Rented a Focus SEL Hatchback

[ballmode]

I love this car! I think its lightyears ahead of the Civic in terms of material quality!

I averaged 34.8 mpg driving about 180 miles roughly 70% highway

With the SEL I got the Microsoft Sync option, the car had ambient lighting and two LCD displays which one provided stats on the cars driving, and the other was music/temp/phone controls

I thought the 2.0L 4cylinder with 160hp was plenty of power for a car this size until 65ish mph. Compared to my WRX the car was quieter, more fuel efficient, and with the 215/60/16 wheels felt lighter on it's feet.

What I didn't like was the interior leg room both front and back. I'm 5'7 160lbs and my fiance and I thought there wasn't enough width for the front seat area. It's so tight in the front seat that you couldn't slide a piece of paper between the center console to where the seat bolster is. Sound system was great for an economy car but the back speakers just sounded non existent compared to the front.

The car didn't feel "planted" like my AWD Subaru. Maybe it was the lack of AWD, or just due to being a lighter car. Winds really moved that car around.

The Direct Injection will take some getting used to. It likes to hesitate when i let off the brake pedal and you can feel/hear it clicking when you first take off/idle. I know its the system but it just seems that fuel injected cars are smoother at idle...

Overall great car, if they hatch wasn't a 2000 dollar price premium from the sedan I'd get it in a heartbeat. Interior was better than a civic, I got near civic fuel economy for my driving style with 20 more hp and more torque.

I'd still like to test drive the new Mazda 3 with its skyactive motor and see if Honda can improve the interior for next years civic before pulling the trigger on the focus.

Also with Fords new motors coming out for the Fusion (1.6 turbo/2.0L turbo) we might consider replacing it with the fusion we already have...

If you guys want pics I'll post them, nothing special

 

[LTC8K6]

The hesitation/oddity is the transmission, not the engine, I believe.

 

[ballmode]

maybe so, i found it weird that on hills when i let go of the brake i would roll slightly backwards until the car decided it was time to move forward... maybe it was just the rental... or the 6sp auto... idk.

 

[upsdriver]

I'd still like to test drive the new Mazda 3 with its skyactive motor and see if Honda can improve the interior for next years civic before pulling the trigger on the focus.

I just bought a Mazda 3 S GT sedan and I love it. But there were two things about it that I didn't get to notice on the pre-planned test drive route. One is the tight suspension. It makes for a not-so-great ride if you live in the city with pretty beat up streets. The other is the noise from small road debris hitting the wheel well. It can make for a sound show sometimes. Neither of these are a huge deal to me but might make a difference in your decision making.

 

[Sid59]

The hesitation/oddity is the transmission, not the engine, I believe.

Yup, it's the Dual Clutch.

 

[homercles337]

The hesitation/oddity is the transmission, not the engine, I believe.

Yep. I rented one of these a few weeks back. Awesome car, but this hitching just killed it. I tried to get the same car last weekend, but had to get a Chevy Malibu. What a boring, lifeless car that was.

 

[mpo]

maybe so, i found it weird that on hills when i let go of the brake i would roll slightly backwards until the car decided it was time to move forward... maybe it was just the rental... or the 6sp auto... idk.

As others have said, the transmission is a dual clutch. There is no torque converter to hold your car when you switch pedals. There is an option for hill assist for people who live in hilly areas.

 

[LTC8K6]

As others have said, the transmission is a dual clutch. There is no torque converter to hold your car when you switch pedals. There is an option for hill assist for people who live in hilly areas.

Yes, once I know what it is, and what's going on, it probably wouldn't bother me anymore.

 

[gregulator]

I rented one in Hawaii and was also impressed. So impressed that I sold my 2006 A6 Avant for it! Got back and the Audi needed a $3500 power steering job.. so I ditched that money pit, and picked up a stripped down hatch with a manual transmission. I can confirm that the manual is a much better way to go. I didn't really like the auto for the reasons you described. Sure, it is no Audi, but it is pretty damn good so far! Love what Ford is doing!

 

[ballmode]

the seats could be a bit softer, my butt kept falling asleep but my back was fine.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I test drove a Titanium hatch a few months ago and was equally impressed with it. I think the suspension/wheel upgrades on the Titanium model would give you that "planted" feeling. I liked the leather interior, mysynch, and the moonroof. Rear space is limited but I felt like I had plenty of room up front.

Ford has some good incentives on this car right now too.

 

[NutBucket]

If they offered the 5-speed in higher level trim I would have considered it more seriously. Oh well.

 

[Zivic]

maybe so, i found it weird that on hills when i let go of the brake i would roll slightly backwards until the car decided it was time to move forward... maybe it was just the rental... or the 6sp auto... idk.

again... dual clutch trans

 

[waggy]

while my taurus was getting worked on we had a Focus sel hatchback too. i enjoyed the car. we got around an average of 35 mpg. the car was roomy enough for us (2 kids in booster seats in the back).

the only thing that took me off gaurd was no gas cap.

 

[Zap]

The car didn't feel "planted" like my AWD Subaru. Maybe it was the lack of AWD, or just due to being a lighter car. Winds really moved that car around.

Maybe tires? Does your WRX have stickier tires? The rental probably has all-seasons.

 

[heymrdj]

I test drove a Titanium hatch a few months ago and was equally impressed with it. I think the suspension/wheel upgrades on the Titanium model would give you that "planted" feeling. I liked the leather interior, mysynch, and the moonroof. Rear space is limited but I felt like I had plenty of room up front.

Ford has some good incentives on this car right now too.

Got to drive one a few weeks ago as a rental on a company trip and that thing melted me. Excellent power and fuel economy, cozy interior, and my god the electronics. The titanium is amazing.

 

[bbs lm-r]

I dunno for sure, but maybe part of the hesitation was the Drive-by-wire?

I think 04 was the last year WRX's came with cable throttles, you being used to always getting a direct response based on where your foot was, this might've been more noticeable to you? Just spit ballin here really.

I remember I could feel a little "lag" going from driving my parent's old (forget year) Chrysler T&C, to their 09 T&C.

 

[ballmode]

you guys are all correct, still like the focus, go try one today

 

[Sid59]

the only thing that took me off gaurd was no gas cap.

When i visited the Ford dealership, the salesperson touted the no gas cap as a reason to buy the car. I laughed.

 

[MDE]

As stated before, the jerkiness from a stop is the transmission. Ford has a software "fix" that the dealer should install for free if you go in and complain about it.

http://www.motortrend.com/features/...cus_powershift_transmission_is_much_improved/

 

[DaTT]

the only thing that took me off gaurd was no gas cap.

I'm not sure if all cars are going this route, but I know Ford is. I was also surprised when my Dad's new F-150 had no gas cap. Also, you need a special adapter to stick a gas can down there if you need to put gas in on the side of the road.

 

[IcePickFreak]

I had one for a rental a few months back, same trime as the OP, and liked it for a little car as well. I actually had no problems with room at 6'6" 230lbs. The dual-clutch setup was a bit weird at first, but my bigger complaint was how early the thing shifted unless you were pretty heavy on the gas, and torquey it's not. Just getting a bit more accustomed to the car would probably solve that issue though (I only had it 4 or 5 days), or better yet I'd just opt for a manual.

 

[Bignate603]

I had one for a rental a few months back, same trime as the OP, and liked it for a little car as well. I actually had no problems with room at 6'6" 230lbs. The dual-clutch setup was a bit weird at first, but my bigger complaint was how early the thing shifted unless you were pretty heavy on the gas, and torquey it's not. Just getting a bit more accustomed to the car would probably solve that issue though (I only had it 4 or 5 days), or better yet I'd just opt for a manual.

That's probably how it gets its good gas mileage.

 

[waggy]

I'm not sure if all cars are going this route, but I know Ford is. I was also surprised when my Dad's new F-150 had no gas cap. Also, you need a special adapter to stick a gas can down there if you need to put gas in on the side of the road.

yeah i seen the adapter in the trunk.

i don't get it why go gas-cap less? wouldn't that let in dirt?

i do admit it was neat. a selling point though? heck no.

 

[alkemyst]

I have avoided the Focus as a rental due to the automatic being hard to back out of an unknown space.

I usually like the Kia line up in the offering. Usually includes satellite radio.