Strong and entertaining in base form
One bummer is that the SE comes standard with rear drum brakes (unless you get the optional appearance package) while the Titanium, which is the next trim level up, gets discs all around. But it's a $4,950 price premium when you compare base prices between the SE and Titanium. That extra loot for the Titanium also gets you leather seats, HD and satellite radio, a Sony 10-speaker sound system, leather-wrapped steering wheel, automatic climate controls, intelligent access, push button start, one-touch up-and-down windows all around, overhead console, reading lamps, rear armrest with storage compartment, reverse sensing system and rearview camera. It's also dressed a touch better on the outside, with a piano black grille, chrome beltline trim and heated outside mirrors with integrated turn signals.
I suppose all of that is nice stuff to have, but I didn't have a problem with our SE tester's cloth seats, manual climate controls, regular key and one-touch up-and-down window operation only for the driver's window. The only item I really want in my Focus is satellite radio, which can be added by itself for $695. That would make my ideal Focus SE come in at $20,605, which is an alright deal in my opinion.
It's a fun car to toss around, though. Steering feel is fairly direct and weighty, and the suspension offers plenty of damping for a ride that's rather comfy. I couldn't really push the car hard during my overnight because the roads were still yucky with slush, but the all-season Continental tires were pretty good cutting through the muck. One thing that's always impressed me about this latest generation of Focus is just how solid they feel rolling down the road: like a substantial and well-built car.
The 2.0-liter four-cylinder does alright pulling the car along, especially when you're selecting your own gears with the manual gearbox. Merging onto the expressway or performing passes is easily done just dropping down a gear or two and getting the engine turning up high. Power is what I'll call adequate for the class. The five-speed shifter goes into gear nicely enough, but throws are long.
Materials throughout the cabin are among the best in the class with plenty of soft surfaces and isolation from road and wind noise is OK, too. There are sure a lot of buttons on the center stack, though.
So this is a very good basic car by today's standard, and if you're looking for a hatchback it probably is my pick in the $20K to $22K range for its overall performance and good sporty looks. While I like how the Volkswagen Golf handles, I'm not a big fan of the 170-hp version of the inline five-cylinder in that car. The Subaru Impreza 5-door is another strong contender here, too, but it's not the greatest looking.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR JAKE LINGEMAN: I think the Ford Focus has to be near the top of the list in its segment after the latest refresh. Even basic models like the SE offer some fun behind the steering wheel. Personally, if I was looking for this hatch, I would try to find the most basic one I could get my hands on, even ditching the optional $2,600 SE appearance package.
The 160-hp 2.0-liter motivates this 2,900-pound package well, better than the Chevy Cruze and probably better than the facelifted Honda Civic. The stick shift feels solid in the hand, making for easy quick shifts, even when you're just jabbing at the clutch pedal momentarily.
Steering is well-weighted for such a small car. And the suspension soaks up most road bumps with a muted thud. I can't say it's a joy to pilot around apexes, but it's easy to point and shoot.
As far as utility goes, it's a hatchback so take a guess. It could surely fit four adults comfortably on anything but a cross-country road trip. Or, if heading to a big box store, the seats can be folded down and the rear can be filled to the brim, all the way up to the back of the front seats.
I'd say the VW Golf is one of the Focus hatch's main competitors and starts at about $20,000. It may offer more in the way of an enthusiast ride, but doesn't feel as substantial as the Focus. But ideally I would suggest throwing down some extra scratch and getting a Golf TDI, which starts at $25,200.
2014 Ford Focus SE Hatchback
Base Price: $19,910
As-Tested Price: $22,550
Drivetrain: 2.0-liter I4; FWD, five-speed manual
Output: 160 hp @ 6,500 rpm, 146 lb-ft @ 4,450 rpm
Curb Weight: 2,920 lb
Fuel Economy (EPA City/Highway/Combined): 26/36/30 mpg
AW Observed Fuel Economy: 24.2 mpg
Options: SE appearance package including ambient interior lighting, fog lamps, leather steering wheel, leather shift knob, perimeter alarm, Sirius satellite radio ($2,640)
Source:
By: Jonathan Wong on 4/03/2014
2014 Ford Focus SE Hatchback ~ Little Notes Review
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