2009 Ford Focus Reviews

So focused was Ford on selling the Falcon that it lost sight of the Focus after its initial launch in 2002. With minimal marketing the LR Focus failed to excite the market, so there was plenty riding on the new LS model that arrived in 2005.The lack of backing for the LR was a sign Ford was throwing everything at the locally produced Falcon at the expense of all else at a time the market was beginning to tune in to smaller cars.Those who failed to see the first Focus missed out on a good car, one that deserved more attention than it got.The new LS Focus delivered European driving dynamics in a sophisticated, but still value-for-money package.The LS Focus was a more rounded car than the LR that preceded it.While the LR was lauded for its sportiness, the LS won more plaudits for its sophisticated feel, roominess and improved interior.There were two body styles, a five-door hatch and a four-door sedan, with two levels of trim, the CL and LX, available in each.In addition there was a sporty Zetec hatch and a luxury Ghia sedan.The LS was wider than the LR, its wheelbase was longer, and it was a little stiffer.Ford's designers moved away from the soft, rounded forms that were a feature of the LR and gave the LS a sharper, more chiseled look.The CL opened the door to the LS range. It was available as a sedan or hatch, it came with a 2.0-litre engine and there was the choice of a five-speed manual gearbox or four-speed automatic transmission.It also boasted plenty of standard goodies to please the small car buyer.Standard features included air conditioning, remote central locking, front fog lights, power steering, power front windows, a radio/CD player with four speakers, a trip computer, rear spoiler (hatch only), and there was an option pack that included 15-inch alloy wheels, power mirrors, and cruise control.Safety features consisted of airbags for the driver and front passenger, and seat belt pretensioners.Like the CL, the LX was available as a sedan or hatch, it had a 2.0-litre engine, and was available with a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic transmission.Standard features included air conditioning, 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, remote central locking,  front fog lights, power steering, power mirrors and windows, a radio/CD player with four speakers, an immobiliser, and a trip computer.Safety features consisted of airbags for the driver and front passenger, side front airbags, ABS anti-lock braking, and electronic brakeforce distribution.Ford of Europe has long been renowned for building cars that steer and handle brilliantly and the Focus was no exception.The Ghia was only available as a sedan with a 2.0-litre engine and four-speed automatic transmission.Befitting its position as the leader of the pack the Ghia had a host of standard features, including climate control air conditioning, 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, radio/CD player with four speakers and a six-disc stacker, remote central locking, front fog lights, power steering, power windows and mirrors, power drivers seat, and a trip computer.Safety features consisted of airbags for the driver and front passenger, side front airbags, seat belt pretensioners, ABS braking and electronic brakeforce distribution.For those looking for a sportier ride Ford offered them the Zetec hatch with the 2.0-litre engine and the choice of five-speed manual gearbox or four-speed automatic transmission.Standard features of the Zetec were climate control air conditioning, cruise control, remote central locking, fog lamps, immobilizer, power windows and mirrors, power steering, leather trim, power drivers seat, and a trip computer.Giving it a sporty flavor were 17-inch alloy wheels, a body kit, a rear spoiler, and sports suspension.Safety features consisted of airbags for the driver and front passenger, side front airbags, seat belt pretensioners, ABS anti-lock braking, and electronic brakeforce distribution.New to the range was the XR5 Turbo hot hatch with a turbocharged Volvo-sourced 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine and a six-speed manual gearbox.It had a full complement of standard features, including air conditioning, radio/CD player with eight speakers and a six-stacker, remote central locking, front fog lights, leather steering wheel, power windows and mirrors, power driver's seat, and a trip computer.Sporty features were 18-inch alloy wheels, sports-tuned suspension, rear spoiler, and sports seats.Safety features included airbags for the driver and front passenger, head airbags, side front airbags, ABS braking, emergency brake assist, electronic brakeforce distribution, electronic stability control, and traction control.The big news in 2007, when Ford updated the Focus, was the introduction of a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine option.Sadly, the TDCi was only available with a six-speed manual gearbox until a subsequent update in 2009 when it also became available with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.By then the Ghia was gone, but the range of sports models was expanded and now included the Zetec, the XR5 and the RS.The 2009 update also brought Bluetooth and the capability of connecting an iPhone or Android device, although it wasn't available in the base model CL.While Bluetooth technology was available there was no touchscreen, parking sensors, reversing camera, or a park assist system. Also absent were sat nav and a sunroof.The spare tyre was a temporary use space-saver.Fresh air fiends were covered with a coupe-cabriolet released in 2007.With a folding hardtop the CC offered the best of both worlds, open air with the roof folded and the security of a fixed-roof coupe with the roof up.The downside was the limited boot space with the roof folded.The Focus cabin had five seats in a conventional layout, with the hatch rear seat a split-fold deal to expand the capacity to carry luggage.Everyone had good head and legroom, and travelled in relative comfort.Some were critical of the comfort of the seats, which were typically firm in the European style.There were plenty of storage options spread around the cabin, and those in the front seats had the use of cupholders.Lap-sash seat belts facilitated the fitment of a baby car seat, but ISOFIX mounting points weren't fitted.The main engine was a 2.0-litre four-cylinder twin-cam petrol unit that produced 107kW (143 horsepower) and 185Nm when working at its respective power and torque peaks.It was available with a choice of a five-speed manual gearbox or a conventional four-speed automatic transmission.The performance choice was the 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine Ford sourced from its (then) Volvo arm.It required the use of 95-octane premium unleaded to achieve its ultimate performance, which saw it put out 166kW (222 horsepower) and 320Nm.When at its best it was capable of completing the 0-100 km/h sprint in 6.8sec.Ford met the demand for a diesel engine in 2007 with the launch of the TDCi, which was powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder common-rail turbo-diesel that boasted 100kW of maximum power and 320Nm of peak torque.Initially it was only available with a six-speed manual gearbox, but the option of a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission was added in 2009.The appeal of the Focus was its driving dynamics. Ford of Europe has long been renowned for building cars that steer and handle brilliantly and the Focus was no exception.Aside from the trouble with the dual-clutch transmission in the TDCi the reliability of the Focus is generally good.A combination of MacPherson Strut independent front suspension and 'Control Blade' independent rear suspension finely tuned by Ford's suspension experts meant anyone looking for a rewarding driving experience could do no worse than settle into a Focus.It might have been a conventional front-wheel drive, but it was a delight to drive.The agile and responsive handling didn't come at the cost of ride comfort; the ride was smooth and supple.Road noise was an issue, particularly in hatches.The Focus was well equipped with safety features for the time.All models in the range had airbags for the driver and front passenger, and side front airbags became standard in 2008.ABS braking was standard on the Ghia from 2005, and across the range from 2007.ANCAP rated the Focus four stars out of five.In recent years the Focus badge has become tainted by the problems that beset the 'Powershift' dual-clutch automatic transmission.The only model fitted with the dual-clutch auto in this generation of the Focus was the TDCi when the Powershift auto was released on the diesel engine in 2009.Anyone considering an automatic TDCi should think long and hard before buying one. History now tells us that the dual-clutch is trouble, and should be avoided.But the automatic transmission used across the rest of the range was a conventional automatic and that is trouble free.Aside from the trouble with the dual-clutch transmission in the TDCi the reliability of the Focus is generally good, but of course buying a used car demands careful inspection.The best buy is always the one with the fewest kilometres with a known history of ownership and service. Tick those boxes and you won't go far wrong with the Focus.Build quality was a concern with the Focus; it wasn't as good as those cars coming from Asia.With that in mind check all electrics in the car to make sure everything is working.Brakes tend to wear out quicker than some cars; it's a factor of the 'driving' nature of the car.A cam timing chain eliminated the need and extra cost of replacing a belt.Capped price servicing didn't apply to the Focus, but there's nothing that should make it an expensive car to maintain, and using an independent mechanic can contain service costs.Ford recommended servicing the Focus every 12 months or 15,000 km, whichever came first.The warranty was for three-years/100,000 km, but that has long since expired.There was a recall for a batch of turbo-diesels built between 2007 and 2009 without an exhaust system heat shield.Another one was for some cars built between 2008 and 2009 with a potentially faulty brake booster.MORE: If anything crops up, you'll probably find it on our Ford Focus problems.Kim Odgers: I bought my CL hatch new in 2007 when it caught my eye at the dealer. All these years later I still have it and love it. I love driving it, and it has been very reliable.Kerry Hampton: We've had our CL for years and have had not trouble to speak of. It's good to drive, and easy to manoeuvre and park.Billy Ahrens: I've had my 2007 Zetec hatch for three years. It's a lovely car, easy to drive, parking is a breeze, it's comfortable, but the road noise is awful.Michael Firth: I owned a 2006 LX for two years, but sold it because the seats were uncomfortable, the road noise was high, and the build quality was awful.Toyota CorollaDurable and reliable as they come and holds its value well.3.5 stars.VW GolfA car you want to love, but more likely will loathe because of the troubles with the DSG gearbox.3 stars.Mazda3A favourite small car that ticks all the boxes.3.5 stars.A car you can enjoy driving, if you avoid the Powershift transmission.

You can save a motza on a late-model used car, because the first owner has already taken the biggest hit... usually 30-50 percent, in depreciation. Ideally, you want to be the second owner, and hang on to the car for a few years, to maximise the value you get from your motoring dollar. We've picked our top five used

Ewan Kennedy reviews the Ford Focus as a used buy.

Ford looked to Europe for a nifty small car but the diesel auto was a flawed Focus. New The market was in a state of transition when Ford released the LV Focus in 2009. Buyers were turning their backs on the big cars that had been so popular for many decades and switching to smaller models such as the Focus. Other

Daryl Eaves bought a 2009 Ford Focus petrol manual as a second car, but is disappointed with its fuel consumption, which averages 11 L/100 km. He says that it's mostly used on short trips and asks if the poor economy warrants further investigation or should he simply lower his expectations. NEW Sales of mid-sized cars

Despite being a huge success in Europe the Ford Focus hasn't enjoyed the sales success it deserved in Australia. Ford Focus finally first reached Australia in September 2002, several years after its European launch and continues to this day. It comes as no surprise that Ford Focus is truly European in the way it

Ford Focus finally reached Australia in September 2002, several years after its European launch. The local importer blamed the delay on the huge success of Focus overseas, but the slow start meant Australian buyers were slow to focus on Focus, so sales have never reached the very high levels they deserve. The Focus is truly European in the way it rides and handles and keen drivers forced into a family car due to circumstances just love them. Many buyers considering downsizing from a Ford Falcon have chosen Focus ahead of an Asian car for this very reason.Ride comfort is pretty good for a small-medium car with sporting handling. Focus can be a little harsh on really rough roads but is generally very good on motorways and fine around town.As a price trimming method less sound deadening is fitted to the lower cost models and these versions can suffer from a fair bit of tyre/road noise on Australian coarse-chip roads.Ford Focus is sold with three or five-door hatchback bodies and as a four-door sedan. From September 2007 until mid 2010 the Focus also arrived in a sporting coupe-cabriolet two-door body with a folding hardtop.It comes in several luxury levels: Focus CL, LX and Ghia – later renamed Focus Ambiente, Trend and Titanium, so there's plenty to chose from. On the sporty front there’s the Focus Zetec, SR, Sport and ST170.Note we used the term ‘sporty’ rather than ‘sports’ in describing the previous models, because there’s couple of other models that genuinely deserve the ‘sports’. They are the Focus 166 kW XR5, sold from 2006 till 2011 – and the full-house Focus RS imported from 2010.The Focus RS is powered by a turbocharged Duratec RS 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine putting out 300 horsepower (224kW), and torque of 440Nm starting at only 2300rpm and providing a huge amount of grunt to make keen drivers smile every time they get a chance to open the throttles to the max.Engines in the standard Focus range are petrol or, from July 2007, turbo-diesel. Petrol units until the all-new Focus of 2011 come with capacities of 1.8 or 2.0 litres. The smaller unit is aimed at the fuel economy end of the scale and some may find it on the gutless side. If considering this powerplant may we suggest loading it with a few passengers and trying it on hilly roads. Some drivers will be satisfied, others may prefer to find a few dollars more and go for the larger engine.Turbo-diesel engines have 2.0-litre capacity and like all of their type come with plenty of grunt and low fuel use. They have  proven reasonably popular, but not to the extent of the diesels offered by many other Euro marques.Most Focus models prior to 2011 come with a five-speed manual gearbox. Some find the five-speed’s gearchange is slightly soft, others don’t mind it. Six-speed manual gearboxes are fitted to the Focus ST 170, the RS and diesel engines. From November 2011 the new Focus received a six-speed manual.Automatic transmissions have four forward ratios and aren’t offered in all models. This situation may seem strange to Australian drivers, but in Europe many prefer to drive manuals. The new model from May 2005 had manual overrides on the automatic, and in any case the auto seems to mate better with the engine from this time onwards.Ford has been building cars in Australia since 1925, so has built up a huge network of dealers. The company is represented strongly in country areas. Dealers in remoter areas may not have spare parts for the smaller models, such as the Focus, in stock, but can generally get them in within a couple of working days.With the exception of the red-hot Ford Focus RS insurance charges are usually moderate. While premiums aren’t to the low level of the locally built Falcon, they are often cheaper than other imported European cars in the same class.WHAT TO LOOK FORBuild quality of the Ford Focus is generally good (most older models come from Europe, from 2005 the majority were built in South Africa), though not up to Japanese quality standards. It’s wise to have a full professional inspection before agreeing to buy the car.Make sure the electrical systems are okay by turning everything off and on. Having the owner’s manual on hand is useful for this. Shuddering under braking could signal that new brake discs are required.The Focus ST170 and XR5 are often bought by the boy racers, then lowered and modified in many areas. A stock standard version is best. Check the alloy wheels on both models for signs of kerb damage.Look over the luggage area for signs of wear and tear. Scratches on the rear bumper will often indicate that lazy owners used the bumper as support when loading and unloading.A safety recall of pre 2010 turbo-diesel cars was instigated to check the fitment of the exhaust heat shield. Check with a Ford dealer or contact Ford Australia on 1800 503 672.CAR BUYING TIPTaking along a couple of other people to look at used cars can result in gleaning a lot more information in a short time about the cars’ condition.

Diesels in small cars are becoming more accepted and Ford's updated Focus TDCi will do nothing to detract from the trend.Only its price might go against the torquey little hatchback - at a $28,290 starting price there are a couple of cheaper alternatives, but the Focus is by no means the most expensive either.Interior The first thing noticed from behind the wheel is the high seating position relative to the steering wheel, even at the extremes of seat and wheel adjustment.It's something of a Ford trait but will only bother taller drivers - the Falcon has a similarly high set-up, which puts the legs close to the wheel and can make getting in and out a little cumbersome.The centre console area has the controls for the sound system, with a central knob menu set-up which takes a little deciphering, but once set up is easy to use, given that most functions can be controlled from the wheel.The seats are comfortable enough but feel a little too flat, sitting on rather than in, which becomes more noticeable as lateral forces grow.Drivetrain Even for a mainstream model, the TDCi can generate a decent amount of force in the corners, leaning a bit but settling nicely into corners.Firing out of them is child's play as well, with 320Nm of torque (340Nm briefly on overboost) pushing the front wheels around a little and sometimes firing up the standard stability control - more subtle use of the throttle is very effective.The six-speed double-clutch gearbox (a $2000 option) is smooth and quick - with the manual shift pattern going the correct way - but it has no sport model and is a little less frugal than the manual.While not as powerful as the XR5 Turbo petrol hot-hatch, it offers similar torque levels without the thirst, laying claim to 5.9 litres per 100km (the manual returns 5.6) versus 9.3 for the XR5.Figures for a comparable model in the UK suggest 7.8 litres per 100km around town - which is where we spent the bulk of our time in the TDCi, with a claimed 4.7 litres per 100km on the EU highway cycle, a number which is not difficult to believe either.Filling the 53-litre tank and pointing the Focus TDCi at the open road, the little five-door has a potential highway range of between 900 and 1100km.The two-litre direct-injection turbodiesel produces a noise that suggests diesel but its not as intrusive as some diesel passenger cars, with good insulation from vibration as well.Using the manual gear selector, the in-gear urge is strong, with the double-clutch transmission only sometime conspiring with small amount of turbo lag to have a moment of indecision.Equipment The Focus range has air conditioning, tinted windows, a four-speaker CD sound system with MP3 input, remote keyless entry, power front windows and mirrors, a trip computer and variable intermittent windscreen wipers.The optional Safety Pack (with stability control, emergency brake assist and side-curtain airbags) is standard fitment for the TDCi, along with 16inch alloys, front fog lamps, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, front and rear power windows.The TDCi also gets a large centre console with sliding armrest (with useful storage capacity) and a rear seat centre armrest.Something that also remains on the Focus - but is unfortunately is fast disappearing across the board - is a roof antenna for the sound system. In-glass antennas don't get the job done with the same degree of clarity and until we're all completely digitalised then a decent external antenna is preferable.The Focus offers good boot space, with the rear end swallowing plenty of the usual family gear without an issue.Market Plenty of brands are spruiking hybrids and around town, hybrids make the most of the staccato traffic flow, thanks to regenerative braking and stop-start functions.Ford's early numbers show the new model running between 7 and 10 per cent but it deserves a better chunk of the market.But little diesels claw back some points on the open road and the Focus is an all-rounder worthy of recognition.Ford Focus TDCi hatch Price: from $28,290.Engine: two-litre 16-valve DOHC direct-injection 16-valve four-cylinder turbodiesel.Transmission: six-speed (optional) double-clutch automatic, front-wheel drive.Power: 100kW @ 4000rpm.Torque: 320Nm @ 2000rpm.Performance: 0-100km/h 9.3 seconds. Top speed 200km/h (governed).Fuel consumption: 5.9litres/100km, on test 7.6 litres/100km, tank 53litres.Emissions: 157g/km.RivalsHolden Astra CDTi, from $29,290.Hyundai i30 SX CRDi, from $21,890.Dodge Caliber SXT CRD, from $32,490.Kia Soul CRDi, from $30,890.