Monthly Archives: June 2014

2014, Focus, Ford, Interviews

2014 Ford Focus SE

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Would just like to give Ford a special thank you for letting us take this Focus out for a quick spin.

Pros

  • Great cargo space
  • Quite cabin ride
  • Stylish looks
  • Good tech features
  • Heated cloth seats

Cons

  • Automatic has slow response
  • Confusing technology
  • Small back seats
Specs

Engine size: 2.0 four cylinder
Horse power: 160 @ 6500 RPM
Torque:  146 @4450 RPM
EPA:  26 city /36 highway

Exterior

The exterior of the new 2014 Ford Focus is outstanding! The Focus has a very stylish look to it giving the customer a great first impression based on looks.  The Ford Focus is available in both a sedan and hatchback version if more room is needed.

Interior

The Ford Focus we drove was the Focus SE. This model had a gray and black cloth interior. The available packages allow for different colored interiors including two toned models like the one we test drove. Leather is an option for the Focus in models such as the SE with appearance package or the Focus Electric. The front seats of the Focus also provide you with the option for heated seats, which makes for a warm winter ride! The rear seats weren’t to bad but leg room may be a problem for someone a bit taller. Overall Ford provides the customer with many great options for the interior in the Ford Focus.

Ford also provides you with decent audio in base model Focus’s. There is an option to upgrade to the Ford MyTouch package which comes with a great 10 speaker system.  The Ford MyTouch isn’t as great as it may sound. Although a 10 speaker system sounds awesome, it comes with a bunch of confusing features. The overall technology for the Focus seems a bit to confusing to use. The many buttons make it a bit intimidating to look at.

Performance/ Drive

The Ford Focus is powered by a 2.0 four cylinder engine equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The 5-speed manual is also an option for those who like to have some fun and feel in control.  The Focus S and SE both make 160 HP and 146 Torque. For those who feel like that isn’t enough power Ford also offers the Ford Focus ST which is powered by Fords 2.0 EcoBoost motor producing an amazing 252 HP @5500 RPM and 270 torque @ 2500 RPM.

The overall drive on the Focus we test drove was decent at most. The ride was pretty smooth and relatively comfortable. Road noise was not an issue in the Focus, no abnormal noises as you drove the car. It also had a pretty surprising turning radius.  The only extreme downfall that was brought to our attention while driving this vehicle was the automatic transmission seemed a bit late on responding.  As the gas pedal was pressed it took the Focus some time to respond. This downfall of course could easily be fixed by obtaining the 5-speed manual in the vehicle.

Summary

The Ford Focus comes with many different packages to suit the need of its buyer. Ford really nailed the exterior looks on the Focus, making it a great looking car up close and from a far. The overall performance of the Focus is great as well besides the sluggish automatic transmission. With decent power and great gas mileage this makes the Focus a great car to consider if you’re in the market for something simple.

 

2014, Buick, Interviews, Verano

2014 Buick Verano

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Compact Luxury Sedan

Pros

  • sport mode
  • audio
  • seating
  • styling

Cons

  • small rear seats
  • Buick Link
  • powered seats
  • leather appointed
  • throttle response

Specs

  • 2.4L ECOTEC engine
    • 180 hp @ 6700 rpm
    • 171 lb-ft of torque @ 4900 rpm
    • EPA 21 city / 32 highway
  • 2.0L + Turbo DOHC VTT
    • 250 hp @ 5300 rpm
    • 260 lb-ft of torque @ 2000 rpm
    • 6 speed manual; EPA 20 city / 31 highway
    • EPA 21 city / 30 highway
  • Drivetrain: FWD
  • Safety: 10 Air Bags, Side Blind Zone Alert

Exterior

As with our first InteRview on the Buick Encore, the Verano shares the same new Buick styling.  The Verano is an entry model to the compact or small luxury sedan market.  Buick gave themselves a face-lift with their sleek new look and re-design.  The front grill / fascia is accented with halogen lamps, hopefully future models will be equipped with LED accents.  The fog lamps are nicely placed with a front vent.  The rear also looks like it inherited some attitude from the ‘new’ pre 2014 Chevrolet Camaro, (lets not talk about the new tail lights on the 2014 Camaros – we will save that for our Camaro InteRview).

Interior

The model we drove was the Leather group, as we entered we did not exactly smell pure leather but it was a very nice interior.  The description said leather-appointed which may mean many things, we believe their was a bit of vinyl or leatherette involved.  None the less the seating quality was nice and was accented with a light silver (color) finished material.  The seating was quite comfortable for both driver and passenger, taller / larger rear passengers may have a bit of trouble finding themselves comfortable.  This model however did not have power seats which I have been a costumed to, on a plus side it did have manual pump style height adjustment.

As we mentioned in the in the Encore post, the Buick IntelliLink System is not the friendliest to learn.  But with practice it is quite nice. The screen size is small but the screen is crisp enough to read the content.  The Verano also came equipped with a rear visibility camera, and as its cross-over cousin it also does not have an guide lines or measure markets when using the back up camera.

The premium Bose sound system is exquisite compared to what was featured in the Encore we InteRviewed.

Performance / Drive

No.  As the dealership did not have any of the 2.0 Turbos for us to drive, we were left with the 2.4L Automatic.  The Encore with a bigger body and a smaller engine felt more responsive than the Verano. Throwing her in the ‘sport” auto-manual mode was a complete different story.  The car felt actually fun and worth it to drive, it was as if i was driving a whole new vehicle.  I can only imagine what the 2.0 Turbo felt like, especially the manual.

The vehicle rode like a sedan, not as forgiving as the Encore but not nearly as stiff as its upper class competition luxury vehicles.

Summary

As an entry level luxury vehicle the base model comes equipped with what seems like the beginning of a new standard, Bluetooth connectivity, back up camera, and halogen lights to name a few.  It allows a more diverse group of people to be able to have the features they want in a vehicle.  The vehicle gets great gas mileage with any of the avail options, without driving the Turbo I recommend going with the Turbo for the extra amount vs the traditional engine.  If that proper amount of power that should be there is not something you enjoy, then you should practice driving in auto-manual :-)

Additional Sources

Buick.com

2014, Buick, Encore, Interviews

2014 Buick Encore

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Small Luxury Cross-Over

This Encore was mistakenly brought to us as we were looking to InteRview a Verano.  The sales associate brought this and we took it for a spin.

Pros

  • smooth ride
  • braking
  • premium interior
  • back up cam
  • trunk space
  • mpg

Cons

  • Buick IntelliLink System
  • throttle response
  • audio

Specs

  • 1.4L Turbo ECOTEC engine
  • 138 hp @ 4900 – 6000 RPM
  • 148 lb-ft of torque @ 1850-4900 RPM
  • Drivetrain: FWD & AWD
  • Safety: 10 Air Bags, Side Blind Zone Alert
  • EPA  25 city / 33 highway
Exterior

The exterior of this vehicle and the newly designed Buicks are simply beautiful.  It is where a bit of class meets a bit of mean.  They are well designed and make on lookers take a second guess at what they are gawking at.  The front grill on the new Buick’s etches out and gives it a bit of aggression.  As well as the six (three on each side) mini hood scoops – which are only design elements – none the less they add a nice touch.  The vehicle actually sits quite small and looks a bit stubby from the outside, but looks can be deceiving looking on the inside out.

Interior

The model we drove had the leather package.  As a man who does not like a tan colored interior, this looked quite nice and went well with the color scheme and accented wood trim.  Always a plus with leather is the heated seats option.  The power adjusted seats were also a nice touch.  The steering wheel felt very nice in hand.

The front and rear seats had adequate seating space for passengers of all sizes.  Rear folding down center console / cup-holder was nice, but I feel that these rarely get used.  The Encore had great traditional trunk space.  It also had a rear cover (removable) that was attached to the door would lift / lower to conceal the storage.  When extra space is required, the rear seats fold down very easily in a 60/40 split to grant the additional storage.

On the other hand we found that the Buick Link system was a bit hard to use.  Or at least a bit to intimidating for new owners.  There was a cluster of buttons all close together, sure they had the same traditional icons for pause, play, next, etc… but it felt like cleaning a bundle of hay that broke its cross straps.  The small screen size on the display did not help either.  Like anything, with a bit of practice the system is usable.  The system sound quality and volume were extremely lacking.  If you are a music lover or enjoy good quality music, an upgrade to Bose system is offered.

Performance / Drive

As the saying goes ‘do not judge a book by its cover;’ I was a bit guilty going into the driver seat on the Encore.  The vehicle comes equipped with a 1.4L turbo-ed engine; and that really is not saying much but this thing drove on clouds.  Sure the throttle response was noticeable when accelerating but what would you expect with a small engine in a some what big grocery getter like this?  What surprised me the most was how comfortable the ride was.  This past winter took a huge toll on Michigan roads and I did not feel a thing.  I purposely drove over rough patches and the Encore took them like a champ.  Trying to get a feel for the braking system safely, they were very responsive and the vehicle came to a complete stop without a stutter on a hard brake.

Buick is taking charge in adding rear back up cameras in their vehicle getting ahead in the new laws being legislated*.  The Encore comes equipped with a back up camera.  One thing to note is the current camera / software did not have any guidelines or measure markers.  It was simply a camera to grant visibility behind you.  I felt that without the guides I parked better using the traditional look behind shoulder and watch the curb method.  Still nice to have for those who have trouble knowing when to stop or to simply check if there are any children or animals before backing up.  Kudos Buick.

Summary

The Encore offers great features, especially for its pricing.  The packages are simple to choose from and it allows many to taste a bit of luxury.  With the roomy space and comfortable interior this is an excellent choice for a family on a budget.  The MPG is an estimated 25 city / 33 highway which is nice for the size of the vehicles.

Additional Sources

NHTSA Rear Visibility Technology

Buick.com