You’re looking for a compact car and you aren’t sure which is better, the 2014 Ford Focus or the 2014 Honda Civic.
When the Ford Focus first came out, it was a pretty good car. But as the years went on, newer and more polished rivals relegated it to mid-pack status. Not so with the current-generation Focus, which debuted for 2012 and ranks among the best picks in the compact car segment.
Major reasons to consider the 2014 Ford Focus sedan and hatchback at Monaco Ford include sprightly performance, an upscale interior, a refined ride, and excellent fuel economy.
This sophisticated, highly refined and fun-to-drive small sedan and hatchback look and feel as if they should be priced higher. US News notes that the 2014 Ford Focus rings up for less than the 2014 Honda Civic.
Another key attribute is the Focus’ abundance of available high-tech convenience features. One such luxury-like standout is the automated parallel parking system that can neatly slip the car into a curbside spot without the driver ever touching the steering wheel. And of course there’s Ford’s Sync system, one of the first voice control systems to be offered in any car.
US News gives the 2014 Ford Focus the check for keyless start and remote engine start – things the Civic doesn’t have.
Even if technology isn’t a priority for you, the fact that Ford offers a choice of hatchback and sedan body styles, as well as a wide range of trim levels, should give the Focus plenty of appeal. There are even all-electric and high-performance variants. The former, the Focus Electric, is propelled by a 107-kilowatt (143-horsepower) electric motor and can be recharged in about four hours from a 240-volt power source. Owners of the electric Focus can keep tabs on its charging state via smartphone integration.
The front-wheel-drive 2014 Ford Focus at Monaco Ford has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that puts out 160 hp and 146 pound-feet of torque. The S and SE models get a five-speed manual transmission standard, while a six-speed automatic that Ford calls “Powershift” is optional. The automatic comes standard on the Titanium, though the manual transmission is still available as a no-cost option.
In performance testing, a Focus Titanium with the automatic went from zero to 60 mph in 8.7 seconds – a bit quicker than average for this segment.
US News gives the 2014 Ford Focus a better performance rating than the 2014 Honda Civic.
The EPA gives the Focus Electric an energy efficiency equivalent rating (MPGe) of 110 miles per gallon city and 99 miles per gallon highway and 105 miles per gallon combined. The EPA also estimates the Focus Electric has an effective range of about 76 miles between charging. But as with all electric cars, actual range will be highly dependent on driving style and environment. The EPA also gives the Ford Focus Electric an energy consumption estimate of 32 kWh used per 100 miles (the lower the kWh number here, the better). With a 240-volt home charger, Ford says the Focus Electric can be recharged in four hours.
Standard safety features include anti-lock brakes, stability control, front side airbags, and side curtain airbags. The Ford Sync system, which is available on all Focus models, also includes an emergency crash notification feature that automatically dials 911 when paired with a compatible cell phone. Ford’s MyKey system, which can be used to set certain parameters for teen drivers, is standard on every Focus except the S sedan. A rearview camera comes standard on the Focus Titanium.
In brake testing, a Focus Titanium with the Handling package and summer tires came to a stop from 60 mph in 110 feet, an impressive performance. A Focus with the SFE package stopped in 117 feet, which is also impressive considering its low-rolling-resistance tires.
In government crash testing, the Focus received four out of five stars for overall crash protection, with four stars for overall frontal impact protection and five stars for overall side impact protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Focus its highest possible rating of “Good” in the frontal-offset, side, and roof strength tests.
The 2014 Ford Focus also has a rear body air bag – something the Civic does not.
The interior of the 2014 Ford Focus is attractive and quiet, and the materials are among the best in this class. It doesn’t get much better with the optional MyFord Touch system, either. The large touchscreen, combined with the Sync voice command system, looks classy and provides some neat customization possibilities.
US News notes that the 2014 Ford Focus has a driver and passenger illuminated visor mirror – things the Civic does not.
The front seats are supportive and comfortable over long distances. The rear seats offer adequate headroom. The sedan’s 13.2-cubic-foot trunk is on par for this class, but the hatchback model is still the better choice for the practical-minded. The latter provides 23.8 cubic feet of space with the 60/40-split rear seats up and 44.8 cubic feet with them folded down.
The 2014 Ford Focus from Monaco Ford feels like a European car in the way it’s been tuned to provide both sharp handling and a refined ride. Yet the Focus is also smooth riding and quiet on the highway.
The 2.0-liter engine offers above average performance and fuel economy. The five-speed manual transmission works well and gives the car a sportier feel.
The 2014 Ford Focus Electric’s electric motor and direct-drive transmission result in silky smooth power delivery. Acceleration is impressive at low speeds. Ford put in extra effort at making the Focus Electric quiet, and indeed this is one of the quietest small cars you’ll find.
US News gives the 2014 Ford Focus checks for: locking rear differential, being supercharged and turbo charged, having an automatic transmission with a manual mode, and having a 6-speed automatic and a 5-speed manual option. The Civic doesn’t have any of these.
Monaco Ford is family owned and operated since 1922, currently employing its 4th generation of ownership. The dealership currently has over 80 employees. It has received Ford’s prestigious President’s Award an outstanding 8 times in the past two decades by surpassing all requirements, proving itself as one of Connecticut’s elite dealers. Visit www.monacoford.com for more about the dealership and the inventory. Our cars and our company are reliable and trustworthy. What more could you ask for?
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