I find nothing offensive about this Focus Coupe. It is simply a good, solid daily commuter car - the kind where you'd rarely spend more than an hour or two a day sitting behind the wheel. That being said, I'd like a tiny bit more horsepower. The 2.0L inline four is adequate (140 hp) but not spectacular. Combined with the four speed automatic it lacks any serious juice for passing. I say bring back the 2.3L engine and bump the power up to 165 or so - give it some +1 wheels and a six speed manual and call it the ST. That would make the Focus a car you'd look forward to driving rather than one you simply operate to and from work each day.
Also, the coupe w/ trunk layout seems kinda pointless - I'd rather have a hatch or wagon or sedan. Anybody have a REALLY compelling reason for getting a Focus Coupe vs the sedan?
Brian Moody, Automotive Editor
subytrojan says:
11:06 AM, 04/15/09
They better *not* do that and call it a Focus ST. It'd need the T5 engine or something with more than 165 hp. :o)
http://cdn-www.rsportscars.com/foto/2005geneva/ford_focus_st_01.JPG
Top Gear Ford Focus ST clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeXr50LNJfM
altimadude00 says:
11:09 AM, 04/15/09
IT HAS THE SYNC!!!!!
After that....nothing.
Want a two-door hatch? Hyundai Accent or Toyota Yaris anyone?
altimadude00 says:
11:10 AM, 04/15/09
Oh, I forgot...the stylish chrome fender vents.
What? They're FAKE!?! Crap. Never mind.
daskiing1 says:
11:13 AM, 04/15/09
Thank god they removed that chrome plastic POS by the fender for most 2009 models (although if u still want ur car to look chinzy its on the SEL models.) They should put the 2.3L in the SES and SEL models, especially the coupes. btw, y didn't ford just make the coupe focus a liftback, it already looks like one anyways.
wobbly_ears says:
12:11 PM, 04/15/09
Ford CAN produce good design (Flex, new Fiesta, Ka, Mondeo...)
This Focus however, is a pig. Products like these are the reason the domestics are in the position they're in. (Yeah, Ford is not that bad, but still)
There are better options for your daily driver - Elantra, Fit & Civic, Corolla etc.
Kill this already & bring the Euro Focus.
chavis10 says:
12:25 PM, 04/15/09
2.3L is dead. The 2.5L has a replaced it and I doubt you'll see it in the Focus.
firstwagon says:
12:51 PM, 04/15/09
I think the bigger motor would only make it a faster boring car that now gets worse mileage.
It's needs replacing.
adavis2493 says:
01:30 PM, 04/15/09
I never thought I would say this in terms of a Focus, but the coupe is sexier. It goes like that for all cars.
Which Looks Better?:
Audi A4 vs. Audi A5
Mercedes E-Class vs. Mercedes CLK Class
Honda Civic Sedan vs. Civic Coupes
The only benefit of a coupe is to look cooler.
machwon23 says:
02:00 PM, 04/15/09
I agree with you about the 2.3l. I had a 05 ST. The car was crap and looked like it too, but the motor was peppy. It was actually a pretty fun car to drive too though it could get a little rough at times. It didn't get any kind of special gas mileage, but it would be nice for them to have a more powerful engine in their lineup... just drop the cheesy, droning exhaust from the ST.
gdmstrb says:
02:26 PM, 04/15/09
@ Wobbly_ears:
You've got to be kidding me with your better daily driver selection. The Civic I could see, but everything else you've mentioned there is a joke. The Fit can be an expensive proposition and is just as slow if not slower, and the Corolla is at best a mediocre vehicle.
And for such a crappy car it sells fairly well.
dalaw says:
05:25 PM, 04/15/09
@adavis2493
The coupe/sedan examples you listed are way better differentiated in terms of style than the Focus.
This Focus coupe looks basically like a sedan with 2 less doors. It's a lot like the pre-1997 Camry coupe and the pre-1998 Accord coupe.
So, I don't see any reason to pick a Focus coupe over the sedan.
gdmstrb says:
08:17 PM, 04/15/09
@ dalaw: I don't think the poster above argued that the Focus coupe is that different from the sedan. I think that pretty much goes without saying, although Ford has added a little visual differentiation to the coupes for MY 09.
stovt001 says:
10:49 PM, 04/15/09
I would say this is one instance where the coupe does not look significantly better than the sedan.
stingray454 says:
08:03 AM, 04/16/09
What Ford 2.3L are you referring to? The one in the Ford Tempo from years ago? That engine is OLD (actually traces its roots from Ford of Europe circa 1970, and was used in everything from an optional engine in the Pinto, to turbocharged applications in the 1980's Thunderbird turbo coupes, Mustang SVO, Merkur XR4Ti, base Ranger engine, and Tempo, among many others). Or are you referring to some other Ford 2.3L I don't know about??
gdmstrb says:
12:37 PM, 04/16/09
@ stingray: They are referring to the 2.3 Duratec PZEV that Ford used a few years back on Focus models. It was a very competent engine with a very usable powerband, even when connected to the 4 speed.
firstwagon says:
12:52 PM, 04/16/09
stingray454
Actually the 2.3 in the Tempo is a pushrod engine based on the really ancient 200 cid straight 6.
It's not the same engine as the 2.3 overhead cam motor that was used in the Pinto, Mustang, etc.
As gdmstrb mentioned, it's not the same as the Focus engine either.
Ford must like the 2.3 L size.