2009 Ford Focus Review

Hi, I am Mike Hanley with Cars.com. We looked at the 2008 Focus sedan in the separate
video so we thought it is high time to check out the Coupe version of the car. Even
though it is only in its 2nd model year, the 2009 Coupe receives customer driven changes
according to Ford.

And working in the updated the Coupe, Ford talks to fans of the Focus and small cars in
general and came away with a common theme. And that was that a sportier look for the
Coupe would be better able to draw in the millennial buyer. Now Ford defines millennial
as people born between 1980 and 1995 and says that 11,000 of them come of driving age
everyday in the U.S.

So what did Ford change for 2009? Well you can see the Coupe has a much more
aggressively style lower bumper and it also has a darker version of the Focus’ two bar
grill. By comparison the Sedan has a bright chrome grille. As you come around to the
side, you can see that the Ford has removed the applicator that used to be here in the front
corner panel of the Coupe and ECS trim levels of the car have this spoiler above the rear
window and also 17-inch aluminum wheels.

For 2009 the Focus retains the two liter four cylinder engine that it used last year. But
Coupe with a 5-speed manual transmission now have slightly more horsepower. They are
now rated at 143 horsepower. But if you would rather let the car do the shifting for you, a
4-speed automatic transmission is optional. Models with the automatic get a new final
drive ratio that Ford says makes for a quicker acceleration. Gas mileage though is
unchanged from last year and it is still good.

Models with the manual transmission are rated at 24 miles per gallon in the city and 35
on the highway. And if you got the automatic, it is 24 in the city and 33 on the highway.
Front seat comfort is good in the Focus, thanks to these bucket seats which can be
finished optionally in leather. And with the leather they also have one stage heated seats.
Now the backseat of the Focus Coupe is actually bigger than you might expect. It is about
the same size as the Sedan’s backseat. It’s just a little more difficult to get back there.

One of Focus’s distinguishing features in this small car category is it available sync
system, which uses voice activated commands to control compatible cellphone and part
of the music players. The Focus is a decent entry in the small car segment but I am not
sure the changes to the 2009 Coupe make it that much more appealing to younger buyers.
However, the portable music friendly sync system should definitely help generate interest
among tech savvy millennial’s even if the styling changes don’t.

For additional information on this car or any other go to Cars.com and our blog
KickingTires.