2012 Ford Focus first drive from Consumer Reports

[nyphon]

KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE ROAD!

[Jakeman21642]

I would rather have a jetta. Yes the 2011 and 12 jettas are a lot cheaper and crappier than the old ones but this thing is just ugly! And unless you get an SEL or titanium its pretty crappy and basic (manual windows for the back passengers etc). Not to mention the jetta has 10 more hp and oh yeah its not a ford so it doesn't have countless issues.

[WesSeid]

lol at the blatant honesty about the VW Jetta.

[PetrolClock]

watch the road FOOL!!!

[01fastrace]

It the Focus could be had in the U.S. with the 55 mpg diesel then it would be almost the perfect car. 

[wnnarace]

@01fastrace Its 55 on the European cycle which is usually quite off the US EPA standards.

[steve98201]

IF I WAS A CONDEMNED PRISONER AND I WAS GIVEN 2 CHOICES BETWEEN DEATH IN THE ELECTRIC CHAIR OR FREEDOM BUT I HAVE TO DRIVE A FORD CAR.MY RESPONSE WOULD BE....PUSH THE BUTTON!!!!!!!!

[buzzingbee25]

@steve98201 You must be a Chevy Employee.

[andrewerdna100]

fords are great only problem that has bugged them for years. i used to own a 92 mercury tracer and a 1999 ford windstar. me and my wife have had a toyota and a subaru sincenand no problems. i am considering going back to ford because there cars look better made now than they did in the past

[gray73]

Jetta's are POS. I owned one for 9 years and put at least a third of the value into keeping it running. O2 sensors go out left and right. Plugs and wires wear out well before their time (800 to replace). The latch that holds up the windows kept breaking but after a couple of years they finally made a replacement that would hold up the window. I will never buy another one.

[xtraadog65]

What a crock! The new model Focus' are horrible, that new transmission they put in, really makes you think it doesn't want to move. I work for a rental car company, and almost everyone that drives one, brings it back, or complains afterwards. I have always hated Fords, and this just adds to it. I will say, the old boxy model, before the style came out, is a very good driving car. But, I'll stay with my Chevrolet!

[WellImHereNow]

@xtraadog65 im guessing your talking about the automatic as ive test driven the manual here in the uk and seems fine tho is ashame from what i hear the manual can only be found in the lowest trim level.

[skinnysponge]

Hahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I laughed so hard at the part about the new Jetta! at 3:17.

[azlenny2003]

nothing but issues with the 2 i have gotten as first was a lemon and second at 309 miles was on a wrecker today. not happy with the auto tranny stay away from it

[mrzack888]

never thought i'd be considering buying a ford...

[steher]

Ford is just an all around pile of shit. I dont know why stupid people continue to support them. Oh yea, its because they're STUPID!

[def1ghi]

@steher Stupid is not know the difference between its and it's...

[duckbanana12]

this or the cruze is the way to go

[notreallyhere1022]

I've had nothing but PROBLEMS since the day I bought this car. Ford is refusing to fix almost all of them except the loose E-brake and a noisy window. It seems like every week I have a new problem. Please view the videos on my channel - I demonstrate some of the problems

[shawnspeed3]

Look at the rear spoiler...it's NOT aligned! Poor quality control from Ford. Underpowered and steering is way too light. Ford's "How to disguise a $20k car to look like a $28k car" didn't fool me. No HID, lack of power, some quality issues, cheesy center console, etc. Big conrats to the design team (exterior) though. But I'll wait for the ST...

[stopscrewingaround11]

@shawnspeed3 Have you even DRIVEN the Focus? We bought one and i can guarantee this is NOT underpowered. You have a point with the HID lights, however i don't think any competitors have them either. The center console is less "cheesy" when you get MFT.

[frobnitz]

I've had my SE hatchback for over 4 months now. I've racked up over 9,000 miles and haven't had a single mechanical problem. The car is not perfect... but it's really, really good.

I like it more every day. :)

[davidhalifax]

I rented a Focus for 2 weeks, couple of negatives:

1) I couldn't see out the front end of the Focus, which is a deal breaker for me, lucky my car came with backup camera.

2) Myford touch froze on my on several occasions, and there's no simple way to restart the system.

3) Central door locking is not common in North America and something that takes some time ti get used to.

Otherwise I like how it drove and pretty impressed with the new Focus.

[tuolumne9]

Right...I love their deluded universal hatred for the Jetta. They should be so embarrased by taking such an unsubstantaited by all reality. VW Group builds some of the world's absolute best cars - and that engineering prowlness and experience is what differentiates that "cheap" Jetta from a HYUNDAI from Korea. In the areas they don't even know exist - like ride compliance, body tolorences, advanced transmissions,and that German soldiness and strict attention to detail - the premium feel

[srabchun]

@tuolumne9 The new Focus was all designed in Germany. I test drove a new focus and they have the feel of a German car,

[jacoale]

This has to be the first time in HISTORY that I like the look of the focus, the old one was... ummm ugly

[shadow1999ist]

this car is awesome

[davidlm6974]

This car is so ugly.

[notreallyhere1022]

I just bought this car 4 weeks ago and have had nothing but trouble with it. Blower motor on A/C went out when i drove it home from the lot. Have had many other issues every time I get it back from the dealer. I made 2 videos of the cosmetic problems on my channel

[EvilxMerlin]

@notreallyhere1022

I've had mine (SE with SE Sports Package) for two weeks now. Not one problem and right now 37 MPG. AC works fine. As usual, sometimes things happen. Thats way you have a warrantee for. Nothing is perfect, but I have no issues with my car at all.

[155MikeB]

Functionally, The newer Focus may be superior and well made, but the styling is horrible especially in the front. What's with the gaping maw on the front grill? And headlight lenses that look stretched up the front fender to almost the front wheel? This car looks like it fell out of an ugly tree and broke every branch on the way down! I like Ford cars, But this is just one more example of the styling debacles that seem to be plaguing alot of new cars not just Ford.

[Lex5576]

A magnificent ride indeed! It's about time they brought over the "euro" version. The guy failed to mention one thing about the new Focus......the hatchback has more rear leg room.........no so "modest" like the coupe he was testing. I know some people prefer a coupe, but if I were Ford, I'd drop the coupe after this model year and stick solely with the hatchback. It looks fantastic, has more carrying capacity, and better rearview than the coupe. Well done Ford.

[mehiael]

I can see the japanese influence in the design of this car -___-

[SKsquashbass12]

I have a new titanium hatch, it's loads of fun, and I love it!

[applesmnch2]

Should beat all the other compact cars

[chromebala]

This guy is really depressing to watch

[immortal4942]

did this guy swallow a walking stick

[jvarela965]

$20K for the base? A base Toyota Camry is that with auto and air. Nice product but too costly.

[ionoMaybe]

@jvarela965 $16,500 for a base Focus S sedan.

[MrPman851]

The first Ford Focus we got in America (which my sister drives) also had a European style and driving dynamics like this new Focus has. This one is A LOT better looking to my eyes than the old Focus, even though the second American Focus drove nice.

[aimveryhigh]

Why did you get 2 automatic focuses???? They are mechanically identical, you might as well have gotten a red and blue focus and see which is best. You should have bought them like you did with the fiesta, one sedan, one hatch, one auto, one manual..

[tony0000]

@aimveryhigh Well said! I'm thinking about getting a manual and would have liked to know what they thought of it. (The automatic has gotten lots of negative comments by other reviewers.)

[flipfloplogic]

The new focus owns. It has more features than any car in its class.

[mrjost55]

I liked the joke about the Jetta...everything else was really monotonous though

[04redmach1]

VW is not a great brand. Read up on all the issues their company has faced. The Audi AWD trannys fall apart around 100k miles. The engine accessories on all are cheap and break any day. There is a reason they are always close to last in dependability charts. Ford has it whooped! Hyundai is trying, but they are having a TON of suspension parts. You can gold plate a turd, but in the end, it's still a turd. Got to stop using cheap parts. Read up, you will see.

[formber]

This guy is so awkward...

[wompwomp55]

this guy is soggy and very uncomfortable to watch..

[lee1130fromtwitter]

I agree with this guy, its EASY to option out this focus for over $25K and tops up at about $29k for a small sedan. so this rumored st focus with the turbo that was going to bring me back to american cars, will be around $32K lol ill pass, ford knows how to alienate its american base again. all i ever wanted was a ford rs for my own, but i live in america. so i cant get a ford vehicle they make...

[alep85]

@lee1130fromtwitter

I'd calm down and see what the final release ends up costing. Also remember that a Subaru WRX STi and VW GTI easily can get to 30-32k as well, so it sounds like you might need to get a used car if you want low 20's pricing.

[SuppahShinyyCheerios]

Why the HELL do consummer report's speakers have to talk like that?!

[TintStuff]

it look so much like the fiesta

[blurglide]

Why don't any new cars have flush door handles any more, like the 98-02 Accord?

[TheBadBuffalo]

@blurglide my dad has an 00 accord and i agree!

[somewhatlongdong]

@JamalGibran Don't get me wrong, I really like the car. I guess I'm just ambivilent about all of the electronics, but I'm 40, so maybe that's why! No question it is the best car in the segment IMO, it combines the great ride and handling from the first generation with the refinement one would find in a Honda or VW.

[WoZIMoo]

These guys tend to exaggerate, I drove a Jetta last week and its far from a let down. They also keep saying that the 2.5 is no good but I found that it performed astonishingly well with the 6-speed auto and had a strong torquey feel to it at even low rpm.

[BOWENSblog]

@WoZIMoo

They drive all the cars... even the old ones before..

You just drove one mediocre care.

Did you know VW intentionally made the new Jetta shittier cuz they wanted to sell it cheaper at higher volumes because they want to be the biggest car manufactuer in the world.

[Ho0di]

DIESEL?! :D

[saenzlopez]

what, your mother in law drives a jetta? you need to talk with your therapist.

[cm18cam]

He said the dash was "soft touch" but to me it looked cheap

[somewhatlongdong]

@cm18cam i went yesterday to a ford dealer, and in person, it's not cheap looking. very nicely finished. i think the electronic stuff is a waste of time, but it is really nice sitting inside.

[lulz1978]

whats with all the jetta hate?

[mohammedosman88]

@lulz1978 turning from Multi-link suspension to torsion beam is like saying to customers go buy Kia Forte, VW won't be worth your money!!

[BCCHSMD]

@lulz1978 If you haven't seen the recent Jetta quality has taken a plunge. Volkswagen claimed they had to reduce the quality of the vehicle for a better price. The interior quality of te Jetta is comparable to a cobalt(sad but true). Everything is cheaply made and it is still one of the most expensive compact cars. However, the Elantra, Focus, Cruze, Mazda 3, Hell even the Corolla have overall better interior quality than a vehicle that can approach nearly 30 grand.

[obscuresword]

@lulz1978 Because the Jetta sucks, they aren't the only one who said it, motortrend inside the line, autocar all have said the new jetta is crap. For some reason CR is like 3 weeks behind in car reviews

[TheAviator365]

The Hyundai Elantra is the one to beat. It's too good in every aspect.

[applesmnch2]

Probably the best ever from ford over in America

[hondaftw1234]

Good review.

I don't like the hatch. The sedan is sexy and I would take one in black SEL trim. My ford touch kinda sucks (lags way too much) Anyway, best small car today

[DevPack]

ROFL!!! new Volkswagen jetta..well thats a let down. The focus is def the best in the segment.

[Johndoe9278]

@DevPack Hyundai Elantra and bigger better looking...

[04redmach1]

@Johndoe9278 Bigger than a 5 door hatch? Not really. Not a fan of the squishy face on the elantra either.

[Dumblikeyoutu]

@DevPack

When it comes time to trade-in or sell-off, you'll wish you bought that Jetta though. The depreciation on a Ford can't hold a candle to a VW's no matter how good it is.

Get a Golf and you'll totally forget about the Focus.

[Michael60613]

@DevPack

Dude, i could not stop laughing when he said that!

[TheHagooist]

@DevPack HAHAHHHhahahhahaha!



[ShermanMR2]

Common guys don't be so hard on Ford. The fully optioned Mazda 3 is over $25,000 too. And the Sync system is way cool.

[sssmeee]

lmao@ the jetta

[somewhatlongdong]

I like the Focus a lot, but Ford is really going to have to be more competitive on price. Here in Canada, a fully loaded Focus Titanium is just under $31,000. Very few people are going to be willing to pay that. As well, the MyFord Touch stuff is far too complicated for most people. Abandon the gimmicks and "focus" on quality and refinement.

[highflyer4]

@somewhatlongdong All cars in Canada are overpriced, our dollar is stonger than the US but it still will cost me 8k more to get a mustang gt here in Canada then it would if i went 10 mins south to the states. Which really sucks.

[NadrianATRS]

he looks like Steve Drake

[delacaravanio]

@NadrianATRS You made me google a male pornstar. Thank fux I'm finished work ;)

[89Carfreak]

ST ? ...RS ? ...AWD ?

[Lexuslover123]

What a improvement over the old focus! Great car!

[ConejoZing]

The new Jetta is lighter than the fat overburdened mk5, can get 34 MPG highway and has great cargo room. Good to know I drive a let down.

[xoquixxoqafxo]

"VW Jetta, well thats a bit of a let down" LOL

Forget the Cruze, Jetta, Elantra, Corolla, and Civic. This is the small car to get now a days :)

[crammage]

lol he said the jetta sucked

[Intechdude300]

I absolutely love the Hatch in Kona Blue or Tuxedo Black in Titanium trim.

[trumpetbrandon]

I own a 2006 honda accord ex and get 30-33 mpg, have a great interior, comfy ride, and plenty or room. Not to mention the radio unit is simple and not all crazy like the my ford sync or anything. Good redesign, but I can't see why someone would get this over the elantra or the mazda 3 or something like that. Hey, even a civic or accord like me.

[atrevproduction]

@trumpetbrandon It has the most refined engine and steering performance in this segment. If one does not want confusion, opt out of the Touch system. The Elantra is a rough ride and tends to get noisy. The Mazda 3 doesn't offer half the technology the Focus does, yet it is priced almost exactly the same (Comparing it with the SE Focus). Ever review claims the Focus as the C-Segment champion for a reason, which is why several will choose the Focus over said competition ;)