2015 Ford Focus Electric Road Test Review

The Ford Focus is a true "world car" in every sense of the phrase. Ford offers the Focus, or some version of the Focus, in pretty much every market in which the company does business—and builds it in many of them too. In fact, back in 2012, the Ford Focus surpassed the Toyota Corolla to become the world’s best selling nameplate, and has remained so for each of the ensuing years

Thoroughly made over for the 2015 model year, the Focus got new exterior styling, a revised interior treatment, new infotainment and safety systems, as well as a new ultra-efficient engine option. In other words, all of the qualities we listed above, have been improved upon with this latest iteration of the car Ford introduced back in 1998.

But wait, there’s more; the subject of this road test review, the Ford Focus Electric, is a relatively new addition to the Focus lineup. One of the most affordable electric models on the market, the Focus is one of but 13 electric cars currently available.

Models and Pricing

For the 2015 model year, Ford is offering the Focus Electric in the hatchback body style in one very nicely appointed state of trim, with pricing starting at $29,170. However, Ford reps are quick to point out with some $9,000 in currently available incentives, the net price is closer to $20,995.

In some cases, a $7,500 Federal Tax Credit also applies, further lowering the price.

Equipped like the top of the line Titanium-trimmed 2015 Ford Focus, standard features include automatic high beams for the headlights, blind-spot warning, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure, lane keeping assist, remote start, keyless entry and pushbutton start, xenon headlights, and LED taillights.

Design

All in all, the Focus now looks more grown up and sophisticated, though some may bemoan the departure of the playful personality the previous styling treatment conveyed.

Updating the appearance of the handsome Ford compact for 2015 are a redesigned hood and grille. LED signature lighting further delineates the fresh model. The new grille brings the Focus more into line with the current front-end treatment being applied to Ford’s passenger cars, “borrowing” the look previously exclusive to models from Aston Martin.

Essentially, the entire front fascia is new, including all of the lighting instruments, the fenders, and, as we said before—the hood. The Ford logo has also been resized and relocated at the rear of the car. The license plate mounting area has been reshaped, and the hatchback gets new rear lamp clusters to inform the departing view of the Ford.

The interior treatment has also been treated to a streamlining, gaining a much less “busy” appearance. The steering wheel’s three-spoke design is also new, and the center stack is considerably slimmer than before.

Features and Controls

No, we’re not terribly fond of MyFordTouch, and we have no qualms about saying so. Yeah, it looks cool, but in operation, it’s just too tedious. Nothing beats pressing a button to activate your desired function and rotating a dial to get the intensity you require just right.

We do like the touchscreen MyFordTouch brings to the interior though, so we’re in something of a quandary in that regard. We’re also fond of the outstanding hi-tech features that the Focus Electric offers—including its rear-view camera, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and lane keeping assist.

The Focus Electric also features Ford’s new SYNC AppLink. Integrating your smartphone into the car’s telematics system, notifications are read aloud as you enter the Focus, with no need to touch the phone. Alerts are available any time a mobile device is connected to SYNC AppLink, even if the app is not currently active.

This means you could get an alert about traffic jams ahead on your route while listening to the radio or using an entertainment application such as Pandora. Oh, and getting back to the SYNC system for a moment, the presence of voice activation in this price category is quite a remarkable thing.

Comfort and Cargo

Another thing we appreciate about the interior of the Focus Electric is its quiet and good-looking nature. Further, the fit and finish of the materials employed are first rate. Let's be clear though, while there’s no mistaking the Focus for anything other than the economical compact it is, the overall vibe of the interior hints at considerable concern lavished upon it in terms of the way it is assembled.

Front seat passengers enjoy a great deal of comfort and legroom. Rear seat passengers will have adequate headroom, despite the Ford’s sloping roofline, although legroom is sacrificed to the Ford’s diminutive overall size.

When it comes to hauling cargo, you’ll get 14.5 cubic feet of capacity behind the rear seat—and 33.9 cubic feet with both seatbacks folded away. The 60/40 split-folding configuration allows you a great deal of flexibility in this regard too, as you can trade off passenger volume for cargo capacity as needed.

Safety and Ratings

While crash test scores for the 2015 Ford Focus have yet to be issued by the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety (IIHS) and NHTSA, the 2014 version of the car scored Top Safety Pick status with the IIHS and a five-star overall rating with NHTSA.

Standard safety features for the 2015 model include driver and passenger airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, and side curtain airbags. Antilock brakes are also standard equipment, but if you want four-wheel discs you have to get into a Titanium model. Traction control, stability control, brake assist, child safety locks, and tire pressure monitoring are standard features as well. Another feature of the SYNC system is automatic crash notification.

Ford’s MyKey system will mute the radio if the car is driven without the seat belts fastened. It will also allow the car’s owner to limit the Ford’s top speed to a choice of 65, 70, 75, or 80 miles per hour—with chimes sounding at 45, 55, and 65 mph.

MyKey also enables the blocking of any satellite radio stations classified as explicit.

Motor and Fuel Economy

Power comes from a 107kW electric motor (the equivalent of approximately 143 horsepower), for which electricity is stored in a 23kWh lithium-ion battery pack. A one-speed transmission conducts drive power to the front wheels. Ford’s engineers say it takes about four hours to completely recharge the battery pack, using a 240V home charger.

Driven moderately in a temperate climate, the EPA says you can expect to travel some 76 miles on a full charge. This works out to be approximately 110 miles per gallon equivalent in the city, 99 on the highway, and 105 combined.

As is to be expected, excessive speed and/or colder weather can reduce range.

Performance

Don’t let the new, more conservative styling fool you, the Focus is still a lot of fun to drive. Add the instant torque, low center of gravity, and magical feel you get driving an electric car, and that attribute is amplified.

In other words, piloting the 2015 Ford Focus Electric, you’ll realize commendable agility coupled with a quiet and smooth ride. This comes along with nicely accurate steering and more than sufficient braking power—which, by the way, every time you brake you’re generating more electricity. Another plus is the one-speed direct drive transmission. In conjunction with the all-in torque output of the electric motor, it makes the Focus Electric scoot quite nicely off the line,

Still, if you compare the Focus Electric directly to the gasoline-powered Focus hatchback, you’ll note the Electric’s reflexes are a bit toned down. But what you give up in outright response, you more than make up for in smoothness and sophistication. In fact, every time we go back to an internal combustion powered car after driving an electric one, the spark-plugged ride feels crude in comparison.

Final Thoughts

If you’re on the fence right now between the Focus Electric and a compact crossover suv because fuel prices are suddenly reasonable again, we’d remind you past is often prologue. While nobody can absolutely say what tomorrow will bring, one thing’s for sure; in the overall trending of prices, there is usually an increase. Don’t get lulled by the numbers today—think about tomorrow.

And, as this is being written (June 2015), the 2015 Ford Focus Electric is one heckuva value. First of all, since Ford outfits it with the Titanium package, you’re getting a fully loaded car. Second, with the $9,000 in currently available incentives, the net price of the Focus Electric is closer to $20,995. And, if you qualify, you’re looking at up to $7,500 in Federal Tax Credits too.

Go Electric and you can potentially get a Focus Titanium for less than the base Fiesta S.

Pros and Cons

Delightful handling, an outstanding roster of high tech features, smooth ride, quiet operation, well-crafted interior with a quality look and feel, an outstanding value for the price, availble incentives reduce the price incredibly...

Could use more rear-seat legroom, 76 miles of range is a bit on the low side compared to the competition…