2016 Ford Focus Titanium X Navigation 1.0 Ecoboost 125
Summary:
A Fantastic Car
Faults:
Once, when briefly pulling over, there was a fumble relating to stop/start and turning power off completely. When starting up again, the radio volume from 1 upwards emitted an extremely loud crackle, which occurred on each restart attempt throughout the commute to work. It reset later in the day.
The 'tyre pressure check' reminder pops up now and then upon start-up, and continues to do so even when I've done the tyres. It does eventually stop, but I believe it may be triggered by reminders at set times, rather than by pressure sensors.
General Comments:
For background, I posted the review on the 2006 Focus 1.6LX titled, 'Can't Go Wrong With It'. So I have driven all three generation of the Focus, however this is the first I've driven that is high-spec and with a turbo petrol engine.
The gripes I have are generally minor:
The engine struggles below 1500 RPM, at which point when the turbo kicks in.
There is more body roll than with its predecessors, perhaps more understeer, and the steering is light and lacking feel.
The sat nav does an okay job, although the user interface takes getting used to. I still prefer Waze.
The user interface generally on the console is finicky, and there are sections that I once accessed that I have no idea how I did, or how to again. This includes DAB radio stations and tyre pressure checks.
The city auto-braking feature has proven unnecessarily eager on occasion, specifically when approaching the car park barrier at work. It is an annoyance in this case and I would rather disable it, however it is a safety feature, and am confident it would only prove to be as such and not a compromise.
The fuel economy is my biggest gripe: advertised 60 MPG average, yet I get 42-43 all the time. Even though my old Focus 1.6 achieved the claimed 40 MPG, I'm well aware that real world economy hardly ever reaches the manufacturer's claimed figures. However this level is unacceptable, and ranks among the worst of car testers' statistics when comparing real world to claimed figures.
And on the subject of economy, ignore Ford's gear-changer indicator. It would have you changing into 5th around 30mph, labouring the engine and increasing fuel consumption. Ideally keep around 2000 RPM (best economy). General tip: 3rd gear for 30mph, 4th for 40, 5th for 50 etc...
As for the good stuff, well the car as a whole is fantastic. Specifically:
The small engine does a good job. Being a small-capacity turbo-petrol, it has a narrower band to do it's best work within, but what wonderful work it does for its size. It's quiet, smooth and delivers good power and torque.
Despite my remarks about the body roll, steering etc, the handling is typically excellent, very precise. It just means you need to place more trust in the car simply doing what you want it to do, rather than feel it.
Ride quality is much improved, possibly why the car rolls a bit more. Noise levels are much, much better too. I can have a conversation with a passenger at 70mph without shouting.
All in all, still my default choice for a small family car.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 6th May, 2017
3rd Aug 2020, 21:34
The main problems with the Focus in the USA were the dual clutch transmissions. Americans were not used to that type of transmission where clutches were used to slip it at drive off like a manual clutch transmission would. And the better dual clutch transmissions were the wet type clutches which Audi BMW, Porsche and Volkswagen used. But Ford decided to use dry type clutches, which caused more issues at drive off. It's estimated that 1.6 Americans and 400,000 past owners had problems with the Powershift dual clutch transmission code named DPS6 in their Focus and Fiesta cars. And Ford really didn't start fixing up that transmission until the lawsuits came pouring in. Not sure what our UK cousins used for a transmission in their Focuses over the pond, but the American Ford Focuses had issues over here. Also that dual clutch transmission was used in the American Fiesta cars also. All in all Ford lost a lot of loyal Ford fans to those little cars and Ford vehicles in general too.
4th Aug 2020, 13:38
Thanks for that information, yes it would explain a lot. In the UK most cars have manual transmissions, so automatics (and their issues) are comparatively rare here.
5th Aug 2020, 05:53
Most Americans can’t drive a manual at all to be honest. Asking them to do anything other than D, R, or P on a car is a tall task.
5th Aug 2020, 15:29
Well that comment might trigger a debate :) Some Americans proudly claim to be able to drive "stick shift", but that's only because the cars are usually automatic there.
Myself I have always preferred manuals, but modern automatics are just as fast and economical now. In the future most cars will likely be hybrids, petrol diesel and electric of some sort, with a semi-auto, so the age old debate of which is better will be irrelevant.
6th Aug 2020, 00:27
Stereotype much? Is your statement based on any factual information? No? Just your opinion then.
6th Aug 2020, 19:57
Here’s what it’s based on. I learned on a stick at age 15 & every car I’ve owned since then has been a stick. 80-90% of people I’ve interacted with over the decades couldn’t drive sticks & always comment on it when they’re in my cars. I live in the US.
6th Aug 2020, 21:52
It's well known around the world that Americans drive (not just favour) automatics; there are news articles of carjackers who abandon cars because they couldn't drive a manual. Opinion? The American car market is only around 3% manual. Fact. Why did you get SO offended?
6th Aug 2020, 23:19
What’s beautiful is since none of us are even acquaintances, we pick the transmission for our individual tastes and households.
3rd Aug 2020, 13:37
Good review, Ford's smaller cars are nothing special, but so easy to live with, hard to find a better all rounder. Solid reliability as well. That is in the UK at least, a lot of negative reliability reviews for these cars seem to come from the USA.