2012 Ford Focus SEL
MSRP $24.00
“If you can maneuver past some of its shortcomings like the lackluster MyFord Touch system and somewhat cramped cabin space… the 2012 Ford Focus more than deserves a place at the head of its class and is a solid choice filled with all the features and necessary bells and whistles (and then some ) that one could wish for.”
Avg
-
Appropriate handling
-
Quiet ride
-
Modern design
-
Bold interior
-
Lots of technical features and options
-
Fun ride
Against
-
Cold weather can invalidate some technical aids
The recent global economic recession and the seemingly never-ending rise in gasoline prices have caused the small car segment to reemerge as an important focal point for most, if not all, automakers. Typically, cars like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla have reigned supreme, effortlessly satisfying consumer wants and needs with their excellent reliability, superior fuel economy and overall build quality. But while Japanese companies like Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Mazda were once synonymous with quality and economy – happily maintaining their collective control over the small car segment – recent forays from Chevrolet, Hyundai and Ford have begun to make a compelling case, climbing to the top of the hill in the process. . In fact, the latter’s newly redesigned 2012 Ford Focus managed to wrest the crown from its Far Eastern rivals.
Really, Ford?
Yes, Ford, which seemed content to let the Focus wallow in mediocrity, recently undertook or underwent (you decide) a renaissance of sorts and managed to produce one of the best cars it’s had in years. And while beating the Japanese at their own game is never going to be an easy feat, the combination of style, performance and fun has given the Focus new life.
We’ll start by highlighting the brash new design: The 2012 Focus has a completely revamped look compared to previous iterations that, to put it mildly, always seemed boring. It obviously took time to come up with a much sportier outline with Ford using some visual tricks throughout the car’s design. For example: one of the more prominent visual features of the new Focus is its instantly recognizable front end. Ford engineers have thrown in a number of sprawling fake radiator pipes that do nothing for the car other than give it some much-appreciated visual pizzazz.
Image used with permission of the copyright holder
And while hatchbacks have traditionally been unpopular in American markets, the visual fidelity of the new Focus seems to work best when it’s hidden by the rounded rear end. Not only is it more practical—offering 23.8 cubic feet of trunk space as opposed to the sedan’s 13.2 cubic feet—it fits well with the overall aesthetic that Ford is going for. Our only gripe would be those rear taillights that hugged the backside of our fully equipped $24,000 SEL model. It doesn’t work or break at all, just a minor annoyance to the otherwise solid design.
Outer beauty, inner flaws
The Focus isn’t perfect, and nowhere is that more evident than when you enter its somewhat cramped cockpit. While Ford was able to implement its design wizardry on the car’s exterior, it failed to duplicate that magic completely inside the car. But before we start thinking about what could have been, let’s focus for a moment on what is, or at least what was done right.
Perhaps the easiest way to describe the interior is bold and modern. Inside the vehicle, it’s easy to forget you’re thinking of an “economy car” and instead there’s a real sense of refinement. The seats are relatively stylish, and while snug – for those of us with slightly larger proportions – they offer enough comfort for most drivers. Overall, Ford has done a great job moving away from the intrinsically cheap feel of previous generations.
Image used with permission of the copyright holder
But while drivers and passengers will still be quite comfortable in the front, the cabin is much more comfortable in the back. And not the “hot cocoa on a cold winter’s day” kind of pleasant, but the uncomfortable, somehow comfortable one you feel when you’re flying on a full plane to New York. So while poking kids in the back will be more than enough, average-sized passengers will more than likely need to stretch their legs on longer journeys.
Rather than a touchscreen
Where the Focus falls short, however, is the poor implementation of its technological interior. While the leather-wrapped steering wheel on our review unit was certainly excellent, the cluttered center console was unnecessarily confusing – piled high with a bevy of buttons and icons that most will find irritating and confusing at best.
Image used with permission of the copyright holder
Unfortunately, things aren’t much better when it comes to all that in-car technology that Ford is so often heard touting. While driving the Focus is a treat, struggling with the MyFord Touch system is not. From a design perspective, there’s no denying that entertainment systems like MyFord Touch add an unprecedented level of geek chic that we all love and appreciate, but unfortunately this is a dry case of form over function. Using features like voice commands is painfully slow. We also found the beautiful eight-inch center screen to lack responsiveness even for the most rudimentary tasks like adjusting various settings or playing music. Considering the system will set you back $1,170 ($2,755 if you opt for the leather seating package), that’s unacceptable.
A treat on the street
We’re not into conspiracy theories, but at least some magic happens in Dearborn. That’s because the most outstanding aspect of the 2012 Focus (the driving experience) stems from the least outstanding aspect of the 2012 Focus: its engine. That’s not to say the Focus’s 2.0-liter 4-cylinder is boring, just that it’s nothing short of stunning. No, you see the magic we’re talking about is how Ford managed to make our daily commute comfortable and fun with such a small mill. So while 160 horsepower, 146 lb-ft of torque, and a 7.6-second 0-60 run won’t light a fire in your belly, it does provide enough spark for an engaging driving experience that’s not typically found in your average compact car—let alone previous Focus models .
Simply put, the 2012 Focus is a real treat to drive. That goes double for those looking to get their hands on the 6-speed PowerShift automatic transmission that’s standard on our upgraded SEL model, but will set you back $1,095 on lower trim levels. It adds a new dimension to your driving experience and invites those behind the wheel to an increased level of enjoyment.
Of course, it’s not executed perfectly and we found it quite jerky during our walks around town. Ford still needs to iron out the shortcomings, because we have repeatedly experienced that in one case our shifts were quite rushed, and in others they were late. Drivers will also experience varying degrees of spin when coming to a stop on even the slightest inclines. Some may find it a problem, while others will enjoy the additional improvement in fuel economy and performance it provides. And if you’re unhappy with the lack of manual transmissions in many of today’s automotive offerings and want to add a touch of sporty transmission to your drive, a manual is worth the extra coin.
Smiles and smiles
Three small letters: M, P, and G. They seem so trivial, yet they make such a difference in the minds of today’s consumers. Until recently, Ford wasn’t exactly known for its fuel-efficient vehicles, but it’s fair to say that the American automaker has begun making a concerted effort to improve its act. Either way, the 2012 Focus isn’t the most fuel-efficient car in its class. Official EPA fuel economy estimates put it at 27/city and 37/highway, with the Honda Civic bettering the Focus with a slightly higher EPA rating of 28/city 39/highway. In fact, our average fuel returns were lower than what we expected, often hovering around the 24 mpg mark. Of course, that could have been largely due to us putting the car through a lot of trouble, but it’s worth noting. But while fuel economy is paramount for any compact car, there are those who will happily trade a mile per gallon here and there for a more engaging driving experience, including us.
Goal
With a starting price of $21,000, the 2012 Focus SEL isn’t exactly cheap (all trim levels start at $16,500), but it easily justifies the expense with excellent handling, comparable fuel economy, sporty design and first-rate engineering. Money could certainly be saved by choosing one of its cheaper competitors, but the Focus is a compelling and enjoyable drive that shouldn’t be overlooked.
If you can maneuver past some of its shortcomings like the lackluster MyFord Touch system and somewhat cramped cabin space, which thankfully don’t detract too much from the overall driving experience, the 2012 Ford Focus more than deserves a place at the top of its class, and it’s a solid choice packed with all the necessary bells and whistles. (and then some) that can be desired.
With the redesigned 2012 Focus, it’s no secret that Ford took the ball and ran with it, and it shows. But it’s not like the 2012 Focus has a secret winning formula that other companies won’t be able to follow, but with any luck it will help keep Ford on its toes so it doesn’t want to repeat the mistakes of its past counterparts and lose the ground it fought so hard for. gets.
The tallest:
- Appropriate handling
- Quiet ride
- Modern design
- Bold interior
- Lots of technical features and options
- Fun ride
Lowest values:
- MyFord Touch is not responding
- The engine could have more power
- A bit expensive
- Cramped rear cabin
- The hatchback may not appeal to everyone
Editor’s recommendations
Categories: GAMING
Source: newstars.edu.vn