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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2008 Ford Focus

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Overview

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2008 Ford Focus Review

By KBB.com Editors

While trucks and SUVs remain the heart of its volume and profits, Ford is currently moving to reassert its presence in the car-based side of the market. To that end, its smallest and most fuel-efficient U.S. entry, the Focus, receives a major revamp for 2008 that enhances its appearance, dynamics, safety and features while helping it shed roughly 30 pounds in the process. Although basic platform engineering carries over, new sheetmetal and cabin appointments make a far bolder visual statement that's suitably complemented by an improved roster of standard equipment in all three trim levels: S, SE and SES. The chassis and powertrain also receive some functional massaging aimed at raising the appeal of this affordable and efficient car as it faces off against prime competitors, such as the Chevrolet Cobalt, Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.

You'll Like This Car If...

A new look, more refined handling and additional features make the Focus an even more appealing choice for drivers seeking a value-oriented American compact. However, it's the new SYNC system that really sets it apart from all of its competitors, particularly for those who use their cars as mobile offices or entertainment centers.

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Its serious helping of 2008 upgrades aside, the Focus remains based on a fairly veteran platform that offers potential buyers neither a performance nor a hybrid variant. You'll also have to pay extra for anti-lock brakes, and stability control is still not available on any model.

What's New for 2008

Comprehensive restyling and retuning give the Focus a more contemporary flair and even better handling. The hatchbacks and wagon are discontinued, but the sedan is joined by a new coupe. All now feature air conditioning, tilt steering column and front, front-side and side-curtain airbags, plus SYNC (standard on SES) that adds in-car connectivity for cell phones and personal media players.

Driving the Focus

Driving Impressions Handling has always been a Focus strong suit, and the comprehensive revamp of its fully independent suspension, coupled with a stiffer body structure, adds even more poise and control in...

that department. A rear anti-roll bar, Euro-style chassis tuning and larger 16-inch aluminum wheels wrapped in premium Pirelli tires make the SES the standout player as the roads get twistier, but all of those items are also included in the SE Deluxe Package. Larger, lighter front disc and rear drum brakes improve stopping power, and all models also offer an available anti-lock system with traction control. Improved sound proofing and better overall isolation help cut cabin noise levels by eight percent, helped by a new acoustic windshield and thicker side glass. While not the quickest car in its class, the 2008 Focus does deliver decent gas mileage, which should please those who favor efficiency over exhilaration.

Favorite Features

SYNC In-car Communications System
Developed in conjunction with Microsoft, this state-of-the-art in-car hands-free cell phone and personal media player interface is remarkably functional and amazingly affordable at $395.

Optional Leather Upholstery
Available on SES models, with or without heated front bucket seats, it adds a touch of class to the interior of either the coupe or sedan.

2008 Ford Focus Details

Interior

Inside, the Focus gains functionality and boasts upgraded materials. The old "organic" dash contouring gives way to a more traditional---and more attractive---design, netting improved storage spaces, better-positioned controls and attractive ice-blue backlighting. Gauge faces are black on the S and white on SE and SES models, and a dash-top display graces the interior of all models. The large central accent panel, tan or black on S and SE, has an upscale brushed-nickel finish on the SES. Redesigned bucket seats provide more comfort and support up front, while the 60/40-split rear bench can handle two average-sized adults or three kids and adds utility to the 13.8 cubic-foot trunk.

Exterior

The restyled Focus borrows design cues from the more angular Edge and Fusion, gaining crisply-chiseled character lines and a chrome bar grille that help align it more closely with other Ford vehicles. Base S models come with 15-inch steel wheels; the SE gets alloy rims of the same size while SES variants move up to 16-inchers. Chrome faux side vents add a bit of bling to the front quarter panels of SE/SES models and the top-line Focus also swaps black door handles and side mirrors for body-color alternatives and gets a subtle rear decklid spoiler.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

Even the Focus S boasts a respectable basic roster of features, including new high-efficiency air conditioning, a tilt steering column, dual 12-volt powerpoints and front, front-side and side-curtain airbags. It also includes an AM/FM/CD/MP3 sound system with auxiliary audio input. Both SE and SES add power windows/locks/mirrors, keyless remote, driver information center and unique alloy wheels (15-inch on SE and 16-inch on SES). Moving up to the SES adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and cruise control switchgear, upgraded interior trim, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, fog lamps and the slick SYNC in-car communications system.

Optional Equipment

All models can be fitted with anti-lock brakes and traction control, an electrochromic rearview mirror---with or without Homelink and compass---remote starting for cars with automatic transmission and SIRIUS Satellite Radio. The SE offers the Driver's Group Package (cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel with auxiliary audio controls, electrochromic rear-view mirror) and Deluxe Package (SES-level suspension/wheel/tire and interior trim upgrades, chrome door handles/mirror caps/exhaust tip). Premium (80-watt) and Audiophile (290-watt) sound system upgrades---each with a six-disc CD changer---a power moonroof and factory-installed ambient interior lighting are SE and SES options. SE buyers also can add SYNC while the SES alone offers leather upholstery.

Under the Hood

The Focus offers two variations on the existing 2.0-liter twin-cam Duratec 20 four-cylinder engine. In Federal form, an improved intake manifold and cooling system help bump output from 132 to 140 horsepower---whether it's paired with the standard five-speed manual transmission or optional four-speed automatic. The "California-spec" engine, mandated in five states, makes only 132 horsepower but qualifies for Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) status. While both engines get similar fuel economy numbers in the city, the manual gearbox raises the official highway number from 33 to 35 mpg. Choosing to shift for yourself also results in a bit more spirited acceleration; but even with the automatic, any Focus can cope with in-town traffic and freeway on-ramps.

2.0-liter in-line 4
140 horsepower @ 6000 rpm
136 lb-ft of torque @ 4250 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/35 (manual), 24/33 (automatic)

2.0-liter in-line 4
132 horsepower @ 6000 rpm (PZEV)
133 lb-ft of torque @ 4250 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/33 (manual), 24/33 (automatic)

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2008 Ford Focus Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.7

Out of 10

Based on 325 Ratings for the 2008 - 2011 models.

Review this car

Value

9.0/10

Quality

8.8/10
Reliability

9.2/10

Performance

8.9/10
Comfort

8.8/10

Styling

8.9/10

I love how it drives

By Fitchic (RI) on Saturday, May 18, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 47,500

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Fun to Drive"

Cons: "The console between the seat surface scratches"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I have been completely satisfied with this car as to how it handles, the 5 speed transition has great get up and go. The stereo system and technology in the interfacing smartphone has been easy to use making me a safer driver. It is sporty and gets great gas mileage. My commute is 25 miles to work and I average 36 MPG most of the time. Only concerns are the rain or snow drips in the car when opening the door and the car has a squeaky suspension. I am selling my car to my son only because I believe he will be safe in it and he should have the well maintained car from his mother. I do not feel I need a new car although, he has over 200,000 miles on my 2003 old Focus and is moving to Colorado in the fall. He feels the chains will work just fine in the mountains."

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Ford Focus SE 2011 Automatic

By Kelly Blue Book (TX) on Tuesday, April 30, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 22,500

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Quality made"

Cons: "None"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Ford did a great job thinking it through to build the Focus. It is a well-build car. I am impress with the quality, it is a superb gas saver. The body structure is strong, the security system is full proof, the key has a chip in it and it cost a bit to make a copy, it has passive security system and impossible to drive it off without the chipped key. I highly recommend Ford Focus to anyone. American made cars are catching up with imported made cars, I would buy a car like Ford Focus. I owned 2 Ford trucks previously and did like the quality of the vehicle. One of them was more than 172K miles before it was total. It ran perfect without any problem."

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Best Darn Car Ive Owned

By Hokies08 (TN) on Monday, April 29, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 39,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "Fun to drive"

Cons: "No cruise control"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Its gets around 30 mpgs. Nice car to cruise in. Only thing bad about it is that it doesn't have cruise control. Really reliable."

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Excellent for a small car!

By gearhead (VA) on Monday, April 15, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 50,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 7/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "good price;handles well; and great gas mileage!"

Cons: "no cruise control in this model(se)"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"This is the best looking car in its class. I get complements about it even from young people. My favorite thing about this car is its gas mileage (34-35 highway; 30-32 every day driving). Even though its a fuel sipping 4 cylinder it does have some get up and go to it and it passes pretty well."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Amazing car

By DFon (CT) on Sunday, April 14, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 69,400

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"My 2010 SES Sedan is one amazing, reliable, and beautiful little car! I now have almost 70,000 miles on it, and it has never been in for repair. It is a bit slow and the rear leg room wouldn't be good for long trips, but it is decent. Nothing you wouldn't expect from any compact economy car. Mine has the sport-tuned suspension from the Coupe, and it is amazing to drive. I get compliments all the time up to this very day how nice and sporty it looks."

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Good Car usual problems

By SMZ-3 (PA) on Wednesday, April 10, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 31,500

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 5/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "hands free phone, fun car."

Cons: "poor alignment from factory no excuse not to cover"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"I have the SES model so the ride is a lttle rough with the low profile 17" tires. The inside has the cloth seats and is comftorbale for a long trip and I am 6'2". The gas mileage has been excellent. after 31,000 miles and 2 years of ownership the paint is still very shiny. The engine and transmision are as smooth and reliable as new. I just had a small problem. The passenger rear shock had to be replaced under warranty. I am very upset about the front end. the tires wore very badly on the inside only. When I asked the shop about this they said the alignment is off (DUH) and of course it is not covered. Its funny how you can hit bumps or potholes so the front end camber is off the same on both sides. (Factory mistake?) But that is about the only problem I have had with this car."

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See all 325 reviews