Ford Focus Review & Road Test
September 17, 2009 by Paul Maric
2009 Ford Focus LX Hatch Review and Road Test
Ford’s Focus still a rewarding drive
Model Tested:
- 2009 Ford Focus LX; 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, petrol; five-speed manual; five-door hatch – $24,290
Options:
- Metallic paint – Tango; $230 (Fitted)
Ride and handling; fuel economy; styling.
Misaligned buttons; no rear parking sensors available.
CarAdvice Rating: 
Words – Paul Maric
The recent couple of years have seen Ford Australia changing production plans more often than Subaru changes designs.
While Ford has dumped plans to produce the Focus locally, it will remain on sale here. so I got behind the wheel of the mid-life upgrade Focus LX.
Sitting first step up from the CL base model, the LX is loaded with features at a reasonably low price in comparison to its European competitors.
Despite Ford’s diesel Focus being popular in the marketplace both in terms of sales and fuel efficiency, the petrol variant of the small car is also proving to be quite popular.
Our test vehicle was fitted with the 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox, with the engine producing 107kW and 185Nm. While the gearbox is clearly missing a sixth gear, it’s leaps and bounds ahead of its four-speed automatic sibling.
Where the four-speed automatic needs to be coaxed into moving the car, the five-speed manual does it in an almost racy fashion.
A light, but accurate clutch and smooth throw gear lever lay the foundations to what I’ll go out on a limb to describe as a class leading drive.
The Focus has European engineering written all over it. The ride over our B-grade country roads and also at speed shows that the car is versatile and has been engineered to cope with a wide variety of conditions.
The responsive steering offers a great deal of feedback, while also being light and forgiving – often front-wheel-drive vehicles of this size tend to get a bit carried away and bite at the wheel under hard acceleration.
Tootling around the city is probably where the Focus will live most of its life. In addition to good visibility out the front and rear, the Focus is easy to place and even easier to park courtesy of larger wing mirrors.
Mid-life updates are normally modest at best and the Focus doesn’t buck from that trend. Revised headlights and several other design elements such as the front end and wing mirrors have further refined the design and brought it into line with the rest of the global Ford family.
Inside the cabin, changes have been sparse – that’s not a bad thing though. Use of interior room is clever with a decent sized glove box and areas to hold odds and ends.
The misaligned button blanks at the bottom of the centre stack weren’t very pretty though and are a disappointing oversight.
The multimedia controls are very easy to use, thankfully, and clearly marked buttons and a conventional layout make them easy to find and use. The stereo is also quite impressive, and offering plenty of bass, the four-speaker sound system utilises steering wheel mounted controls, although they are hidden from view and take a bit of getting used to.
Rear passenger legroom is okay, but nothing to write home about, although entry and exit are good for a vehicle of this size. It’s anticipated that all five seats will be seldom used simultaneously.
Boot volume of 385-litres is ample for everyday needs. The boot’s awkwardly high lip became a bit of an issue when loading large objects and even more so when removing them as they couldn’t simply slide out of the boot.
While tearing up apexes and heel-toeing into corners is mainly reserved for the Focus XR5 Turbo, you will be pleased to hear that the regular Focus still holds its own when thrown into a few corners.
The dynamics of the car offer a subtle ride when cruising along and as such induce body roll when cornering, but it’s not overly intrusive. It gradually increases to a point where it holds and carries the cornering load.
In the right gear the Focus is also quite sprightly out of a corner, giving the driver the opportunity to really stretch its legs. Braking is also quite responsive with a firm and spongy brake pedal.
The 2.0-litre petrol consumes 7.1-litres per 100 kilometres on the combined test cycle, and on test that figure was easily achievable, dropping down to around 6.5L/100km with a greater percentage of highway driving under its belt.
An impressive array of safety features are included as standard on the LX, these include: Electronic Stability Control (ESC); driver and front passenger airbags; driver and front passenger side airbags; side curtain airbags; ABS brakes with EBD and BA; engine immobiliser and passive anti-theft system.
Standard features also include: in-dash CD player; auxiliary input jack; air-conditioning; 16-inch alloy wheels; front and rear fog lights; central locking; electric mirrors; electric windows; cruise control; MP3 compatibility and cargo blind.
The Focus LX is available in both Hatch and Sedan and is priced from $24,290 for both in manual, petrol guise. The four-speed automatic gearbox is an additional $2000.
Although it’s hard for Ford to compete with rivalry from Korea when it comes to pricing, it certainly has the measure of its cut price competitors when it comes to drive and handling.
At $24,290, the Focus LX offers good value for money and a rewarding drive. It’s certainly worth a test drive if you are in the market for a new small to mid sized hatchback or sedan.
Ratings:
CarAdvice Overall Rating:
How does it Drive: 
How does it Look:
How does it Go:
Specifications:
- Engine: 1999cc four-cylinder (16-valve)
- Power: 107kW @ 6000rpm
- Torque: 185Nm @ 4500rpm
- Induction: Naturally aspirated
- Transmission: Five speed manual
- Driven Wheels: Front wheel drive
- Brakes: Four wheel discs
- Top Speed: N/A
- 0-100km/h: N/A
- CO2 Emissions: 169g/km
- Fuel Consumption: 7.1-litres/100km (ADR combined)
- Fuel Consumption: 6.5-litres/100km (as tested)
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 55-litres
- Fuel Type: 91RON petrol
- ANCAP Rating: Five star
- Airbags: Six
- Safety: ABS brakes with EBD and BA. ESP.
- Spare Wheel: Space saver
- Suspension: Independent front and rear
- Cargo Capacity: 385-litres
- Tow Capacity: 900kg (braked)/650kg (unbraked)
- Turning Circle: 10.7 metres
- Warranty: Three-years/100,000km
- Weight: 1312kg
- Wheels: 16-inch alloy with 205/55R16 tyres
Print it: 
Paul;
Tell Ford to include their genuine part number “A92SX 19F524AA”, as standard-equipment in the Focus:-)
(Those of you who buy *any* Ford passenger car here in AUS, are suggested to order one as well, for use at breakdown and crash scenes for improved safety)!
http://www.nbntv.com.au/index......de-safety/
Good luck!
Lower RH pic of rear bar in Paul’s review above, shows a neat rear fog lamp;-
http://www.boostcruising.com/f.....pic=450922
While I do like the idea of rear fog lamps being standard (what’s the point in having front fogs with no rears, all you silly Aussie/Jap manufacturers??!!), it does strike images of terror of more Hyundai Excels/Accents and Subaru Imprezas driving around in perfectly clear weather with their rear fogs on, completely oblivious.
Unless police start to enforce the laws regarding the use of foglamps to a reasonable degree, it will just mean more annoyances in 99% of situations and the continuation of the current situation with idiots driving around in pelting rain or pea soup fog with all their lights OFF during the day. Heck, even the police in their SS Commodores drive around with their foglamps on regardless of the weather.
Well that certainly sounds like a great drive for its’ class, thanks for the review CA.
We have had the last shape Fiesta for 5 years and think it’s a great car in so many ways.
I wonder what happens when the stereos on these type of cars go pearshaped, does one make a blank plate out of some tin or plastic then cut a hole in that to suit an after-market unit ?????????
Good luck to the Focus.
Yes you can get aftermarket adaptor face plates for changing to aftermarket stereos.
you have been able to for quite a while
I reckon that for the price, the Focus is probably class leader. The new 3 is a great car but I don’t think it offers a drive that beats the Focus, it is better quality though.
What I love about the Focus is that it’s fun to drive even in base spec. Even with a naturally aspirated 1.4 engine. Even the Econetic version. It’s also really safe, it has a good interior (though the interior design doesn’t look good in pictures), the face-lifted version looks brilliant and it has loads of storage space.
If I buy a car in this class, I usually buy French because they tend to be a bit quirkier and more interesting to own, but if you needed your car to make lots of sense and just be a great all rounder, the Focus is an excellent choice. However, the Golf would probably be an even better choice for just a bit more money.
I hope you’re talking about the Focus in the UK, because we have not got the 1.4 engine or the ECOnetic…
That said, I drove the new Fiesta in a 1.4auto, and thought it was an absolute slug! I could not believe the difference between it and its 1.6 Stablemate, unbelievable… 1.4 was terrible, and the 1.6 was sooo ‘quick’ and zippy!
Yes I am talking about the UK Focus. Don’t get me wrong, the 1.4 Focus is sooooo slow but it still handles well so in the right situation and in the right gear, it can still be great fun.
The Focus is the car most Australian journos love to hate, which is a pity because it’s a very convincing package. The folks at another particular motoring website beginning with D and ending in E are particularly venemous against any of Ford’s offerings that compete with their beloved Mazda.
Which websites that? I can’t figure it out from starts with a D and ends with an E.
is it Drove???
It actually ends in L – Drivel, that’s what they write most of the time.
Yhose mags are the same style as the factory mags on my AU ute.LOL.
Much prefer the look of the sedan. This needs some of that econetic styling I think.
So you have got the “SE” then???
I test drove 2009 Focus and didn’t find anything that would justify it for more than 5000 price difference with Lancer. Just a tad less tyre noise but that’s debatable.
Lancer much better overall car, and warranty.
This African Focus lacks willingness.
Come on CA why didn’t you mention 5 times that the Focus is made in Africa??
I’m sure if it had been a road test of the Cruze the word Korea would of been mentioned several times.
Cruze did not get a mention of Korea until we read the comments. Most web sites are telling readers the truth and comments are positive. Let us know all the details, we are capable of making an informed decision and can see when we are misled. Give CA some credit, they did not say Fiesta was made in Germany in the first steer. This should be in the list of specs, as seen on redbook.com.au
i don’t see how there’s no 0 to 100 time, were you too lazy to grab a stop watch? and the fuel consumption is actually under what ford claim. yay! i was considering this or swift sport. i still think swift sport is better. more kw to the tone and no silver dash stuff
My mum brought a lx focus at the start of the year.it has already been back to the dearler ship a number of times to have rattles and loose trim fixed and a new windscreen wiper motor. The gearbox won’t select gears when coming out of low speed coners. The road noise is louder then the 98 camry we upgraded from. The seats are hard. It doesn’t fell as we built as the camry did….
Biggest dissapointment with this car, is the fact it will not be built in Australia. Quality would have improved markedly over the South African built versions.
Rear Parking sensors are an option as Delear Fit. My new TDCi Focus with Powershift (What a great transmission!) has them
They had a four year review in the NRMA’s Open Road magazine this month on a Focus CL they chose as the Best car under $28,000 or something in 2005.
Not very good.
Lots of problems, including the infamous Euro brake issue. The NRMA reported the car often needs new brake pads AND rotors at 30,000Km and they aren’t cheap.
Great for an economy car. Then there were other problems, many.
The Focus, nice car to drive, just wouldn’t want to own one. Well I would not mind an XR5, they are not meant to be cheap to run.
What brake issue?
You are confusing it with the first generation Focus. You’ve got your lines crossed!
As far as I have seen it’s not built any worse than an Astra.
Nope current Focus.
What brake issue? You live under a rock? The Focus and other Euro cars have a huge problem with very rapid Brake pad and rotor wear.
As for “not built any worse than an Astra” that is damning it with faint praise.
The Astra has the same problem
No denying the Focus is great to drive – but it’s too poorly built to be acceptable, and this is after Ford’s obvious efforts at improving build quality. By all means drive a Focus you’ve borrowed off somebody else, but for yourself, buy a Lancer or even (dare I say it) a Kia Cerato.
I’ve had 2 Focuses by the way, as I’m a sucker for a car that drives well. But I will never consider another South African built Focus.
You must have been unlucky Yonny – my brother’s 2006 SA-built Focus has not had any problems, even after 120,000km.
I dropped into my local Ford Dealer the other day to pick up an oil filter for my Fiesta XR4, while I was there I thought I’d wander over and take a look at the new Fiesta (which incidently was aweful!!) .. also there was a new LX Focus, thought I’d open the door and have a little sit in it and a look around .. OMG!! .. I couldn’t jump out of the thing quick enough! .. the seats are like sitting on planks of wood .. so hard it was ridiculous, couldn’t possibly put up with them! .. didn’t even look any further at it.
Hard seats seem to be loved by Euro designers. Do yourself a favour and sit in a G6E Turbo. Best seats I have ever sat in…
Paul Maric –
Thank you for giving us with such an informative product review. I hope Ford in India will launch this car as it has shown how versatile it can be for the middle class buyer elsewhere on the globe. I think the Focus is not a very good looking car though its interiors look tempting. Here, they can either use the 1.4 or the 1.8-liter Duratorq engine, but positioning it would be key.
Because Mercedes and BMW also buid in South Africa :)
I dont care what anyone says… ill never buy Korean.
to assess the long-term quality of a car, the german car magazine AutoBILD regularly does 100.000 km endurance tests with alost every brand/type of cars.
The Ford Focus ranks at place 9 of the hit-ist. together with the Ford Mondeo
and the Opel Vectra. The best Volkswagen ranks at 22 (the bus). The Golf ranks at 38, the Passat at 58.
That much as a comment o the quality.
The cars are being driven for 100,000 kilometers and then get dismantled completely even the engine, and every part measured and inspected. All breakdowns etc are being listed as well.
A score of 9 being good or bad?
ie: Is a score of 1 top place or last place?
Ford Focus, what a car! We have these things for work vehicles and man are they good. 180,000kms on mine and still going strong. We normally get rid of our cars once out of warranty, but what is the point. I am a younger and more enthusiastic driver and because its not my car I caine it all day hoping that I will get a upgrade once it faults. It won’t do it though. Brakes get worn quick though. Its got mad handling too. I often accelerate when I see hard corners instead of slowing down. The new Lancers aren’t taking the punishment though nor are the Corollas suprisingly. I would buy one but then I will drive another Focus. For the buyer in this price range I have no affiliation with Ford and am only speaking on the behalf of what me and my collegues fell. They say Le Mans 24hr is the ultimate test of edurance, well how about being with me and 10 other Punk drivers for like 2 years. Long live the old red focus.
Just had a call from the dealership. They want $500 to change the front disks and rotors at only 27,000km!! Love the focus, but not loving the UnAustralian Ford prices. My VW golf was cheaper to service.
I need to make a decision this weekend and I am confused. Have been driving a brand new focus LX this week and I absolutely love it. Drives like a bigger car. Excellent response, tight and handles well. I have also test driven the corolla ascent, mazda neo and hyundai i30. Mazda is ahead in finish and spunkability but it felt spongy to drive and when putting the foot down just a bit to get from 80 – 100 the motor revs hard for a second or two before it gets into gear. Hyundai too. I spend 2 hours a day in peak hour traffic and also do a lot of country driving. I worry that the Mazda doesn’t have the zip that I need. Corollo – err – looks like a matchbox car but you know it is going to be reliable and run forever.
I really am swaying toward the Focus and am going to the dealer this weekend. Will look at both the auto petrol and deisel. But – I have a niggling feeling that I am doing the wrong thing. Why aren’t they selling!!?? Last months sales came out last night – all makes and models – corolla top, mazda 3 about 5th, i30 about 7th and even the little holden makes it but there is no Focus. In the last couple of weeks I have seen only one other new Focus on the roads.
Is it because of problems with the car, is it because it is made in south africa, is it the finish or is it that, when you think of small cars in that price range you automatically think of toyata, mazda and hyundai and ford doesn’t immediately spring to mind.
Convince me!
Dolly, not sure that I am going to convince you one way or another, but just let me explaina few things:
1. Corolla sales are mostly fleet – Toyota market very aggressively to fleet buyers, just look at all of the Coralla hire cars. They are a competant little car, but you will be bored quickly and it will not be any more or less reliable than any other new car in this class.
2. The Cruze is quite a large car, more like a medium sized car, and might be bigger than what are are looking for.
3. The Hyundai i30 is the latest generation Excel with a new name, again a competant car with Hyundai pricing possibly an advantage. Their quality has come a long way, but you need to be comfortable with the brand.
4. The Mazda is a better car than the 3 above, but styling can be a bit polarising now.
5. The Focus has a good reputation for the things you highlighted; handling performance economy and reliability. The sales numbers have suffered from lack of available stock and buyers in this class heading to the Korean cheapies in tough economic times. The Fiesta, being such a great car has canibalised quite a few of the Focus sales. There are lots of them out there, but they haven’t been pushed to fleet buyers, so numbers are down on some of the others. As you have already worked out for yourself, it’s the best alrounder in this class by quite a margin.
At the end of the day, particularly in this class, buy what you want to drive, they’re all quite good, buy with your heart on this one!
Dolly, there are NO common faults witht he vehicle. Sure on the original LS south african builds there were paint issues (funily enough all SA built cars had paint issues with the first model) but apart from that they are have proven trouble free. According to AC Nielsens Customer satisfaction polls (prior to Ford and others cancelling that contract) the Focus polled the best in class with an 87% customer satisfaction rating in Australia.
If you can see your way to it, go the TDCi. More fun thatn the petrol (except the XR5 :p) to drive, has the best gearbox being a 6 speed dual clutch box, similar to what everyone raves about with Golfs DSG. HAs more Torque at 1750rpm than what Commodore 3.0 puts out so that means the vehicle doesn’t have to rev to get anywhere. Saving fuel and engine wear.
Size wise, the 387l (seats up) capacity boot absolute swallows most of the oppositions sedan offerings let alone their hatches. When looking at the car press the unlock key and hold down for 2 seconds and all windows come down, great for cooling the car in summer. (also works in reverse ie hold lock to put them up)
Every motoring group rates the Focus as best handler in class, so you get the safety of responsive handling when avoiding accidents. The pasenger safety cell was designed in conjunction with Volvo S40, so very strong. Suspension and brakes are all shared between Mazda 3 & the S40 so has good pedigree.
If you go the Petrol, the engine and gearbox are also exactly the same as the previous generation Mazda 3 (the 3 was the test bed for the Focus as the Focus is the more important car globally for what was then all Ford controlled companies Volvo & Mazda).
ME I look at the standard kit list and look at what they have that is important and usable to ME! Standard kit like Cruise control, one touch on all power windows, MP3 player input, boot capacity, ease of operation of all equipment these are important, the niceties that I would use are the remote windows function etc. If the warranty offered by some is an issue to you, then remember at any stage during the Factory warranty you can extend it out to 5yrs 200,000km (at a charge sure but you can do it). We recomend doing it within the last 6 months of the original warranty.
As for servicing, the average A service (minor) through the dealership I’m at is $240.00. These are the bulk of services as Ford goes minor minor minor major! So its 60,000 till you get a major and you cam / timming gear doesn’t get touched till 10 years or 240,000km NOT 90/100,000 as per a lot in this catagory. THe advantage offered by one brand when it comes to servicing of $120/130 max per standard service is done at every 10,000 or six months on their competitor. SO not really a saving, basically they all cost around the same to service.
As for resale, if you can find anyone who swears blind that he can guarantee his car will give a better resale ask him for tonights numbers :p The Mazda may give a better return, but it costs more to start with, the hyundai may give a smaller return but it cost less, are you planning on selling the car in two years? then this could be important if not, don’t worry about it.
Happy shopping…. :-)
Go the Diesel.
Havent driven the diesel version myself, but it sounds like a real cracker