Spacious car with good fuel consumption: How is the Ford Focus?

[soccerjoe5]

Hi guys! I need a bigger car to haul a lot more stuff (I now own a 1999 Corolla). I really like my corolla, super alaga and everything works great, power windows, alarm and all are still stock. Fuel consumption is a constant 10-12. I even soundproofed it and have a nice audio system.

However, I'm needing more space to carry my photography gear around for work. I've been trying to look around at what can haul more gear but is also matipid.

I used my sister's XTrail and it is awesome for space, I love the foldable seats too. BUT it is such a gas guzzler!

I'd love to get a new Tucson Diesel but I don't think I can afford it (I want the higher end model).

So now I'm looking at the Ford Focus 2.0 TDCI 5-Door. Price is about the most I can afford (I think it's 1.1M). It's getting good fuel efficiency and it SEEMS to have a pretty spacious cargo area! I can also use a roof rack for the other things I need to haul around.

I can't seem to find more info on the capacity though and configurations, like can the seats at the back fold up.

Can anyone tell me about the Focus, your thoughts and inputs? Thank you!

[renzo_d10]

All I can say is ... It's the best vehicle in it's category and price range. And, it's fast too ! Simply because of it's torque numbers. ;)

If you think that the focus will fit all your photography needs, then you shouldn't be looking at others by now. Stick to it.

However, if you're quite doubtful about it's space the Ford Escape is around. You can always take a look at it.

The Focus is a great car. For sure, you wouldn't have regrets in the whole span of your ownership. And :btw: Ford parts isn't really that pricey as what others say, it's just average.

[niky]

The Focus isn't the most spacious car in its class. It's tight in the back for three people, but legroom is good compared to cars like the Corolla or Sentra.

For fuel consumption, though, it can't be beat.

[soccerjoe5]

All I can say is ... :bowako: It's the best vehicle in it's category and price range. And, it's fast too ! Simply because of it's torque numbers. ;)

If you think that the focus will fit all your photography needs, then you shouldn't be looking at others by now. Stick to it. :nod:

However, if you're quite doubtful about it's space the Ford Escape is around. You can always take a look at it.

The Focus is a great car. For sure, you wouldn't have regrets in the whole span of your ownership. And :btw: Ford parts isn't really that pricey as what others say, it's just average. :)

I just came from a test drive of the Altis Civic and Focus and WOW I LOVE THE FOCUS :)

It's not as fancy and high-tech inside but the feel of the drive is fantastic. It feels more solid as well than the two.

I'll miss the HID lights in the Altis but I think I'm pretty much sold on the Focus. I overtook cars with ease and I wasn't even throttling it! I love the suspension too!

[scharnhorst]

I just came from a test drive of the Altis Civic and Focus and WOW I LOVE THE FOCUS

It's not as fancy and high-tech inside but the feel of the drive is fantastic. It feels more solid as well than the two.

I'll miss the HID lights in the Altis but I think I'm pretty much sold on the Focus. I overtook cars with ease and I wasn't even throttling it! I love the suspension too!

hehe. yeah, the focus is really a blast to drive, even in its petrol form.

the diesel focus also has an electronic stability program to boot

[ghosthunter]

So now I'm looking at the Ford Focus 2.0 TDCI 5-Door. Price is about the most I can afford (I think it's 1.1M). It's getting good fuel efficiency and it SEEMS to have a pretty spacious cargo area! I can also use a roof rack for the other things I need to haul around.

The Ford Focus TDCi gives great fuel mileage hands down.

The Ford Focus 2.0 TDCi hatchback A/T is a good choice but there are drawbacks.

The car is about to be replaced by the newer model in under a year's time.

The suspension is rather stiff due to suspension upgrades to handle the heavy engine and dual clutch tranny. It's not back breakingly stiff but it is getting close.

I suggest a test drive to give you first hand experience on this. Make sure it's the Focus TDCi and not the Focus gasoline version. The suspension feel between the gas and diesel version are different.

The cargo space is average for a hatchback. The Honda Jazz actually has a bigger cargo space once you have folded down the rear seats. You just have to note what are the bulkier and longer items that would load in your car. Maybe bring a tape measure to check if it would fit.

[scharnhorst]

the hatch has a smaller cargo bay than the sedan (the sedan's boot will be more than adequate for your needs )

fortunately, FGP just released the sedan version of the TDCi

[daney_waney]

Ford Focus hatch has a very small trunk space compared to other sedans. The Civic and Altis has a larger trunk space as compared to the Focus. As for the FC, we never had the diesel version. We had the gas version. Its quite a guzzler compared to other cars. Mas matipid ang Civic at Altis. The Tucson (Non-CRDI) is around 1m. I think that will be a better alternative. Things tend to even out later because diesel engines are more expensive to maintain as compared to gasoline vehicles.

[mazingerZ]

Why not consider the Carens? Its large, drives like a car, economical since CRDI.

[mazingerZ]

I agree on the Focus on being a gas guzzler. I used to have a focus which gave me a ratio of 8-9 km/ liter, versus the car I have now which gives me a ratio of 12-14 km/liter on a highway.

[indiej]

if you're gonna test for suspension, make sure the tires are inflated close to spec. you might be riding under inflated at 24psi which won't be a good test run.

boot space can accomodate 2 balikbayan boxes, and you can fold the rear seat for more.

enjoy the fuel economy even with aggresive driving and filling up to get the diesel price at 20% less than petrol price.

if you encounter or sense any irregularities in the purchase process, up and leave. do not settle for less than what you have agreed on. leave and fight for another day. do not rush. there are a lot of dealers. to be honest, sometimes your purchase will be decided by which dealership is best.

[soccerjoe5]

if you're gonna test for suspension, make sure the tires are inflated close to spec. you might be riding under inflated at 24psi which won't be a good test run.

boot space can accomodate 2 balikbayan boxes, and you can fold the rear seat for more.

enjoy the fuel economy even with aggresive driving and filling up to get the diesel price at 20% less than petrol price.

if you encounter or sense any irregularities in the purchase process, up and leave. do not settle for less than what you have agreed on. leave and fight for another day. do not rush. there are a lot of dealers. to be honest, sometimes your purchase will be decided by which dealership is best.

Hey that's a good point on the tire pressure! I'll try it out again

Regarding the boot space, are you referring to the hatch or the sedan Focus?

Thanks for the tips, much appreciated!

[niky]

The Focus 2.0 4AT is a guzzler compared to a 1.6 Altis or a 1.8 Civic... but most 2.0s are guzzlers. When we tested the Corolla 2.0, we got around 6 km/l in the city... and we didn't drive during rush hour.

The Focus sedan is indeed a more practical choice than the hatch in terms of cargo space. I do like the hatchback's interior trim better, though... not a big fan of beige.

[soccerjoe5]

The Focus 2.0 4AT is a guzzler compared to a 1.6 Altis or a 1.8 Civic... but most 2.0s are guzzlers. When we tested the Corolla 2.0, we got around 6 km/l in the city... and we didn't drive during rush hour.

The Focus sedan is indeed a more practical choice than the hatch in terms of cargo space. I do like the hatchback's interior trim better, though... not a big fan of beige.

I'm referring to the Diesel TDCi variant of the Focus They now have it in the sedan.

I consistently am finding fuel consumption of 10-12 km/l (heavy foot driving) and 15-18 km/l (steady driving mixed city and highway) all over the internet.

[soccerjoe5]

the hatch has a smaller cargo bay than the sedan (the sedan's boot will be more than adequate for your needs )

fortunately, FGP just released the sedan version of the TDCi

I checked out the sedan TDCi and it has a seemingly much bigger boot Pero I want that hatch, it looks so good haha!