CD Article: 2008 Ford Focus SES coupe

[CD_Editor]

Test Drive:


Though roomy, comfortable, quiet, and fuel-efficient, the Focus Coupe is not a particularly sporty car, says Contributing Editor Chris Chase.  Acceleration is "average", shift feel is "so-so", and the suspension is "soft", he says.

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[tpl]

Ugly interior.

I wonder if Ford are now regretting getting rid of the hatchback and wagon.  They might have been helping the bottom line quite noticeably in these times.

[toolatecrew]

Ugly interior.

I wonder if Ford are now regretting getting rid of the hatchback and wagon.  They might have been helping the bottom line quite noticeably in these times.

I have to agree with you that I'd be surprised if in this calss simply lopping off 2 doors with no other change (suspension power etc) really will attract more sales than a hatch or wagon. But I guess there is no account for the US market taste.

I think this is one of the dumbest cars in the Ford lineup. Is the coupe sporty? NO Is it attractive? NO (its just as ugly as the 4 door). BLAH

[mmret]

Ugly interior.

Ugly car.

[carcrazy]

Ugly car in and out.

[wing]

harsh

[smok]

It's not just ugly, but I thought that it's more cramped inside, and has worse steering and handling than the older one. The steering had a 'lag' in response.  I had one rented for a day.
I used to have a 5 door hatch focus, and thought it was pretty good. (well aside from my many issues with sensors, suspension parts, EGR valve, ...). 

Anyhow, just like the article says, all they did was put 2 doors on the sedan, and try to convince us that it's somehow a sporty coupe. That's Ford for you, they have no clue.   They did the same with the Tempo, didn't they. 

Nothing about this car is designed well, except that they put more sound deadining.  This car is 10 years behind the civic and mazda3.  The door handle is awkward, try closing it when you get in.  They also dropped the telescoping wheel, which I used in my old 5 door focus and loved.   

[Cortina]

This car is 10 years behind the civic and mazda3. 

I feel I should share, that the Mazda 3 shares its platform with the European Focus.  So its about 7-10 year old design now. 

I think the Focus is alright in my book if bit dated under the skin. It is bit useless in a 2 door. I think looks wrong in that colour. Because it is not a nice shade of red. I must say.



 When I see the Euro focus, I feel we've been short changed.

[Arthur Dent]

Most pointless car ever. It offers no styling or performance advantage over the sedan. In fact it looks worse than the homely sedan.

[safristi]

they are flyin' off the dealerships lots  in tha USA....can't get them fast enuf in the DAZE!! of $4 Gas....... ...good thing they weren't Hatchbacks eh!!! they could care less aboot us wee Nation...........

[oldscool]

I don't consider my '03 ZX5 (4 Door Hatch) to be the best looking out there, because of the unusual but practical rear design. However, I find the appearance of the new design just plain ugly. They have taken one of the best handling cars in the previous version, and "dumbed it down" to better suit American tastes, I guess. The highway fuel economy reported in the review (6.7 L/100km) is very close to what I achieve, so may be fairly accurate. On the positive side, I found the new version as comfortable as the old, even without the telescopic steering.

[IceAndFire]

I saw a ton of the brand new Euro Focus that takes on some of the styling from the new Mondeo when I was on my trip to Ireland.  I was shaking my head the entire time at how cool that car was ...and we get this.