countries, this car is available w/ even more optional features from lane-departure warning/steering...
& exactly how plush are the interiors of the 1-series & A3 anyway? The Focus III is the first Focus w/ a quiet & luxurious interior except some minor fit-&-finish details.
If the Mk1 Focus was already being compared to the current Golf (V/VI) & the current 1-series in Europe, then the new more refined Mk3 Focus should qualify even more.
Size-wise, the 6-ft wide new Focus sedan doesn't seem any less bulky than the current 3-series, let alone the 1-series.
Room wise, the new Mk3 Focus is actually too small for an econobox, unlike the Mk2 & Mk1.
Of course, if consumers in this country keep insisting that the Focus does not belong to the $30k+ category, then only stripped versions will remain in the upcoming years. Just like how those stability control, xenon headlights, lumbar support, etc., got discontinued on the U.S.-spec Mk1 Focus many years ago.
Thanks to the cheapskate American consumers, we can only get... In Europe, the new Jetta has the Control Blade multi-links standard despite being imported from North America (Mexico).
A see your point if you are comparing the Focus Hatchback w/5-sp stick to an Elantra Sedan w/auto. There are significant differences in that match up.
For most of America, the Elantra and the Focus go head to head. We are the land of the sedan w/auto and that's where Hyundai and Ford will lockhorns.
After reading some of the reviews of the Focus SE Hatch with a stick, I'm considering that route. I don't see the Focus as a $30K car though. Well-equipped for $20K, yes. Our poor USD hasn't fallen that much!
No, not kidding. Sorry to burst your bubble but Ford does not make it or market it that way. The Focus is marketed as a high MPG compact car that now can be had with a lot of bells and whistles as well as a higher price tag. The Cruze can optioned to about the same price as the Focus.
Just because one jazzed up version(SVT) of a car is available and that is one that probably only about 1-2% of the Focus buyers will drive, doesn't mean the Focus is a sports car. Just because the Civic comes in SI form I don't think anybody considers the Civic a sports car. What if Hyundai puts their turbo 2.0 in the Elantra and beefs up the suspension. Will that then be a sports car because it has 270hp and handles really tight?
As far as luxury goes, it takes a lot more than just having the leather and other bells and whistles. The quality sound, feel and texture have to be there to. Believe me, the Focus is not nearly as rich feeling as cars in the luxury or even near luxury. You can have several cars with leather and a different grade of leather in each one. So to say a Focus is like an Audi or BMW or Porsche is just pie in the sky fantasy. Fancy looks are only skin deep.
If you want to believe that a hopped up Focus is a poor mans Porsche equivalent, have at it but the more you say it won't make it so.
^People don't shop like that. Noone. Except maybe you. People shop across the generally defined A, C, etc. car segments. They go by the general size of the car, the general price range of the car, and the general layout of the car.
You can keep on pounding your fists, insisting that all these fools are incorrectly comparing the Focus and the Elantra. At some point you have to wonder if all these people and magazines who are in fact making the comparison demonstrate that you are wrong.
Also, by your SVT rational, all versions of the Mazda3, Neon, Civic, Calibre, Golf, Impreza, Contour, Taurus, F-150, and every other model out there that ever released a performance version is a sports car.
But anyway, please tell us more. Sedan or hatch? Which trim? Are you willing to share your purchase price? Any comments on the buying experience?
All comments from actual owners like you are more than welcome. A lot of people frequent these forums to discuss a car PRIOR to buying it....to get all the pros and cons and just talk about it. Until actual owners like yourself post what exactly do we have to discuss except mag articles, test drives and sitting in the car at auto shows? Are you suggesting that we shut up unless we own one?
We are on post 530 or so and to my knowledge your's is the first post from an actual owner. Where is everybody?????
Mine is an Ingot Silver Metallic, SEL 5-door with the 303A package which includes the MyFord Touch and Sony Package and the SEL Premium Package, I also added a remote starter. I had my windows tinted and I installed molded splash guards yesterday. I chose not to go with the Titanium because of the additional cost up front. I have all the features the Titanium has except the keyless start and sport tuned suspension. I absolutely love this car. With only 400+ miles on it, I'm averaging 29-30 mpg's with 60% city 40% highway and I got 37.3 last weekend on a short road trip.
When I was shopping I did a lot of research, figured out the price I wanted to pay and shopped four dealerships.
Here's how my deal broke down:
$24,625 MSRP
-$1460 Off MSRP
$23,165 Dealer Invoice + $4.00, Negotiated Price
-$500 Ford Financing Rebate
-$750 Ford Private Cash Discount
$21,915 Final Price
With the additional discounts, I paid $2710 below MSRP, so all the talk about a 28K car isn't true. Yes, MSRP can be that high or higher on a fully loaded Titanium with ALL the extras, but only chumps pay retail for a car. These cars are hot and dealerships sell them right off the truck so they might try to sell at MSRP, but there's always a deal out there. My opinion is the best way to deal and get the price and car you want is to order from the factory. You have to wait longer, but you can get the car with the options and color you want and if your a good negotiator it will save you $$.
^People don't shop like that. Noone. Except maybe you. People shop across the generally defined A, C, etc. car segments. They go by the general size of the car, the general price range of the car, and the general layout of the car.
The Escort was re-named as "Focus" in the late '90's to show how focused its multi-link suspenson differs from the Escort.
People here have shopped the Focus as a cheaper Euro-econobox than the Golf. That's why almost everyone is complaining about the price & rear leg room of the Mk3 Focus. What they didn't know is that there was already a rather expensively built Mk2 Focus around the world since '04, & the Mk3 is more expensive still, which is what the Mk2 owners might expect. So it may be OK over there to continued w/ the same name for the new version.
& re-name this Mk3 Focus, at least in America, as something like "Ford Probe" will likely to solve this problem.
The A3 is more expensive, cramped & sportier than the Golf. So is the Mk3 Focus.
Of course, the Mk3 Focus, now w/ quiet interior, is good enough to compare to sporty luxurious compacts w/ small interior such as the A3 & Toyota Altezza (Lexus IS sedan), which, like the Mazda Protege/323, was also available w/ 2.0 V6 around the world.
But I never compared the 2.0 V6 IS sedan to the 2.0 V6 Protege/323, base on facts like the Protege is a noisy boom box just like the old Focus.
Base on facts like today's Lexus IS' steering is more numb than today's new Focus, I can safely conclude that the Focus is more of a sport sedan than the Lexus IS while providing more pampering comfort than sporty compacts that are less luxurious such as the Mazda3.
Average rating
(Updated every 3 hours)
9.0 Overall rating
9.7 Styling
8.3 Performance
9.0 Interior
8.7 Quality
9.0 Recommendation
"Focus SEL a Home Run"
2012 Ford Focus SEL
05/07/2011
By: Professional from Texas
Owned: Less than 1 year
Review ID: #552296
9.9 Overall rating
10 Styling
9 Performance
10 Interior
10 Quality
10 Recommendation
Pros:
The styling is outstanding. The curves are sleek, and the 3-part front grill looks sporty, with a clean continuation of the hood line down the front of the car. A lot of double-takes as people try to figure out what kind of Ford this is. The SEL trim with leather interior is well worth-it, in my view, offering a pampered feeling inside the car. The driver's controls and instrument panel are very well-designed. I've owned several cars -- all more expensive than this one -- and by far this one gives me the most enjoyment to look at and to drive. Taking into account the visual appeal of the car, the interior amenities, and the gas mileage, you get a whole lot of value for the price.
Cons:
Dislike very few things about this car. Accelerates decently and is spry on the highway, but not a monster engine, as one would expect given the high gas mileage of the vehicle (the version I have is rated 37/27, which is accurate). Haven't played with the ability to manually shift gears yet, which may provide a more sporty acceleration feel.
Overall review:
If it's been a while since you've bought or driven a Ford, I believe you'll be amazed. They've taken huge steps forward -- this is a world-class vehicle in this price range. Bought it as a commuter car, but enjoy driving it every day. I've owned several cars from different manufacturers over the years, and this one has proven my favorite. No regrets at all for choosing the 2012 Focus.
Have you seen any sedan from Korea w/ steering feel good enough to be truly sporty? LOL Did you notice the Forte tried to be sporty & stiff, but the steering is still woodenly numb?
Even the long-term car maker Honda produces the Civic Si w/ steering feel even worse than some video games, per Car & Driver.
As far as luxury goes, it takes a lot more than just having the leather and other bells and whistles. The quality sound, feel and texture have to be there to. Believe me, the Focus is not nearly as rich feeling as cars in the luxury or even near luxury. You can have several cars with leather and a different grade of leather in each one. So to say a Focus is like an Audi or BMW or Porsche is just pie in the sky fantasy. Fancy looks are only skin deep.
I understand about Ford's less-than-perfect interior finish. You can tell Lincoln owners that their interiors are not refined enough for a true luxury car.
To me, this problem is too superficial compare to the numb steering found in sporty sedans like the (Honda) TSX & the (Toyota) IS.
& as far as "the quality sound, feel and texture" goes? The Mk3 Focus is a shortened version of the Mondeo (& Volvo S80) German-engineered European car available all over the world. Even the previous Mondeo (a.k.a. Metrostar Mondeo) had a TV commercial showing a blind man was so sure it is a Mercedes-Benz when hearing how the door thunks.
Splane yerself.
2012 Ford Focus SE hatchback
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
I did that a few months ago, but only got a brochure, no coupon.
About 2 years ago, I did use one on another vehicle, so maybe that plays into it, too.
We made our decision after driving the 2011 Elantra and the 2012 Civic. Of the three the Focus was by far our favorite on the basis of drive feel, suspension, seat comfort, flexibility and looks. We also looked at a Prius but the Focus was about $3000 less expensive and cost to own projections are comparable from what we have found in our research. We'll use our Focus as a commuter and errand car primarily as we have 4 young children and already have a 2003 Pilot as our family vehicle.
Once we have the vehicle I will update on our experience.
Two weeks later we were asked totake this survay. At the end of the survay was a $ 500. coupon for purshasing a Focus.
I personally found the Focus too small for us because we have grandchildren visit, and we take them fishing. Either the kids or the fishing stuff would not be able to go.
There were lost of buttons that dis all kinds of things, the dash looked cheap, the seats were nice but a tad too small for us. Over all the Focus is better than any small car I have seen, but at a much higher price that I would pay.
Why would Ford do this to you?
Take a look at the BMW 1-series. It's nearly as expensive as the 3-series, but w/ much less rear leg room plus a more spartan interior. That's b/c the 1-series is really a 3-series shrunken down. So pretty much everything is just as complicated, & thus hardly any less expensive to build.
The new Mk3 Focus is also a shrunkened Mondeo, which is the fanciest sedan from "Ford of Europe". You can't even buy one here at any price, & can only dream of owning one (since 2007)... :P
MSRP 22170
OTD 21853
MA State