2014 Ford Focus

Ever since smaller cars have gained a huge popularity throughout the country car buyers have clamored for more added to even the small cars. Rather than a basic box on wheels with a hamster powered engine underneath the public has demanded more premium features, versatility, and of course great fuel efficiency. The engineers and designers at Ford listened intently and came up with the 2014 Ford Focus which is loaded to gills with great features, offers a ton of space inside especially for a small car, and shows up with the versatility to be had as either a four-door sedan or a five-door hatchback.

Standing up strong to the normal competition in this class as such longstanding names as the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla the Focus comes in hot with a great value and package many car buyers will enjoy. Even though the Focus remains basically the same for 2014 as it was for 2013 the car still receives a few added features which show up in the Sport Appearance Package of the Se trim with sport cloth seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob and a rear spoiler.

As an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Award Winner as a Top Safety Pick in the Small Car Class the Ford Focus is not only a great ride but also a very safe one as well. Offering the driver a surprising driving pleasure the advanced suspension and highly responsive steering allow the car to absorb road defects easily and handle corners like a champ. Ford Indianapolis says its quick moves and agile functions make the Focus is a pleasure to drive. When selected as a higher trim model of the Titanium edition the vehicle rides on 18-inch wheels and 40-series tires which offer an even stiffer and more responsive ride than before. For the Focus models that end up in bad weather area the AdvanceTrac stability control paired with the torque-vectoring system allows the car to maintain control even in tough situations.

To make the Focus zip along the engine contained is a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine offering a simple but effective 160 horsepower and 146 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine is direct-injected to allow the fuel efficiency to be maximized. The base model offers a pairing of a five-speed manual transmission that brings a 26 city/36 hwy mpg or a six-speed automatic transmission bringing in 28 city/38 hwy mpg. Moving up to the SE with Sport Package and Titanium models the transmission adds the Ford Exclusive SelectShift automatic bringing a 27 city/37 hwy mpg to the vehicle and for the SFE model the automatic transmission that is auto-shifted comes in at a massive 28 city/40 hwy mpg; all excellent fuel usage for every model of the Focus with the 2.0-liter engine.

The Focus does offer an electric motor contained in the Focus Electric which is powered by a 23 kWh liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack offering a 143 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque equivalent. The mileage equivalent is amazing at 105 mpg when compared to a gas powered engine. This electric car can reach a range of 76 miles on a single charge, so travel too far from home is not wise or a real option, but this model can be a great in town car for someone with a cross-town commute.

Abundant with soft materials throughout the cabin the Focus is roomy enough for the driver and a few passengers to fit comfortably inside. Anyone who has been a longtime Ford lover will easily find all the controls and others will learn quickly as they are smartly positioned throughout the cockpit area. Keeping much of the road noise outside the cabin offers more luxurious feel than the price tag suggests and when moving into higher trim levels the control area adds a lot of flavor and technology. The rear seat folks flat in a 60/40 fashion allowing for more cargo space where needed. The only drawback to any cargo space is in the Focus Electric as this is where the battery pack resides taking up much of the trunk space.

From the outside the Focus is well-styled and aerodynamically charged with a long low angled windshield that merges seamlessly into the sweeping angle of the hood. Offering clean lines and smooth curves all over the vehicle it almost looks more like a small luxury sedan than a simple and affordable small car. The wheels are really well designed in an eye-catching star shaped patter and offering the 15-inch size standard. Higher trim levels offer larger wheels coming in at 17 and 18-inches depending on the trim chosen as well as the optional performance tires which finish off the look of a car that really ready to go zipping around town or break out on the highway.

As earlier discussed, the Focus has a long list of standard equipment to help satisfy the masses. The base model comes with air conditioning, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, a keyless entry, a sound system that includes an auxiliary port, anti-lock disc/drum brakes, and front and side-curtain airbags. Moving up to the next model, the SE adds SYNC with My Ford Driver Connect, cruise control, a folding rear seat, four-wheel disc brakes, programmable MyKey and 16-inch alloy wheels. Heading into the Titanium trim brings in leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, push-button starting, SYNC/MyFord Touch, a ten-speaker Sony HD audio system, Sirius Satellite Radio and 17-inch wheels. For the Focus Electric the seat covers are made of an eco-fabric and the navigation system is voice activated.

With such an impressive list of just standard features there really shouldn’t be anything left to put in the optional category but each trim level does offer its own level of optional packages. The base model offers a six-speed dual-clutch with auto shifter transmission as an option along with a remote starter. The SE model brings an Appearance Package offering leather upholstery, 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, satellite radio, and a rear spoiler, while there is also an Interior Style Package available bringing in two-toned leather seats and premium floor mats. On the Sports Package the SE model adds the sport cloth seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob as well as a rear spoiler. Other options available are a power moon roof and a navigation system. Finally at the Titanium trim level a five-speed manual transmission is an option along with a moon roof, a navigation system, and some of the packages from the SE lineup.

Having a base model with so many added features usually means a very high starting price but the Focus comes in with a starting price around $17,000 for the base model and a starting price point of $19,000 on the SE sedan with the SE hatchback coming in at $20,000. The Titanium version starts out at $24,000 for the sedan and $25,000 for the hatchback while adding all the options available will shoot the price tag up to the $28,000 range. Finally the Focus Electric brings in a $40,000 price, which is reasonable when compared with other electric vehicles. All prices are very reasonable for the excellent car bought at that price and the outstanding fuel mileage experienced.

The 2014 Ford Focus is a gem of a vehicle at a great price. Offering a ton of great options and many trims to choose from the Focus is surprisingly roomy and offers a fuel economy that has been sought after for many years. Taking a look at the Focus might lead shopper to stop shopping and pull out their wallets when they see this great car and even better price.

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