Ask the Car People.SM


Ford Focus: MPG-Real World Numbers

177 messages,  Last post on Mar 11, 2013 at 8:18 AM

You are in the Ford Focus Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Focus, Ford Focus SVT, Fuel Efficiency (MPG)

Messages Page 10 of 18

#88 of 177 Re: ford focus hatchback se sport with auto transmission [kam327] by bwhittle216

Mar 27, 2012 (10:28 am)

Replying to: kam327 (Mar 26, 2012 7:37 am)
My service manager is supposed to check out the software update at my request. That was my thoughts too in cking performance issue. I have to agree that i would probably cause traffic issues traveling at 60 or below on the fourlane hjghways i travel and still feel
mpg perflrmance should not be compromised going 65-70 mph in todays world.there are no indications of such in the Ford commercial boasting of 40 mpg vehicles. Holefully updating software will help my mpg performance issue. Thanks for your input.

#89 of 177 Not bad by joegiant

Apr 03, 2012 (6:35 am)

Approaching 3500 miles on our new 5spd Focus SE. With about a 90% highway usage (fun driving commuter car btw) just hit 36.0 on the mpg meter. Just what the window sticker suggested. Satisfied. And as mentioned in a previous post, this engine does run high on the tach at 70mph but I really don't care. 36 mpg hwy is 36 mpg hwy.

#90 of 177 Re: ford focus hatchback se sport with auto transmission [bwhittle216] by gkachmar

Apr 15, 2012 (6:13 pm)

Replying to: bwhittle216 (Mar 21, 2012 2:38 pm)
I just returned from a three week trip to Italy where we rented a base level 2011 Focus hatchback with 45K kilometers on the odometer, a TDI Diesel, six speed manual and 15" wheels. It rode comfortably, handled well, did not lack for acceleration or passing power, held two 24" suitcases and two 21" carry-ons easily in the covered trunk, felt safe and secure at 100+ mph on autostradas and averaged 43 mpg (5.5 liters per 100 KM) over 900+ miles. Most of the driving was in congested traffic and about half on twisty mountain roads in Campania and the Abruzzo.
 
We were so impressed that I looked into buying a similar car to replace an aging SAAB wagon.
 
But, here in the USA:
 
- no Diesel
- five speed gearbox
- harsh riding 18" wheels/tires if you want upscale features and a nicer interior
- also, no station wagon
 
I'll believe the "One Ford" slogan when they start selling Focus and Fusion (Mondeo) Diesel station wagons with six speed manuals. Until then it's just marketing B.S.

#91 of 177 Re: ford focus hatchback se sport with auto transmission [gkachmar] by kam327

Apr 16, 2012 (11:39 am)

Replying to: gkachmar (Apr 15, 2012 6:13 pm)
"- harsh riding 18" wheels/tires if you want upscale features and a nicer interior "
 
Not true. The 18" wheels are only in the optional Handling package on the Titanium trim. The Titanium normally comes with 17" wheels. You can also get most of the Titanium features in a fully loaded SEL which also has 17" wheels.
 
"I'll believe the "One Ford" slogan when they start selling Focus and Fusion (Mondeo) Diesel station wagons with six speed manuals. Until then it's just marketing B.S."
 
When diesels and wagons start selling well here I'm sure more companies will bring them here.

#92 of 177 Re: ford focus hatchback se sport with auto transmission [kam327] by gkachmar

Apr 16, 2012 (2:55 pm)

Replying to: kam327 (Apr 16, 2012 11:39 am)
You're right about the 18" wheels, but I think even 17" wheels are too big for a car this size, unless you are after handling above considerations such as ride comfort and not getting blowouts when hitting a pot hole.
 
"One Ford" is open to interpretation. To me it means selling basically the same cars here and in Europe, not selling two or three similar models in each area. Compare the vehicles offered by Ford UK, Ford Germany and Ford USA.
 
In Europe Ford has abandoned cars larger than the Mondeo and most sedans, ceding those markets to GM, VW/Audi, BMW, MB, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai etc. Here they have given up on station wagons, are just beginning to offer turbos and Diesels are limited to trucks.
 
With almost all manufacturers except BMW and Mercedes dropping wagons in favor of higher profit SUVs in the USA it is less a matter of what people want to buy than of what manufacturers choose to sell. You can't buy wagons or Diesels if they are not available for sale
 
With gas prices over $4 a gallon and rising, the difference between "up to 40 mpg" and easily attaining 40-50 mpg in everyday driving becomes more and more obvious.
 
The last Diesel I rented in Europe was a Peugeot 407 wagon, about the size of a BMW 5 series. It delivered 50+ mpg overall in back road cruising in relatively flat areas. That the Focus only managed 43 mpg overall was because most of the driving was in congested city traffic or mountain roads. No USA Focus comes close to 43 mpg overall, much less the 55 mpg we saw at a steady 70 mph on highways.
 
I wish Ford well with their marketing plans, but remain disappointed at the range of models and drive trains available here.

#93 of 177 Re: Not bad [joegiant] by bwhittle216

Apr 16, 2012 (4:39 pm)

Replying to: joegiant (Apr 03, 2012 6:35 am)
I was just trying to analize/get ideas why MY ford focus isn't performing as it should.Glad you did get 36 mpg, just wish I could reach that mark too. Ford service hasn't come up with a solution yet. I drive 100- to 250 miles per day in my work so that is why it is such a big issue to me. Makes for a big dent in my wallet comparing best at 29,84 mpg compared to advertised 36/37 mpg. Have generally exceeded mpg rating on most previously owned cars. Thanks for any input.

#94 of 177 40 mpg a requirement? by steve_ HOST

Apr 20, 2012 (7:18 am)

A reporter is looking for a car shopper who thinks 40 MPG is a requisite before they buy. If you have recently shopped for a car, and you have only considered cars that get 40 MPG, and you are willing to share your story with a reporter, please contact predmunds.com with your daytime contact information no later than Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at noon Pacific/3 p.m. Eastern.

#95 of 177 Re: Ford Focus Owners: MPG-Real World Numbers [KarenS] by theshum

May 02, 2012 (10:13 am)

Replying to: KarenS (Sep 02, 2005 8:22 am)
I just bought a 2010 Focus SE with 48K miles this past weekend. As a test, reset the MPG for my commute this morning and got 45 MPG. Now my commute has almost no stops and is about a 25 minute drive. I live in Southern AZ and the roads are pretty flat. Not very many lights to be stopped at on my commute, and it is mostly highway/interstate.
 
Obviously I can't guarantee I will always get this MPG, but I am pretty happy about it.
-Dave

#96 of 177 Re: Ford Focus Owners: MPG-Real World Numbers [theshum] by revss

May 22, 2012 (4:02 pm)

Replying to: theshum (May 02, 2012 10:13 am)
I purchased a 2012 Ford Focus Titanium. It has 1240 miles on it and I am only getting 21 MPG. I drive mostly city which is flat. This does not seem to be
good. I was told that I needed to wait longer for the car to break in by the dealer. Up to the first service which is 7500. Is that right? The manual says that there is a 1K break in period. I get about 250 miles out of one tank.

#97 of 177 Re: Ford Focus Owners: MPG-Real World Numbers [revss] by kam327

May 22, 2012 (5:51 pm)

Replying to: revss (May 22, 2012 4:02 pm)
Yeah that is unusually bad. Go on fuelly.com and you'll see that most people average 31-32. Of course if all you take is short city trips with lots of stops it'll be significantly worse than that. My mileage gradually increased a few mpg over 3,000 miles, now have about 4,500 on the odo and averaging 33 in suburban driving. But short low-speed trips will kill mileage in any car. What were you driving before and what mileage did you get on the same route?

Messages Page 10 of 18

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement