2012 Ford Focus User Reviews

Pros

Styling, Gas Mileage, Great Suspension

Cons

Needs more low end torque, Cup Holders

Purchased As New

I think this Focus is a great car. Very quiet inside and has a good feeling ride. Most 4 cylinder cars I drove (elantra, optima, cruze) feel like cheap tinny cars inside and out. This Focus just has a more refined ride. The 6 speed dual-clutch is good but needs a little more low end torque. On the highway this tranny shines, acelerates well for passing or lane changes. With this transmission, you either love it or hate it...but I would say once you break it in, you will probaly love it. Drive at different speeds and let the transmission learn your driving habits. MyFord touch is great..no problems! One Gripe with all the technology and engineering that went into this car, why didn't they place the cup holders away from the arm rest an inch or two. Unless you have a 12 oz. can it is really useless for what its intended for. I have the winter package and the heated seat switches should be where the cup holders are and visa versa. Other than that this really is a great car. truly a sleeper!...read morehide

Pros

Fuel economy is suprisingly good. Fun to drive. Good radio reception.

Cons

Dash is too big. Low on torque on hills and under 2500 rpm.

Purchased As New

Dashboard - it's black (hot in the sun), the radio stack is angled toward the windshield which makes for hot buttons in warm weather, and the console is in the way on a manual transmission model.. Why is it so big??? As big as it is, there’s not much storage – no sunglasses holder, a small glove box, no standard ashtray for coins, 2 small cup holders (one of which is now in use by the aftermarket ashtray for coins), and a small cubby (?) by my right leg.

Torque - peak torque is at 4400 rpm, and the car tends to lose speed on hills at lower rpm (under 2500), but it is a 4-cylinder. On one uphill entrance ramp I frequent, at 50 mph in 5th, there's little acceleration until the highway levels out (though it’s getting better as the engine breaks in). In fairness, it’s a fairly steep hill and my old car was similar. Maybe I just need to rev it more and keep it in 4th gear, or press the gas down, instead of babying it (break-in period). While the 5-speed is an excellent unit, a 6-speed might help.

Stereo (SE) – While the stock speakers sounded bad when new, they now sound acceptable to decent. Weaker stations tune in with ease. A standard HD tuner would be welcome.

Seats – back seat backs fold flat after lifting rear seat cushions. Front passenger seat should also fold flat.

Alternator – it moved to the front, away from the exhaust manifold, and hopefully will last longer and have cheaper replacement labor (if needed) than on the older models. This seems like a good move.

Weird “feature” – The accessory belt is visible from the front passenger wheel well with the wheel off. Maybe that’s fine, but I will be asking the dealer about it.

Other than that, the car is excellent. It's fun to drive with a great manual transmission. The suspension is a touch firm for an economy car, but it’s supple. It has plenty of passing power, is economical and comfortable, and has hatchback capability. My uncle has an automatic sedan, and it also has a generous trunk. The engine is smooth, loves to rev, loosened up after 1100 miles, and keeps getting better (now at 1700 miles). A K&N filter was just installed and it seems to rev more eagerly and freely. It's hard to believe this is an economy car. Yet it is, and fuel economy is better than expected. Dash read-out is 36.5 to 36.8 in mixed driving (rooting for 37), with or without ac, verified by manual calculations, while sticker is 26/36. It’s increased from 33 when new. The car is using full synthetic oil and higher than 87 octane gasoline, though. The first oil change at 1000 miles was easy, and no $5 crush washer is needed like with the old car.

Drove the Cruze - liked it. It seemed roomier than the focus (likely due to dash design), felt solid, and was fun to drive. The base engine did seem a little weaker off the line, and the 6-speed manual wouldn’t allow for fast 1 to 2 shifts. They also wouldn't deal (I tried to buy one at two locations). Maybe they didn’t have to since it was the #1 selling car in its class, at the time. Drove a Soul - base engine/clutch is unfun, wanted to run from it. However, the upgrade engine is surprisingly quick and transformed the vehicle. It had a hatch, but the suspension was punishing and you couldn't order one in red (or order one at all). Drove the Focus – bought it - Ford also had 2000 cash back and gave a 1000 more for the trade-in than chevy was going to give (the trade was a 2002 Chevy Prizm).

In summary, if it's as durable as my last car (minus that car’s motor, oil, and pinging issues, the Toyota motor only lasted 125k and used/new ones were expensive), it will be a great commuter car for a number of years.

Thanks, Ford....read morehide

Pros

Low price and up to 40mpg w/SFE package

Cons

Headroom

Purchased As Not Purchased

Same as 2012 Fiesta, low headroom.

Had to adjust seat(slide all the way back) Lowered the seat with no go. Like the Fiesta, i didn't test drive it.

Purchased As New

my wife, & I love our new candy red focus, we also have a candy blue sel. Fuel enconomy is excellent, & when I stop for gas, people will come up to me to ask about the car. This is an outstanding AMERICAN car, I would highly recommend it to anyone considering a new car purchace!!!!

Pros

Ford Sync, Park Assist, Excellent Fuel Economy

Cons

No Cons

Purchased As Not Purchased

A very Well equipped Techno Car!!! Very BEautiful,!! Smooth ride and Great fuel economy. I would pick this over a Kia, Nissan, Subaru. A great american Car!!! :)

Purchased As New

Great styling and handling. Unbelievable gas mileage and good performance. While the 4 door look isn't as sporty as a 2 door, it still looks nice and makes a great all around car.

Pros

excellent fuel economy, comfy seats in front

Cons

non yet

Purchased As New

Driving from Austin, TX to Phoenix AZ last week, averaged 36 mpg thru Tx at 80 mph in the rain. Last fill-up in Demming, NM and had 160 mi to empty when got to Phoenix, thats over 500 mi on a 12.5 gal tank. Make this drive twice a year and this was the first trip in this car and I didn't have an aching back or sore neck like I used to have....read morehide

Purchased As Used

Beside the cabin is quiet, this car is expensive and I really hate this car!

Pros

Transmission feels great!!!

Cons

Nothing

Purchased As New

I just love the way this car shifts it's amazing, feels like a stick shift, but it's an automatic. Nice overall car would recommend to anyone.Very high quality materials are also used in the interior.

Pros

Power, steering tight

Cons

None

Purchased As New

I just love my new Focus I get so many compliments on this baby, power and fuel efficiency all there, the car was also built in the United States so I feel good about driving it.