Quickie Used Car Review - Ford Focus Sedan (2005-2012)

2005-2012 Ford Focus Sedan

The Good: Juggles between sharp handling and passenger comfort

The Bad: Cramped interior

The Say: Unless you need the boot, the hatchback versions would give you great satisfaction.

Go For: 1.6 Trend
Avoid: 2.0 Ghia Gas

Price Range: P200,000-P500,000
Our Rating: ****

Full Review: Used Car Review - Ford Focus (2005-2012)
Latest vehicle profile: Ford Focus Sedan

See the different versions of this vehicle:
2005-2008
2008-2012

Vehicle Overview
Depending on what part of the globe you live in, the Focus replaced the Escort for European and North American markets in 1998 while Asia and Oceania got this one to replace the Laser later on. The Philippine market got this one in late 2005 as a successor to the Lynx line, which was first sold in 1999. Similar to its replacement, the Focus is assembled locally and is exported to our ASEAN neighbors.

Sedan models are initially available with a 1.8 gasoline engine but later models gain a 1.6 and 2.0 gasoline and 2.0 diesel powerplants. All of these models accelerate fine but choosing the 2.0 models, regardless of fuel type, gives you more power on tap. Despite sharing a platform with the Mazda 3, the Focus is heavy which gives it a more comfortable feeling inside (at the expense of fuel economy) while being an enjoyable vehicle to drive since it glides and slides gracefully.

Interior-wise, the color scheme is a black/beige motif with touches of chrome and wood except for the 1.6 Trend, which does not have the last two. Similar with its platform-mates, the Focus also suffers from a cramped interior.

What Should I Get
From 2005 until October 2008, the Focus sedan is available in three variants starting with the basic model which is the 1.6 Trend, made available in January 2006 that gets the 106hp 1.6, all power features, CD player with auxiliary jack, alarm, keyless entry, ABS brakes, driver airbag, immobilizer, rear folding seat, reverse parking sensors, and rear aircon vents. Added in August 2007 is a Trend model that gets a 123hp 1.8 engine and only paired to a manual but loses the airbag and parking sensors. The top end Ghia can be had with an automatic, adds dual airbags, parking sensors, front and rear fog lamps (lower models have theirs at the back), power driver seat, leather seats, automatic climate control, and steering wheel audio controls.

An update in November 2008 had a reshuffle in variants which resulted in several equipment changes from previous models. First is the Core (renamed to Style in February 2009) has the 1.8 engine, driver airbag, ABS brakes, 60/40 fold rear seat, all power features, CD player with auxiliary jack, and can be distinguished by its black door handles. Next is the Trend that adds front fog lamps, rear aircon vents, alarm, keyless entry, and immobilizer with options such as a passenger airbag added in July and automatic transmission in April 2010 respectively. Going for the Ghia of this version adds a 143hp 2.0 gasoline engine, reverse parking sensors, power driver's seat, leather seats, automatic climate control, and steering wheel audio controls with rain sensing wipers and auto on/off headlamps added in July 2010. Introduced in 2010 is a diesel version of the Ghia which gets a 134hp 2.0 diesel engine.

If you want this car, stick to the lower engine models since the 2.0 gas is costly to fill up while the diesel will require you to travel more to recoup your expenses.

How Much Would It Cost Me
We will tell you this one straight: this vehicle has a gas guzzling (except perhaps for the diesel) nature even for the lower engine displacement models. Parts availability, despite being locally assembled, isn't that widespread like those of the Japanese competition. Do take note of the following problem points: air-conditioning, alternator, power door locks, and for the diesel, the powershift transmission.