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3.6

2012 Ford Focus

Starts at:
$16,500
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New 2012 Ford Focus
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4dr Sdn S 4dr Sdn SE 5dr HB SE 4dr Sdn SEL 5dr HB SEL 4dr Sdn Titanium 5dr HB Titanium Shop options
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Key specifications

Highlights
Gas I4
Engine Type
28 City / 38 Hwy
MPG
160 hp 160 hp
Horsepower
5
Seating Capacity
Engine
146 @ 4450
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
160 @ 6500
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
2.0L/121
Displacement
Gas I4
Engine Type
Suspension
Not Available
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
w/Coil Springs
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
SLA
Suspension Type - Rear
MacPherson Strut
Suspension Type - Front
Weight & Capacity
N/A
Aux Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx
12 gal
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx
150 lbs
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt.
1,000 lbs
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt.
Safety
Standard
Stability Control
Electrical
N/A
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
N/A
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
Brakes
Yes
Drum - Rear (Yes or )
Not Available in
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness
10.94 x -TBD- in
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness
Not Available
Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Notable features

Fully redesigned for 2012
Sedan and four-door hatchback styles
2.0-liter four-cylinder engine
Manual or automatic transmission
Highway mpg as high as 40
Self-parking option

Engine

146 @ 4450 SAE Net Torque @ RPM
160 @ 6500 SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
2.0L/121 Displacement
Gas I4 Engine Type

Suspension

Not Available Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
w/Coil Springs Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
SLA Suspension Type - Rear
MacPherson Strut Suspension Type - Front

Weight & Capacity

N/A Aux Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx
12 gal Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx
150 lbs Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt.
1,000 lbs Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt.
100 lbs Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt.
1,000 lbs Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt.
2,857 lbs Base Curb Weight

Safety

Standard Stability Control

Electrical

N/A Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
N/A Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

Brakes

Yes Drum - Rear (Yes or )
Not Available in Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness
10.94 x -TBD- in Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness
Not Available Disc - Rear (Yes or )
Yes Disc - Front (Yes or )
N/A Brake ABS System (Second Line)
4-wheel Brake ABS System
Pwr Brake Type

Photo & video gallery

2012 Ford Focus 2012 Ford Focus 2012 Ford Focus 2012 Ford Focus 2012 Ford Focus 2012 Ford Focus 2012 Ford Focus 2012 Ford Focus 2012 Ford Focus 2012 Ford Focus 2012 Ford Focus 2012 Ford Focus 2012 Ford Focus 2012 Ford Focus 2012 Ford Focus 2012 Ford Focus 2012 Ford Focus 2012 Ford Focus 2012 Ford Focus 2012 Ford Focus 2012 Ford Focus 2012 Ford Focus 2012 Ford Focus 2012 Ford Focus 2012 Ford Focus 2012 Ford Focus 2012 Ford Focus 2012 Ford Focus 2012 Ford Focus 2012 Ford Focus 2012 Ford Focus 2012 Ford Focus 2012 Ford Focus

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
3 years / 36,000 miles
Corrosion
5 years
Powertrain
5 years / 60,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
5 years / 60,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
Fords and many non-Ford vehicles up to 10 years old with less than 150,000 miles
Basic
90-Day / 4,000-Mile (whichever comes first) Comprehensive Limited Warranty
Dealer certification
139-point inspection

The good & the bad

The good

Styling
Handling
Braking
High-rev power
Interior quality

The bad

Modest interior room
Forward visibility
Added cost for 40 mpg
Off-the-line acceleration
Delay for sporty ST version

Consumer reviews

3.6 / 5
Based on 405 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 3.9
Interior 4.1
Performance 3.5
Value 3.6
Exterior 4.3
Reliability 3.5

Most recent

Bought new in 2012 with 2.

Bought new in 2012 with 2.0L 5 speed manual. This car has been exceptional in every way. Never quits! Never stalled! 272,000 miles, 4 spark plugs, original clutch, just normal Maintenance using FOMOCO recommended oil & filters every 5,000 miles (synthetic-blend). It still gets 35-36 commuting and 38-39 Hwy. Incredible little car! Sad I can’t buy a new one!
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
Comfort 3.0
Interior 4.0
Performance 4.0
Value 5.0
Exterior 5.0
Reliability 5.0
1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No

I was never contacted about the TCM Module Re-Call But

I was never contacted about the TCM Module Re-Call But was about the Door Latches it saddened to know that Ford isn't standing Behind Their Productivity in this simi- Luxury Sports Vehicle it is a Great Vehicle to have is Great on Gas and is excellent in the city and on the Highway I Believe it Could Be Even Greater With The Quad Exhaust Turbine Engine with Shock Absorbsion with all the Bell's and Whistles to Boot
  • Does recommend this car
Comfort 4.0
Interior 5.0
Performance 3.0
Value 3.0
Exterior 3.0
Reliability 4.0
2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No

2012 Ford Focus review: Our expert's take

By Sara Lacey


Ford has significantly upped the ante in the compact-car segment with its redesigned 2012 Focus, which has taken a giant leap in terms of looks and quality.

When test-driving the 2012 Focus hatchback, I felt like I had two personalities, “College Sara” and “Family Sara.” College Sara liked its updated, racy looks with its large grille and swoopy taillights, but it wasn’t quick enough from a stop. It was better suited for the more rational Family Sara, who liked its cargo space and ease with which the hatchback handled child-safety seats — something College Sara wouldn’t give a whit about.

The Focus has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that lacks some zip off the line. Once I got going, I didn’t feel like I was missing power. The Focus sticks to the road and seems to enjoy being pushed a bit. The steering was sporty, making turns and curves fun.

So, where did College Sara and Family Sara agree? In more places than one, but the most important thing was price. The Focus sedan has a starting MSRP of $16,500 and the hatchback comes in at $18,300. My test car, a Focus SEL hatchback, cost $24,720 and included the optional MyFord Touch and Cold Weather packages.

EXTERIOR
The Focus’ angles and curves are in just the right spots, giving it a modern look, but it looks best from the rear. The curvy hatch and angled taillights are sporty and youthful. Optional 17-inch aluminum wheels help the Focus look more interesting than a regular commuter car, and even Family Sara likes that the Focus adds some visual excitement to the carpool lane.

My elementary-school-aged kids had no issues getting in and out of the Focus; the doors opened and closed easily and are lightweight. The cargo area was squared off due to a subwoofer that shaved off some of the space’s width. Parents who regularly haul strollers in their cars will want to make sure they fit in the Focus’ trunk.

Parents of teen drivers will like the Focus’ MyKey system. A programmable key allows parents to set limits on the car’s top speed — 65, 70, 75 or 80 mph — and the radio’s volume. It also mutes the radio and sounds a chime until the driver buckles up.

The Focus has a 160-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that’s paired with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It uses unleaded gas and gets an EPA-estimated 28/38 mpg city/highway. This falls short of some competitors that get 40 mpg highway, but Ford offers the Focus SFE trim that hits 40 mpg highway.

SENSE AND STYLE
Family Friendly (Not Really, Fair, Great, Excellent): Great
Fun-Factor (None, Some, Good Times, Groove-On): Some-Good Times

INTERIOR
While the Focus is inexpensive, it doesn’t feel cheap. The steering wheel is wrapped in leather, and the metallic accents have some heft to them. I wasn’t such a fan of the fabric upholstery — that’s personal though, I prefer leather interiors for ease in cleaning — but I must admit it was sturdy and comfortable.

The main complaint for both College and Family Sara is the interior’s lack of storage spaces. This is a hazard of a smaller car; in the front row I just had two cupholders, the center console and a glove box. I missed having a little bin for my phone or my wallet.

My test car had the MyFord Touch system; a touch-screen in the dash controls the stereo, climate and more. Of course, Family Sara worries about the distraction factor of these systems, while College Sara had lots of fun pushing the buttons and figuring out how to make it work.  In addition to MyFord Touch, the Focus also had the voice-activated Sync system that enables you to make calls or play music without fumbling with controls.

The Focus had good legroom in the backseat. I chalk it up to the deep seat benches. There also were interesting cubbies for gadgets located next to the rear doors.

IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT
Storage Compartments (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Puny
Cargo/Trunk Space (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Ample

SAFETY
In crash tests by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the 2012 Focus hatchback received four stars out of five overall. It got five stars in side crash tests and four stars in in frontal and rollover crash tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety hasn’t crash-tested the 2012 Focus hatchback.

There are two sets of lower Latch anchors in the Focus’ outboard seats. Child-safety seats were easy to install in the hatchback. With the driver’s seat adjusted for my 5-foot-5 frame, a rear-facing infant-safety fit well in the backseat.

The Focus has standard front-wheel drive, all-disc antilock brakes with brake assist, an electronic stability system with traction control, and six airbags, including side curtains for both rows. Ford’s programmable MyKey is optional. The available Parking Technology Package ($695) includes a backup camera, parking sensors and Active Park Assist that parallel parks the car with minimal assistance from the driver.

Get more safety information about the 2012 Ford Focus here.

Read more

Safety review

Based on the 2012 Ford Focus base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
Overall rating
4/5
Combined side rating front seat
4/5
Combined side rating rear seat
5/5
Frontal barrier crash rating driver
5/5
Frontal barrier crash rating passenger
4/5
Overall frontal barrier crash rating
4/5
Overall side crash rating
5/5
Rollover rating
4/5
Side barrier rating
4/5
Side barrier rating driver
4/5
Side barrier rating passenger rear seat
5/5
Side pole rating driver front seat
5/5
11.7%
Risk of rollover
Side barrier rating driver
4/5
Side barrier rating passenger rear seat
5/5
Side pole rating driver front seat
5/5
11.7%
Risk of rollover

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