2011 Ford Focus Overview Change Vehicle

This 2011 Ford Focus review explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2011 Focus, and includes Ford Focus safety, reliability, and fuel economy information.

Ford kills the Focus Coupe for 2011, leaving the Focus Sedan in S, SE, SES, and SEL trim levels. No changes are made as Ford readies a new, totally redesigned and dramatically improved 2012 Focus.

For 2011, the Ford Focus S Sedan is decently equipped with a full complement of standard safety features. Additionally, the Focus S includes MyKey programmable vehicle feature technology, a driver’s message center, air conditioning, power door locks with remote keyless entry, a tilt steering wheel, a stereo with a CD/MP3 player and an auxiliary audio input jack, and floor mats. This model is equipped with 15-inch wheels with plastic wheel covers, cloth seats, and a 60/40-split folding rear seat.

Many buyers choose to upgrade to the Focus SE to enjoy power windows, power mirrors, and satellite radio. This model also comes with alloy wheels. Popular options found on many Focus SE models are cruise control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

We like the sporty Focus SES. This model adds Ford Sync technology, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and cruise controls, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated side mirrors, and a multi-adjustable driver’s seat. They also look great thanks to body-color exterior trim, smoked chrome accents, fog lights, a rear spoiler, and dark chrome 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in performance-oriented tires. Inside, the SES has silver interior trim and white-faced gauges, while a sport-tuned suspension provides more entertaining handling.

The luxury-themed SEL Sedan builds on the SES Sedan’s equipment with leather seats that are heated in front. The styling is different, though, with bright chrome exterior trim, smaller 16-inch alloy wheels, and no spoiler on the trunk lid.

Depending on the model selected, the 2011 Focus can be equipped with several options such as leather seats, heated front seats, Bluetooth-enabled Ford Sync technology, satellite radio, a premium Audiophile sound system with a CD changer, HomeLink, a power moonroof, and an automatic transmission.

Focus buyers can choose between two states of tuning for the 2011 Focus Sedan’s standard 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine. If you live in California, New England, or immediately adjacent states and you’ve chosen the optional four-speed automatic transmission, your Focus is rated as a Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (PZEV) and is making 132 horsepower and 133 pound-feet of torque. If you’re buying a car with the standard five-speed manual gearbox, or any Focus in the remaining parts of the country, your car makes 140 ponies and 136 lb-ft of torque.

In addition to its availability as a PZEV, fuel economy is a Focus strong point. According to EPA estimates, the Focus gets 25 mpg in the city with the manual or the automatic transmission. On the highway, the manual gearbox delivers 35 mpg while the automatic returns 34 mpg.

The 2011 Ford Focus is well equipped with safety features. Six airbags, traction control, stability control, and antilock brakes are standard, along with MyKey programmable technology aimed at helping parents encourage safer driving in teenagers.

For 2011, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has revised its crash-test program in an effort to raise the bar for automakers to achieve 5-Star safety ratings. The NHTSA has not subjected the 2011 Focus to the new regimen of tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the Focus the highest rating of Good for its performance in the offset frontal impact and rear-impact injury prevention assessments. In the side-impact crash test, the Focus gets an Acceptable rating.

Reliability predicts from both Consumer Reports and J.D. Power and Associates indicate that the market research firms expect the 2011 Focus to deliver above average levels of dependability over time.

A complete redesign of the Ford Focus has been long overdue. Today’s model rides on the same platform that it did in 2001, but the car has been updated twice over the course of its lifetime, and the current model remains competitive if not particularly compelling. With decent predictions for reliability, crash-test scores, and fuel economy, plus the availability of a PZEV powertrain and the sporty appearance and handling that comes with the Focus SES model, we think this car still makes a case for itself, despite its age.

By Christian Wardlaw