Verdict
The Ford Focus Sedan Mk3 (C346) FL costs RM18,252 more at RM131,986, but it brings a 180 hp/240 Nm 1.5-litre turbo, against the earlier car’s 170 hp/202 Nm 2.0-litre unit, while rated consumption falls from 6.6 to 5.6 L/100 km. Its RM90 annual road tax is also far below RM380. For a Malaysian buyer, the facelift is the more complete package: it adds blind-spot monitoring, Enhanced Active City Stop, collision warning and auto parking. The Mk3 still makes sense only if its lower entry price and six-way powered driver’s seat matter more than those gains.
Pick the Ford Focus Sedan Mk3 if you want the RM113,734 entry point and a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat.
Pick the Ford Focus Sedan Mk3 (C346) FL if you want 240 Nm, 5.6 L/100 km rated economy and a far broader active-safety kit.
Key differences
- Price: Ford Focus Sedan Mk3 RM113,734; Ford Focus Sedan Mk3 (C346) FL RM131,986.
- Power and torque: Mk3 170 hp and 202 Nm; FL 180 hp and 240 Nm.
- Engine and transmission: Mk3 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol with six-speed dry dual-clutch; FL 1.
- Rated economy and CO2: Mk3 6.6 L/100 km and 156 g/km; FL 5.6 L/100 km and 137 g/km.
- Road tax: Mk3 RM380 per year; FL RM90 per year.
- Driver assistance and parking: Mk3 has four rear parking sensors; FL has blind-spot monitoring, Enhanced Active City Stop, collision warning, six front and…
Mk3
- RM18,252 lower listed price.
- Six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat versus four-way in the FL.
- Same 421-litre boot, 2,648 mm wheelbase and 16-inch wheels as the FL.
- 170 hp and 202 Nm trail the FL’s 180 hp and 240 Nm.
- Rated at 6.6 L/100 km and 156 g/km, versus 5.6 L/100 km and 137 g/km.
- No blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking, collision warning or auto parking.
Mk3 (C346) FL
- 180 hp and 240 Nm from the 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine.
- RM90 annual road tax versus RM380 for the Mk3.
- Adds blind-spot monitoring, Enhanced Active City Stop, collision warning and auto parking.
- Costs RM131,986, RM18,252 more than the Mk3.
- Four-way powered driver’s seat has two fewer adjustment directions than the Mk3’s six-way unit.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM113,734✓ | RM131,986 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM380 | RM90✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve, DOHC, direct fuel injection, normally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve, DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,999 cc | 1,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 170 hp | 180 hp✓ |
| Torque | 202 Nm | 240 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 87.5 mm | 79 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 12 | 10 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Dry) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Powershift DPS6 (6DCT250) | SelectShift (6F35) |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Getrag | Ford/GM |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | —✓ | 8.7 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 6.6 L/100 km | 5.6 L/100 km✓ |
| Top Speed | — | 222 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | 156 g/km | 137 g/km✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,534 mm | 4,534 mm |
| Width | 1,823 mm | 1,823 mm |
| Height | 1,466 mm | 1,484 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,648 mm | 2,648 mm |
| Fuel Tank | 55 litres | 55 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 421 litres | 421 litres |
| Front Tyre | 205/60R16 | 205/60R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/60R16 | 205/60R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Thailand (CBU) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack And Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack And Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control |
| ANCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtains |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for outer two rear passenger seats | Available for outer two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Enhanced Active City Stop |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | No |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | Normal Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 6-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat | 4-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Sunroof | — | Front, tilt and slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear | 2 Front, 1 Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | Sony Radio CD/MP3 Player with Bluetooth, Voice Recognition and 9 Speakers | 8" Ford SYNC 2 with 9-speaker Sony Premium Audio |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down With Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down With Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | — | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 years | 3 years |
| Warranty Extended | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Notes | 3-year/60,000 km free service | 3-year / 60,000 km free service |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
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Mk3 vs Mk3 (C346) FL FAQ
Is the Ford Focus Sedan Mk3 or Ford Focus Sedan Mk3 (C346) FL better?
The Ford Focus Sedan Mk3 (C346) FL is better equipped and more efficient, with 180 hp, 240 Nm, 5.6 L/100 km, blind-spot monitoring and Enhanced Active City Stop. The Mk3 is cheaper and has a six-way powered driver’s seat.
What is the price difference?
The Ford Focus Sedan Mk3 is RM113,734 and the Ford Focus Sedan Mk3 (C346) FL is RM131,986, a difference of RM18,252.
Which Focus has lower annual road tax and better rated fuel economy?
The Ford Focus Sedan Mk3 (C346) FL does. Its annual road tax is RM90 against RM380 for the Mk3, and its rated fuel consumption is 5.6 L/100 km versus 6.6 L/100 km.