2008 Ford Focus gets 35 mpg on the highway
The Ford Focus is one of Ford's basic, popular models. For 2008, Ford is happily announcing a 35 mpg-on-the highway number for this year's Focus (
One fuel-saver-friendly standard feature on the Focus, like on all other 2008 models, is a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). Even without this feature, the 2007 Focus was one of the few bright spots in domestic small car sales this summer. We'll see how the vehicle's new look and features will affect that popularity. I doubt the 30 pound weight decrease will affect sales, but every little bit helps when you're counting MPGs. Press release after the jump.
Gallery: 2008 Ford Focus
[Source: Ford]
2008 FORD FOCUS STARTS UNDER $15,000; DELIVERS NEW DESIGN, MORE SAFETY, BETTER FUEL ECONOMY AND SYNC
* Value Leader – 2008 Ford Focus starts at $14,695 and offers the best value in its segment along with an all-new design, fuel economy in the mid-30s and such available class-exclusive features as Ford Sync™ and factory-installed ambient lighting.
* Ford Sync™Debuts – as an industry-exclusive, hands-free way to use cell phones and portable music players using voice commands. Ford Sync™ comes standard on 2008 Focus SES models and is available on Focus SE models.
* Fun to Drive – Acclaimed Focus driving dynamics are further improved with new suspension tuning and chassis refinements. Improved NVH levels provide a quieter ride.
* New Features – Standard safety equipment now includes side air bags, side air curtains and tire pressure monitoring system. An audio input jack, tilt steering wheel and air conditioning are standard on all models. SIRIUS® Satellite Radio is now available.
SEATTLE, Sept. 17, 2007 – The new 2008 Ford Focus goes on sale this fall with a long list of improvements that make it better than ever, including 35 miles per gallon highway fuel economy and a starting price under $15,000.
The new Focus is redesigned from the inside out, is available as a sedan or new coupe body style, is 30 pounds lighter, 10 percent quieter, has 3 percent more horsepower, more safety features, exceptional driving dynamics and fuel economy better than many smaller vehicles. With a starting price of $14,695, Focus pricing is essentially unchanged from last year – even with the addition of new standard safety features like side-curtain air bags.
The Ford Focus also introduces two new factory-installed technologies: programmable LED-powered ambient lighting and Ford Sync. Sync is a Ford-exclusive technology developed with Microsoft that allows users to control most portable digital music players and Bluetooth-enabled cell phones using voice commands.
"The new Focus is arriving at exactly the right time, with consumer interest in both small cars and technology surging," said Barry Engle, general manager, Ford Brand Marketing. "With new a new design, great handling, fuel economy in the mid-30s and now Sync, we have something truly unique to offer consumers."
Cutting-Edge Technology
The 2008 Focus is the first vehicle to offer the company's industry-exclusive Ford Sync technology this year. Sync – a voice-activated, hands-free, in-car communications and entertainment system – fully integrates mobile phones and media players into the vehicle using Bluetooth technology and USB connectivity. It seamlessly integrates the Focus with the popular portable electronic devices of today and is updatable to support the devices and services of tomorrow.
Developed in collaboration with Microsoft, Sync will be offered exclusively on 12 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles this year. It will be standard on Lincoln vehicles and widely available on Ford and Mercury vehicles. In most cases, Sync will be included as standard equipment on high-series models from Ford and Mercury. On models where Sync is optional, it will be priced at $395.
Tapping the emerging trend of configurable lighting, Ford is making its ambient lighting system available to Focus customers as a factory-installed option. The feature lets customers set the mood inside the vehicle with subtle LED lighting in the cupholders and in the front and rear footwells. The driver or front-seat passenger can choose from seven different colors – red, blue, aqua, purple, white, green and yellow – by cycling through a dash-mounted switch.
Great Value
For the 2008 model year, an all-new Focus coupe complements the sedan model. Three trim series – Focus S, Focus SE and Focus SES – are available for both body styles. Base Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price for the 2008 Focus S coupe starts at $14,695, while the new Focus S sedan begins at $14,995. SE models are an additional $1,000. All prices include a $620 destination and delivery charge. The top-of-the-line Focus SES coupe and sedan, with Sync standard, begin at $16,695 and $16,995, respectively.
All-new features on the 2008 Focus include a standard audio input jack for MP3 players, Ice Blue instrument backlighting, new wheel designs, along with Ford Sync and SIRIUS™ satellite radio. Newly standard features include driver and front passenger seat side impact air bags, side curtain air bags, tire pressure monitoring system and air conditioning.
Standard content on the 2008 Ford Focus includes:
- 2.0-liter Duratec 20 4-cylinder engine (140 hp and 136 lb.-ft torque)
- In states that have adopted California emissions rules, every Focus qualifies as a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV), meaning its tailpipe emissions are cleaner than some hybrids.
- 5-speed manual transmission
- Front-wheel drive
- European-inspired suspension
- Dual-stage driver and passenger air bags
- Driver and front passenger seat side impact air bags and side curtain air bags *
- Tire pressure monitoring system *
- Audio input jack for MP3 players **
- AM/FM stereo with single CD player
- Ice Blue backlighting for instrument cluster and control knobs **
- Air conditioning *
- 4-speed automatic transmission
- Ford Sync (standard on SES models and available on SE models) **
- Ambient interior lighting system
- SIRIUS™ satellite radio **
- AM/FM Stereo 6-disc CD/MP3 player with digital clock
- AM/FM Stereo 6-disc CD/MP3 player Audiophile system
- Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Traction Control
- Power moonroof
- Fog lamps
- Front row heated leather-trimmed seats
- Speed Control
** Indicates all-new features
A new Deluxe Package also is available for the Focus SE series. It includes: heated side mirrors with chrome skulls caps and door handles; 16-inch Euro flange wheels; fog lamps; an enhanced European-inspired suspension with rear stabilizer bar; metallic instrument panel appliqué; bright cluster rings and other interior accents; a performance instrument cluster; four-way adjustable driver's seat; and chrome tip exhaust.
The 2008 Ford Focus is built at Ford's Wayne ( Mich.) Assembly Plant. It goes on sale this fall.
For more information on Ford Sync, please visit www.syncmyride.com.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jet 9:21PM (7/07/2008)
When people compare a 2008 model car to something from the 1980's or 1990's they just show how ignorant they are on what has happend with the emission standards laws. Not only has the government continuously upped the standard for emission standards for clean air, but this at the same time makes it more and more difficult to engineer a smooth running engine that uses US spec gasonline and at the same time that an american consumer will but based on the horsepower.
A 1998 V6 or as one person mentioned a 1988 4 cylinder had very different emission standards and it was much easier to make those engines more fuel efficient.
One of the single biggest reasons that automotive MPG numbers are so low is all of the power-robbing smog equipment that is installed on modern engines.
Basically, you have two options:
Dirty exhaust + High MPG.... or
Clean exhaust + Low MPG
The smog equipment in a modern vehicle can take anywhere from 50-80 horsepower from an engine, and has to burn more gas to do it!
Granted, I think the exhaust SHOULD be clean, but you will lose fuel efficiency to do it. period.
If you are to make comparisons, then make it with a 2008 buick or a 2008 model anything with a V6 or a V8 and use the STATED miles per gallon from the manufacturor.
I agree with the one poster that said people will get a good MPG's on an extended trip in ideal conditions ONCE in their 80's or 90's vehicle and from that point on, they will tell everyone that is the MPG that they get. Ofcourse it's just sillyness and almost makes you wonder what other "defficiencies" they are trying to make up for when they start with the "well I get 52 miles per gallon with my 92 lincoln continental" LMAO!
So first is the ignorance of why new cars get less MPG's that cars from a decade ago, and 2nd is the glory claims on how their V6 or V8 get 40 mpg!
Answer - try educating yourself a bit on how current emission standards have affected MPG's negatively.
2nd - Understand that this is 2008, not 1998, not 1987. Your idiotic concept that milleage should be getting better and better when we keep making our emissions standards more and more strict while simultaneously even small cars are getting more and more heavy (because of all the increased equipment that used to be considered extravagant 10 or 15 yrs ago but now is considered essential).
You don't like the way things are going? Next time you vote, support candidates that will allow for oil exploration and extraction in the US and that are for building new refineries here. And vote against extremist candidates that keep passing new laws making the emission standards even more strict. Then gas will get cheaper and MPG's will go up.
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Ron McNesby 5:08PM (4/03/2008)
Using the data from the onboard computer, I get:
33 MPG avarage about town
45 MPG at 60 w/o the air conditioner on
43 MPG at 60 with the air conditioner on
I could not be any happier with the car in any way.
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dwayne 9:48AM (4/12/2008)
i have a 35 chevy that has been rodded with a 383 chevy stroker motor, stand alone fuel injection, 700r 4 speed transmission and a 3.00 to 1 gear ratio in the rear. i can, more often than not, routinely knock down 24 hiway mpg at 75 with a/c running at full tilt. i get about 18 in town. im sure a switch to a 4.3 v6 would improve those numbers by quite a few, i would venture a guess at higher 20's hiway. yes, it has all the modern stuff we have become used to, including leather, windows, locks, seats, remote lock/start yada yada yada. it gets the same mileage as my wifes v6 loaded escape, has most all the same equiptment, and yet it is the car, not the escape, she prefers to drive. it has gotten as low as 21 hiway and as high as 27. but for the most part, on avg, it returns mid 20's. whats not to like?
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Mark 1:30PM (4/24/2008)
I have a 2000 Buick Regal which has an EPA estimate of 19/29. I have never seen anything lower than 24MPG for a single tank. Straight interstate driving I average right at 30MPG and I've seen it as high as 32MPG. My average daily commute averages about 26.5MPG. My commute is 11 miles one way with 4-5 stops depending on the lights. My 98 Honda Civic with a 5 speed manual and it gets 38MPG doing a 25 mile (15 of which is highway with a couple of stop lights) commute with too many stops to count. My Kawasaki ZZR600 gets 57MPG combined and is way more fun.
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Marko 5:51PM (6/19/2008)
hm, does anyone actually have a 2008 focus who drives okay and can report something?
as for the people claiming "32 mpg buick" they are full of it, my mothers 1995 buick century gets barely 22 around town and 25-26mpg on the highway.
a park avenue is bigger, less aerodynamic and heavier. how the f***k could it be so much "better"?
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Chippy 3:59AM (7/19/2008)
I do own this car....just bought it and have put 2K miles on it this month. I easily get COMBINED mileage of 36.....COMBINED... and its an auto. 80% of my driving is on country roads.
Im taking her on a 1400 mile road trip to see how she does. Got no doubts ill see 45MPG. I love my car. Very roomy and very quick. Its wonderful
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Ican DoMath 4:54PM (10/24/2008)
A 1998 Buick Riviera getting 32 mpg? I think we have some story tellers here. Maybe going downhill with the engine shut off...Even the actual road test articles said that the mileage for a 10 year old Riviera under perfect conditions would be 16 mpg city and 25 mpg highway! www.edmunds.com/used/1998/buick/riviera/17133/specs.html
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Matt C 10:43AM (2/25/2009)
I rented a 2008 Focus for a 6000 mile road trip. It got 20-25 mpg. It was a JOKE! My 1998 Monte Carlo with a 3.1l engine with all kinds of comfort gets 31 mph. We suffered for 17 days in a crappy Focus, and we only got 25 mpg at best. We drove 70 mph across mostly level terrain. When we drive into the wind, the mileage dropped to 20 mpg. It was a gas hog! Do NOT buy this car.
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08 focus owner 11:38PM (3/07/2009)
I had an 08 focus for like a year now, get 30 mpg with 80% city 20% highway driving, somebody made a comment about stopping by hyundai dealership, go ahead, but be carefull, you might have no job next week, or maybee you already dont, buy american
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Joseph 8:59PM (9/17/2007)
The fuel economy on the 2007 Ford Focus, using the NEW standards that presumably will be applied to the 2008 Ford Focus, is 33mpg.
If the 2008 Ford Focus gets 35mpg, then it's a 2mpg improvement. Yay!
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Tim 7:37PM (9/17/2007)
Big Deal! Hell, I get 32 on the highway with my fully loaded 1998 Buick Park Avenue.
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mike 8:12PM (9/17/2007)
This is pathetic.
I'll wait for a real 50 mpg.
Tell me again there's no gas mileage scam going on to prop up SUV sales.
( and Kickbacks. )
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Joseph 9:00PM (9/17/2007)
P.S.
I as kind of being sarcastic.
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Jack 9:20PM (9/17/2007)
Tim is right, 35 mpg from this car is a joke!! I'm a Buick Riviera owner and I've seen other Riv owners report 31-32 mpg highway. This is a 10 yr old car that weighs nearly 4000 lbs and makes twice as much power stock as the 2008 Focus (and at least one of the guys who reported 31-32 is far from stock!).
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Domenick 9:46PM (9/17/2007)
Pretty underwhelming. I have to drive a fugly Focus to get 35mpg? Screw that.
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MikeW 11:15PM (9/17/2007)
You damn dirty four speed automatics [apes] !
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Joseph 10:58PM (9/17/2007)
Everyone, remember that highway mpg isn't rated by just going a steady 65mph. Highway mpg tests change miles per hour quite often, which hurts mpg.
The Honda Insight, for example, at a steady 65mph, get 65+mpg! However, under the new fuel economy highway testing, it gets 58mpg...
The Ford Focus would get signifigantly better mpg if it was tested at stead speeds for long periods of time. Although, 35mpg isn't all that great to start with anyways...
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Joseph 11:00PM (9/17/2007)
"Highway mpg tests change miles per hour quite often, which hurts mpg."
What I meant was that they fluctuate speeds quite a bit during testing.
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blariat 11:43PM (9/17/2007)
35mpg is better than the 2008 Honda fit, which is listed as a best of 34 mpg, which is also a 5 speed and only has 109 horsepower. I say the focus wins.
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Mattias 12:36AM (9/18/2007)
#2: Get a Euro Focus with the 1.6l PSA diesel. This thing easily gets 45 to 50mpg. As long as you keep it around 80mph and do not do german speeds on the autobahn,
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