The 2020 Ford Focus

The compact 2020 Ford Focus is a very affordable vehicle with three trims sold at less than $20,000. It comes in sedan and hatchback styles. You have the option of adding extra features into some of the trims like the Titanium Hatch with a little over $23,000.

This multifaceted car offers three turbocharged engines that use the EcoBoost technology. There is also the powertrain option that comes with a motor and lithium-ion battery. This is the Ti-VCT engine, and it is best suited for green drivers. The Ford Focus features some high-performance installations like the Torque Vectoring, AdvanceTrac Electronic Stability Control, and Powershift automatic transmission

The powerful and yet sleek Ford Focus has an array of color options, including Ruby Red, Kona Blue, and Race Red. The Focus also comes fitted with amazing exterior features like the Easy Fuel Capless Fuel Filler and SecuriCode keyless entry keypad. The car’s door handles, lamp bezels and beltline moldings are covered in chrome.

Performance Specs

The 2.0 L Ti-VCT engine yields 168 horsepower at 6,500 RPM and 146 pound-feet of torque at 4,500 RPM. This four-cylinder engine runs on the Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing and you can get it with a Flex Fuel certification in states where PZEV standards are applicable. The 1.0 L Ecoboost engine which also uses the Ti-VCT mechanism, produces 123 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque. This I-3 engine possesses a small turbocharger that gives a superb output. The 2.0 L Ecoboost engine yields 270hp and 252 lb-ft of torque. The RS Hatch model is the sole carrier of the 2.3 L Ecoboost engine which produces 350hp and 350 lb-ft of torque.

The Powershift automatic transmission system present in the Ford Focus should make shifting gears quite easy because it includes the Select Shift technology and six gear speeds. Some models including the RS Hatch have the six-speed manual transmission system. The S Sedan comes standard with a five-speed manual transmission.

The AdvanceTrac Electronic Stability Control helps to make handling easier in difficult conditions. The Torque Vectoring lowers the possibility of skidding or slipping of the wheels thereby increasing the car’s ability to make swift moves and navigation curves in the road. Unintentional swerving and drifting are countered and stabilized by the dynamic Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS)

Fuel Efficiency

EPA estimates that the 2.0 L Ti-VCT engine gets about 30 MPG on city streets and 40 MPG on the highway. With a full 12.4-liter fuel tank, you can drive for about 500 miles. The 2.0 L Ecoboost engine offers up to 22 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the freeway while the 2.3 L Ecoboost engine is rated at 19 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the freeway. The 2.3 L Ecoboost engine has a driving range of about 350 miles on its 13.9-gallon fuel tank.

The Electric Hatch model has the best fuel efficiency in this class. It runs on a permanent electric motor rated at 107kW and has a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery that’s capable of producing up to 33.5 kWh. This vehicle can be fully charged under six hours with a cord that works with 240-volt power outlets. The Electric Hatch is rated at 118 MPGe on urban roads and 96 MPGe on the freeway. The Focus Electric Hatch can run for 75 miles on a 30-minute DC charge.

Entertainment Technology

The Ford Focus comes with an 8-inch LCD touchscreen which shows menus on the SYNC 3 platform, and it is easy to use. Navigating this software is made easy with its pinch-to-zoom functionality. There is also an inbuilt navigation system that gives traditional 2-D maps and 3-D renderings.

To help you through rough weather and traffic congestion are fed from SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link. An amazing sound experience can be experienced with the 10-speaker Sony sound system in listening to your favorite songs on the SiriusXM satellite Radio music that also comes with the Ford Focus.  AM/FM channels and HD Radio are also provided by the audio system.

The Ford Focus is smartphone-friendly with features like the Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. All your favorite smartphone applications are easily accessed using the SYNC 3 suite. There is also the option of using wireless Bluetooth to connect your cell phones to the infotainment system. Two smart-charging USB ports offer easy ways to charge most devices. If you want to remotely manage and monitor the Focus, you can do so by downloading the MyFord app. The MyFord app also aids in the location of charging stations for the Electric Hatch Focus.

Safety Features

The Ford Focus comes with an extensive list of safety features like the Lane-Keeping System which reduces the possibility of a crash while changing lanes. The Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) helps to reduce possible lateral collisions.

The rear collision is also decreased by the Cross Traffic Alert and Reverse Sensing System. They are automatically activated when you start moving your car in reverse. Also, the SYNC 3 screen receives live videos from a rear-view camera. There is also the Active Park Assist feature.

The Ford Focus also has this passive safety and security features:

• Personal Safety System
• Perimeter alarm
• Personal Canopy System
• SecuriLock Passive Anti-Theft System
• Belt-Minder

How It Stacks Up Against The Competition

A major rival of the Ford Focus is the 2020 Chevrolet Cruze. It is an American hatchback which offers the turbocharged 1.4 L ECOTEC engine and 1.8 L ECOTEC engine. The Ford Focus’s Ecoboost engines definitely beat the ECOTEC engines. The Cruze however, beats the Focus in terms of internet connectivity with its 4G LTE Wi-Fi feature by Onstar. The Cruze is quite affordable, and it possesses very impressive safety features like the Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning, and part of the Driver Confidence Package.

Another worthy rival of the Ford Focus is the Hyundai Veloster. The Veloster has a turbo engine that produces 200 HP and 195 lb-ft of torque. Its handling is made easy in any road condition with its seven-speed EcoShift Dual Clutch Transmission System and Torque Vectoring Control.  Another noteworthy feature is the B&M Racing Sports Shifter and upshifts indicator for the manual transmission system. The Veloster Turbo models are slightly better in performance than a few Focus models.

Pros:

• Four engine choices
• Efficient electric model available
• 10 unique trim models
• SYNC 3 infotainment system with numerous applications

Cons:

• Manual front seats in some trims
• 30 hours charging duration of electric model with 120-v cord
• Sporty RS Hatch trim is luxurious