2008 Ford Focus: Road Test
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2008 Ford Focus ▼
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- MSRP: $14,395 -$16,925
- Invoice: $13,569 -$15,727
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Our road test for the 2008 Ford Focus includes a full evaluation of the 2008 Ford Focus from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2008 Ford Focus, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2008 Ford Focus help you decide if a 2008 Ford Focus is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| SES coupe, automatic | SES sedan, manual | SES sedan, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 5 | 4 | 4.8 |
With Automatic transmission, Focus has just adequate power for highway merging or ascending long grades. The automatic provides timely downshifts. Manual-transmission models feel snappier, with better performance overall.
FUEL ECONOMY
| SES coupe, automatic | SES sedan, manual | SES sedan, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 9 | 8 | 6.6 |
In Consumer Guide testing, Focus models with automatic transmission averaged 27.3-28.9 mpg in mostly highway driving. A manual-transmission sedan returned a frugal 31.2 mpg. Focus uses regular-grade gas.
RIDE QUALITY
| SES coupe, automatic | SES sedan, manual | SES sedan, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 5.1 |
SES's standard sport suspension and 16-inch tires give a firm but compliant ride. No opportunity to test models with 15-inch tires.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| SES coupe, automatic | SES sedan, manual | SES sedan, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 5.9 |
Models tested have communicative steering, plus well-controlled body lean and decent grip in fast turns. At highway speeds, though, Focus is subject to gusty crosswind wander. Braking is stable, but pedal feel is average.
QUIETNESS
| SES coupe, automatic | SES sedan, manual | SES sedan, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 4.5 |
Road rumble is marked, and the tires thump over expansion joints. The engine sounds coarse during acceleration but quiets down while cruising. The persistent road and engine noise drown out whatever tire thrum there might be.
CONTROLS
| SES coupe, automatic | SES sedan, manual | SES sedan, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 5.7 |
Well-arranged dashboard has mostly intuitive and handy controls. The gauges for the most part are clear, but they can be hard to read in changing lighting conditions. Sync is a hit-or-miss affair. It works fairly well as a voice-controlled system for MP3 players. At times, though, it wouldn't recognize the voices of some of our testers. Sync's cell phone integration isn't as easy to use as some rivals. While its voice command generally worked well, some of Sync's functions, such as pairing a phone to the system, were not very intuitive.
DETAILS
| SES coupe, automatic | SES sedan, manual | SES sedan, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5.2 |
Interior materials disappoint overall. The dashboard on the SES model is dominated by dull, silvery plastic trim, which reeks of cost cutting. Even the available leather trim looks low grade. One test sedan suffered from several misaligned body panels and poorly upholstered rear bench seat.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| SES coupe, automatic | SES sedan, manual | SES sedan, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 5.7 |
Legroom is quite good for the class, and headroom is outstanding in models that don't have the sunroof. Headroom is still good in Focuses that do have it. The seats are generally supportive, though some testers found them to be too flat for ideal long-distance comfort. Large door openings ease entry and exit.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| SES coupe, automatic | SES sedan, manual | SES sedan, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 3 | 3 | 4.1 |
Headroom and legroom in the sedan are decent for the class. The sunroof housing does cramp head space for taller riders. In the coupe, smaller adults will fit in the back for short trips. Entry and exit in 2-door models is difficult as the front seats awkwardly slide forward.
CARGO ROOM
| SES coupe, automatic | SES sedan, manual | SES sedan, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 4.9 |
The trunklid uses space-saving strut-type hinges. All models have low liftover, plus split folding rear seatbacks for added versatility. The cargo area is usefully shaped, but the subwoofer used by the optional audio system cuts into cargo room. Interior storage is merely OK. The glovebox is skimpy, as are the front-door map pockets. The center console storage bin is deep, but its opening is small.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| SES coupe, automatic | SES sedan, manual | SES sedan, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 6 | 6 | 6.2 |
Focus feels dated compared with cars such as the Honda Civic and Nissan Versa. The versatile hatchback and wagon that made Focus stand out have been dropped. Still, front-seat room and comfort impress, and pricing is competitive. Ford's Sync voice-activated control system for cell phones and MP3 players is a nice feature for the class, despite a few bugs that need to be sorted. We'd shop elsewhere, but incentives and discounts might make Focus a viable choice for shoppers who put price before everything else.
Total Score
| SES coupe, automatic | SES sedan, manual | SES sedan, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 54 | 58 | 56 | 58.7 |
Total Score: 56
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