2004 Ford Focus Review
Fuel Economy
21 - 27 mpg
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
The 2004 Ford Focus is a wonderful small car that's fun to drive, frugal with fuel and offered in such a wide variety of configurations it would be hard not to find one that suits your needs.
Pros
Thoughtful ergonomics, spacious interior, fun-to-drive character, sharp steering, impressive selection of body configurations and features.
Cons
Seats aren't comfortable for everyone, not as reliable as some other cars in its segment.
What's New for 2004
The emissions-friendly 2.3-liter PZEV engine released in limited states in 2003 is now available as an option in all states (it comes standard in California, Massachusetts, New York, Vermont and Maine). The only other notable changes to the 2004 Ford Focus are newly optional leather seating for ZX3 models, and a slightly revised suspension offers improved handling.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
A Wonderful Car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Ford Focus ZTS 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I have been totally satisfied with my 2004 Ford Focus ZTS. It is a well made, reliable, economical and fun to drive vehicle. I currently have about 85,000 miles on my car. I still have orginal brakes,clutch etc. Car has been almost problem free. Only problem has been the accelerator linkage which had to be replaced twice under warranty. That's about it. My mileages is 27/34 with an average of 30 mpg. My only wish that it was a little quieter inside the cabin when driving high speed. Not really a problem though-only a wish. Seats are very comfortable-I have a bad back too! I traded in my 2000 ZTS for this Honey. My wife drives a 2001 Focus as well.
Favorite Features
comfortable reliable fun to drive
Suggested Improvements
reduce cabin noise.
SVT Focus
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Ford Focus SVT 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6M)
Review
I bought this SVT new in Nov. 2004. I work for Ford and am a Master Tech. Being familiar with the Focus, i had to snag one before they were gone. This car has amazed me from day one. Through the years, it has just been better and better. With a few modifications here and there, this car is extremely hard to beat at 4 times the money. To date, this SVT can pull 1.15g in cornering and out brakes pretty much anything short of pure race cars. I have less then $30k in it and have out performed cars costing over $100k on short courses.
Favorite Features
Handling hands down. Audiophile system is amazing for stock. I was lucky enough to get one that doesn't have traction control.
Suggested Improvements
Ford SVT should have made the Jackson Racing supercharger stock.
Love the space
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Ford Focus ZTW 4dr Wagon (2.3L 4cyl 4A)
Review
This car is comfy to drive, with lots of cargo space. I love the large rear window so I can see out back. From the beginning I have had some skidding probs with the tires and now at 28000 miles am told I need new ones. That's disappointing.
Favorite Features
Good cargo space, good visibility out rear window, PZEV engine
Suggested Improvements
cross rails on roof rack, storage on passenger rear doors
Worst car ever
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 6 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 5 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 5 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Ford Focus SVT 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6M)
Review
This is by far the worst car I have ever owned. I bought the car about a year ago with less than 50,000 miles and $6400 in repairs later it's still not right. I have replaced the A/C compressor and condensor, the swaybar twice, gauge cluster and I have had countless electrical problems. I just noticed that the 4th thermostat housing is leaking. The car surges while driving down the road and the dual mass flywheel is constantly chattering. When the car is running it's a blast to drive, but that really doesn't matter when it breaks down at least once a month.
Favorite Features
Suspension
Suggested Improvements
Buy a new car
No thanks, Ford U.S.A.
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Ford Focus SVT 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6M)
Review
Ford had managed to take an absolutely proper car and ruin it with their typical 'gotta-save-money-ta-build-em- trucks' economics. Mine being plagued with the usual problems such as constant leaking coolant out of the thermostat, plastic clutch master cylinder that ruined the interior 3 times over, sticky butterfly valves on their 'revolutionary' dual cam design, right...and on it goes.
Favorite Features
The equivalent ST170 focus sold in Europe is superb. An excellent execution of quality and presicion, the only thing it was allowed to give our SVT-counterpart was it's sophisticated suspension and braking components.
Suggested Improvements
View Pricing for Other Years
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