Is The 2008 Focus As Nice, As Its Rivals?

Ford didn't start from scratch to come up with the 2008 Focus, but did thoroughly modify the small car.

Key dimensions are unchanged, wheelbase length and track width. But body panels and the interior are different. The engine is different. Features and accessories are different. Model lineup is different.

On the other hand, the 2008 Focus, at dealerships this month, reeks of lame-duck. There are just two body styles, not three or four as in past years. There's only one engine, not a choice between two. No money was spent providing a manual-shift mode for the automatic transmission, nor giving the back-seat passengers head restraints to improve safety in rear-end crashes, nor to furnish reading lights in the rear, nor to make stability control available.


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1970toyotamarc - 10/26/2007 3:16:36 PM

+3 Boost

"...as nice as..." No comma. Sorry. Cuz ya know I generally love your headlines.

EnnNorak - 11/2/2007 12:43:39 AM

+1 Boost

Zero exterior visual appeal for me. Ya gotta do better Ford if ya wanna survive.

S4cabriofoxone - 10/26/2007 5:32:15 PM

+5 Boost

NO. It's pathetic.

mini22 - 10/26/2007 6:06:18 PM

-3 Boost

I don't think it is pathetic for the price. If you put it into perspective its worlds better then the old Escort.Also it has a Euro designed chassis. What I've read its a lot quieter and less buzy then many cars in it's price range. In addition with gas prices going up and soon to be larger taxes on gasoline it probably is not a bad choice. No it's no sports car but then what 14 grand econocar is.

S4cabriofoxone - 10/26/2007 10:56:48 PM

+4 Boost

Don't even try to justify this. It's no longer a Euro-designed chassis--that was in 1998, but they have literally taken out the fun of the car for the 2008 version. Furthermore, the styling is a mish-mash of different ugly bits, and the interior is the cheapest in this class. It is based on a ten-year-old platform!!!

Blakura - 10/27/2007 8:27:50 AM

+4 Boost

"...worlds better then the old Escort" That is not a selling point. There is plenty of room to be significantly better than the old escort, but still fall short of the current competition. Ford continues to make dumb business decisions...its a sinking ship.

Mate - 10/26/2007 9:12:34 PM

+6 Boost

What an ugly car. o_O

AntAus - 10/26/2007 11:46:42 PM

-3 Boost

I'm not particularly keen on the front fascia design, but styling is personal and subjective.

But look at the value your getting, and compare it to the competition price wise. Ever price out a Honda Fit, or Nissan Versa? Your pretty much in the same price segment as the Focus. With the obvious being this is a "C" segment vehicle.

And in comparison to many other vehicles in the $14-15K range, your getting a good bang for the buck. So far according to the majority of the reviews, it rides better, handles better, more comfortable, quieter and better interior than most in it's class, so obviously it's a good car overall from what they state.

rok_altima - 10/27/2007 5:44:58 AM

+3 Boost

I really don't know how you can state its a better interior. More than half the dashboard is covered in silver painted plastic panels..talk about trying to save money. The interiors of the Versa and Fit are 10x better

Rupert - 10/27/2007 12:40:04 PM

+5 Boost

No rear headrests just smacks of cheapness.

Motorhead - 10/27/2007 1:15:35 PM

+3 Boost

Sigh, either they do too little on a car making it look cheap or try too hard on exterior design. American auto companies have not hit the spot with any cars i've seen. Some were a bit of a sucess but nothing mind blowing ... only to the brand loyalist.

S4cabriofoxone - 10/28/2007 2:03:14 AM

+2 Boost

Some of the new Mercurys look nice, but that's about it from Ford.

pitang - 10/28/2007 10:18:00 AM

+1 Boost

Ford did a half baked design change on the failing ford five hundred and called it the taurus and now they did this.I'm sure Ford can do better than this thing.

bambamsd - 10/28/2007 7:36:02 PM

+1 Boost

This car sucks styling wise. Boring. Come on Ford you can do better than this. Honda took a chance with 2006 Civic and nailed it big time. Why can't you?

mkaresh - 11/1/2007 7:31:01 PM

+1 Boost

You might say the same of the 2009 Corolla Toyota just introduced at SEMA...

I don't think the new Focus is as bad as the anti-buzz it's been getting. But maybe that's not saying much. I'll miss the five-door. And they killed the SVT because?

truckmen - 11/28/2007 5:43:51 AM

+1 Boost

Comparable HP to a Civic but not comparable in fuel consumption. This car is old tech!