I've had my 2014 SE up to 80,000 miles now, no transmission problems, worked on it a bit adding my own stuff, honestly the car is amazing and reliable don't know about all of you.
Have a 2014 SE also over 50k now with NONE of these transmission problems others whine about...either they revised it the next model year (as they should have), I'm one of the lucky few, or these idiots don't know how to properly drive a DCT and were putting intense unecessary wear on their clutches
The shutter/lag when pulling away is normal. It's the characteristic of the Power Shift transmission which is not a traditional automatic with a torque converter. Instead, think of it as a manual with 2 clutches that shift automatically for you. It's designed to give you quicker shifts and it puts less drag on the engine vs a regular automatic.
I bought this car in May with the 5 speed transmission. I love it, consistently get 35-38 mpg and the car is very fun to drive for a 2.0 4 cyl. I'm glad i bought it, plan to keep it for a long time.
Robert McDowell This sometimes fixes the issue. other people are having more issues with the double clutch pack. My car just got the updated seal and i have had no further issues. It only had 39k miles on it when it had the bad shudder at start. But Its good ford is Fixing this.
rear disc brakes [ Customers "surprisingly' care about?? Hmm.... I'll never have a car with drum brakes EVER again!! This is because drum brakes don't stay adjusted and when they're out of adjustment, the front brakes get hotter and the rotors warp. Additionally, disc brakes stop better compared to drums. Drum brakes shouldn't even be offered on cars anymore.
I really like your reviews because you analyze intermediate versions of cars. Most of the times the reviews in RUclips are about the top of the equipment.
We think the Powershift transmission has been improved greatly from the earlier 2012 models, however, we still prefer the manual, but the automatic is still better than the 4AT in the corolla, or the slow reacting 6AT in the cruze, it's just a transmission that you have to get used to.
Have a 2000 Focus when they first came out. She has 90,689 miles. Not even broke in yet and can peel rubber if you know how. Looks brand new. Metallic Fort Knox Gold.
We agree, the upper trims get pricey but they have the tech to show for it. If you skip the upper trims and expensive options, the price is right where all its competitors fall.
Wow, very nice eye catching that detail, looks like they just took out the label for the increments of 10, they are still there but just aren't labeled anymore
Thanks for posting this comment. I'm shopping for a 2013 Ford Focus SE Hatch and, after reading your post, I went back to the dealer to test it. They don't lie ENTIRELY flat in the SE hatch, but it's pretty dang close -- certainly closer than just laying them down on the seat cushion. Appreciate it!
I drove both back to back yesterday, and road/wind noise is significantly quieter in the focus. However, the exhaust is a bit louder, but does not drone, and is deeper and more pleasing to the ear. It drives tighter, and the interior is SIGNIFICANTLY better.
The ST rides a tad stiffer bc of the 18" rims but it's not punishing at all. If you have rid in a GTI both vehicles ride very similarly. The Speed3 has the most punishing ride of the 3 vehicles while the Civic Si has the softest ride.
I got my 2014 focus in July of 2015 with 6,558 miles and by the time I had put 15,000 miles I had to take it in for horrible shuddering problems when driving at low speeds. It ended up needing a new clutch which was on back order for 8-10 weeks nationwide. However ever since getting it fixed it drives like a new car and Ford has extended the warranty on the transmissions since there have been so many issues. I would also keep in mind the car actually has a cvt transmission which causes some of the issues you hear about but all in all its a great car for the money which really is a ton of fun to drive
Both are great cars and offer their own strengths and weaknesses. The Civic does have a better reputation for reliability but the Focus offers more premium features and the hatchback body style. Both are fun to drive but the Ford is a bit quicker and quieter on the highway. As far as cost, the Civic is more expensive after you factor in the rebates Ford offers on the Focus.We'd have a hard time choosing ourselves ;)
I just bought this car (2014 Focus SE Hatchback). After previously owning a Dodge Avenger I say nothing could be worse than that crap! I bought the Automatic as thats all they had left (It was 3 months ago when purchased new). So far Ive put on 4 thousand miles (only having 6 miles rolling off the lot) and the car is great I average between 31 and 33 mixed mpg driving. This was the main reason I bought it to save gas and refills are so cheap! The transmission is a little clunky and takes some getting used to but its not perfect. I didn't buy this car thinking it would be perfect like so many others have and complain about the transmission. And since it technically was on clearance i saved 5 thousand dollars (paying 15 thousand) as they were making room for '15 models. I wish mine was a manual as i know id toss it around like a go cart but the automatic is just as fun as it handles so great. This car puts a smile on my face every time I drive it and hopefully i will keep it for as long as it runs!
Well the car had a lot of rebates and the dealer I went to had a lot of 2014 Foci so they discounted them again. That's how my price was so low. It could be just were you live also. I'm in Ohio but for example cars in Kentucky are generally cheaper. If I were you I'd try to haggle the price down. Or just search like I did for the lowest price. There are some dealers in my area that I just looked at that have 2015 SE hatchbacks and sedans for under 16 brand new! Don't settle for the 13 model if they won't budge on the price.
Wow! This is a small-town dealership that just has a few dozen clean, used cars. The Ford dealer in town has only 1 used focus and a few 2015s. They are doing 0% interest and $1000 off new cars. I appreciate your input.
I'm from Croatia, on our highways you're allowed to drive 156 km/h, or 97 mph. So most people drive like that, but some go much faster, because realistically you could drive 200 mph on those roads. They're almost completely new highways, one of the best in Europe. And in Germany on some pieces of autobahn if you drive 100 mph, you have to move to slow lane.
Ammon Hanson I have this exact car with the powershift, and I would steer clear of it if I were you. Almost every focus has major transmission issues by 40k miles. And Fords dealer network and warranty people are a nightmare to deal with. Other then the transmission issues (which are basically the worst around town its great on the highway) its a great car.
+David Lyday yes and no. If you care for it properly yes. But working in rental I have seen many focuses with carbon issues around 40k miles. I traded mine at 50k but used top tier fuel and so I didn't have those issues. My transmission was the issue.
+Nick Olsen I'm very conflicted, I really want a used hatchback. I feel like a used manual focus is a fun great value but if it's going to be in the shop then I might as well get a soulless scion xB. what cars do you think are a quality value
rental companies buy tons of these in hords. Ford dumps a lot of cars to fleets to boost their sales and too get rid of their inventory. Rental companies generally keep cars for a few months so they don't worry about long term maintenance.
i'm used to driving stick, and been driving for more than 20 years ... on my last 2 cars however, i've already opted for automatic transmission ... i agree that stick is more fun to drive and very responsive especially out on the highway, but in my case I live in Manila and traffic is almost always horrible during weekday rush hours - believe me you'll hate stick driving in these conditions
The least expensive SE Hatch with an Auto is around $20,000. You can get a Sedan for $18,000 or around the same price as a Civic LX Auto... make sure you are comparing apples to apples here
Nice review -- I like your comparison of the SE with the 201A and the SEL. I wonder how rough the ST rides compared to the SE -- I'll find out shortly after a test drive. I rented an SE for a 3000-mile/9-day trip and completely fell in love. Ford has done one heck of a job.
I get you. I went used simple because I could get more car than I could get new. I got my focus july 5 and love every minute of it. the EPA numbers are spot on. I am averaging 26mpg city right now and that is with my daily commute being low spends with allot of lights. Also allot of people complain about the dual clutch transmission but for me it is just fine.
What’s that deal with people saying that the DCT is a bad transmission? I’ve not had any of the problems I’ve been hearing about and my car was one of the first ones built. I love my eight year old 210k miles Focus SEL. Really the only problems I’ve had is the infotainment system and the recently recalled EVAP system that might stall the car if it’s low on gas.
True, however; the Altima is much more practical at hauling people. Sure you can't move big bulky items with it, but the Altima has more than enough space for your average consumer.
I'm sure someone has mentioned this, the seat do indeed fold flat in the back, you have to lift./flip the bottom part of the seat out of the way, then drop the back. BTW the truck is HUGE when you do this. I carried a go cart in the back of mine.
Rear seats actually do fold down flat (most people don't know this, even my dealer didn't know) have to pull the seat bottoms forward then the seats will fold flat. Depending on how far the front seats are back you might also have to remove the headrests for the rear seats. Cheers!
I'm having the hardest time choosing between this and the new Dodge Dart. I drove them both on the weekend, I liked the feel of the steering wheel and interior better on the Focus, but I prefer the styling and customization options better on the Dart. They both drive the same to me. What do you guys think?
My fathers company BMW 730d with 245hp, which weighs 1,9tons has 30-35 mpg AVERAGE over the last year or so. And that car is driven mostly on highways at speeds over 100mph, and trough cities. And he drives A LOT, the car is 3 years old and has 250 000 km's on it already. And he does not drive carefuly to consume fuel, since he doesn't pay for fuel. :P
The SE now has the same center console as the Titanium (which I dont like), and it comes standard with the silver door handles. Fog lights are no longer standard on the SE, but alloys are.
Great review, the only thing I would say is that the rear seats do fold flat. The seat bottoms lift up and the headrest can be removed to fold the seats flat, i'm considering getting another focus and this would have turned me off if it didn't do this
I would take a Jetta. The new 2013 Jetta has independent rear suspension, standard discs, standard A/C, and unlike the Focus it has 4 power windows one touch up/down. The Jetta is better value and a bit cheaper. And with the TDI much better fuel economy and performance.
I like your reviews. You speak at a nice pace and go over relevant details vs. spending 5 minutes testing something superficial, like 0-60 times, which other reviewers seem to suffer from. One question--with all other things being equal, which would you go for? A 2013 Civic (maybe EX) or a Ford Focus SE? They are very similar in price, and I've test drove them both and prefer the Ford. However, I still have the bias that Honda = more reliable. I'm torn. :(
Yea, you'd know... Ford Focus was actually made in the first place to compete and match the Golf, but no generation ever does. You might not know this, but Focus is actually a european model, this is the fourth generation of it, as a hatchback, while in US, its the first gen. This was designed, developed and tested in Koln, Germany, to compete with european hatchbacks, mainly Golf. This car actually never was meant to be sold in the US, until they started that "global Ford" bullshit.
Hey the price list on the car is that how you have them in the yard because thats a pretty great way of advertising the cars features with out having to tell people everything and compared to how cars are in yards here in Australia thats a hell of a lot easier to look at read.
Yea you can't even notice its a diesel by sound anymore. And VW / Audi diesels that are in VW's in US market are old models I think, not the newest common rail injection models, and they are pretty loud and rough compared to some others, such as Peugeot, Citroen, Renault, BMW, Alfa...they're smooth as butter and you never notice its a diesel, until you put your foot down and it slams you into the seat in 4th gear at 2000 rpm lol.
I just bought a used focus SEL hatch a couple of days ago and even I had to tell the sales guy that the seats do lay flat. It seems Ford didn't do a very good job making it well known you can do that.
Hi, Whats up? So far it is running very well and impressive gas millage, had some fun with manual shift it has pretty good acceleration, I am totally satisfied with this car :)
It was the 2012 model they really had problems with. The 2013 have some problems but no where near the issues .I suggest you join the focusfanaticsdotcom and join. It's free and if you have continuous problems there is a resident Ford customer service rep that monitors that site and she can help you with any issues but be patient because I am positive it will be OK. Find a stretch of road that has no traffic and do a few full throttle starts form a dead stop. this wil help. I did and it helped.
Yeah, that's true. I think Ford will have a tough time selling these top of the line Focuses though, there are a ton of great cars out there for $25,000
I think this car was very nice I am very disappointed with the soft touch thing there is not much...I hate to be picky but I wanted to know if you may be able to do a video on a Chrysler Pacifica maybe 2005 or up...if so...great thank you
The car in the video doesn't actually have the appearance package on it. I have a decked out SE hatchback and the Appearance Package is suppose to have a black spoiler and black rims. I also notice you don't have a touch screen in yours and I do. But then, mine was $2000 more but I got a good price on it because of the incentives just after Hurricane Sandy hit. Also got the ten speaker Sony surround sound. All for $23000 before taxes at my dealer. Competition was a prius but this is much better.
Dear @2theredline . Can you do an in depth and test dive review for the new 2014 civic si coupe? I test drove it and i must say it's a really fun car to toss around. In addition, honda have noticeable updates in the car that you might want to check out.
Thanks man, I will try to find a road with less speed tracking cameras, I will let you know. Since it is not harmful for the engine I don't bother anymore because other than grinding sound the car ride very nice and fun.
I have this car right now..,and while I enjoy the ride,,I'm still getting use to the fact that the engine revs up from a stop and takes awhile to switch gears....something that bothers me but I'm aware that is the design of the car. I am almost certain my next car will either be an Escape or an Edge.
Im 16, i've driven that car and I loved it, the acceleration is very good, reaches nice speeds, and looks great! not to mention it is very safe to drive
My mum has a 2015 fusion se luxury package wich has my ford touch and heated and cooled leather seats along with all leather so it’s basically a platinum but with a 10k less price tag
Just rode in one today. The ride is great and quiet, but the back seat is a lil' small. I also found it weird that you can only lock/unlock the doors from the button in the middle.
The max speed limit in the USA is about 85mph. And in some states (like where I am) 65mph. City stop and go is usually 25-45mph, "b-roads" 45-60mph, and highways 45-85mph. Most gas (petrol) powered stuff here is lucky to do above 30mpg at 60mph. And I want to go 100 on highways! Where are you from, exactly?
Did you remove the head rests? Also try taking a look at a used focus, I got my 2012 SEL with leather seats, fog lamps, dual zone climate control, parking sensors, moon roof and sweet 17 inch wheels for $17,000 at carmax. You can get a nice deal on a gently used Focus rather than loosing money buying new.
And that goes for all diesels, they're all very efficient without sacrificing performance, in fact, its opposite. If someone were to sit from a 150hp petrol engine car into a 150hp diesel, he'd think he's driving a much more powerful car.
Looking at purchasing a used car in about a year or so, looking at the Mazda 6 and the Focus, 2012/13 models; My question is, with the automatic issues the Focus has, is it a consistent problem or hit or miss? Reviews otherwise seem pretty positive aside from that...
Sofyan, I didn't see leather seating listed under the 201 upgrade package when you showed us the car spec sheets on the window. I'm in Canada and I'm thinking of buying the 2013 focus se. This one here doesn't have leather!
Are you sure that the rear seat doesn't flip up so that the seat lays flat when folded down? I thought all hatchback did this. Also, can you take off the rear headrests so they don't poke my back when they are down.
Drove VW Wagon w/2.0 TDi (turbo diesel) in Duetschland from Munich to Garmisch to Kitzbuhl. Mountains, Autobahn, City driving. 4 people plus gear. 31 MPG (13 Km/Litre). No way would a 2.0l Diesel get 59 or 100 MPG (25-42 Km/L). Your talk of 100 MPG sounds like Gen. Burkholder on Hogan's Heroes bragging about the German superiorty of their Gonkulator.
I've had my 2014 SE up to 80,000 miles now, no transmission problems, worked on it a bit adding my own stuff, honestly the car is amazing and reliable don't know about all of you.
Have a 2014 SE also over 50k now with NONE of these transmission problems others whine about...either they revised it the next model year (as they should have), I'm one of the lucky few, or these idiots don't know how to properly drive a DCT and were putting intense unecessary wear on their clutches
I have 2018 with 100k miles I driver a lot I use for Uber no issues
Got a 2013 ford focus titanium hatchback for my first car, i love it, its a beautiful car and feels fast, and overall is a good reliable car
still have it? i want this for my first car but im not sure
I drive this car for work and I have to say I'm impressed with the direct injection in this motor, u can feel the power and it responds quickly.
Add a throttle controller and you’ll have for fun
The shutter/lag when pulling away is normal. It's the characteristic of the Power Shift transmission which is not a traditional automatic with a torque converter. Instead, think of it as a manual with 2 clutches that shift automatically for you. It's designed to give you quicker shifts and it puts less drag on the engine vs a regular automatic.
I bought this car in May with the 5 speed transmission. I love it, consistently get 35-38 mpg and the car is very fun to drive for a 2.0 4 cyl. I'm glad i bought it, plan to keep it for a long time.
got a used 2013 Ford Focus SE Hatchback in August of 2020, 18,000 miles and a great price. I love driving it.
Found this car at 4990$ with 165000km do you think it's worth buying?
Any issue with the powershift transmission?
The back seats do fold down all the way flat, you have to lift up the seat part first and then fold them down.
Had transmission shakes but it's covered under warranty. They replaced the seals at the dealer, no questions asked. It runs great.
Robert McDowell This sometimes fixes the issue. other people are having more issues with the double clutch pack. My car just got the updated seal and i have had no further issues. It only had 39k miles on it when it had the bad shudder at start. But Its good ford is Fixing this.
+Chris Lambert are you talking about the auto transmission?
1flynlow Yes I am.
rear disc brakes [ Customers "surprisingly' care about?? Hmm.... I'll never have a car with drum brakes EVER again!! This is because drum brakes don't stay adjusted and when they're out of adjustment, the front brakes get hotter and the rotors warp. Additionally, disc brakes stop better compared to drums. Drum brakes shouldn't even be offered on cars anymore.
I really like your reviews because you analyze intermediate versions of cars. Most of the times the reviews in RUclips are about the top of the equipment.
I hated the look of the focus until this style came out.
We think the Powershift transmission has been improved greatly from the earlier 2012 models, however, we still prefer the manual, but the automatic is still better than the 4AT in the corolla, or the slow reacting 6AT in the cruze, it's just a transmission that you have to get used to.
Have a 2000 Focus when they first came out. She has 90,689 miles. Not even broke in yet and can peel rubber if you know how. Looks brand new. Metallic Fort Knox Gold.
I had a 2012 Ford Focus titanium it had around 200,000 miles when I traded it I loved that car I regret selling it
Your Lancer is lit tho too
@@ThatCarGuy2 fax
We agree, the upper trims get pricey but they have the tech to show for it. If you skip the upper trims and expensive options, the price is right where all its competitors fall.
Wow, very nice eye catching that detail, looks like they just took out the label for the increments of 10, they are still there but just aren't labeled anymore
Thanks for posting this comment. I'm shopping for a 2013 Ford Focus SE Hatch and, after reading your post, I went back to the dealer to test it. They don't lie ENTIRELY flat in the SE hatch, but it's pretty dang close -- certainly closer than just laying them down on the seat cushion. Appreciate it!
i bought this same car in black and it feels so good, i really love the wheels and it behaves great in cornering
I drove both back to back yesterday, and road/wind noise is significantly quieter in the focus. However, the exhaust is a bit louder, but does not drone, and is deeper and more pleasing to the ear. It drives tighter, and the interior is SIGNIFICANTLY better.
I like how you review cars! It's more of you talking to your viewers rather than selling a car to a customer
The ST rides a tad stiffer bc of the 18" rims but it's not punishing at all. If you have rid in a GTI both vehicles ride very similarly. The Speed3 has the most punishing ride of the 3 vehicles while the Civic Si has the softest ride.
Ford has been on a winning streak since 2008. The Focus is great, do everyone well vehicle, fun yet functional.
That was edmunds, their times are often slower than everyone else's.
Yes, that combination is available
That's a good way to put it. After driving a manually for my past two cars I don't ever want to go back to an autotragic.
I got my 2014 focus in July of 2015 with 6,558 miles and by the time I had put 15,000 miles I had to take it in for horrible shuddering problems when driving at low speeds. It ended up needing a new clutch which was on back order for 8-10 weeks nationwide. However ever since getting it fixed it drives like a new car and Ford has extended the warranty on the transmissions since there have been so many issues. I would also keep in mind the car actually has a cvt transmission which causes some of the issues you hear about but all in all its a great car for the money which really is a ton of fun to drive
Not CVT. DCT
Faith Dye does the manual have the transmission problems?
Faith Dye z
Both are great cars and offer their own strengths and weaknesses. The Civic does have a better reputation for reliability but the Focus offers more premium features and the hatchback body style. Both are fun to drive but the Ford is a bit quicker and quieter on the highway. As far as cost, the Civic is more expensive after you factor in the rebates Ford offers on the Focus.We'd have a hard time choosing ourselves ;)
If you say sel one more time lol
I just bought this car (2014 Focus SE Hatchback). After previously owning a Dodge Avenger I say nothing could be worse than that crap! I bought the Automatic as thats all they had left (It was 3 months ago when purchased new). So far Ive put on 4 thousand miles (only having 6 miles rolling off the lot) and the car is great I average between 31 and 33 mixed mpg driving. This was the main reason I bought it to save gas and refills are so cheap! The transmission is a little clunky and takes some getting used to but its not perfect. I didn't buy this car thinking it would be perfect like so many others have and complain about the transmission. And since it technically was on clearance i saved 5 thousand dollars (paying 15 thousand) as they were making room for '15 models. I wish mine was a manual as i know id toss it around like a go cart but the automatic is just as fun as it handles so great. This car puts a smile on my face every time I drive it and hopefully i will keep it for as long as it runs!
You got a 2014 for $15? I'm looking at a used 2013 SE hatchback, dealer is asking $15,500. How low could I offer?
Well the car had a lot of rebates and the dealer I went to had a lot of 2014 Foci so they discounted them again. That's how my price was so low. It could be just were you live also. I'm in Ohio but for example cars in Kentucky are generally cheaper. If I were you I'd try to haggle the price down. Or just search like I did for the lowest price. There are some dealers in my area that I just looked at that have 2015 SE hatchbacks and sedans for under 16 brand new! Don't settle for the 13 model if they won't budge on the price.
I realize I have two accounts and replied from the other one
Wow! This is a small-town dealership that just has a few dozen clean, used cars. The Ford dealer in town has only 1 used focus and a few 2015s. They are doing 0% interest and $1000 off new cars. I appreciate your input.
Anything is better than the avenger
Yes, the Focus is still quieter than even the 2013 Civic
I love mine. It was the most bottom line and it is really comfortable and you cant beat the price:16987
Car & Driver Data:
Focus ST 0-60: 5.9 secs
Civic Si: 6.5 secs
I'm from Croatia, on our highways you're allowed to drive 156 km/h, or 97 mph. So most people drive like that, but some go much faster, because realistically you could drive 200 mph on those roads. They're almost completely new highways, one of the best in Europe. And in Germany on some pieces of autobahn if you drive 100 mph, you have to move to slow lane.
Ammon Hanson I have this exact car with the powershift, and I would steer clear of it if I were you. Almost every focus has major transmission issues by 40k miles. And Fords dealer network and warranty people are a nightmare to deal with. Other then the transmission issues (which are basically the worst around town its great on the highway) its a great car.
do you think it would be a reliable car if it had the 5 speed manual?
+David Lyday yes and no. If you care for it properly yes. But working in rental I have seen many focuses with carbon issues around 40k miles. I traded mine at 50k but used top tier fuel and so I didn't have those issues. My transmission was the issue.
+David Lyday BUT the 2016 uses a different transmission that's not a dual clutch and we have those in our fleet and they are good!
+Nick Olsen I'm very conflicted, I really want a used hatchback. I feel like a used manual focus is a fun great value but if it's going to be in the shop then I might as well get a soulless scion xB. what cars do you think are a quality value
rental companies buy tons of these in hords. Ford dumps a lot of cars to fleets to boost their sales and too get rid of their inventory. Rental companies generally keep cars for a few months so they don't worry about long term maintenance.
i'm used to driving stick, and been driving for more than 20 years ... on my last 2 cars however, i've already opted for automatic transmission ... i agree that stick is more fun to drive and very responsive especially out on the highway, but in my case I live in Manila and traffic is almost always horrible during weekday rush hours - believe me you'll hate stick driving in these conditions
The least expensive SE Hatch with an Auto is around $20,000. You can get a Sedan for $18,000 or around the same price as a Civic LX Auto... make sure you are comparing apples to apples here
Yes, it is limited to the Sedan only
Nice review -- I like your comparison of the SE with the 201A and the SEL. I wonder how rough the ST rides compared to the SE -- I'll find out shortly after a test drive. I rented an SE for a 3000-mile/9-day trip and completely fell in love. Ford has done one heck of a job.
I get you. I went used simple because I could get more car than I could get new. I got my focus july 5 and love every minute of it. the EPA numbers are spot on. I am averaging 26mpg city right now and that is with my daily commute being low spends with allot of lights. Also allot of people complain about the dual clutch transmission but for me it is just fine.
What’s that deal with people saying that the DCT is a bad transmission? I’ve not had any of the problems I’ve been hearing about and my car was one of the first ones built. I love my eight year old 210k miles Focus SEL. Really the only problems I’ve had is the infotainment system and the recently recalled EVAP system that might stall the car if it’s low on gas.
True, however; the Altima is much more practical at hauling people. Sure you can't move big bulky items with it, but the Altima has more than enough space for your average consumer.
I'm sure someone has mentioned this, the seat do indeed fold flat in the back, you have to lift./flip the bottom part of the seat out of the way, then drop the back. BTW the truck is HUGE when you do this. I carried a go cart in the back of mine.
My parents are thinking about getting me a 2014 focus hatch as a graduation gift. I really like the hatch version.
Guy Tennant hatch is ugly. so tall
Well I mean, its my opinion.
Rear seats actually do fold down flat (most people don't know this, even my dealer didn't know) have to pull the seat bottoms forward then the seats will fold flat. Depending on how far the front seats are back you might also have to remove the headrests for the rear seats. Cheers!
I'm having the hardest time choosing between this and the new Dodge Dart. I drove them both on the weekend, I liked the feel of the steering wheel and interior better on the Focus, but I prefer the styling and customization options better on the Dart. They both drive the same to me. What do you guys think?
Keep in mind a GTI does not compete with this car. Compare this car to the Golf TDI and they are roughly the same price and get nearly the same MPG
My fathers company BMW 730d with 245hp, which weighs 1,9tons has 30-35 mpg AVERAGE over the last year or so. And that car is driven mostly on highways at speeds over 100mph, and trough cities. And he drives A LOT, the car is 3 years old and has 250 000 km's on it already. And he does not drive carefuly to consume fuel, since he doesn't pay for fuel. :P
we have two up already
The SE now has the same center console as the Titanium (which I dont like), and it comes standard with the silver door handles. Fog lights are no longer standard on the SE, but alloys are.
I had a friend's grandmother buy a diesel VW for that very reason. Didn't even know it was a diesel until we told her it was one.
I'm sorry , but the SEL is still available , because the car that I'm buying is an SEL and its the 2013 model
ST if course, it has 51 more hp than the Si and 100 more ft lbs of torque
The seats do fold completely flat, you just have to lift up the seat bottom cushions and then fold the back seats down, kind of like the old Escape.
Lots of options avaliable on these cars. I don't mind one, it seems like a well rounded car. But I'd rather take a Mazda 3. Good video
Great review, the only thing I would say is that the rear seats do fold flat. The seat bottoms lift up and the headrest can be
removed to fold the seats flat, i'm considering getting another focus and this would have turned me off if it didn't do this
I would take a Jetta. The new 2013 Jetta has independent rear suspension, standard discs, standard A/C, and unlike the Focus it has 4 power windows one touch up/down. The Jetta is better value and a bit cheaper. And with the TDI much better fuel economy and performance.
I like your reviews. You speak at a nice pace and go over relevant details vs. spending 5 minutes testing something superficial, like 0-60 times, which other reviewers seem to suffer from. One question--with all other things being equal, which would you go for? A 2013 Civic (maybe EX) or a Ford Focus SE? They are very similar in price, and I've test drove them both and prefer the Ford. However, I still have the bias that Honda = more reliable. I'm torn. :(
Yea, you'd know... Ford Focus was actually made in the first place to compete and match the Golf, but no generation ever does. You might not know this, but Focus is actually a european model, this is the fourth generation of it, as a hatchback, while in US, its the first gen. This was designed, developed and tested in Koln, Germany, to compete with european hatchbacks, mainly Golf. This car actually never was meant to be sold in the US, until they started that "global Ford" bullshit.
for some reason, i like the looks of the manual climate control better then the dual zone.....
Hey the price list on the car is that how you have them in the yard because thats a pretty great way of advertising the cars features with out having to tell people everything and compared to how cars are in yards here in Australia thats a hell of a lot easier to look at read.
Yea you can't even notice its a diesel by sound anymore. And VW / Audi diesels that are in VW's in US market are old models I think, not the newest common rail injection models, and they are pretty loud and rough compared to some others, such as Peugeot, Citroen, Renault, BMW, Alfa...they're smooth as butter and you never notice its a diesel, until you put your foot down and it slams you into the seat in 4th gear at 2000 rpm lol.
Back seats do fold flat when you flip up the bottom seat and take out the head rests.
I just bought a used focus SEL hatch a couple of days ago and even I had to tell the sales guy that the seats do lay flat. It seems Ford didn't do a very good job making it well known you can do that.
Hi, Whats up?
So far it is running very well and impressive gas millage, had some fun with manual shift it has pretty good acceleration, I am totally satisfied with this car :)
My point was that the car can be bought brand new for the amount he is pointing out. He was making it seem like the ST cost tons more than the GTI.
It was the 2012 model they really had problems with. The 2013 have some problems but no where near the issues .I suggest you join the focusfanaticsdotcom and join. It's free and if you have continuous problems there is a resident Ford customer service rep that monitors that site and she can help you with any issues but be patient because I am positive it will be OK. Find a stretch of road that has no traffic and do a few full throttle starts form a dead stop. this wil help. I did and it helped.
Those wheels are a great upgrade.
Yeah, that's true. I think Ford will have a tough time selling these top of the line Focuses though, there are a ton of great cars out there for $25,000
I think this car was very nice I am very disappointed with the soft touch thing there is not much...I hate to be picky but I wanted to know if you may be able to do a video on a Chrysler Pacifica maybe 2005 or up...if so...great thank you
The car in the video doesn't actually have the appearance package on it. I have a decked out SE hatchback and the Appearance Package is suppose to have a black spoiler and black rims. I also notice you don't have a touch screen in yours and I do. But then, mine was $2000 more but I got a good price on it because of the incentives just after Hurricane Sandy hit. Also got the ten speaker Sony surround sound. All for $23000 before taxes at my dealer. Competition was a prius but this is much better.
Dear @2theredline . Can you do an in depth and test dive review for the new 2014 civic si coupe? I test drove it and i must say it's a really fun car to toss around. In addition, honda have noticeable updates in the car that you might want to check out.
I really want an ST, hopefully you'll do a video on it sometime.
Especially with the 1.0 EcoBoost, you can't even hear that it's switched on at idle.
Thanks man, I will try to find a road with less speed tracking cameras, I will let you know. Since it is not harmful for the engine I don't bother anymore because other than grinding sound the car ride very nice and fun.
I love your review videos, but I have yet to find a Ford Focus Titanium video.
nice video review ... i'm getting one next week
I have this car right now..,and while I enjoy the ride,,I'm still getting use to the fact that the engine revs up from a stop and takes awhile to switch gears....something that bothers me but I'm aware that is the design of the car. I am almost certain my next car will either be an Escape or an Edge.
Is this a good first car? I'm 15, and I'm possibly going to drive one of these when I am 16.
Same here.
+Gote Hope everything goes well for you, my friend. The learners test was easy.
Im 16, i've driven that car and I loved it, the acceleration is very good, reaches nice speeds, and looks great! not to mention it is very safe to drive
Just be careful of the Automatic Manual Transmission and their faulty TCMs and clutches
Get the 5 speed manual if you know how to drive stick
My mum has a 2015 fusion se luxury package wich has my ford touch and heated and cooled leather seats along with all leather so it’s basically a platinum but with a 10k less price tag
The car/hill button is likely your overdrive button. Cant help you with the other ?. I'm looking at getting one of these.
would you rather have this or a honda fit, from a drivers perspective?
Just rode in one today. The ride is great and quiet, but the back seat is a lil' small. I also found it weird that you can only lock/unlock the doors from the button in the middle.
they're not easy to find because they have to be ordered. I just tried to look for one.
I want this...minus the sunroof. Shame about the soft touch door panels and electronic climate controls though.
The max speed limit in the USA is about 85mph. And in some states (like where I am) 65mph. City stop and go is usually 25-45mph, "b-roads" 45-60mph, and highways 45-85mph. Most gas (petrol) powered stuff here is lucky to do above 30mpg at 60mph. And I want to go 100 on highways! Where are you from, exactly?
Did you remove the head rests? Also try taking a look at a used focus, I got my 2012 SEL with leather seats, fog lamps, dual zone climate control, parking sensors, moon roof and sweet 17 inch wheels for $17,000 at carmax. You can get a nice deal on a gently used Focus rather than loosing money buying new.
If you love cars and driving, once you learn how to drive stick you will never go back to an automatic
He's a good reviewer, but I really hate his Honda bias.
And that goes for all diesels, they're all very efficient without sacrificing performance, in fact, its opposite. If someone were to sit from a 150hp petrol engine car into a 150hp diesel, he'd think he's driving a much more powerful car.
Depends on when you buy. I was able to get a new one for much less than the used ones were going for.
I'm averaging 34 mpg and love mine
You should get an ST. that'd be SICK! I love that model :D
I had a GTI.. they're fun and all, if you can keep up with the maintenance costs and insurance. as I'm sure it may be the same deal with the ST.
Great Car are all American car's automatic by law?
8;03 seriously? that civic in front of Sofyan looks EXACTLY like my dad's 1999 civic EX coupe.
Looking at purchasing a used car in about a year or so, looking at the Mazda 6 and the Focus, 2012/13 models; My question is, with the automatic issues the Focus has, is it a consistent problem or hit or miss? Reviews otherwise seem pretty positive aside from that...
Sofyan, I didn't see leather seating listed under the 201 upgrade package when you showed us the car spec sheets on the window. I'm in Canada and I'm thinking of buying the 2013 focus se. This one here doesn't have leather!
Are you sure that the rear seat doesn't flip up so that the seat lays flat when folded down? I thought all hatchback did this. Also, can you take off the rear headrests so they don't poke my back when they are down.
are the transmission problems really as bad as people say? I want to get this car but am worry about the problem.
Drove VW Wagon w/2.0 TDi (turbo diesel) in Duetschland from Munich to Garmisch to Kitzbuhl. Mountains, Autobahn, City driving. 4 people plus gear. 31 MPG (13 Km/Litre). No way would a 2.0l Diesel get 59 or 100 MPG (25-42 Km/L). Your talk of 100 MPG sounds like Gen. Burkholder on Hogan's Heroes bragging about the German superiorty of their Gonkulator.