2009 Ford Focus Overview Change Vehicle

This 2009 Ford Focus review explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2009 Focus, and includes Ford Focus safety, reliability, and fuel economy information.

When a car company makes substantial changes just a year after investing a ton of cash into a model, you know something didn’t go over very well. That seems to be the case for the 2009 Ford Focus. Before we detail the changes, it is important to note that stability control is now available on every version of the Focus, packaged with the optional traction control and antilock braking system.

For 2009, the Focus Sedan is available in S, SE, SES, and new SEL trim levels. The SEL simply adds leather upholstery and heated front seats to the SES model. The Coupe lineup is limited to SE and SES, and there are substantial upgrades to this version of the Focus. Restyled front and rear ends are designed to add a sportier appearance that was recommended by customers. Fog lights are now standard on the Focus Coupe, and the bright shiny grille and headlamp surrounds have been darkened this year. Coupes with SES trim also get a unique roofline spoiler, more horsepower with the manual transmission, a new sport exhaust system, a revised final drive ratio with the automatic transmission for better acceleration, and dark chrome 17-inch turbine-style alloys similar to those from the old SVT Focus equipped with the European Appearance Package.

Ford sells the 2009 Focus Sedan in S, SE, SES, and SEL trim levels. The Focus Coupe is offered only with SE or SES trim this year.

The Focus S Sedan is basic, but that’s not uncommon in the small car class. Air conditioning, a stereo with a CD/MP3 player and an auxiliary audio input jack, a tilt steering wheel, floor mats, and a 60/40-split folding rear seat are standard. Safety equipment includes six airbags and a tire pressure monitoring system, and the Focus S is trimmed out with cloth seats and 15-inch steel wheels with plastic wheel covers.

Most people choose the Ford Focus SE Sedan because it comes with power door locks, power mirrors, power windows, remote keyless entry, 15-inch alloy wheels, and satellite radio. The SE Coupe adds 16-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, a rear spoiler, and heated power side mirrors. Most Focus SE models are equipped with the optional Driver’s Package, which contains cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

For 2009, the SES models lean in a performance-oriented direction. Both are equipped with body-color exterior trim, silver interior décor, white-faced gauges, and a sport suspension. The SES Sedan has a rear spoiler, fog lights, and 16-inch alloy wheels wearing Pirelli tires while the SES Coupe gets a rear roofline spoiler, a sport exhaust system, and unique dark chrome 17-inch alloy wheels. Additional standard features for the SES include Ford Sync technology, heated power mirrors, cruise control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a multi-adjustable driver’s seat, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with cruise and audio controls.

The new SEL Sedan builds on SES Sedan equipment with extra chrome trim on the outside, leather upholstery on the inside, and heated front seats. The leather and heated front chairs are optional on the SES models.

In addition to those mentioned, several options can be added to the various Focus models. Ford Sync infotainment technology is a popular item, because it allows you pair a cell phone or Bluetooth-enabled digital music player to the sound system. Speaking of stereos, the Focus is available with an upgraded Audiophile audio system with a CD changer, which is included in a Moon and Tune Value Package with a power moonroof. HomeLink, satellite radio, traction control, antilock brakes, and an automatic transmission are also available.

Every 2009 Ford Focus is equipped with a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine. However, its power output is dependent on which model you get. If you buy a Focus with a Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (PZEV) rating, your car is generating 132 horsepower and 133 pound-feet of torque while emitting almost zero emissions into the atmosphere. If you buy a Focus SES Coupe with a manual transmission, your car is making 143 horsepower and 136 lb-ft of torque. Every other Focus is cranking out 140 ponies and 136 lb-ft of twist.

All models come standard with a five-speed manual gearbox that transmits power to the front wheels. A four-speed automatic is optional. Fuel economy is rated 24 mpg in the city regardless of transmission choice. The stick shift model delivers 35 mpg on the highway while the automatic returns 33 mpg on the open road.

Ford continues to improve safety for 2009 by making stability control an option on all models, bundled together with ABS and traction control for less than $800. Here’s our question: if these three safety technologies are so inexpensive, why aren’t they standard, even if only on SES and SEL models? We think this nickel-and-diming is an insult to intelligence.

Their omission is even more galling given the car’s crash-test scores. It’s clear that Ford should be doing everything possible to help the driver avoid an accident in the first place. In National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash tests, the 2009 Focus Coupe gets 3-Star ratings in the side-impact assessment. That needs to improve. Good thing the Coupe gets 5-Star frontal impact ratings. The Focus Sedan receives 4-Star ratings in every test except for driver protection in a side impact, for which it is awarded 5 Stars.

Results from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) are more favorable. The Focus receives the highest rating of Good for offset frontal impact protection and rear-impact injury protection, while the side-impact rating is deemed Acceptable.

Reliability predictions are favorable for the 2009 Ford Focus. Both J.D. Power and Associates and Consumer Reports give the car a better-than-average reliability rating.

Ford makes progress with the recently revamped Focus. For 2009, stability control is available, the Focus Coupes get themselves straightened out with improved styling and packaging, and the SES Sedan starts heading in a similarly upgraded direction. Add favorable reliability ratings and decent crash-test scores from the IIHS, and we wouldn’t steer you away from a 2009 Focus.

By Christian Wardlaw