Used 2012 Ford Focus SE for sale 

The 2012 Ford Focus is available in two body styles: sedan and hatchback, where the hatchback is reviewed separately. The sedan is offered in four trims, namely S, SE, SEL, and Titanium. It falls in a price range that extends from $16,500 for its base variant and goes up to $22,200 for its top-rack variant. All these variants come standard with features like keyless entry, air-conditioning, power locks and mirrors, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, and a four-speaker sound system. 

We Recommend

The 2012 Ford Focus lineup is powered by the same engine but with two different transmission systems out of the box. We recommend going for the SE trim as it's mated to a five-speed manual transmission that's really a joy to shift around, and it also comes loaded with an ample amount of features.

The 2012 Ford Focus is powered by a 2.0-liter inline-four engine that induces 160 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque. The S and SE trims are coupled to a five-speed manual transmission, while the SEL and Titanium variants get mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

In terms of performance, the Ford Focus with a 2.0-liter Inline-4 engine can reach 60 mph in 8.2 seconds and complete a quarter-mile in 16.2 seconds. In the top speed test, the Ford Focus records 123 MPH.

In comparison, both Chevrolet Cruze and Hyundai Elantra are equipped with a 1.8-liter I4 engine with 138 and 148 horses of power, respectively. All cars in the segment are available as front-wheel-drive variants only. The Cruze takes 8.1 seconds to hit 60 mph and 16.2 seconds for the quarter-mile, while the Elantra clocks 8.1 seconds and 16.5 seconds respectively in the acceleration test and quarter-mile run.

The 2012 Ford Focus offers a good economy, and it introduced a new Super Fuel Economy package that increases the range by 10%. With the standard offering, it gives a mileage of 26 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. It features a fuel tank of 12.4 gallons capacity, which is the largest in this segment. With full tank capacity, the Ford Focus can run for 322.4 mi in the city and 446.4 mi on the highway.

When compared, the Hyundai Elantra and Chevrolet Cruze offer relatively the same mileage, managing 29 and 32 MPG, respectively. The Elantra and Cruze come with a fuel tank of 12.8 and 15.6 gallons, respectively, which is above average in this segment. In terms of range, both cars outperform the Ford Focus due to their large fuel tanks.

The 2012 Ford Focus also ups the game inside. The new Focus features a luxurious interior that’s on par with its competitors in this segment. It is quiet and appealing with some of the best quality materials available for this class. It features a cockpit-like gauge cluster that offers plenty of digital options, but it may look clumsy and complicated to many.

Behind the wheel, we get some good quality seats even in its base trim, while the higher trims offer leather upholstery. We get a leather-wrapped steering wheel that is sturdy and feels premium. It offers ample legroom and headroom that can accommodate five tall adults easily. It offers a cargo space of 13.2 cu.-ft, which seems lesser on paper but is sufficient enough in practical use. 

In comparison, the Hyundai Elantra and Chevrolet Cruze can seat 5 people too. The Cruze offers ample cargo space of 15.4 cu.ft, which is the largest in this segment, while the Elantra offers 14.9 cu.-ft of cargo space. When comparing the headroom in the rear row, Ford Focus offers the most at 38 inches. Some salient interior features of Ford Focus include:

• Standard air conditioning
• Standard upholstery leather seats
• Power locks and mirrors
• A tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
• Power adjustment for driver seat

2012 Ford Focus’s infotainment system

The infotainment system in the 2012 Ford Focus is complicated a bit, and the touch screen controls are quite easy. It offers a touchscreen with MyFord Touch that acts as the powerhouse for all the infotainment. It has all the standard features like Bluetooth connectivity, HD Radio, and a four-speaker sound system. Some other salient features include:

• MyFord Touch
• Bluetooth Connectivity for phone and audio streaming
• CD Player
• HD Radio
• AM/FM Stereo
• Auxiliary audio jack

The 2012 Ford Focus sports an all-new design. Unlike its previous generation, the Ford Focus now has an eye-catchy styling with a tint of sportiness to it. At first sight, we can notice Ford's traditional rising beltline design that runs all the way deep to the taillights.

The headlights and taillights are large enough to fill out the corners. The Ford Focus has a total curb weight of 2,907 lbs. It is 178.5 inches long and sports a wheelbase of 104.3 inches. It is 71.8 inches wide, which is pretty good in this segment. While its ground clearance is 4.7 inches, the Ford Focus stands at a total height of 57.7 inches.

In the competition, the Chevrolet Cruze is the heaviest car in the segment, while the Hyundai Elantra is the lightest, weighing 4,321 and 2,701 lbs, respectively. The Cruze is 181.0 inches long, and it holds the best wheelbase in the competition at 110.2 inches. The Elantra is 178.3 inches long with a wheelbase of 106.3 inches. Some standout exterior features of the Ford Focus include:

• 15-inch steel wheels
• Optional 16-17 inch alloy wheels
• Automatic Headlights
• Rear spoiler
• Power front windows

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash-tested the Ford Focus and awarded it with a five-star rating for overall crash protection, five stars for the overall side protection, and four stars for front protection. All the variants of Ford Focus come equipped with some standard features like traction control, anti-lock disc brakes, front side airbags, and side curtain airbags. In the deceleration test, the Ford Focus came to a halt from 60 mph in 135 feet. Some other safety specifications include:

• Electronic stability system with traction control
• Ford Sync system
• Adaptive headlights
• Emergency crash notification feature
• Ford’s MyKey system
• Front-seat side-impact airbags and side curtain airbags

The 2012 Ford Focus sedan is a bang for the buck, delivering efficient performance and a classy interior. If you are looking for a sedan that offers a smooth ride, sturdy steering, and exceptional handling, Ford Focus is tailor-made for you. Wait, it offers some of the best cabin tech and comfort too. All in all, the Ford Focus Sedan is a decent option in the segment.