2009 Ford Focus
Ford’s entry-level Focus is the smallest car in its North American lineup. Refreshed for the 2008 model year, the second-generation Focus is available in both coupe and sedan body styles. The standard engine for this front-wheel-drive model is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard. When mated to the optional 4-speed automatic transmission, the EPA rates its fuel economy at 24 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. The front suspension is independent, while the rear is an independent multi-link design. The brakes are power-assisted front disc/rear drum with optional anti-lock control (ABS). In our 2008 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, designed to measure consumer delight with the design, content, layout and performance of their new vehicles, the compact Ford Focus ranked among the top three models in its segment. In addition, the Ford Focus with side air bags (now standard for 2009) earned “5-star” crash test scores from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)—just keep in mind that frontal crash ratings for small cars apply only if the car impacts another vehicle of about the same size and weight. Ford tweaked the styling of the Focus Coupe for the 2009 model year, and added some performance enhancements.
2009 Small Cars Buyer's Guide
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