The Car Exam Quick Quiz # 29: The 2012 Ford Focus SE Sedan

Consumer and Car Exam Quick Quiz # 29: The 2012 Ford Focus SE Sedan

Good Grades: There are very few cars I sit in that feel like they fit like a glove--but the 2012 Ford Focus SE Sedan is one of them. Like several new cars I've driven recently, the Focus really feels like it's built to fit around the driver. The seats feel very comfortable, and the driving position is excellent. The interior quality is first-rate--one of the best I've seen on a Ford--ever. The gauge cluster is clear and simple to read, and the climate controls are also simple--and simple is a good thing. The radio controls are clearly marked, but they could take some getting used to. The Focus SE came with the optional MY Sync voice activated feature--neat, but you'll need practice to learn using it. I had no problem with the front or rear seat room--some reviews have--but it seemed to be fine in the Focus Sedan. Fuel Economy is a good 27 mpg in the city, and an even better 37 mpg on the highway. The six-speed automatic shifts well, also. The exterior styling is excellent--it's one of the best looking cars in its class, right up there with the Hyundai Elantra. The brakes work well, and the Focus comes packed with ABS, and a full complement of air bags. Engine acceleration was fine--but I'll get back to that in a moment.

Bad Grades: The engine acceleration was fine, but seemed a bit harsh--not as refined as a Toyota power plant, for example. That is something that could use some more work from Ford. The trunk lid wasn't lined, which it should have been, and the trunk opening should have been wider.

Final Grade: Having driven the 2010 Focus earlier this year, and comparing to the new 2012 model, the 2012 SE Sedan is a homerun for Ford, whereas the 2010 was a double at best. While it isn't perfect, the 2012 Focus SE Sedan is far better than the previous model, and worthy of praise.

The Car Exam Grade: A

MSRP: $17,400

Price as tested: $21,775

By P. Scott

The Car Exam Quick Quiz #23: at look back at the 2010 Ford Focus

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The Car Exam Quick Quiz #23: The 2010 Ford Focus SE

First of all, why test a 2010 Focus with the 2012 models freshly rolling off the assembly line? Frankly, it makes a good point of reference when the new focus will be reviewed. With that point in mind here's the review:

Good Grades: Decent power and acceleration from the four cylinder engine, good cornering ability, satisfactory seat comfort, good interior room, easy to read gauges, interior materials better than earlier models, adequate braking, good fuel economy.




Bad Grades: The Radio and air conditioning/heat controls are small, busy, confusing and hard to look at and control at glance; side support in the seats could be better, road noise, the styling, while okay, leaves a lot to be desired.



Final Grade: In spite of its flaws, the outgoing Focus does indeed have some good qualities about it; it's generally a pleasant car to drive--less boring than the Toyota Corolla--but I wouldn't call it class leading, either. Driving this Focus makes me even more eager to drive the 2012 models to see just how much the car has improved overall. The styling of the 2012 definitely has a lot going for it--now let's see if Ford can deliver the entire package in an acceptable fashion.

Final Grade B

P. Scott

The Car Exam News #16: The recall bug bites the Tesla Roadster, BMW and Mercedes bests Lexus, & the 2012 Focus will be cheaper than the current model

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The recall bug bites the Tesla Roadster


Electric cars aren’t perfect, either: Automotive News reports that over 400 Tesla Roadsters are being recalled due to the possibility that a power cable could short and catch on fire. Tesla apparently had one report in which a 12-volt cable inside of one of the Roadsters chafed a panel and caught on fire. Tesla has begun to notify owners of the potential problem and will send its service crews to customer’s homes or offices to repair the problem (during which they will install a protective sleeve over the cable to eliminate the shorting issue).

Source: Automotive News (http://www.autonews.com) 10/04/10




BMW and Mercedes-Benz bests Lexus
Lexus feels the sales effect of its recent woes: USA Today is reporting that BMW and Mercedes-Benz finally passed Lexus in total sales last month, easily upending the storied Toyota luxury brand.



Lexus sales dropped more than 5% percent last month, while BMW and Mercedes-Benz both saw their sales rise over 20% percent during the same month.

Source: USA Today (http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/index) 10/4/10








The 2012 Focus to be cheaper than the current model

In more news from USA Today, it is reporting that the 2012 Ford Focus (due next year) will start at a base price that is $20 dollars cheaper than the outgoing base 2011 Focus S model costs (which is $16, 270). Ford will also give $500 rebates to customers who order the brand new Focus early—before the end of February 2011. It looks like Ford is really going to promote the new Focus heavily, and it will be interesting to learn what else Ford has in the works for the launch of the 2012 Focus.

Source: USA Today (http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2010/10/ford-prices-new-focus-cheaper-than-current-model/1?loc=interstitialskip) 10/3/10

P. Scott

The Car Exam News #15: Move over, Ford Fiesta: the 2012 Focus will have its followers, and the Focus will also get 40 MPG?

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First the “Fiesta Movement”—now a “movement” for the Focus?

Move over, Fiesta. The Focus will get its own movement: Automotive News is reporting that Ford will market the upcoming 2012 Focus in a similar manner in Europe as it did the Fiesta with the “Fiesta Movement” here in the United States last year. 100 people will be selected to drive the new Focus for two days sometime in early 2011. The participants will write blogs and post videos to Facebook, just as the Fiesta Movement participants did last year.

Source: Automotive News (http://www.autonews.com) 9/30/10


More Focus news: The 2012 Ford Focus to achieve 40 MPG?

Fuel Economy watchers, take notice: the Detroit Free Press reports that Ford claims that the 2012 Focus will achieve 40 miles-per-gallon on the highway. This hasn’t been certified by the E.P.A. yet, so those numbers are not official right now. If Ford’s claim is indeed true, the 2012 Focus will beat the current highway fuel economy numbers of its main competition: the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, the upcoming 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, and more.

Source: The Detroit Free Press (http://www.freep.com/article/20100930/BUSINESS01/9300398/1331/BUSINESS01/Ford-says-Focus-will-get-40-m.p.g.-) 9/30/10

P. Scott