2007 Ford Focus... Is it a good car?

Question

Is a 2007 Ford Focus a good car?
How are they on Gas?
Should I go with a Chevy Aveo instead?

Answer 1

Check out this consumerrports.org review:


Highs: Ride, handling, value, hatchback versatility.
Lows: Noise, fit and finish, so-so fuel economy for class, brakes without ABS.

Some basic Focus models lack some useful features, such as an adjustable steering wheel. However, the strong fundamentals of the platform remain. The Focus has quick, precise steering and excellent agility. And even though it's physically larger than most in the economy car class, generous incentives make it competitively priced.

THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE

The ride is comfortable and controlled, better than that of some expensive sports sedans. The smooth-revving 130-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and the five-speed manual help make it fun to drive. Its 28 mpg overall doesn't make the Focus a fuel sipper but is very good considering the quick 8.6-second 0-to-60 mph dash. Our car lacked ABS, which adversely affected braking performance. Low-beam lights do not reach far enough ahead.

INSIDE THE CABIN

Like other Focuses, the interior is relatively roomy and controls are straightforward. The ZX3 also benefits from hatchback versatility.

SAFETY NOTES

Front seatback-mounted side-impact air bags are an extra-cost option for the Focus. They supplement required front air bags and three-point seatbelts in all seating positions. Front seatbelts have adjustable upper anchors and are equipped with pretensioners and energy management retractors to reduce belt slack and forces in the event of a crash. Ford's Personal Safety System in the Focus includes, along with the crash sensors, a driver's seat position sensor, front belt usage sensors, and a passenger sensing system that all influence the safest and most appropriate level of air bag deployment. The passenger sensing system automatically shuts off the front air bag in the front passenger seat if it detects that an infant or small child is seated there. Adjustable, locking head restraints in the front seats are tall enough even when fully lowered to reduce rearward head travel and whiplash injury. The rear seat lacks head restraints and the seatback is too low to offer protection. Driving with kids: Some rear-facing infant seat bases may tilt when installed using the seatbelts in the rear outboard seats of the Focus. There are three tether strap anchors on the rear seatbacks and lower LATCH anchors in the rear outboard seats. The LATCH anchors are easy to access. The owner's manual also indicates that the two inboard LATCH anchors may be used to install a child restraint in the center rear position if the seat has belt type (non-rigid) LATCH straps.

RELIABILITY

We expect reliability to be average, according to our latest subscriber survey.


Now here is the review on the Aveo:

Highs: Front access, turning circle, hatchback versatility, ABS is widely available.
Lows: Acceleration, handling, so-so fuel economy for class.

The Chevrolet Aveo is basic transportation at best, with unimpressive acceleration and clumsy handling. The driving position is not ideal. The interior offers acceptable room for this class, and fit and finish is better than in other Chevrolets. Unlike some low-priced models, Aveos with antilock brakes are readily available.

THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE

The Aveo has a good ride at low speeds and absorbs bumps quite well, but has an unpleasant tendency to rock from side to side. Road, tire, and wind noise are fairly pronounced. We found that engine noise is more noticeable with the automatic than with the manual transmission, but it's tolerable. In corners, the Aveo displayed marked body lean and felt darty. Slight movements of the steering wheel resulted in abrupt nonlinear direction changes. On our track, it was a bit disconcerting, but secure in our avoidance maneuver. The 103-hp, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine delivered adequate performance, but wasn't very responsive. Gas mileage was 28 mpg overall with the automatic transmission. The automatic shifts smoothly, but the shifter has to be pushed down to get to Park or Reverse, which is annoying. Braking performance was very good. Headlight performance was average.

INSIDE THE CABIN

The cabin has nice materials, but we found exposed screw heads and loose plastic panels. The driving position offers a good view out, though the rear window is small. The tilt steering wheel is a bit too far forward. The front seats are firm and comfortable, but the short cushions limit thigh support. Rear leg room is tight, but thigh support and head room are acceptable. Only two adults can fit comfortably in the rear. Front access is good with large door openings; rear access is impeded by limited interior room. The gauges are straightforward. It's a long reach to the manually adjustable side mirror. Common complaints include the finicky audio scan/tune knob and the small horn buttons on the steering wheel. Cabin storage is modest. The Aveo has two flimsy cup holders in front and one recessed cup holder in the rear. Folding the 60/40-split seatbacks or tumbling the entire seat forward expands the small cargo area.

SAFETY NOTES

Required front dual-stage air bags now have weight and position sensor technology starting with the 2006 model year. Side air bags are also standard for 2006. All occupants have three-point seat belts; the front seat belts also have height-adjustable anchors and pretensioners. The rear seat belt buckles are short and can be easily pushed back into the gap between the seatback and the seat cushion. Daytime running lights are standard. All outboard seating positions have adjustable locking head restraints that provide adequate whiplash protection, even when fully lowered. The center rear seating position has no headrest; the seatback is too low to offer adequate whiplash protection. Driving with kids: The Aveo is inconvenient to use for transporting children. Seat belt anchor locations and an uneven seat cushion (due to wheel well and seat mount intrusion) makes it difficult to securely install any child seat, either rear-facing or forward-facing, in the outboard rear seating locations. Seats with the LATCH system can be properly secured, although accessing the anchors requires unzipping an access hole on the seat cushion. There are three tether anchors located on the rear wall of the cargo area; using them requires you to route the tether strap under the head restraint, between the seatback and the cargo area cover, and to the rear of the car. When in use, the tether strap blocks access to the cargo area and restricts cargo volume. The Aveo has horizontal lever window switches that effectively mitigate the risk of accidental entrapment in the window. None of the windows have express up or auto reverse features.

RELIABILITY

We expect reliability to be worse than average, according to our latest subscriber survey.


Personally, the Focus looks like a better choice to me. Also, Ford has really been focusing on quality for the past couple of years. Just look at the Ford Fusion and the Ford Edge.

Answer 2

I have 2 Ford Focus's. I have a 2006 Ford Focus ZX4 and a 2007 Ford Focus ZX3. I love them!!

Not sure what noise the previous poster is talking about. We have not had any problems with our Focus at all. We are averaging close to 40mpg on HWY miles and 30 for city miles. The ZX3 has a great sound system for factory install, wish the same one was in our ZX4.

I am always recommending the Focus. Drives nice, good gas mileage and the ZX3 just looks great to me.

Answer 3

the focus has come a long way since the days when they fell apart every time you started them up.

to ensure the quality of the vehicle (and your satisfaction), ford has included a 3 yr, 36000 mile bumper to bumper warranty, a 5 year, 60000 drive train warranty (free of charge) and has extended the drive train warranty to 100000 miles, with the customer paying a deductible of 100 dollars between 60-100k. should get low 30's or so on the gas mileage, and safer in a wreck than an aveo. (the safety issue is pretty important to ford) aveo's don't seem to hold up so good in an accident, but bottom line, buy what you want, and have no regrets!

Answer 4

the Ford Focus is a great car for fuel economy I think it is about 30 to 35 mpg. The only problem is abter five or six years it is cheapet to get rid of them and buy another new one then to try to fix them. But for the money and performance of the vehicle I would go with the Ford- it looks better than the chevy too.

Answer 5

I don't have the '07, but I do have an '06 Ford Focus ZX3 hatchback. Love it. They're absolutely wonderful on gas, and it's easy to actually reach to change the various filters and fuses (I'm a smaller person & always had a time with that in the Neon.)

Not to mention it just looks neat.

Answer 6

well yes it is a good car and it is pretty good on gas and do not go with the aveo its a junky death trap just go with the focus u will not be disappointed

Answer 7

Just check the recall history. I remember a few years ago they had more recalls and issues than any other car made. Also a bottom of the line domestic vehicle isn't exactly the car you pick when asking is this a good car.

Answer 8

Most new cars will be good for a long time if you do regular maintenance. I like Hondas and KIA myself.