Overview & Reviews
While not completely new, the Ford Focus gets a significant refresh for 2008. Many of the mechanical components are unchanged, but the car gets a new look inside and out. Ford's hands-free Sync communications system is added to the options list and the base 2.0-liter engine gets a slight power increase. The 2.3-liter engine is dropped, as are all wagon and hatchback versions. A coupe version of the Focus is also new for 2008.
- Plush ride quality, responsive steering, simple controls, very good fuel economy, quiet interior, low price.
- Bland interior design and materials on most models, no rear headrests.
User Reviews:
Showing 161 through 170 of 252.00-
Big Guy, Little Car - 2008 Ford Focus
By sparkman7x7 - June 20 - 4:50 pmI drive 500 miles each week to work, with high gas prices I needed to get a more mielage friendly vehicle. I looked at; sat in and drove VWs, Honda, Hundai, KIA, Toyotas, Chevy, Dodge, Nissan. Im not a little person 300 lbs. 6 ft. (maybe a little round; 61 dont bend like I used to) I dont fit in many small cars, thats why I had an Explorer. We stopped to check out the Focus wow! I had no Idea! Its roomy, very classy, leather, has power, great price, lots of extras, and looks great! It has cut my gas bill in half! Mileage around town 31.5MPG! 35 to 37MPG on the hiway! Hooks up to my cell for hands free phone use; 4 weeks now fantastic
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Exceeding max MPG - 2008 Ford Focus
By Dave - May 24 - 8:10 amAfter being shot down by Massachusetts car dealers, I purchased my Focus SE in Salem NH. As advertised, the car had a mileage range from 29 mpg to 41mpg. Sticker average was 35 mpg. I found that the 5 speed manual transmission outperforms the 4 speed automatic. With 80% highway driving at 2500 RPM, just over 65 MPH, I average 41 mpg, easily. I once had this car performing better in the mileage catergory at 55 MPH. I actually attained 42.6 mpg. This is the reason I purchased the car. I am totally satisfied with it. Its also fun to drive. I wonder if Ford will Offer a 6 speed manual transmission in future models.
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Satisfied - 2008 Ford Focus
By Alabamian - April 13 - 7:56 amI drive the 2008 SES, my parents got it for me for high school graduation and I love this car. Im coming from a 96 Cobra SVT and I miss the power but the Focus greatly makes up for it. I love the voice activated items like the phone, mp3, and sync. I also like the mood lighting and awesome sound system with the big bass in the trunk (yes it is stock!) The gas is also great. I drive 60 miles a day to and from work and this car is so comfortable and performs with ease and is surprisingly peppy. Overall I think Ford did an awesome job on this car.
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Focus Lives Up - 2008 Ford Focus
By Bill - March 19 - 2:16 amThis car does exactly what I expected it to do. Delivers very acceptable ride and performance with exceptional mpg. No issues or dissapointments. Just utilitarian transportation at a very reasonble expense.
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Focusing on Fuel Mileage - 2008 Ford Focus
By HD4me - March 1 - 6:16 pmLike 90% of you out there, I bought this car for fuel economy. I also own a 2005 Tahoe. I love my Tahoe but it was costing me approx. $90 a week to fill up. $360 a month. so I elected to get the no thrill S model. I test drove the Cobalt and was not impressed. The Focus, on the other hand, was a real surprise. The smoothness of the powertrain and comfort are amazing. I got the bare bones version, so I cant comment on its other attributes. i.e. synk, bluetooth etc. Handling and braking is very good, style is OK and interior design is very good. The most important feature is the 34+ mpgs I get over all. It bothers me that it hasnt gotten a better press review. It deserves much better.
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Excellent value - 2008 Ford Focus
By george - December 15 - 10:20 pmWe recently had to buy a new car for my wife to drive to work - about 50 miles per day, round trip. Due to Ford incentives I saved $2500 off sticker I paid $13,733 for an S version with automatic, ABS with traction control and, if you can believe this, a spare tire ($60.00). The sticker was $16,255. One savings was a $1000 "Conquest Rebate". Thats given to people who own cars from competing brands. We own an 06 Corolla so we got it. Toyota had basically no incentives and a comparably equipped Corolla was going to cost me more like $15,900. A comparably equipped Civic was going to cost more than the Corolla.
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In a niche of its own - 2008 Ford Focus
By Jasen S. - November 19 - 8:56 amIt lacks the ergonomic perfection of the Civic, the driving dynamics of the 3, and the eternity and a half warranty of the Elantra, yet the Focus brings to the compact table a truly unique set of attributes.It has an amazing set of features (bluetooth, usb, sirius etc), great steering, mid-size ride comfort, a vault like chassis, and admirable fuel economy. On the debit side, the taller than average ride height limits its toss-ability through curves, and the interior could use fewer expanses of silver plastic. All told, with the benefit of 3500 in factory incentives, the Focus presents an overall value and feature set unique to the market. Thumbs up Ford.
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Bells and whistles made this girl happy - 2008 Ford Focus
By Lindsay - September 4 - 6:43 amI am very glad I chose this car. I am a bells an whistles girl, and this car has it all. From the sync to the ambient lights to the moonroof, this is an awesome ride. Handles very nice on the icy Alaskan roads. I bought this car in January, and the gas mileage was a tad dissapointing in the cold temperatures (-40, about 18 mpg) but it has improved sice we warmed up to 40 above.
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Consider The Focus vs, Civic and Corolla - 2008 Ford Focus
By Alan - September 3 - 6:33 amI traded for my Focus 4 weeks ago. I test drove both the Focus and a used Corolla. The SE Focus had a more modern interior and with the Sync System beat the Toyota S-Type hands down. The Focus lacked the accelleration of the Toyota, but the new Focus with sunroof, spoiler, Sirius and Sync was $2K less. I took the Focus on a 1600 mile business trip and am only more pleased. I am a conservative driver, but I still maintian 65 to 70 MPH highway speeds. My average fuel econony for the trip was 36 MPG even burning 10% ethanol for half the trip. Commuting nets >32MPG. Trunk space was ample and you have the option of dropping the rear seats if needed. Looks are fine. In summary, I love my Focus!
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2008 Ford Focus: Best Bang for the Buck - 2008 Ford Focus
By Dave R - July 9 - 5:40 pmI purchased my Focus S Coupe mainly for the gas mileage, as the price at the pump was over $4/gal at the time. I test drove an automatic first, then a manual, and settled on the 5-speed, as it literally left the automatic for dead at stoplights. What is more, the manual seemed to hunt between its two top gears with an annoying frequency. This is not a problem when you stir your own gears. Having owned mostly European cars, I was pleasantly surprised with the up-high seating position of the Focus. I also like the steering feel, as it lacks the numbness of so many American cars I have driven. Performance is pretty decent for a car of this type, and the engine is well behaved at all speeds.
