2013 1.6 ambiente focus A/T vs 2012 Accent CRDi Hatch A/T

**sabaw** · March 21st, 2013 05:53 AM

Hi guys, im currently looking at maybe getting a new car to replace an aging 06 focus 2.0. Ive narrowed down the choices to these two. Id just like to hear your opinions on it.

Focus:
Great looking car
Great Interior (for me anyway, i like the cockpit style)
Luxury "feel" (for a compact)
Decent? FC (8-9km/l in medium traffic?)

Accent:
Decent to good looking car
Decent interior. would be nice to have a screen instead of that dated looking jvc radio
Well, it really is a subcompact, so it feels like a subcompact (not in terms of space, its pretty spacy actually)
Absolutely great FC (im hearing 14+km/l ranges even in heavy traffic conditions)
Super economical
Great power even at lower rpms

Ive test driven the 1.6 ford already, feels pretty good, brakes are really strong and it feels a bit more spritely (even though i hear people saying the 1.6 is underpowered for the weight). Hopefully i get to test drive the accent soon.

So what do you guys think? Looking at all the considerations like cost of ownership, cost of actually buying the unit, drive comfort, feel and enjoyment, how the local dealers and CASAs are, build quality, safety etc etc etc. My usual route is actually just a short drive with about decent/small traffic as my schedule is basically off the beaten track. (santolan at 1:30pm). Of course i also have to put into consideration other off the routine events and that i plan to keep this a bit long term (3-5yrs maybe) so things can change (like a longer route) and how are these cars in terms of reliability during that time. I know these cars are relatively new so even opinions are welcome.

Thanks in advance!!

**niky** · March 21st, 2013 01:14 PM

The Focus is much, much nicer, but the engine is just way undersized for the car. In traffic, it will probably hit 6 or 7 km/l where a Lancer 1.6 or Elantra 1.6 would hit 7 or 8.

The Accent is definitely more practical. Not as nice, but nice enough for the money, and the engine makes up for many, many sins...

**sabaw** · March 21st, 2013 04:56 PM

Would you say its underpowered even just used as a daily commuter? Would you pay that 1kml extra for what others may say a more "premium and fun" drive of a focus? Also are those figures in heavy traffic?

Yeah i definitely realize that the accent is more practical. In truth, i only even considered it because i saw the engine, its definitely cheaper to run though supposedly its a bit more expensive to maintain? 8kml at 51 vs 14 kml at 43

Im eyeing the lower end amb-ien-te (lol it wouldnt let me post the name) which has the electronic handling which supposedly can save about 1 mpg or about half a click per liter. dunno why they put hydro on the trend as even the top end models use the electronic

I guess it really boils down to luxury or practicality huh? Would you say that the focus is safer to drive though?

Thanks for the reply!

**coolhyperion** · March 23rd, 2013 09:02 PM

Since you own a Focus 2.0 - the only natural progression is another Focus, or downgrade to Fiesta which at least has the same excellent chassis dynamics. The Accent CRDi may have better acceleration from full stop and fuel economy but the suspension, handling and NVH suppression is suspect or at least will be equal or inferior to the Elantra which is inferior to the Focus in these areas. Besides eventually the future maintenance/repair of CRDi engines will offset the fuel savings - just ask those who have had to replace their busted turbos or fuel injectors.

Having test driven all the local variants ... My favorite Focus is the Ambiente MT sedan because it's the cheapest and actually the easiest to adapt to (assuming you know how to drive stick) - it is also the simplest and thankfully doesn't have the confusing profusion of buttons on the steering wheel. It is definitely more responsive than the AT version and one of the best MT cars to drive in the segment. I am guessing that its pedestrian clutch pack is much cheaper to replace than the dual clutch too, The main downside of course is its a sedan, but ... it's still one of the better looking ones out there. The wheels need to be replaced but at least you can choose wheels that look better than the so-so ones on the Trend. In terms of japorms - there is no question the Sport hatch is the ***iest but its pretty 17 inchers and sporty suspension are actually not ideal for our ugly roads. The Titanium model is best in terms of refinement and luxury, maybe its the posh leather but it felt really smooth and creamy.

**niky** · March 23rd, 2013 10:42 PM

The hydraulic steering on the Trend is a whole lot better than the electric steering on the Sport. I actually wish they'd kept it on the Sport variant... as that is the car it's more suited to.

I'd say go for the Ambiente, too, if you don't mind spending a little extra for fuel... the Focus definitely beats the Accent in the comfort, refinement and handling department... but bear in mind you're paying for the extra luxury in fuel costs down the line.

**sabaw** · March 24th, 2013 05:26 AM

Yeah, i dont think theres any doubt that itll be more expensive fuel wise.
I guess it boils down to luxury vs practicality.
Im actually a bit confused now. Some brochures indicate that the amb-i-en-te is electric, trend is hydro and sport is electric.
Website states that only the sport is electric.

Im not really a good MT driver so i guess thats out of the question for me. A bit of a side question, bigger wheels = less fuel efficiency and less riding comfort? Yeah, the steel rims are probably one of the things ill replace down the line i suppose.

I was actually able to get inside the titanium, it really did feel super premium, surprising given its segment.

BTW, how big of a difference was it driving the 2.0 vs the 1.6, and the EPAS and the HPAS?

Thanks!