I picked up my 2013 Ford Focus SE sedan (5-speed manual, SE Appearance package) about five months ago. Since then, I’ve put 13,000 miles on it, using it as my daily driver. Bought it at auction with a bad alternator, so I didn’t drive it the first week, but after that, it’s been my go-to car. Here’s what I think so far.
What I like:
The chassis – Even though it’s not a lightweight, the car handles well. It’s surprisingly nimble for a 3,000 lb sedan, with a sharp turn-in that reminds me of my old Civics. Not quite the same go-kart feel, but still fun.
The sound system – The Sony system in this car is one of the best stock setups I’ve had. Clear highs, solid bass, and perfect for blasting metal. Whether it’s Meshuggah or Children of Bodom, it handles it all.
The shifter – It’s not Honda-level smooth, but it’s still decent. Quick shifts feel good, but it doesn’t love being forced into gear like a Honda does. My old Speed3 was the same way, so I don’t count that as a negative.
Comfort – I drive a lot, and this car doesn’t leave me feeling sore. Seats are supportive, and the armrests are actually padded decently.
What I don’t like:
The infotainment system – SYNC is glitchy. It’s slow, forgets my phone, and if I step out of the car without it, I have to reset the system to get it working again. Also, I only use Bluetooth, so when it randomly switches to AM radio, it’s annoying.
Annoying maintenance design – Rear brakes are harder than they should be, battery is a pain to remove, the hood latch is flimsy (mine was already broken), and the serpentine belts, especially the A/C one, are a nightmare. The cabin filter is another headache. Ford doesn’t make this stuff easy.
The undertray – If you do your own maintenance, this is a pain. Ford used Torx bolts (most DIYers don’t have Torx tools), and the tray itself is cheap fabric-covered plastic. It breaks easily and doesn’t protect much.
The 5-speed transmission – My biggest gripe. At 80 MPH, the engine sits at 3,500 RPM. It’s not bad on gas (34 MPG at 80-85), but my 2013 Accord got 35 MPG at the same speed, and it’s a bigger, heavier car. The Accord’s 6th gear made all the difference.
Overall:
The Focus isn’t a bad car (as long as it’s not the DCT version), but if I could do it over, I’d have bought another Honda. Working as a Honda tech, I drive them daily, and this car just doesn’t compare. I’ll probably sell or trade it soon for a Fit or Civic, but I have no doubt it’ll be a good car for whoever buys it next.
Remi said:
You can’t complain about gas mileage and then admit you refuse to ease off the throttle. Something’s gotta give, man.
I’m saying it’s bad compared to my Accord, which I drove the same way. That’s what’s ridiculous. I already know my lead foot kills MPG, but I expected a smaller car to handle it better than a bigger one.
I’ve got an older Focus, had it for 11 years now. Thinking about trading up next year, but I’ll probably stick with another Focus since mine has been solid.
Hale said:
I’ve got an older Focus, had it for 11 years now. Thinking about trading up next year, but I’ll probably stick with another Focus since mine has been solid.
The USDM 2010 model? A bit plain, but solid as a daily. Definitely a good alternative to a Corolla.
I’ve had a great experience with my Focus. I have a later model with SYNC 3, and it’s way better than what you described. Not perfect, but at least usable.
I don’t love the Sony audio, though. It’s alright, but nothing special.
As for Torx, almost everything on this car is T30, so I just bought a few bits. No big deal. Way better than dealing with Phillips screws. My undertray fell apart, though—I’ve got an aluminum replacement waiting to go in.
Mileage? Well, let’s just say my experience is different. But that’s probably because I drive an RS.
@Luca
Yeah, I’d take Torx over Phillips any day. Honda loves using those, and they’re a pain. Most of our customers at the Honda shop swap them for 10mm hex bolts.
I thought about getting an ST, but I don’t trust Ford’s small turbo engines. Even my old coworker, a Ford tech, warned me about them. His Fusion’s 1.6T blew up.
I almost bought a Focus but backed out because of the DCT issues. I like manuals, but they suck in stop-and-go traffic, and I live in DC. Still, I really liked the Focus. It had sharp handling, nice styling, and the hatch was super practical. I’d say it’s the best-looking car in its class, tied with the Mazda 3.
Glad I didn’t buy one, though. Ford’s reliability is just too sketchy. It’s a shame because they design fun cars.
@Zion
I live in the DC area too. Used to work near Federal Triangle, now I’m in Bethesda. The traffic isn’t great, but I still don’t mind dailying a manual.
Good write-up. I’ve had my 2012 Focus since new, still daily it. It’s been a solid commuter and handled a ton of long road trips. It stranded me once at 35k miles, and I had some weird ECU issues, but overall, it’s been alright.
It’s good enough that I kept it when I bought my Camaro, but it’s not anything special. Just slightly better than ‘meh’ to me.
@Arie
I’d probably keep mine too if I were getting a sports car, but I don’t want to drop a ton of cash on one. I’d rather buy a project car and fix it up.
For my next daily, I’m leaning toward a 3rd gen Fit with a 6-speed. Being a Honda tech, I’ve driven a few, and they feel like an old-school Civic—light, fun, and practical.
Finn said:
My girlfriend has a 2014 Focus. She loves everything about it… except the DCT. She wants to trade it in, but finding a decent car right now is tough.
They should just swap in the 6-speed auto from the Transit Connect or Escape. It bolts right up to the 2.0 and would be a way better option.