Vehicle Type: Compact Car
History/Description: The all-new 2012 Ford Focus has now officially hit Canadian roadways, and it’s readily been answering the call of shoppers demanding more European-influenced small cars on our shores. With the 2012 Focus, the last-generation model has effectively transitioned into the used car marketplace—and will now take a place under our weekly used-car microscope.
The last-generation Focus focused on earning sales exclusively with coupe and sedan body styles, as Ford canned the former hatchback and wagon models for this iteration. Vocal shoppers everywhere were dismayed, and left mainly to consider some Chevrolet-badged Daewoo products, like the Optra, as an alternative.
All last-generation Focus models got a 2.0-litre, 140-horsepower 4-cylinder engine with a 5-speed stick as standard, and a 4-speed automatic as an option.
Trim levels included S, SE, SEL and SES from econobox to loaded, and feature content included things like heated seating, SYNC multimedia system, alloy wheels, mood lighting, cruise control, Bluetooth, power accessories, remote access and a self-dimming rearview mirror.
What Owners Like: Seems Ford hit the nail on the head with this generation of Focus where interior dimensions, overall size, value for the money and exterior styling were concerned. Generous headroom is frequently mentioned by taller owners. Connected and tech-savvy types tend to love the SYNC system, too. A fun-to-drive character and generous trunk space were also noted.
What Owners Dislike: Many owners wish for more pizzazz in the Focus’s rear styling, as well as some extra power for passing and merging. Other Focus drivers wish for a higher-quality interior feel, and complain of an abundance of ‘dead’ buttons that don’t serve a purpose other than to fill the space of un-fitted options. A few reports of rougher-than-expected ride quality round out the list of owner-stated complaints.
History/Description: The all-new 2012 Ford Focus has now officially hit Canadian roadways, and it’s readily been answering the call of shoppers demanding more European-influenced small cars on our shores. With the 2012 Focus, the last-generation model has effectively transitioned into the used car marketplace—and will now take a place under our weekly used-car microscope.
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| Photo: Philippe Champoux/Auto123.com |
The last-generation Focus focused on earning sales exclusively with coupe and sedan body styles, as Ford canned the former hatchback and wagon models for this iteration. Vocal shoppers everywhere were dismayed, and left mainly to consider some Chevrolet-badged Daewoo products, like the Optra, as an alternative.
All last-generation Focus models got a 2.0-litre, 140-horsepower 4-cylinder engine with a 5-speed stick as standard, and a 4-speed automatic as an option.
Trim levels included S, SE, SEL and SES from econobox to loaded, and feature content included things like heated seating, SYNC multimedia system, alloy wheels, mood lighting, cruise control, Bluetooth, power accessories, remote access and a self-dimming rearview mirror.
What Owners Like: Seems Ford hit the nail on the head with this generation of Focus where interior dimensions, overall size, value for the money and exterior styling were concerned. Generous headroom is frequently mentioned by taller owners. Connected and tech-savvy types tend to love the SYNC system, too. A fun-to-drive character and generous trunk space were also noted.
What Owners Dislike: Many owners wish for more pizzazz in the Focus’s rear styling, as well as some extra power for passing and merging. Other Focus drivers wish for a higher-quality interior feel, and complain of an abundance of ‘dead’ buttons that don’t serve a purpose other than to fill the space of un-fitted options. A few reports of rougher-than-expected ride quality round out the list of owner-stated complaints.
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| Photo: Philippe Champoux/Auto123.com |