Did you see me driving a 2012 Ford Focus? Yes, Dad, but I can explain…

By Big Daddy

My first thought upon slipping behind the wheel of the 2012 Focus, was something to the effect of – Man they’ve come a llloooonnngggg way from the first Focus I remember (from about a dozen years earlier). I think that can be said for just about any Ford I’ve seen lately. I believe that all of the North American auto manufacturers have definitely upped their game to compete with European and Asian carmakers.

FROM: 

Please don’t let my friends see me in this thing. 

TO:

Yeah, you can look at my Focus, but don’t touch. I would put the focus in the category of a commuter car, and that’s no insult, I’m just saying it is a small car; At least small for a family of 4, and an eager, friendly, boxer. My kids thought the Focus was cool, and they’re right, it was stacked full of little bits of technology – satellite radio, back-up camera, multi-colour ambient lighting, GPS, push-button start, etc. It is a good looking car, with nice lines, and finish quality – I was impressed with this little 5 door hatchback. For me the most impressive, and yet mildly disturbing, employment of technology was the “Active Park Assist”.

Press the button, put the car in reverse, and if it’s an appropriate spot, the Focus can more or less park itself. There is something a little unnerving about watching the steering wheel spinning without touching it, in a scenario where I’m used to being in complete control… but truthfully the car did a fine job of parking.

Check it out on youtube: The Focus, with its direct injection, 2.0 litre, inline 4, engine, claims 59 miles per gallon (highway), and gets there, in part through the Variable Cam Timing, electronically self adjusting for efficiency, and power when demanded.

I conducted no formal field test for mileage, but can confirm that the Focus was pretty easy with respect to gas consumption, and I won’t complain about the power delivered when the accelerator was applied (yeah, I drove it like I stole it – for a few minutes).

 I would like to see it with an EcoBoost (That’s Ford speak for turbocharged) engine option. That would turn this cozy commuter into a real eye-popper!

 I can see it now…

 Ok, not exactly, but you get the idea. I went to Ford.ca and chose to Build & Price a Focus, and yes I checked to see if somehow they slipped in an EcoBoost option – no luck. As with any new car, options and $$$$ can add up quickly, but it does let you know what’s available.

Once you know what’s must have vs. wish list, go talk to someone at a local Ford sales centre, where they can give you real world pricing. If you’re in the market for a snappy, fun to drive, little car - to blast to and from work and pick up your dry-cleaning - the 2012 Focus is worth a look, and would make for an interesting comparison versus Volkswagen Jetta, and Toyota Corolla.

If you like crazy driving, tire burning, fun; see Ken Block go nuts, in a 2011 Ford Fiesta:


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Ford, Focus, and the other F-word

I'm just a girl who really knows nothing about cars other than they get me from A to B.

Seriously, I've been driving the same Dodge Dakota since 2002 when Oz was born and I had to "trade up" from my badass Honda Civic hatchback that I bought brand spankin' new when I worked at The Kelowna Daily Courier. I loved that little car so going from a feisty little Civic to a bulky truck was UGH. So blah!

But I grew to love my truck and have truly tortured it in ways only a mom could torture her vehicle.

And then... HAZZAH!! Like a gift from the Ford Gods, I was given the gift of product testing!! First, I got the spanky Lincoln MKX that had more gadgets than I could figure out in one week and was more luxurious than I imagined any vehicle had a right to be.

Seriously. It had air-conditioned seats.

Last month I was given the 2012 Ford Focus which brought me right back to my Honda Civic days, only the Focus was whole lotta balls packed into one tiny little vehicle. I zipped around in this gas-lovin', spunky little car and longed for the days when I didn't have to worry about booster seats or a growing tween boy who complained about no leg room when he sat in the back.

Granted, the Focus is not built for families but it made me day dream about getting rid of my gas-guzzler Dakota and shipping the kids off to boarding school.

I drove it until I ran out of gas. I wish I were kidding. Who knew that when the gas gauge reads "0 KM until empty" it really MEANS that?? I don't have fancy gadgets in my truck.

Oh and my Dakota doesn't park itself either. The Focus TOTALLY does although I was way to chicken to try it out. It made me feel like Knight Rider and let's face it, I'm not that cool.

So after begging to keep the Focus and being flat out denied (thanks a lot for NOTHING, Dean), I was offered the 2012 Ford Explorer Eco-Boost.

I co-ordinated that little bad boy the same weekend I was invited to the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge for the New Year, New You event. Let's just say I made it from Edmonton to the JPL in 3 hours. Maybe a little less.

And let's just say that Eco-Boost cost me $120 in goddamn speeding fines.

I gotta blame the Eco-Boost for that not my lead foot. But hey! At least it was good for the environment!!

And for the record. the Explorer  is the perfect sized vehicle for a tween who is growing quicker than my empty wine bottle collection.

So Explorer vs. Focus... If I were kidless, Focus. Hands down. I like the way it handled, I like the pep, I like the price and I love the pimped out features. And it PARKED so damn easily!!

But the Explorer was a sweeter ride on the highway, especially for a trip to Jasper.

I want them both. Pretty please Ford Canada :D

t.


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