Ford Focus is a small but very economical and reliable compact car. The vehicle combines the latest technology with modern styling to offer a comfortable and fun-filled ride. It is available either as a 4- door sedan or a 5- door hatchback.
The new 2016 Ford Focus is offered in three trim levels i.e. S, SE and Titanium. There is also a Focus Electric model. Other models in the “Focus” line i.e. the high performance Focus ST and 2016 Ford Focus RS are reviewed separately.
2016 Ford Focus Exterior
The S trim which is only offered as a sedan rides on 15-inch steel wheels, the SE trim which is the base trim for the hatchback rides on 16-inch alloy wheels but its luxury and sport packages are offered in 17-inch alloy wheels.
The SE also features body-color exterior mirrors and door handles, and automatic headlights while the hatchback gets a rear spoiler and a mobile package tray. The SE luxury package also features LED running lights, fog lights and rear disc plates while the Cold Weather package gets heated exterior mirrors and a sport body kit.
On the other hand, the top trim Titanium is offered with 18-inch alloy wheels. The top trim also features a rear spoiler, heated mirrors and puddle lights. The Focus Electric gets xenon headlights and LED taillights.
2016 Ford Focus Sedan
2016 Ford Focus Interior
The interior is pleasant even for the base SE trim. Both will accommodate 5 passengers. It features quality cloth upholstery, a height adjustable driver’s seat and a 60/40-split folding rear seats. At the front you will find a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a 4.2-inch central display and power front windows. Rear windows are manually operated. The trim also features Ford’s MyKey, Sync voice controls, air-conditioning, USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity and a 4-speaker sound system with a CD player.
The SE trim adds power rear windows, a front center armrest, rear air vents, a trip computer, cruise control, a steering wheel mounted with auxiliary controls and a 6-speaker audio system. The SE trim is offered in a number of packages including the Luxury package which adds rear parking sensors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather upholstery, an 8-way power driver’s seat, a rear center armrest, satellite radio and multicolor ambient interior lighting. The Navigation package comes with a dual-zone automatic climate control, Sync 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touch-screen, voice controls, dual USB ports and a 10-speaker Sony audio system. Other packages include the EcoBoost Appearance package, Cold weather package and the Sports package.
The top trim Titanium gets features of the SE Luxury package and Navigation package and adds a remote hill start assist, navigation system, keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control and heated front seats. The Titanium Technology package adds a heated steering wheel, a sunroof, rear-cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, high-beam headlight control, blind-spot monitoring and a self-parking system. The Focus Electric is only offered as a hatchback and is similar to the Titanium except that leather upholstery and power driver’s seat are optional.
The sedan offers 13.2 cubic feet of trunk space while hatchbacks offer 23.8 cubic feet which is expanded by folding the rear chairs to 44.8 cubic feet. The Focus Electric offers 14.5 cubic feet which expands to 33.9 cubic feet on folding the rear seat.
For safety, all cars feature antilock brakes, stability and traction control, front side airbags, driver knee airbag and side curtain airbags. There is also a Ford’s MyKey system and Ford Sync system.
Engine Specs and Performance
The 2016 Ford Focus will be offered in a choice of 2 conventional drive-trains and an electric drive-train. The first engine is a 2.0 L, 4-cylinder unit which produces 160 hp and 146 lb-ft of torque. The engine will be paired with a standard 5-speed manual transmission with an optional 6-speed automatic transmission.
The Titanium will be paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission as standard. The engine accelerates from 0-60 mph in 8.3 seconds with the manual and 9.0 seconds with the automatic system. The engine has EPA ratings of 27/40/31 mpg city/highway/combined when paired with the automatic system and 26/36/30 mpg city/highway/combined with the manual system.
The second drive-train is a 1.0 L EcoBoost 3-cylinder engine which produces 123 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. It is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission as standard and a 6-speed optional automatic system on the SE EcoBoost package. The engine has estimated fuel economy ratings of 29/40/33 mpg city/highway/combined. The engine moves the car from 0-60 mph in 9.7 seconds.
The 2016 Ford Focus Electric features a 143 hp electric drive which draws its power from a 23 kWh lithium-ion battery package. Power is channeled to the front wheel via a single-speed direct-transmission. It accelerates from 0-60 mph in 9.6 seconds. The electric engine has a 76 miles range and the battery takes 4 hours to recharge with a 240-volt home charger.
2016 Ford Focus Hatchback
Price and release date
Though the automaker has not released official information regarding its price or release date, we expect the vehicle to be released to dealerships in late 2015 or early 2016.
The base trim of the sedan will have a starting (MSRP) price of $ 17,225 and the hatchback $ 19,015. The price will go up depending on the trim level and its options. The top of the line Focus RS which we have reviewed separately is expected to cost as high as $ 35,000.
