For 2008, the Ford Focus gets a new exterior and interior design to keep competitive in a booming compact-car market. Ford says the car is 30 pounds lighter, 10% quieter and has 3% more horsepower. Considering new standard equipment like side curtain airbags, the redesign is a welcome change, yet the prices remain almost identical to the outgoing 2007 model.
The 2008 base model Focus S coupe starts at $14,075 not including destination, which is $360 more than the outgoing two-door hatchback. The 2008 Focus S sedan starts at $14,375, $335 more than the 2007. Air conditioning is also standard on the S models for 2008; it was a $910 option in 2007.
The better-equipped SE models are actually closer in price for 2008, coming in at $15,075 for the coupe and $15,375 for the sedan, just $35 and $60 more, respectively.
Top-of-the-line SES models will cost $16,075 and $16,375 for the coupe and sedan, respectively, roughly $300 more than the 2007s. Ford’s SYNC interactive multimedia system comes standard on SES models and is a $395 option for the other models.
The two and four-door hatchbacks along with the Focus wagon have been discontinued for 2008. The new coupe and sedan go on sale this fall.