New Ford Focus - Super Impressive All-Rounder?

[Foxhound5366]

The new Ford Focus was launched in SA in June this year, and it looks like the perfect all-rounder:

Reasonably powerful: 132kw/240Nm 1.5 litre turbocharged Ecoboost engine (similar numbers to the Focus ST)
Advanced safety: Kitted out with the optional Driver Assistance Pack, it has every new toy possible (e.g. parking assist, Active City Braking, cross-traffic detection while reversing)
Nice n affordable: Sub-R300 000 (some models very much so)

Now correct me if I'm wrong, but there is currently no other hatch in South Africa that offers all three of the above in a single package. In fact, no other sub-R300 000 car in any segment offers Active City Braking (the next-cheapest that I'm aware of is the Honda CR-V SUV).

There's always people who'll say 'Get a Golf', but the Golf is more expensive, lacks the advanced safety features AND isn't as powerful (unless you go GTI - different proposition altogether). I'm not a fan of the Toyota Auris either, which at least meets the price point but fails on the power and safety.

Anybody here have any experience of the new Ford Focus, and specifically how its safety features operate? I'm guessing 90% of the models sold in SA won't have the optional packs, which is a shame.

Citizen news story outlining the safety features: http://citizen.co.za/355556/new-ford-focus-now-on-high-tech/
IOL launch review: http://www.iol.co.za/motoring/cars/ford/new-ford-focus-ed-on-top-value-1.1837631#.VdhZl_SYK9k

 

[jansdejager]

Screw safety I need a comfortable ride. Every time I'm in a Ford Fiesta I feel like my butt's scraping the ground. The same with the Golf. What's the Focus like in terms of comfort.

 

[Foxhound5366]

Screw safety I need a comfortable ride. Every time I'm in a Ford Fiesta I feel like my butt's scraping the ground. The same with the Golf. What's the Focus like in terms of comfort.

Then maybe you should lay off the pizza jans

I'd driven a couple of Focus variants from the previous generation and I found they were ok ... I'd actually preferred the diesel than the petrol engine, because the petrol had been pretty underpowered (a 2.0 nat-asp if I remember right). With the new one having 132kw on tap, sign me up!

Talking about the comfort though, the reviews online all seem very positive about the suspension and engine responsiveness, with the only niggle I've seen relating to the quality of some of the interior plastics. I guess that's always been a Ford issue, and they'd have had to made a couple of concessions to hit that price point with the exchange rate like it is.

 

[jansdejager]

[video=youtube;xWct_KYGRQo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWct_KYGRQo[/video]

 

[jansdejager]

Then maybe you should lay off the pizza jans

I'd driven a couple of Focus variants from the previous generation and I found they were ok ... I'd actually preferred the diesel than the petrol engine, because the petrol had been pretty underpowered (a 2.0 nat-asp if I remember right). With the new one having 132kw on tap, sign me up!

Talking about the comfort though, the reviews online all seem very positive about the suspension and engine responsiveness, with the only niggle I've seen relating to the quality of some of the interior plastics. I guess that's always been a Ford issue, and they'd have had to made a couple of concessions to hit that price point with the exchange rate like it is.

I don't care about power. I need legroom and I need space for stuff in the boot, and preferably a fold-out back seat for the occasional sleep-out. Don't care about the interior either. Most of these mass-produced cars are like elevators that cater to 10 people as long as they all weigh 60kg - the same with car seats and all safety features. You don't want to be that guy who happens to be sitting on the tire that pops on a straight in a medium-scale Polo in perfect nick. I know because I'm that guy. They just don't make them like they used to.

 

[Jet-Fighter7700]

Dont want to be rude here,
But is that even possible?
Sitting at the backseat and popping a tire?

Thought that only happens to taxis and Ford bantams with 20 guys on the back.....

 

[jansdejager]

Dont want to be rude here,
But is that even possible?
Sitting at the backseat and popping a tire?

Thought that only happens to taxis and Ford bantams with 20 guys on the back.....

I've seen a girl pop a tire from parallel parking too fast onto the curb. Those things aren't iron-clad. The car was full and I was maybe 90kg at the time. I think the pressure was just too high and maybe the driver hit a pebble or something. These things stay with you when you go and buy a car. Potholes are the devil's work.

 

[Foxhound5366]

Jans, in a car you have these choices:

1: Power
2: Quality
3: Space
4: Price

Choose any three

If you want space and price, go for an XUV500. Although I don't reckon Chinese tyres would be rugged enough for your liking. Maybe a nice DC bakkie with A/T tyres? That should allay your fears.

 

[jansdejager]

Jans, in a car you have these choices:

1: Power
2: Quality
3: Space
4: Price

Choose any three

If you want space and price, go for an XUV500. Although I don't reckon Chinese tyres would be rugged enough for your liking. Maybe a nice DC bakkie with A/T tyres? That should allay your fears.

I've done fine without a car for these 3 years. Before that I had a car that I liked but because it was old I couldn't get a mechanic to fix it and there were some electrical problems that seem to astound everybody. If I had money and got tired of cycling and borrowing I would buy a decent off-road like Jimny or even an older Forester. The Jeep and Landy's seem solid but are hectically expensive. The hard suspension will probably get tedious and I'll probably settle for a Lexus or Cadillac eventually if I can cut it. I'll never buy a bakkie because I like fully reclining seats.

 

[reactor_sa]

The focus is a great car, I've had two of the previous shape in 2l diesel, I absolutely love the focus, the drive experience is fantastic, its miles ahead of the fiesta.

The only problem with driving a Ford for 8 years, is I can say the customer experience is **** and so I'm sticking to VW cos the service makes me want to go buy another soon as the maintenance plan expires.

 

[REAList_1]

I disagree with reactor_sa. I've been a Ford owner for years and their service has always been impeccacable. Now driving a previous generation 2 litre Focus which is an absolute pleasure.
On the other hand I stopped being a VW owner because of bad service combined with a bad product. It really is a telltale if you get rid of a vehicle because the maintenance plan expired. My Pajero's has just done so and it stays in my garage.

 

[reactor_sa]

I disagree with reactor_sa. I've been a Ford owner for years and their service has always been impeccacable. Now driving a previous generation 2 litre Focus which is an absolute pleasure.
On the other hand I stopped being a VW owner because of bad service combined with a bad product. It really is a telltale if you get rid of a vehicle because the maintenance plan expired. My Pajero's has just done so and it stays in my garage.

Meh, thw maintenance plan thing was the same with Ford, its just what helps us sleep at night. See the thread about service plan and changing cars.

 

[Bulldog_imported]

What caught my attention was the extended service and warranty, I've added them both on when I bought my Focus. TBH I expected more zing from the 125kw motor but I think my expectations were a tad unrealistic from a normally aspirated engine.I recently fitted a towbar (much to my disgust at the price) at R8.5K and she pulls a big camping trailer alright. all round it's a great car after driving 2 Korean cars over the last 3 years (I drive lots!) - Just to add, my B-in-law pulls a 1.2 ton caravan with the older diesel focus and no issues so I'd say it's a decent buy

 

[Unpopular Prawn]

Necro, but need some input. I have narrowed my car selection down after much searching. I am at loggers about the final decision. The Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost Trend against the Focus Ambiente ecoboost. There is R10k in between them price wise. But not sure if I want the smaller Fiesta with more features, or the Focus, with less features yet rave reviews....

 

[ahoudet]

Necro, but need some input. I have narrowed my car selection down after much searching. I am at loggers about the final decision. The Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost Trend against the Focus Ambiente ecoboost. There is R10k in between them price wise. But not sure if I want the smaller Fiesta with more features, or the Focus, with less features yet rave reviews....

Do you need the extra space?

 

[Hamster]

Necro, but need some input. I have narrowed my car selection down after much searching. I am at loggers about the final decision. The Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost Trend against the Focus Ambiente ecoboost. There is R10k in between them price wise. But not sure if I want the smaller Fiesta with more features, or the Focus, with less features yet rave reviews....

Make a list of non-negotiables of what you need in a car:

Cruise control, auto-sensing wipers, manual aircon, smash & grab/tint, leather seats, etc...

Once you have that, narrow the cars down and pick the best one. If the lower spec focus has everything you need then the bigger car might be worth it. On the other hand, if the lower spec focus has everything you need the same spec fiesta may very well be enough car for you and you can save even more.

But in the end, if you do not LIKE the car you shouldn't buy it.

 

[FiestaST]

Ford Focus hatch 1.5T Trend auto (2018) Quick Review

Price and after-sales back-up

Although the base price of this derivative is R336 900, with the additions of the Trend Driver Assistance and – Styling packages, its asking price would be approximately R373 600. Bear in mind that whereas the Ford has a 4-year/120 000 km warranty (better than those of the Mazda and Volkswagen), the Kia, Opel and Renault offer plans valid for 5 years. Similarly, the Ford has a 4-year/80 000 km service plan, which is better than the Mazda's, but its rivals’ plans are valid for 5 years/90 000 km.

Verdict

It’s understandable that many customers overlook models that are near the end of their product cycle when shopping for new vehicles, because car brands’ marketing focus is understandably on the latest and (sometimes) greatest vehicle introductions. The Ford Focus remains underappreciated and although it offers good value in base specification, the plethora of nice-to-have features that come part and parcel of Option 2 (Trend Driver Assistance package) really sweeten the purchasing proposition.

The only question that remains is one that generations of car buyers have grappled with: Is it worth buying a car that will be replaced by a fancier (and probably more expensive) successor in the near future? It depends if you need to be as fashion-conscious in your choice of vehicle as you are about which smartphone you use… At the time of this review’s publication, the 1.5 Trend Automatic (with Option 2) offered more than most users of mid-spec and -sized hatchbacks will need. It’s well worth a look.

https://www.cars.co.za/motoring_news/ford-focus-hatch-15t-trend-auto-2018-quick-review/44566/

 

[Leo_]

Is this a photo of a South African Focus interior?
As far as I know we didn't get the updated touch screen.

Our fully spec'd one looks like this on the inside:

 

[FiestaST]

Is this a photo of a South African Focus interior?
As far as I know we didn't get the updated touch screen.

Our fully spec'd one looks like this on the inside:
View attachment 495996

Yes, read the review. TS part of an option pack.