I have driven our company's Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 2.5 which runs on diesel and the acceleration feels lethargic. Could be the weight of the thing(kerb weight is 1935kg which is about 600kg heavier than the Focus). The Focus feels very light and nimble in comparison due to good balance in torque and horsepower. The acceleration power is certainly impressive in its class.

Yes, the performance of SUV vs sedans will be not comparable due to the significant difference in weight and functions of the engines and gear ratios, though I am just relating my experience with both vehicles.

The lethargic acceleration of the Pajero Sport can be due to the low horsepower too, 136PS which is quite far off from 170PS of the Focus apart from the heavier load and other factors.

About 2 weeks.


Not too sure about the current discounts due to the current promotion for the high-spec + models. Discount varies with different Ford showrooms and salesperson, so best if you ask around for a better deal.

Haha, actually you can ask your salesperson to help expedite for you if he/she knows the bank officer who is handling your loan approval. If your salesperson has handed over all the documents to the bank officer today, the bank officer will need to check them, then you need to sign all the documents at the bank. Not too sure if loan approval is based on the date you sign off all the documents. Perhaps it's still possible. Maybe you can call your salesperson and ask him to help chase for the loan approval?

Good luck~!

Not too sure if it's applicable for the Focus models here as I presume the Focus models here in Malaysia are not equipped with the Myford Touch (InfoEntertainment System?)IE system which I think is an interactive touchscreen system.

As for the "Ford continued to have problems with its 6-speed dual-clutch PowerShift transmissions", the "problems" aren't elaborated in the article. I can't say the erratic jerkiness of the transmission at low speeds is a "problem" though but more to the characteristic of the dual-clutch system. Nevertheless, fussier drivers which are used to conventional transmissions may regard this as an issue. I do hope the slight jerkiness of the transmission at low speeds would improve with time though.

One thing that surprises me is the mention on "poor predicted reliability ratings" of several Ecoboost Turbocharged V6 engines. It was mentioned that “In every example where there is a non-EcoBoost engine, the models with the EcoBoost engines tend to have worse reliability than the ones that don’t have those engines,”

Affinbank does seem to provide the lowest rate in comparison to other banks.

Yes, that is what they say, and I think it is quite valid if one values handling and driving dynamics over safe and somewhat mundane Japanese. I haven't driven many Japanese vehicles but I have to agree that the ones I had driven can't really hold a candle to the Focus. It is surely a joy to be behind the wheels of the Focus.

If one loves the control and sharp steering feel and handling of the Focus, I agree it would be difficult to go back to Japanese makes. I can only imagine that happening with a priority change, such as the need of larger space for occupants at the back seat. That is where the Accord, Camry or Teana come into the picture. Of course, larger sedans with good handling such as the Mondeo or those from the likes of Audi/BMW/Mercedes Benz are available, but at a premium. People may be willing to settle for the cheaper Japanese (over a smaller cheaper continental such as the Focus) if comfort and space are priorities.

So the Mazda 3 still cannot match up to the Focus? Hah, guess so. Perhaps the new Mazda 3 may close the gap slightly, but still the Focus offers much (continental) quality and value at a rather down-to-earth price if compared to the Japanese equivalents in the same price bracket.

I have sat in the Suzuki Swift before just last month but have not driven it. Not too sure whether it's a Sport model. So the handling and driving pleasure of the Suzuki Swift Sport is better than the Focus? Wow, that peppy little car must be something special. As a passenger sitting in the car, I would say the comfort and refinement of the Suzuki are far behind the Focus. The interior is noisy, mainly loud engine noise intrudes into the cabin apart from traffic and road noise. The suspension feels loose and bouncy and as a passenger in the vehicle the ride isn't too comfortable. Perhaps for the driver that translates to great handling and driving pleasure. I am guessing the smaller dimensions of the vehicle has made manoeuvring of the vehicle easier and more effortless than the larger Focus.

Care to elaborate briefly in what ways the handling of the Swift is better than the Focus that translates to higher driving pleasure? Is it more to the steering feel and road feedback, the control of the vehicle, or it's more to how the vehicle behaves on the road especially in bends and corners? Less bodyroll, more stable ride and less bouncier ride due to the suspension tuning setup and body structure etc.

Yes. I agree that as small as the back space of the Focus can get, the Swift is even more cramped in interior space not only at the rear but the front seats too. IT's just a different segment.

I am predominantly comparing the Nissan Sylphy's handling to the Focus when I thought it can't hold a candle to the Focus' handling and driving dynamics. Though in areas of space and comfort, the Sylphy has the edge with significantly more rear legroom for passengers at the back when compared to the Focus.

Thanks for the information. Much appreciated. Don’t worry too much about expressing your thoughts which do not favour the Ford Focus. Most of here are not really fanatics or die-hard Focus fans that will be on the defensive(or worse still, offensive) with negative remarks on the vehicle. I’m just interested to know your experience since I was little surprised that the Suzuki Swift Sport can have better handling than the Ford Focus considering the pedigree of the latter’s driving dynamics. Since I have not driven the Swift I couldn’t comment, hence the questions.

I can understand the better steering feedback of the Swift due to the heavier steering of it vs. The lighter steering of the Focus. Yes, I agree that the steering of the Focus is light, and a car with heavier steering may give better confidence in bends and turns. Nevertheless, I feel the steering feedback of the Focus is good – precise and accurate although light. There is not much loss in confidence with tight bends or corners with the Focus. Some vehicles such as the Nissan Sylphy have a light steering with low feedback. In other words, there is less precision and feel in the steering which translates to lack of confidence when on corners and bends at moderate to high speeds. The steering feels “loose” with little feedback due to the lightness. With the Focus, there is still high feedback although the steering feel is light.

Almost any vehicle with a heavier or stiffer steering will give a feeling of security and confidence when in bends and turns as the tendency to lose control (with a slight twist on the steering) is minimised in comparison to a vehicle with lighter steering. I can relate to your experience since I also own the Proton Preve Turbo which comes with a much heavier and stiffer steering than the Ford Focus. I presume the steering of the Preve is even heavier than your Swift. And yes, there is high confidence when taking corners or bends with the Preve Turbo. However, there is also high confidence when doing the same with the Focus.

Personally I believe both Preve Turbo and Focus (or the Swift) have good steering feedback. It’s just the level of stiffness of the steering that is the crux of the issue here. Lighter steering is usually seen or felt as having inferior steering feedback. However, in the case of the Focus, the accuracy and preciseness of the steering feedback are still high despite the lightness of the steering. A vehicle that has lower/poor levels of steering feedback, one example is the Nissan Sylphy. Both Sylphy and Focus have light steering, but the steering feedback of the Focus is much higher than the Sylphy.

As for the Swift, the *presumably* stiffer steering may have given the impression of better/higher levels of steering feedback, since you have mentioned the steering of the Focus is on the lighter side of things.

The Swift may have better cornering with the smaller body structure and geometry of it.

The Swift has a stiffer suspension and the ride is bouncier than the Focus on bad roads with undulations. The unnevenness of the roads is transmitted more effectively in the Swift than in the Focus. Somehows, I just feel the suspension of the Focus has the right balance in giving the best of both worlds - it feels very light and planted to the ground and yet it does not bounce as much when going over bad uneven roads. Usually lighter suspension setups will tend to bounce more than heavier/stiffer suspensions, transmitting the unnevennes or undulations of the roads into the cabin. It's the other way round with the Focus.

For bumpy/uneven/bad roads, I reckon the Focus will be much comfortable than the Swift Sport with higher stability/less bounciness, and also less suspension noises. :-)

Yes, the Focus would be an upgrade to the Swift in many areas. Taking the performance and handling out of the equation, the interior of the Focus is already much better than the Swift I believe. Thick leather seats, the packed dashboard that some may thought of as confusing with too many buttons, more substantial and solid doors etc. Overall higher levels of quality and refinment between the two.

Could be little inappropriate comparing a segment B to a segment C vehicle but anyway. The Fiesta is the one that should be compared to the Swift. Nevertheless, as I have mentioned earlier to another forummer, we can always compare vehicles even though they do not belong in the same segment, as long as we have experience with both.

Thanish, not a reviewer or anything. I just like to write, and most friends usually think I can express my thoughts well enough in writing. I'm not an ardent car fan and just happen to own the Focus.

Cheers.

I've thought about it for a while to accurately or effectively translate "real life experience" into words. Steering feel, handling and driving dynamics.

I have mentioned before that the Ford Focus has the most precise, accurate and well-balanced steering that I have experienced. And that still stands true for me. It is difficult to objectively assert that vehicle A has better steering than vehicle B or vice versa. Whatever that "better" means is something that is subjective, though the characteristics in the responsiveness and weight of the steering can be ascertained, or perhaps measured.

My experience is based on the following vehicles which I have owned or had driven - Nissan Sylphy, BMW 320i, Ford Focus, Proton Preve Turbo

STEERING WEIGHT - It is a matter of preference whether one prefers a light steering or a heavier steering, and a "better steering feel" may not be related to the weight of the steering itself. The Nissan Sylphy has the lightest steering, followed by the Ford Focus which has an equally light steering. The BMW 320i steering is also on the lighter side of things though just a tad heavier than the steering weight of the Ford Focus. ANd lastly, the Protons. The Proton Preve Turbo's steering is significantly heavier than the Nissan, Focus and BMW. Once one has got accustomed to driving a light steering, it would be a weird feeling to be on the Preve Turbo. Light steering is particularly useful or desirable when manouevring in heavy traffic conditions or in jams and city centres. Easier to manouevre the vehicle around town.

RESPONSIVENESS/ACCURACY - This is another function which goes in tandem with the steering weight that contributes to the overall feel and control of the steering. Responsiveness or accuracy means that the vehicle movement responds or reacts exactly as how the driver turns the steering. Of course it is difficult to pin-point on how accurate or responsive the steering is as ALL vehicles will respond to steering movements. Right turn and the vehicle moves right. Left turn and the vehicle moves left. So how to argue that vehicle A has more responsive, accurate, precise or sharp steering than vehicle B? Certainly debatable.

In my mind, the Focus and BMW 320i are both at the top in steering accuracy and responsiveness. You don't feel any lag or looseness in the steering, and the vehicle movements or manouevres are sharp and precise as how you turn the steering. It's just difficult to describe it in words sometimes. You have to feel it when you drive the vehicle. The Preve Turbo's steering is also responsive, though not up to the level of the BMW and Focus. You just feel a certain preciseness in the level of accuracy of the Focus and 320i's steering. And lastly, the Nissan Sylphy. Well, the car as with any other cars will move in whatever direction the driver tells it to go. However, there is a certain "looseness" in the steering in the Sylphy, and I certainly feel the accuracy and control of it isn't up to par in comparison to the more accurate and precise steering of the better handling vehicles. Even in the straights at moderate to high speeds say 110 to 130km/h, when the steering moves slightly to the left or right, the vehicle will still go straight. In other words, the steering is "loose" and not accurate! When on the bends or corners, the combined lightness and looseness of the steering pull down the confidence of the driver when on the bends or corners at moderate speeds.

Handling and driving dynamics of a vehicle is the sum of all the traits of a vehicle taken as a whole in promoting a sporty and thrilling drive. The steering feel, suspension setup the chassis and shape/geometry of the vehicle body are all equally important. And suffice to say the Focus remains at the top of the pack. I didn't drive the BMW 320i for extended sessions with speeds kept to below 100km/h(it belongs to my cousin), so well, can't say too much about the handling though I expect to be excellent being a BMW. I had a taste of the precise steering of it though, precise like the Focus but a tad heavier. The Preve Turbo's handling is decent and the Nissan Sylphy remains at the bottom of the pack when it comes to handling. It's not the built for sporty driving anyway being a comfort vehicle, which in this area the Sylphy remains as king with its plush leather seats and large rear legroom space.

Yes, similarly I am getting old. Although the handling of the Focus in fast and furious driving is excellent, I believe most Focus owners may not trash their car in high speeds cornering of stuff but rather enjoy the refinement of the drive in normal or most common driving conditions. Even if we wanted to relish the thrill or power of the Focus, we can always choose to just do that on the straights when the road is clear. The more than decent horsepower on tap and efficiency of the Powershift gear transmission will provide some of the thrill when the need arises. :-)

An update.

I have driven the Focus Titanium on extended driving sessions during a recent trip from Klang Valley to Melaka and then to JB Woodlands/Singapore. Some observations and experience as follows.

On the main highway last Saturday, traffic was heavy all the way from KL to Melaka and vehicles were slow moving. On the fast lane speeds were limited to below 100km/h so didn't manage to have much opportunity to test the speed and power of the Focus.

The roads cleared a bit further down approaching Melaka. At that point I finally managed to test the acceleration power of the Focus, but not without some provocation. At that time a Honda Accord at the back of my vehicle was equally waiting for the opportunity to test the power of the VTEC engine as well as the driver was looking impatient, wanting push my vehicle to the left lane. The opportunity doesn't get any better than this when the slow vehicle in front of me moved to the left and there is a clear road ahead. Oh yes. I switched from D to S and floored the pedal. The sound of the revving engine in S mode appears to be louder and more robust sounding than in D. Rpms shot above 4000 in a split second and the Accord slowly disappeared in sight. In short, the pickup of the Focus from 110km/h to 160km/h is quite effortless. Switching back to D, the acceleration is equally good and with rpms kept lower, noise levels (from the engine) are lower than in S.

Contented with the acceleration power of the Focus, I then moved back to the left lane and let other faster vehicles pass.

In Melaka town, one thing I noticed is the rather loud noises from the suspension of the Focus not only when going over bumps but on uneven roads or something on flat roads as well. The suspension of the Focus, unfortunately, is not very quiet. The noise that the suspension produces is transmitted into the cabin. The knocks and thuds from the suspension when going over bad uneven roads. All these noises that are produced by the suspension, I find the sound to be louder than the Nissan Sylphy and even the Proton Preve Turbo. I am guessing it's either the noise from the suspension is louder, or the soundproofing at the undercarriage to block the noises from the suspension is lacking, or a combination of both.

Another point to note is as enjoyable as the driving experience can get, my mother-in-law sitting at the back commented that the Nissan Sylphy is more comfortable than the Focus. She tried to find the correct words to explain and finally did manage to convey the message in that the ride of the Focus is harder than the Sylphy, hence not as comfortable. She also mentioned the Sylphy is quieter. I can relate to her impressions as I know the suspension of the Sylphy is comfort-tuned, hence the ride is more comfortable as the softer suspension with "bouncier" springs soaks up the bumps and irregularities on the road. With the more performance-based suspension of the Focus which is tuned to promote a sportier and sharper handling, the irregulaties and imperfections of the roads are transmitted more effectively to the cabin, more direct or "accurate" road feedback. With other comfort-tuned suspensions which are tuned to give a more comfortable drive albeit with reduced handling capabilities, the knocks of unevenness and bumps on the roads are transformed to a floaty (more comfortable) ride by the more springy character of the suspension.

WHen I was in Singapore, I spotted a Focus Titanium which doesn't seem to be in 16" wheels. It seems like the wheels on this Titanium sedan are in 17"?



A close-up of a cropped image as below.



This post has been edited by SportyHandling: Nov 5 2013, 12:56 PM

By the way, forgot to mention that it is advisable to not follow or drive to close to a vehicle with wide tyres but rather try to keep a certain distance from it. When I was in JB near to the Singapore border, I was trailing an Audi A7. Tyres are 225 or wider I think. Suddenly out of no where a stone come flying to my vehicle and hit the front windscreen. Luckily no chip to the windscreen. Apparently the front windscreen of the Focus is quite tough and not easily cracked.

Thanks for the information on the expensive windscreen of the Focus. RM4000 for replacement? Yikes. It always pay to keep a distance away from large trucks or buses on the roads. I always attempt to avoid these large vehicles but sometimes there is no choice as too many of these vehicles are on the roads these days. Keeping speeds low apart from keeping a distance away are the only methods to minimise the risk of flying stones hitting your vehicle and causing considerable damage or scratches on the paint surface or the windscreen of the vehicle.

THe front windscreen has defogger/demister lines? I thought they are only on the rear windscreen.

Strong jerks and juddering at low speeds only occur during the first 1,000km, in my case. The gear shifts are much smoother at 2,000km. It does not have the smoothness of a CVT but it's close - only at 2,000km mileage and above.

As Lowkl has mentioned, it's not exactly a gearbox problem but a characteristic, and in my experience the characteristic is only evident at low mileage below 1,000km. At 2,000km/h mileage and above, there is very minimal juddering, and I don't see any problem or even an issue with the gearbox. Perhaps some owners who have to constantly go back to the service centre to get the "problem" fixed, those problems are something else?

Personally I don't have any issues with the gearbox of the Focus as it shifts quite smoothly now with very minimal judders at low speeds. The mileage of my vehicle is about 1900km now. I am actually more critical on the suspension of the vehicle, the noises that it produces when going over uneven or bad roads which I feel is quite loud. I was told this is a characteristic that is inherent in the Focus. I can live with it but sometimes wished the suspension is little quieter.

I notice from the thread here that some owners are experiencing judder with the transmission at >10,000km mileage. Is the judder more serious than when the vehicle is at 2,000km to say 5,000km mileage? Reason I asked this question is the juddering in my vehicle has reduced considerably to the point that it can be considered a non-issue. The mileage is currently at 2,300km.

For those who experience judder in the transmission, is the vehicle in D or S? I notice that the vehicle judder or rather jerk is more prominent in S than in D. In D the changes in gear under normal acceleration are quite smooth. Only in hard acceleration the shudder/jerk is stronger.

I recently had a bit of time shifting between D and S on the highways. With Sports mode, I find instant power delivery in mid-speed acceleration is terrific. However, the time taken to reach higher speeds appear to be longer than in D. In normal Drive(D), the accceleration to top speed seems to be more effortless. The needle on the speedometer just keeps going and going when the pedal is depressed whereas in Sports mode the acceleration from mid to top speed appears to be more restrained.

In summary, in my limited experience, I think Sports mode is only useful in low to mid-speed acceleration, and if one wants to reach a higher speed of say 170km/h or 180km/h it is more appropriate to leave the vehicle in D. Sports mode is useful when there is need to overtake a vehicle at speeds of say 70km/h or 80km/h.

Thanks for the reply. Much appreciated.

Yes, in S mode, it seems like the transmission is locked at certain gears, depending on the speed. I didn't particularly pay attention but when I switched to S mode, the display is showing S4 or S5, can't remember. it's locked at that gear, and even when the pedal is depressed, the transmission won't upshift to a higher gear and the rpms continue to shoot up(without a gear upshift). I did press the + button on the gear lever and only at that instance the transmission upshifts to S6(presumably 6th gear which is the highest gear).

The vehicle does achieve a higher speed when the + button is pressed and the transmission upshifts from 5th gear to 6th(highest gear). After that, I notice the acceleration seems to be more controlled or restrained, as if the vehicle is not very eager to reach higher speed. Perhaps there is a speed limit for S6 in Sports mode? Not too sure. When I noticed the acceleration in S6 (Sports mode) seems to have reached a plateau, in other words the speeds getting stagnant at around 160km/h and not going up much, I switched from S to D and felt that the acceleration at that point was more effortless as the speed gets higher and higher.

Haven't got much opportunity to reconfirm on my observations as a lot of clear road on the highways is required.

As for teh judder, good to hear it's not an issue. Similarly I don't feel any serious issue with the judder anymore as the mileage is above 2,000km. When it was below 1,000km, the seriousnesss in the judder/jerks in low speeds shifting between 1st and 2nd gear does worry me a bit. But now, not anymore. I am little surprised some owners are still complaining on this judder when the vehicle is above 10,000km.

Forgot to mention. Personally I feel the +/- manual shifting buttons on the gear lever of the Ford Focus are not very useful or practical, and I understand some criticism on the design of it vs. paddle shifters on the steering wheel. If the controls are paddle shifters on the steering wheel, it would be much more convenient and fun, more practical.

The way I see it, only shifting between S and D are useful. The +/- controls on the gear knob are not very useful, to me. Others may feel differently.

Yes, after I tried a few times, I give up. Maybe others can get used to the manual shifting buttons, but for me, I just can't get a hang of it. Personally I believe both S and D have covered all driving conditions. As a matter of fact, D is good for all driving conditions, S for more power on tap in more demanding conditions such as going up a steep slope up Genting Highlands, or the need to overtake a big truck or bus on small 2 lanes single carriageways eg. road connecting Bidor to Tapah town.

Hah, perhaps the speed was lower than 160km/h. At that specific speed, the needle on the speedometer is not going up any higher even though force is exerted on the pedal. Even though the speed goes up, the acceleration is at a slow pace. And the rpms are high. Hence, I believe S mode is only useful for low to mid-end acceleration say from 0 to 120km/h. In order to continue accelerating to higher speeds, we need to switch out from S mode to D.