Ford Keeping its Focus on Moving Forward
We approached today’s test car—the 2015 Ford Focus sedan—with a bit of extra interest.
It’s one of those cars that always caught my eye—though more so in its hatchback configuration.
That’s not unusual. A lot of cars get a second glance from me. The new Mustang, with its “gill-like’’ LED running lights certainly falls into that category, as does the Oldsmobile Alero. Mrs. G feels the same way about older Mitsubishi Eclipse convertibles.
But the Focus hatchback also fell into the “It might make a good used car for us’’ category. So much so that I was actively seeking one, checking listings for a low-mileage, well-equipped version in a particular shade of green.
I spend an inordinate amount of time online— seeking, searching, configuring a lot of cars, both new and special interest. Of course, I can’t afford them, so the exercise generally becomes moot, or another reason to buy a lottery ticket.
Recently, I started reading reviews by owners who didn’t like the way the Focus automatic transmissions shifted.
However, when I like a car, I like it, so my thinking changed to “Maybe it would be a good idea to lease one for a couple of years.’’
All that aside, today’s exercise, literally, involves dealing with a change of Focus—the clutch—because our test car is the Focus sedan with the standard 2.0-liter engine and five-speed manual transmission.
For the record, it ran fine, just as we expected, because our test car’s power train has been around a bit.
We often get emails saying, in effect, “Why don’t you drive the same cars the average guy buys? Your test cars are loaded with every possible option.’’
The answer, simply, is that we drive what’s available and the manufacturers generally want to have us write about the optional features and what’s new for this year.
New for this year with the Focus is a 1.0-liter EcoBoost three-cylinder engine that’s rated at 40 mpg on the highway. That engine only is available with a manual.
Other configurations of the Focus are the performance-oriented ST and the Focus electric.
As mentioned, our test car was a middle-of-the-pack SE sedan with the time-tested 2.0-liter four cylinder.
Optional features that were missing and we would have liked included the blind-spot warning system, cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist system. Those are part of a technology package available with the top-end Titanium trim level.
However, Ford has made the rearview camera standard, something no car should be without and actually won’t be without as the feature becomes mandatory with a phase-in period from 2016-18.
So back to what we DID have: the Sedan in SE trim with a base MSRP (including $825 destination charge) of $19,305. Options included the SE appearance package ($1,995), Blue Candy metallic paint ($395), reverse sensing system ($255.) and the MyFord Touch/Sony navigation system ($1,495). The bottom line: $23,425.
Besides the affordable price, there’s a lot to like in this vehicle.
The five-speed manual transmission was smooth and the clutch engaged smoothly.
For 2015, Ford says it has upgraded and retuned the suspension. We found it handled rough roads with ease, cornered surely, and had a nimble feel. Weight does matter and coming in at under 3,000 pounds (2,920) made a difference.
Outside, the Focus has adopted the “new face of Ford’’ look with the “family’’ grille, restyled longish hood, and restyled trunk lid. The look is pleasing.
Moving inside, the cabin feels decidedly upscale, thanks in part to that appearance package that added leather upholstery, ambient lighting, a six-way powers driver’s seat (with power lumbar), an overhead console, center console/armrest and satellite radio.
New Englanders likely would opt for an available $645 cold weather package that contains heated front seats, a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, heated exterior mirrors, and all-weather floor mats. The past two winters seem to have transferred those items from the “It’d be Nice’’ to the “Gotta Have’’ column.
Another common question we hear about cars is: “Are the seats comfortable?’’ The answer was yes, at least for the bunch of one-hour trips we took. But when people ask that question, I generally respond: The fact you’re asking likely means there are orthopedic issues that make regular rest stops on longer trips more valuable than the seat configurations in most cases.
Legroom also is part of the seating equation and for taller folks in the Focus, an accommodation is necessary (i.e., pulling the front seats forward) to make room for adults in the rear seats.
Our test miles were driven over Memorial Day weekend—a time when the driving around Boston was easy. Still, averaging 34.2 mph was easy to take. The EPA’s fuel economy rating numbers are 26 city, 36 highway, and 30 combined.
Ford’s latest MyTouch infotainment system and 8-inch touchscreen are definitely improved. Just touching the quadrant of the screen that holds the system you want to use—navigation, entertainment, phone, climate—brings that system to full screen and intuitively seems to offer the right menu options.
Which is just what Ford has done [offer the right options] with the Focus to keep it a major player in the highly competitive compact car segment.
2015 Ford Focus SE
THE BASICS
Price, base/as tested (with destination): $19,305 / $23,425. Fuel economy, EPA estimated: 26 city, 36 highway, 30 combined. Fuel economy, Globe observed: 34.2. Drivetrain: 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission, front-wheel-drive. Body: 5-passenger sedan.
THE SPECIFICS
Horsepower: 160. Torque: 146 lb.-ft. Overall length: 178.5 in. Wheelbase: 104.3 in. Height: 57.7 in. Width: 71.8 in. Curb weight: 2,920.
THE GOOD
Ride and handling, upscale cabin, exterior styling.
THE BAD
Tight rear legroom.
THE BOTTOM LINE
A nice-handling, high-quality, economical compact contender.
ALSO CONSIDER
Chevrolet Cruze, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte, Mazda3, Nissan Sentra, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Corolla, VW Jetta.
See more of the 2015 Ford Focus SE
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