SA (2018) Ford Focus

[dannyhilton]

I’m in a Dessert Blue ST-Line with Design Pack and Drivers Assist tonight. After a quick spin driving home I can’t wait to get it onto the highway and into some twists tonight. What a bloody brilliant steer, this this is a hoot!

[dannyhilton]

So have just handed the keys back to the Focus loan car while the Escape was getting new tires and a few things done to it, I was lucky enough to drive two ST-Lines (one with Design Pack & Drivers Assist Package) and a Trend. For all the talk regarding the rear suspension and the transmission I expected to be hugely disappointed, but I’ve walked away not wanting the hand the keys back. It’s simply a brilliant small car with fabulous steering, an engine that is brimming with character, dynamics that are befitting to a performance car, space and practicality beyond the cars size and technology that’s well calibrated and really useful.

My problem is choosing between an ST-Line and a Titanium. More specifically, the dilemma being do I get a loaded ST-Line and accept it lacks some features or cough up the extra coin for a Titanium but loose the more aggressive styling of the ST-Line? There really is no point in me looking at anything else as the Focus is just incredible, I just need to decide what I want from the car and what I can live without.

If anyone is reading this and contemplating taking one for a test drive, do it. I really can’t understand some of these reviews, the Focus ticks so many boxes and is a absolute hoot to drive, and it seems like a no brainer in the class for me.

[CatonaPC©]

Originally Posted by dannyhilton

If anyone is reading this and contemplating taking one for a test drive, do it. I really can’t understand some of these reviews, the Focus ticks so many boxes and is a absolute hoot to drive, and it seems like a no brainer in the class for me.

Great to read a review from someone who's had a bit more time in the car. I can understand your dilemma, deciding between an ST-Line and a Titanium. I suppose if you want it loaded with all the goodies, the Titanium would be the go, but an ST-Line with the works would only miss out on the Titanium's leather seats and park assist. So, yes, difficult decision.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by dannyhilton

......I really can’t understand some of these reviews, the Focus ticks so many boxes and is a absolute hoot to drive, and it seems like a no brainer in the class for me.

With cars being pretty good across the board these days, reviews tend to be singling out small issues to help bulk out the story and provide a balance. Each car in this segment would also have a few small things that stand out as being a complaint in an otherwise fine product.

Take the new Mazda 3, for all its improvements in refinement, materials and infotainment, the power-train is seen as lacking in refinement and the luggage space is now sub-par.

Swings and roundabouts.

[cappie]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Take the new Mazda 3, for all its improvements in refinement, materials and infotainment, the power-train is seen as lacking in refinement and the luggage space is now sub-par.

Swings and roundabouts.

Not to mention the hideous c pillar in that new Mazda3!

[KosCo]

A question for Sync 3 owners out there. Today my Sync 3 has started showing "TA" next to the home icon on the top of the screen. Does anyone know what this is and why it has suddenly just started to appear? Can't find anything on it in the owners manual. Thanks for any help.

[CatonaPC©]

Originally Posted by KosCo

A question for Sync 3 owners out there. Today my Sync 3 has started showing "TA" next to the home icon on the top of the screen. Does anyone know what this is and why it has suddenly just started to appear? Can't find anything on it in the owners manual. Thanks for any help.

TA could be traffic announcement. It's linked to some FM stations. I'm not even sure it works in Australia. I think when TA is on, the station changes to the particular FM station giving the traffic update, regardless of whether you're tuned to it or listening to a CD or similar. Not really sure, but I've seen this feature on all European cars.

You should be able to switch it off but it might be buried somewhere in SYNC3 settings. SYNC2 also has this feature.

Here's more info on it.

Edit: And here's a page indicating the feature is functional in Australia.

[NX74205]

Originally Posted by dannyhilton

If anyone is reading this and contemplating taking one for a test drive, do it. I really can’t understand some of these reviews, the Focus ticks so many boxes and is a absolute hoot to drive, and it seems like a no brainer in the class for me.

I also had a chance to take an ST-Line with design pack as a loan car for two days. Aside from the ride being a bit firm for my liking, the car drove as if it was on rails. The Ecoboost engine was very responsive, and while it's not hot-hatch quick, it doesn't struggle to get off the line at the lights. I like engines that give great low end response, and this three cylinder behaves like a much bigger engine.

What I don't like is the black roof lining, lack of rear air vents, and lack of leather. Not even a fully optioned Titanium, which I sat in (but didn't drive) at the dealer, gets full leather, and I think that's a little disappointing at this price. Also lacks full electric passenger seat adjustment or electric tailgate, which are not even available as options. Can't remember if it had full electric driver's seat adjustment, or if it was just the seat base. I would've liked a bit more kit in both the ST-Line and the Titanium, to be honest.

[dannyhilton]

Originally Posted by NX74205

Aside from the ride being a bit firm for my liking, the car drove as if it was on rails.

Yep, agree. At low speeds the 18’s are firm, but the way in which they still cushion impressed me. It’s firm, but I quite liked the way it rode.

Originally Posted by NX74205

The Ecoboost engine was very responsive, and while it's not hot-hatch quick, it doesn't struggle to get off the line at the lights. I like engines that give great low end response, and this three cylinder behaves like a much bigger engine.

And again, agree. It’s no hot hatch, but the thrum it produces, and the way it gets up and going is so involving even though it’s not that quick. The chassis balance and handling is great, makes me think the true ST and RS models are going to be incredible.

Originally Posted by NX74205

What I don't like is the black roof lining, lack of rear air vents, and lack of leather. Not even a fully optioned Titanium, which I sat in (but didn't drive) at the dealer, gets full leather, and I think that's a little disappointing at this price. Also lacks full electric passenger seat adjustment or electric tailgate, which are not even available as options. Can't remember if it had full electric driver's seat adjustment, or if it was just the seat base. I would've liked a bit more kit in both the ST-Line and the Titanium, to be honest.

And again, couldn’t agree more, and this is my problem. The car ticks so many boxes, but the way Ford has specified the vehicle makes me scratch my head. I think if the Titanium had full leather, front sensors standard like any other Titanium and a power adjustable passenger seat it’d be fine, but the ST-Line needs to be specified like the ST-Line X in the UK, which gets:

- Partial leather seats
- Extra padding and stitching on the center console (sounds like a **** but it makes the cabin feel more premium)
- Electric driver’s seat
- Available front sensors, HUD and B&O sound
- Rear armrest

If the ST-Line had this gear it’s be a pretty straight forward purchase. At this point I’m leaning towards Titanium, but still undecided.

[CatonaPC©]

Originally Posted by dannyhilton

Y I think if the Titanium had full leather, front sensors standard like any other Titanium and a power adjustable passenger seat it’d be fine, but the ST-Line needs to be specified like the ST-Line X in the UK, which gets:

- Partial leather seats
- Extra padding and stitching on the center console (sounds like a **** but it makes the cabin feel more premium)
- Electric driver’s seat
- Available front sensors, HUD and B&O sound
- Rear armrest

If the ST-Line had this gear it’s be a pretty straight forward purchase. At this point I’m leaning towards Titanium, but still undecided.

Woah! My mistake! I thought the Titanium would have had full leather seats.

On the matter of electric tailgate, I note the European version of the Active has it but it's not available here. One of the things I checked was to make sure my wife could reach the tailgate grab handles (she can with a stretch) but it would have been more sensible to have it in a car that's jacked up like the Active.

One issue I have is that the Option Packs don't seem to make much sense. For example, the Design Pack includes Adaptive LED headlamps and Automatic high beam which really should be part of the Driver Assist Pack. And the Design Pack might have also been bundled with the panoramic roof.

But, in reality, if one options up these vehicles and then had to wait 3-6 months for one, why package the options? Wouldn't it be better to just to let the buyer pick and choose what they want. I would have like the privacy glass that comes with the design pack but not the 18" wheels. I would have also like the electric tailgate but that's not even an option. So we're stuck with Ford's idea of what the customer wants rather than giving the individual customer the option to get what they want!

[dannyhilton]

Originally Posted by CatonaPC©

I thought the Titanium would have had full leather seats.

It's an odd omission, especially when the Cerato, i30, Mazda 3, Golf Highline, pretty well everything bar the Corolla ZR has full leather as standard. Full leather isn't a deal breaker for me, ironically only the Vignale in Europe gets full leather. And lovely stitching on the dash, it's very posh for a Focus.

I didn't realize the Active got a powered tailgate overseas either. Not even the all-new Mercedes-Benz A-Class gets that, then again the Active is more like a GLA-Class I guess, which gets it as standard.

[XRFutura]

Must admit, I’m massively tempted by the st-line wagon for my future daily. Might need to pop down to my local dealer and take one for a spin.

[cappie]

We have a winner....
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sd-3GCzCJjw

[Fast Eddie]

If I were to purchase a Wagon, a Power Tailgate would be top of the list, for me.

[mickjf]

Well I just handed back the Trend loaner after nearly 2 weeks and jumped straight back into my Fiesta ST (with fixed gear selectors).

One thing that I didn't really notice about the Focus is the seat is definitely lower than the last Fiesta and Focus. A much nicer driving position.

[dannyhilton]

https://www.whichcar.com.au/reviews/...parison-review

Very positive review of the Focus, have to agree with what they say about driver involvement, the Focus is just brilliant!

[dannyhilton]

https://byrneford.com.au/tkxs-617347...ocus-2019.html

Well if we ever wanted proof the Ambiente spec was coming to Australia, this is it. Listed as a 1.5 petrol with a six speed auto. Wonder when this gets officially announced, and if it’s sourced from China or from Germany?

[CatonaPC©]

Originally Posted by dannyhilton

Well if we ever wanted proof the Ambiente spec was coming to Australia, this is it. Listed as a 1.5 petrol with a six speed auto. Wonder when this gets officially announced, and if it’s sourced from China or from Germany?

That's a strange one. I did a VIN check and it says it's a 1.5 Litre Dragon Y2 rated 120PS (89Kw) of power. This would likely appeal to fleet buyers, I imagine.

[NX74205]

Originally Posted by CatonaPC©

1.5 Litre Dragon Y2 rated 120PS (89Kw) of power.

That's going to be s-l-o-w.

After the Focus ST-Line, I had the misfortune of having a naturally aspirated EcoSport as a loan car. I had to literally floor the throttle before it'll accelerate at a respectable rate, and even then it still couldn't get up to 100km/h by the end of the freeway on-ramp.

Oh well, you win some, you lose some.

[dannyhilton]

Type it into the link below, Ford said the vehicle had been homogenised for the market but were unsure if they’d launch. I’d bet it was in the brief from the start. Same engine is in the Chinese spec Focus, and they’ve added both automatic and manual variants to Green Vehicle Guide. Funny thing is, if we get this from China, it’ll have IRS as China don’t produce the cheaper suspension from my understanding.

https://www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au/

[kevino]

About the same as my wife’s 2012 Fiesta 1.6
93kw
159nm
Probably be tolerable with a six speed manual

[Smoke Pursuit]

Fords confidential dealer release listed the ambiente... I can’t remember the details but it’s a fleet orientated spec.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Smoke Pursuit

Fords confidential dealer release listed the ambiente... I can’t remember the details but it’s a fleet orientated spec.

Interesting.

So what happened to Ford's "we don't do no-profit fleet sales" line??

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Interesting.

So what happened to Ford's "we don't do no-profit fleet sales" line??

I'm not convinced they will even bring it in. They did homologate it but decided against it, according to a recent article. Probably waiting to see how the other models sell. Surpassing expectations so far apparently, so maybe they might decide to bring it in?

[CatonaPC©]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Surpassing expectations so far apparently

Based on what information? My personal observation given I've bought one is that Ford are going to have trouble selling these (unlike their SUVs/Utes). The only glimmer of hope is the wagon and Active models, but I'm sceptical that these will sell in any appreciable volume either. The small car segment is dominated by the asian car manufacturers and even their volume sellers are all SUVs.

Ford's only hope is to convince prospective buyers that the Focus is a step above the usual homogenised offerings from Asia. So far, they're not doing too much promoting the car let alone convincing buyers that the car is worth the 3-4 month wait.

I think the Ambiente might make a show for fleet buyers.

There is also one other factor to consider. Ford wouldn't want to get caught with their pants down when (as opposed to 'if') fuel prices go up. So, I'm sure they're wary about putting all their eggs into the SUV basket.

[kevino]

I hope it’s not a Powershift auto.

So no manual?

[CatonaPC©]

Originally Posted by kevino

I hope it’s not a Powershift auto.

So no manual?

No, it's a conventional torque convertor automatic gear box, not the dual-clutch transmission Ford called 'Powershift'.

There is no manual on offer, because, quite frankly, most buyers don't want them. Apparently F1 driver, Max Verstappen can't even drive a manual. (See under 'Stick Shift')

But if you want to hold out for a manual you might get one in the upcoming Focus ST.

Even though I'd prefer a manual, when it comes to trading or selling the car on the used car market, you'll wipe out 90% of prospective buyers. Fortunately, the new slush box on the Focus comes with paddle shifters so at least I can pretend to be Max Verstappen.

[marg99]

you are right they have never really pushed the Focus They seem to rely upon a couple of models in their range. The fuel use of the focus is not the greatest especially against iother Euro sourced cars but the handling is good

[CatonaPC©]

Well, it appears my Focus is on its way. Just got an email saying it loaded on the ship. That would make it coming out of Zeebrugge on Don Quijote. Hopefully anyone waiting for their car will find theirs on the same ship.

[cappie]

For those who are interested, I too have received an update today. My vehicle is on Don Pasquale and is due to dock in Melb on 14 May at 2am. The long wait is nearly over...