2016 Ford Focus – Test Drive, Review, Ratings, Spec

Getting the Job Done with the Ford Focus

With its carbon footprints dating as far back as 1998, it was perhaps the Ford Focus that helped shape the insights and ideas of what a proper 5-door hatchback should be. As of today, the Ford Focus has become so popular and mainstream that everyone including your neighbor’s dog probably knows of the infamous Ford Focus.

This year’s iteration introduces an automatic transmission with Select Shift available with its award winning 1.0 EcoBoost engine along with added choices of color schemes and wheel options to spark up its cosmetic appearance. Other than that, the Ford Focus remains relatively intact.

Walk-Around

The 2016 Ford Focus is still the Focus we all know of with no changes made to its looks this year. Its front fascia still slaps on Ford’s signature front grille design with a decent amount of effort put into carving out the semi-sophisticated lines in its front hood, headlights and bumper to help give a more distinctive and definitive look.

Emphasis is put into its plethora of customization options with 10 colors and 11 wheel designs to choose from. The available ST performance trim gets its wheel diameter size upgraded to 17″ while its highest performing RS model gets 18″ wheels.

Interior Almost Too Cool

Quality and care was looked after in the design and finishing of the interior space. Leather material is made up of durable material judged by its touch, and surprisingly, there is no evidence of cheap plastic paneling found throughout its cabin space. Its walls are built up of well-dense material that gives an impression of solidness and shelter from the outside world.

Acoustic insulation is also added within the cabin space to shield out any unwanted road noise, which helps make the Focus a more enjoyable driving experience. Its digital infotainment system is powered by Ford SYNC 3, which has been a significant improvement in terms of usability and responsiveness in its user interface design.

The upright center console climate control and shifter are a little more tight and compact for my liking, and the absence of an arm rest creates a little bit of discomfort, but that’s more of a personal preference and spoiled demands from the perspective of an automotive journalist.

Performance

Our tester comes equipped with the 1.0L EcoBoost engine with its power output rated at 123 horsepower and 125 lb.ft of torque. It’s not a lot of power, and its semi-slow acceleration shows for it. But for an every-day city driver, it’s sufficient; though added passengers will reveal its shortcomings in power output. Choice of transmission can be configured with either a six-speed manual, or a six-speed automatic with SelectShift feature. Fuel efficiency achieves a very respectable 28/40/32 mpg in the city/highway and combined respectively.

Engine configuration can be upgraded to the 2.0L V4 producing 160 horsepower and 140 lb.ft of torque. Horsepower and torque is traded for slightly lower fuel economy with EPA rated at 26/38/30 mpg in the city/highway/combined.

Driving Impression

Driving enthusiasm is pretty much nullified in our tester equipped with the 1.0L with minimal pull off the straight line from standstill. Handling doesn’t do too much in terms of fun factor either. With that said, the Ford Focus is more of a generic city zipper, but compliments are given to the Focus for creating a capable car with a miniature 1.0L engine. Shift scheduling is a bit sluggish, but that’s to help in maintaining optimal fuel efficiency.

The 5-door hatchback is a ubiquitous commodity on city roads, but I still think the cross-over is a more practical vehicle with more room to spare with equal; if not, more power output and fuel economy. Still, the Ford Focus boasts premium qualities inside out with bold exterior styling and quality finishing within its interior cabin space.

Our Ford Focus Titanium is priced in at $24,398. Similar competitors on the market include the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, Mazda 3, as well as the Chevorlet Cruze hatchback model. After a week’s long test drive with the Ford Focus, it’s clear to identify and say that its premium finishing is compromised with its lack of driving charisma in retrospective of its price tag. And it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Its looks and finishing definitely outweighs its competitors in the quality and aesthetics category.

For those hoping for a more engaging driving experience, the Ford Focus can be upgraded to the ST model with its starting price at $28,172 equipped with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine producing a powerhouse of 250 horsepower and 272 lb.ft of torque, performance tuned suspension, and Recaro leather bucket seats. The Ford Focus RS model upgrades its performance to insane mode by straps on an authoritative 2.3L I4 EcoBoost producing a menacing 350 horsepower and 350 lb.ft of torque.

Specifications

• Vehicle Type : 5 door hatchback
• Seating Capacity : 5
• Powertrain Configuration : FWD
• Engine : 1.0L EcoBoost V4
• Transmission : 6 speed automatic
• Horsepower :  123 Horsepower
• Torque: 125 lb.ft
• Price as tested: $24,398