Brammo Enertia Goes Prime Time
Green
Trucks
Luxury
Family
Brand
Muscle
See more sites from  HighGear  M E D I A  >>
Compare this car to others like it Try our car compare tool now

2009 Ford Focus Features Review

February 21, 2009

FEATURES | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Available features include leather upholstery, heated front seats, and remote engine start
Consumer Guide

The upgraded stereo ... was a surprise in an entry-level car
Cars.com

It's the SYNC system that really sets it apart from all of its competitors
Kelley Blue Book

The 2009 Ford Focus goes a long way toward making up for its other flaws with its tech-heavy features list, which is about as good as it gets in the economy car segment.

Standard features vary quite a bit according to trim level on the 2009 Ford Focus lineup. Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com show that the base S model is a very stripped-down vehicle, though by the time you get up to the SEL trim, the 2009 Ford Focus comes together quite well. Edmunds notes that the base S includes "air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, split folding rear seat, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, digital-media player connection, tachometer, rear defogger [and] intermittent wipers." Moving up to the Ford Focus SE brings "power mirrors (sedan), heated power mirrors (coupe)," and full power accessories, along with satellite radio, according to Consumer Guide. For the top-end Ford Focus 2009 models, Kelley Blue Book says that "moving up to the SES and SEL adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and cruise control switchgear, upgraded interior trim, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, fog lamps and the slick SYNC in-car communications system." SYNC earns high marks from reviewers, with Cars.com reporting that it "allows drivers to integrate their MP3 players and Bluetooth-enabled phones into the system so they can use just one button and voice prompts to play their music or use their cell phone. It can even read text messages aloud."

In addition to the standard features, the Ford Focus 2009 lineup offers a lengthy list of options. One of the more appealing features for the Ford Focus is the upgraded stereo, which Cars.com says "showed a lot of range—rock, rap, and pop all sounded good—and was a surprise in an entry-level car." Kelley Blue Book reports that the 2009 Ford Focus "SE offers the Driver's Group Package (cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel with auxiliary audio controls, electrochromatic rear-view mirror) and the Moon and Tune Package (power moonroof and audiophile sound system with six-disc CD/MP3 changer)." One less appealing option for the Ford Focus 2009, according to Car and Driver, "is the ambient interior lighting, which allows the driver to select the color of footwell and cup-holder lighting—this option would be tacky in a limousine."

Conclusion

The 2009 Ford Focus offers a surprising number of interior comfort and convenience features for an economy car.

FEATURES | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:Available features include leather upholstery, heated front seats, and remote engine startConsumer GuideThe upgraded stereo ... was a surprise in an entry-level carCars.comIt's the SYNC system that really sets it apart from all of its competitorsKelley Blue Book The 2009 Ford Focus goes a long way toward making up for its other flaws with its tech-heavy features list, which is about as good as it gets in the economy car segment. Standard features vary quite a bit according to trim level on the 2009 Ford Focus lineup. Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com show that the base S model is a very stripped-down vehicle, though by the time you get up to the SEL trim, the 2009 Ford Focus comes together quite well. Edmunds notes that the base S includes "air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, split folding rear seat, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, digital-media player connection, tachometer, rear defogger [and] intermittent wipers." Moving up to the Ford Focus SE brings "power mirrors (sedan), heated power mirrors (coupe)," and full power accessories, along with satellite radio, according to Consumer Guide. For the top-end Ford Focus 2009 models, Kelley Blue Book says that "moving up to the SES and SEL adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and cruise control switchgear, upgraded interior trim, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, fog lamps and the slick SYNC in-car communications system." SYNC earns high marks from reviewers, with Cars.com reporting that it "allows drivers to integrate their MP3 players and Bluetooth-enabled phones into the system so they can use just one button and voice prompts to play their music or use their cell phone. It can even read text messages aloud." In addition to the standard features, the Ford Focus 2009 lineup offers a lengthy list of options. One of the more appealing features for the Ford Focus is the upgraded stereo, which Cars.com says "showed a lot of range—rock, rap, and pop all sounded good—and was a surprise in an entry-level car." Kelley Blue Book reports that the 2009 Ford Focus "SE offers the Driver's Group Package (cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel with auxiliary audio controls, electrochromatic rear-view mirror) and the Moon and Tune Package (power moonroof and audiophile sound system with six-disc CD/MP3 changer)." One less appealing option for the Ford Focus 2009, according to Car and Driver, "is the ambient interior lighting, which allows the driver to select the color of footwell and cup-holder lighting—this option would be tacky in a limousine." ConclusionThe 2009 Ford Focus offers a surprising number of interior comfort and convenience features for an economy car.  2009 FORD FOCUS STYLING | [6 out of 10] Consumer Guide: "Well-arranged dashboard has mostly intuitive and handy controls" Autoblog: "Newish 2009 Focus Coupe features a front end with a larger lower air intake" Cars.com: "Gawky profile doesn't mesh with the restyled front and back at ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

The 2009 Ford Focus is up against tough competition. The 2009 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 2009 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. Now that the Focus lacks a hatchback or wagon model, those shoppers will have to look elsewhere—good possibilities in that range include the Mazda3, the Toyota Matrix (which is based on the Corolla), and the Honda Fit, which is smaller on the outside but surprisingly roomy inside.

Next Steps:

Get a free price quote

for the 2009 Ford Focus from a dealer near you

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2009 Ford Focus

Check Financing Rates

for the 2009 Ford Focus

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2009 Ford Focus near you

See the Ford Focus in Other Years:

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

Comments (1 total)

  1. By Jaxon #2, Posted: 7/22/2009

    Video review: http://excarsalesman.typepad.com/cars/ford-focus/

Post a comment

Post anonymously, or
(Required)
(Required - will not be published, sold or shared)
(Optional - your 'posted by' name will link to the URL)

Remember Me?

I have read TheCarConnection.com's privacy policy