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2008 Ford Focus Performance Review

July 23, 2008

PERFORMANCE | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

the Focus is certified as a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle
MyRide.com

No clunks, no flexing, and it tracks like a mid-size sedan
Car and Driver

The 2008 Ford Focus is much improved and still fun to drive
Edmunds

The 2008 Ford Focus has seen improvements all over, including under its hood by improving fuel economy and handling.

The only powertrain on the Focus is the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, says MyRide.com. Due to better exhaust tuning and intake, the horsepower has been upped to 140. These changes have resulted in a partial zero emissions certification in a number of states, which shaves 8 hp off the total. Car and Driver confirms "the lone powerplant is a 2.0-liter twin-cam four producing 140 horses. It propels the Focus to 60 mph in 8.0 seconds." Edmunds adds, "The 2.0-liter engine provides adequate power."

"The standard transmission on all Focus trim levels is a five-speed manual," says Edmunds, but a "four-speed automatic is available as an option." When performing on the highway, the "four-speed automatic saps some, but not all, of the 140-horsepower engine's strength," MyRide.com notes.

According to Edmunds, the automatic tranny is also a drain on fuel economy. They state that if you go for a Ford Focus with a manual transmission, the "fuel economy is estimated at a very good 24 mpg city and 35 mpg highway"; however, "Automatics are similar but decrease highway fuel economy by 2 mpg." MyRide.com's test drive of the Ford Focus yielded around 27.4 mpg, which is competitive for the class.

MyRide.com observes "for the new model, the suspension system has been completely revised with different spring rates, dampers, stabilizer bars and bushings. The Focus continues with MacPherson struts up front and an independent multi-link set-up in the back." In the end, they say that the 2008 Ford Focus is "a very competent handler."
Car and Driver reports that the "steering is light and linear and never feels artificial. Clutch takeup is smooth, and the shifter is satisfactorily accurate. Brake feel is good (although the 190-foot stopping distance isn't), and the pedals encourage heel-and-toeing." Reviewers also say that the suspension is a bit cushy, but it has a tall, tippy feel. Edmunds calls the Focus "reasonably fun to drive thanks to quick steering."

Car and Driver says, "What you notice first about the Focus is that it rides atop a greatly stiffened platform." MyRide.com agrees, noting, "Even though it's an eight-year-old platform, the Focus's chassis is taut. The ride is firm without too much harshness, and handling was good as far as we could tell on the moderately curvy wet roads."

Conclusion

The 2008 Ford Focus has improved gas mileage, a smooth ride, and reasonably sharp steering.

PERFORMANCE | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:the Focus is certified as a Partial Zero Emissions VehicleMyRide.comNo clunks, no flexing, and it tracks like a mid-size sedanCar and DriverThe 2008 Ford Focus is much improved and still fun to driveEdmunds The 2008 Ford Focus has seen improvements all over, including under its hood by improving fuel economy and handling. The only powertrain on the Focus is the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, says MyRide.com. Due to better exhaust tuning and intake, the horsepower has been upped to 140. These changes have resulted in a partial zero emissions certification in a number of states, which shaves 8 hp off the total. Car and Driver confirms "the lone powerplant is a 2.0-liter twin-cam four producing 140 horses. It propels the Focus to 60 mph in 8.0 seconds." Edmunds adds, "The 2.0-liter engine provides adequate power." "The standard transmission on all Focus trim levels is a five-speed manual," says Edmunds, but a "four-speed automatic is available as an option." When performing on the highway, the "four-speed automatic saps some, but not all, of the 140-horsepower engine's strength," MyRide.com notes. According to Edmunds, the automatic tranny is also a drain on fuel economy. They state that if you go for a Ford Focus with a manual transmission, the "fuel economy is estimated at a very good 24 mpg city and 35 mpg highway"; however, "Automatics are similar but decrease highway fuel economy by 2 mpg." MyRide.com's test drive of the Ford Focus yielded around 27.4 mpg, which is competitive for the class. MyRide.com observes "for the new model, the suspension system has been completely revised with different spring rates, dampers, stabilizer bars and bushings. The Focus continues with MacPherson struts up front and an independent multi-link set-up in the back." In the end, they say that the 2008 Ford Focus is "a very competent handler." Car and Driver reports that the "steering is light and linear and never feels artificial. Clutch takeup is smooth, and the shifter is satisfactorily accurate. Brake feel is good (although the 190-foot stopping distance isn't), and the pedals encourage heel-and-toeing." Reviewers also say that the suspension is a bit cushy, but it has a tall, tippy feel. Edmunds calls the Focus "reasonably fun to drive thanks to quick steering." Car and Driver says, "What you notice first about the Focus is that it rides atop a greatly stiffened platform." MyRide.com agrees, noting, "Even though it's an eight-year-old platform, the Focus's chassis is taut. The ride is firm without too much harshness, and handling was good as far as we could tell on the moderately curvy wet roads." ConclusionThe 2008 Ford Focus has improved gas mileage, a smooth ride, and reasonably sharp steering.  2008 FORD FOCUS STYLING | [6 out of 10] MyRide.com: "Undesirable styling" Edmunds: "Bland interior design" Car and Driver: "Styling is revised within and without" Automobile: " Ford's cute child grew into a homely adult" The 2008 Ford Focus is the product of a major redesign of ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The 2008 Ford Focus is up against tough competition. The 2008 Honda Civic offers great variety, such as coupe and sedan body styles and multiple powertrains, including hybrid and natural gas. The 2009 Toyota Corolla is especially attractive in its top trim level, though less so in the base trim. The 2008 Focus also has to compete against the Mazda3, a perennial enthusiast favorite for its handling. Comparatively, the Hyundai Elantra and Dodge Caliber trail this pack in overall refinement and style, and without a Focus SVT model, Ford has nothing to line up against the 285-horsepower Caliber SRT4.

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See the Ford Focus in Other Years:

2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000

Comments (4 total)

  1. By Galen Gareis #1, Posted: 8/12/2008

    Three stars side impact not on 4 door.

    The four door rates 4 stars side impact, only the two door is 3 stars in the side impact, so the car rates right in there with all the small cars on the market at 4 or better all the way around.
    The interior materials are NOT PVC based so they will outlive the soft touch material that everyone covets,to a bad ending. Ethylene and TPE based plastic is MUCH better wearing and resistant to water and organic stains. If you don't drink hydrocarbons inside your car (oil based liquids), the material will hold up like iron. A fine trade-off in my book as I keep my car 15 years or longer.

  2. By George #2, Posted: 8/15/2008

    Difficult to look at...

    What the... they have done with the Focus? I think that this is Ford's solution to raise F150's sales: Build ugly cars to avoid people buy one.

  3. By Milton Oliver #3, Posted: 8/21/2008

    Technical Support Engineer

    I bought the wife a 2008 Focus SE so far she has put about 1500 miles on it. I find the car to be fuel efficient 29.5 in mixed driving a 35+ on the highway of course this depends upon your driving style. The ride is a bit stiff but the car handles well. Overall we bought the car for economy and price as a daily commuter. We are well satisfied with it, it was the best bang for our buck overall.
    If we wanted a luxury or sports car we would have bought one. So be realistic what do you look for when you buy a car price, economy, performance, reliability etc you get what you pay. Most of all do the research and hop to get all of the above.

  4. By Danielle #4, Posted: 3/4/2009

    lovemycar

    Well, someone said this is nothing but an upgraded Ford ZX2, and your right it is... But a great upgrade if you ask me. I had my little ZX2 for 8 years before it got totaled and this 2009 Focus SE is what I bought to replace it. I am very happy with it for the most part, although it has been in the Dealership repair shop for 2 months of the that I have had it. I do get frusterated with it, but it is the first year of the new design and I have to understand that there will be flaws. But I do love the way it rides, I love the SYNC system, it is very roomy even in the back. My boyfriend is 6' tall and can sit comfortably back there. It has a very quiet engine and handles very well. I feel very safe driving it, and it gets great gas mileage!!! I drive 68 miles each way to work daily, and I could not have made a better choice for the drive!!!

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