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Ford Focus Hybrid Will It Be Built
By Matthew C. Keegan
When it comes to entry level vehicles, since the 1980s Ford has always had a model available that was efficient, fun, and cheap to own. During the 1970s it was the Pinto which served as Ford's first subcompact, a truly forgettable and heavy model that represented the worst of Ford. Succeeding cars included the Fiesta, Escort, and Contour, with the Focus rolling out in1999 as a 2000 model year offering.
Car of the Year
The Focus itself was released with much fanfare and was the 2000 North American Car of the Year winner. Several body styles were offered including three-door hatchback, four-door sedan, five-door hatchback, and a station wagon. Ford wanted total market penetration with the Focus to help the car find its place in a segment dominated by the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic. And for a time that strategy worked.
A Ford Focus review of the car showed that customers were attracted to the model due to its size, price and different body styles. However, the car line was plagued by numerous recalls early on, soon diminishing its sheen and driving customers elsewhere.
Many Early Recalls
Among the chief recalls for the Ford Focus were problems with wheels falling off of certain 2000 model year vehicles, roof pillar problems with that same model which could cause injuries in a crash, airbags deployed unwittingly, engine compartment fires, and engine stalling.
Certain later models had problems with rear door latches which could fail due to corrosion build up and rear seatback hinges which could disengage without warning. Visit the NHTSA website for information about Ford Focus recalls.
Quality Improvements
Over time, Ford's problems with the Focus seemed to have disappeared. The wagon and hatchbacks are gone from the model line, with only a two door coupe and four door sedan now sold. The 2.3L I4 available early on has been dropped; only the 2.0L I4 is sold now. A Ford Focus review of today's model reveals that its sits on a 102.9" wheelbase, is 175" long, and offers a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Horsepower is 140 with 136 lb-ft of torque.
The Ford Focus has also achieved good or acceptable ratings in major crash tests including those conducted by the NHTSA and IIHS. A five passenger model, its hands free communication and entertainment system, SYNC, is one of the chief draws for this model. Price, low insurance costs, and lower maintenance costs are other factors of note.
Ford Focus Review
If you're considering purchasing a used Ford Focus review the model year information through sites such as Consumer Reports and Edmunds.com to see which ones are problem plagued. My honest assessment of the car is that a Toyota or Honda model would offer a better quality experience, though 2008 and later model year Focus vehicles seem to have put the worst of the quality issues behind it.
Sources: Edmunds, Ford, and NHTSA
When it comes to entry level vehicles, since the 1980s Ford has always had a model available that was efficient, fun, and cheap to own. During the 1970s it was the Pinto which served as Ford's first subcompact, a truly forgettable and heavy model that represented the worst of Ford. Succeeding cars included the Fiesta, Escort, and Contour, with the Focus rolling out in1999 as a 2000 model year offering.
Car of the Year
The Focus itself was released with much fanfare and was the 2000 North American Car of the Year winner. Several body styles were offered including three-door hatchback, four-door sedan, five-door hatchback, and a station wagon. Ford wanted total market penetration with the Focus to help the car find its place in a segment dominated by the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic. And for a time that strategy worked.
A Ford Focus review of the car showed that customers were attracted to the model due to its size, price and different body styles. However, the car line was plagued by numerous recalls early on, soon diminishing its sheen and driving customers elsewhere.
Many Early Recalls
Among the chief recalls for the Ford Focus were problems with wheels falling off of certain 2000 model year vehicles, roof pillar problems with that same model which could cause injuries in a crash, airbags deployed unwittingly, engine compartment fires, and engine stalling.
Certain later models had problems with rear door latches which could fail due to corrosion build up and rear seatback hinges which could disengage without warning. Visit the NHTSA website for information about Ford Focus recalls.
Quality Improvements
Over time, Ford's problems with the Focus seemed to have disappeared. The wagon and hatchbacks are gone from the model line, with only a two door coupe and four door sedan now sold. The 2.3L I4 available early on has been dropped; only the 2.0L I4 is sold now. A Ford Focus review of today's model reveals that its sits on a 102.9" wheelbase, is 175" long, and offers a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Horsepower is 140 with 136 lb-ft of torque.
The Ford Focus has also achieved good or acceptable ratings in major crash tests including those conducted by the NHTSA and IIHS. A five passenger model, its hands free communication and entertainment system, SYNC, is one of the chief draws for this model. Price, low insurance costs, and lower maintenance costs are other factors of note.
Ford Focus Review
If you're considering purchasing a used Ford Focus review the model year information through sites such as Consumer Reports and Edmunds.com to see which ones are problem plagued. My honest assessment of the car is that a Toyota or Honda model would offer a better quality experience, though 2008 and later model year Focus vehicles seem to have put the worst of the quality issues behind it.
Sources: Edmunds, Ford, and NHTSA
