2009 Ford Focus SES 4dr 2.0L 4 cylinder from North America
Summary:
Good car with some faults
Faults:
Nothing at all.
General Comments:
First the nice things:
1. Impressive gas mileage: Got 36.5mpg on a recent 300 mile trip, almost entirely highway, averaging 65-70mph, all windows down, sunroof open.
2. Has a handy "overdrive off" switch for highway driving and steep hills.
3. Sync system is pretty easy to use.
4. Despite some hard plastic, I felt the interior was quite nice and solid-looking, no squeaks or rattles. Even with the optional sunroof.
5. The ride is nice for a small car with 16" wheels and relatively low-profile tires.
6. Huge trunk, even with the 8" subwoofer stealing some of the space.
7. Decent backseat room.
On to the not great stuff:
1. Overdrive gear is too tall for this car in the northeast. At 75mph you are only doing about 2500rpms, and most of the highways around here are 55-65mph speed limits.
2. Gear spacing is too wide... there is a BIG power dropoff when going full throttle 1st to 2nd. Granted, it is a 4spd auto, but I've driven 4 speeds that were more efficiently spaced.
3. Drivers armrest is too hard, causing me elbow pain on long drives.
4. While quieter than my previous Mercury Milan 4 cylinder (07), the engine does get rather boomy during moderate acceleration.
5. Handling is merely OK... based on my understanding, this era of Focus had the suspension significantly softened compared to previous generations. More body lean in cornering than I expected.
6. The "Audiophile" sound system is rather disappointing in sound quality... despite the 8" trunk mounted subwoofer, there seems to be a dearth of bass/midbass for rock music, although I'm sure really low bass heavy music such as rap & r&b would be just fine.
7. Drivers seat thigh support merely adequate... feels a bit saggy under your left leg.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 10th August, 2010
20th Jul 2011, 07:16
Original reviewer... I believe you only have Sync in this model if there is a fancy silver plate down by the 12 volt outlets that says "Sync by Microsoft". The jack may be a generic aux input for a portable audio device with a minijack output. If it has a USB connection port, it may have some sort of rudimentary phone or MP3 device connection.
Also, I believe the subwoofer is an option with the "audiophile sound" package that my car had. If you have the sub, it's quite obvious: it sits on the left side of the trunk with a huge black grille.
As for bass and treble, I no longer have this car (actually 2 cars removed from the Focus now!), but IIRC, you hit the button on the volume knob or the tuning knob until you get to the audio adjustments.
4th Jul 2011, 21:09
Before you read my comments, I have some limited experience with this model. Three years ago, I rented a 2008 Focus SES for a few days. My grandparents own a 2010 Focus SE. I own a 2011 Focus SE.
I have some comments for your survey.
"1. Impressive gas mileage: Got 36.5mpg on a recent 300 mile trip, almost entirely highway, averaging 65-70mph, all windows down, sunroof open."
My Focus is still in break-in, but in PA (hilly) and city conditions, I get 31.4 MPG. On a rental a few years ago (a 2008 model), I got 48 MPG at 65 MPH, no joke.
"3. Sync system is pretty easy to use."
If I have two 12-volt outlets in the bottom of my stereo, and a little silver jack in the middle (no Sync badge), do I have Sync? What is this jack for?
"4. Despite some hard plastic, I felt the interior was quite nice and solid-looking, no squeaks or rattles. Even with the optional sunroof."
Amen. My car doesn't have a sunroof, but the rental did. Ford used the best plastic they possibly could; superior to that of my 2005 Taurus and certainly true concerning my former 2001 Camry.
"6. Huge trunk, even with the 8" subwoofer stealing some of the space."
I do agree with the trunk space. Do all the Focuses have subwoofers?
"7. Decent backseat room."
I agree, although the entry and exit process leaves a lot to be desired. Once you're in, it's a pretty comfortable ride.
"3. Drivers armrest is too hard, causing me elbow pain on long drives."
I agree; the armrests should have been cushioned, and the center armrest needs to be about two inches longer; this can be achieved by moving the cup holders forward.
"6. The "Audiophile" sound system is rather disappointing in sound quality... despite the 8" trunk mounted subwoofer, there seems to be a dearth of bass/midbass for rock music, although I'm sure really low bass heavy music such as rap & r&b would be just fine."
This is probably the biggest complaint I have with the Focus so far: how do you adjust the bass, treble, and fade? My Taurus has actual buttons for this, and my Camry would let you cycle modes to change each setting. I've had the Focus for nearly a month and can't change it!
^^Excellent review, by the way. Short, sweet, to the point, and accurate. Thank you!