Driving the 2010 Focus

[PowerShift]

While the Fiesta is at the dealer having the starting noise ("Kah-Klunk") looked at, I'm driving a 2010 Focus loaner.

I'm actually quite impressed. Exceedingly quiet and smooth riding. The seats are bit softer than the Fiesta. Thanks to the old-school automatic it takes off and slows down with much less drama.

But here's the real kicker. I reset the avg MPG readout when I left the dealer, and after a drive that involved everything from suburban standstill to 60 mph cruise it said I averaged 39 mpg. Maybe it's just shi**ing me, but if it's even within 4 mpg that means it's doing better than my Fiesta. WTF!

Based on what I've mentioned so far, it's a better car than the Fiesta, but there's one huge flaw. The interior is ugly, a mess of mismatched colors, textures and fonts. Visibility sucks too.

Still a very good showing for a car I didn't expect much of. Really makes me question a lot of my automotive assumptions.

[tjl]

Originally Posted by PowerShift

But here's the real kicker. I reset the avg MPG readout when I left the dealer, and after a drive that involved everything from suburban standstill to 60 mph cruise it said I averaged 39 mpg. Maybe it's just shi**ing me, but if it's even within 4 mpg that means it's doing better than my Fiesta. WTF!

Seems rather odd. Both EPA and Consumer Reports fuel economy tests show the Fiesta's fuel economy much better than the Focus' fuel economy (CR highway is 65mph; the third number for CR is their "150 mile trip"):

Fiesta: EPA 28/37M, 29/38A; CR 23/42/39M, 22/45/41A
Focus: EPA 25/35M, 25/34A; CR 20/37/36M, 18/35/32A

[Audrey]

Originally Posted by PowerShift

I'm actually quite impressed. Exceedingly quiet and smooth riding. The seats are bit softer than the Fiesta. Thanks to the old-school automatic it takes off and slows down with much less drama.

The Focus is more expensive, so that could be the seat-softness thing. The transmission may require more maintenance since it is old-school type, but I don't know. Saving on maintenance is work a few (not-unhealthy) revs in my book.

Originally Posted by PowerShift

But here's the real kicker. I reset the avg MPG readout when I left the dealer, and after a drive that involved everything from suburban standstill to 60 mph cruise it said I averaged 39 mpg. Maybe it's just shi**ing me, but if it's even within 4 mpg that means it's doing better than my Fiesta. WTF!

What's the odometer at on the car? A broken-in engine that is functioning properly (your Fiesta's is being looked at for engine trouble?) will tend to get better MPG than a brand new engine would.

Originally Posted by PowerShift

Based on what I've mentioned so far, it's a better car than the Fiesta, but there's one huge flaw. The interior is ugly, a mess of mismatched colors, textures and fonts. Visibility sucks too.

The front is ugly too. ;b The 2012 Focus has a much nicer design, exterior, in my opinion.

Originally Posted by PowerShift

Still a very good showing for a car I didn't expect much of. Really makes me question a lot of my automotive assumptions.

Remember that it is slightly higher-priced and made with a little bit of a different market in mind. Maybe you fit into both market groups, Fiesta and Focus, and this car is just touching on those Focus hotpoints. (:

[tjl]

Originally Posted by Audrey

The Focus is more expensive, so that could be the seat-softness thing.

The current Focus is about the same price as the Fiesta or slightly cheaper, after accounting for the $thousands in rebates.

From the beginning, the Focus was widely praised for having good ride quality and good (sporty) handling, characteristics that previously were hard to find together. The 2008 refresh did change the suspension tuning to favor ride more and handling less, resulting in disappointment in magazine reviews (since the reviewers typically like cars that are sporty to drive).

[Audrey]

Originally Posted by tjl

The current Focus is about the same price as the Fiesta or slightly cheaper, after accounting for the $thousands in rebates.

When you compare trim levels equivalently the Focus and Fiesta are not so comparatively priced, and the rebates aren't applicable for all buyers so I'm just considering MSRP to MSRP. I suppose comparing different model years means you'll always end up saving with the "older" model year. I don't discount your point though; the 2010 Focus is a good deal right now if it is the car for you [or whomever]. My other points still stand. (;

[PowerShift]

Starting off this morning the MPG readout dropped to 35 and stayed there through the entire drive. Then this mind-numbing rattle started emanating from somewhere behind the dash. On the final trip back to the dealer the MPG readout dropped to 29. Maybe it just needs time to figure itself out. I was also displeased with the loud clunk from the power door locks and the spring-loaded ignition (both holdovers of pre-Mulally Ford). All-in-all I was happy to be back in my Fiesta, but I still appreciate the fundamental goodness of the Focus, even if they screwed up the details.

[tjl]

Originally Posted by PowerShift

Starting off this morning the MPG readout dropped to 35 and stayed there through the entire drive. Then this mind-numbing rattle started emanating from somewhere behind the dash. On the final trip back to the dealer the MPG readout dropped to 29. Maybe it just needs time to figure itself out.

Is it possible that the dealer is at a higher elevation than your home? Perhaps the Focus got 39mpg going downhill, but worse (resulting in an average of 29mpg) going back up?

[ibinubu12]

Originally Posted by PowerShift

Starting off this morning the MPG readout dropped to 35 and stayed there through the entire drive. Then this mind-numbing rattle started emanating from somewhere behind the dash. On the final trip back to the dealer the MPG readout dropped to 29. Maybe it just needs time to figure itself out. I was also displeased with the loud clunk from the power door locks and the spring-loaded ignition (both holdovers of pre-Mulally Ford). All-in-all I was happy to be back in my Fiesta, but I still appreciate the fundamental goodness of the Focus, even if they screwed up the details.

"Spring-loaded ignition" - never heard that one before. Are you referring to the ignition cylinder itself?

Personally, whenever I get into a car with power locks, autolock is the first thing I turn off - nothing on this planet annoys me more, automotively speaking, well maybe DRLs - so I can't comment on the Focus' power lock noise.

[Slipster17]

I've driven the 2010 Focus as well and while the difference in handling between it and my '01 aren't glaringly noticeable... I can't stand the appearance. They turned in into a modern interpretation of the Contour.

[iamz]

Originally Posted by PowerShift

.... I was also displeased with the loud clunk from the power door locks and the spring-loaded ignition (both holdovers of pre-Mulally Ford).

I just drove a 2011 Focus SES today. You are spot on with the door locks and the ignition cylinder. When the doors locked it startled the heck out of me and I instantly remembered your post. Then, when I pulled the key out of the ignition and and heard something spring/slam shut in there I just had to smile,....exactly as you said.

Anyway, I think most people who are use to driving American cars and don't care about a sporty, taut ride will like it. It was quiet, plush and smooth over bumps.