2008 Ford Focus

Exterior

This is the typical Ford Focus. A bit boxy, but it looks efficient. Nothing to write home about, good or bad.

2.5 stars

Interior

The dash was well laid out and easy to read. I believe I had Sirus radio, and between that and the heating/cooling controls, the center console looked like mission control on steroids. Buttons and dials everywhere. Not that it was hard to operate, but when you first look at it, there is a sense that one may need an engineering degree.

And with all this, it took me 6 hours to find the button to change the info on the computer read out. Not that I was looking the whole time, but that's when I found it down below the center console. As I like to check the odometers and gas mileage frequently, it was inconvenient.

The seats were comfortable for the whole trip, both ways.

4 stars

Performance

OK, it wasn't the G5, but acceleration wasn't horrible, either. In times when I needed to take off quickly (like toll booths) it responded quickly and with surprising spunk (for a Ford). Passing on two lane highways was quick and efficient. I had some downshifts on the steeper slopes in the mountains, but they were predictable and concise.

4 stars

Handling

For it's boxy look, the Focus was a solid handler. Even in the mountains going around tough corners, I was confident in it's cornering, even if there was a downshift. And all this without the "sporty" feel of the G5, in that it absorbed the bumps of the road admirably.

4.5 stars

Miscellaneous

Computer said 34MPH highway