Verdict
The Ford Focus Sedan Mk3 (C346) FL costs RM18,252 more at RM131,986, but its 1.5 litre turbo brings 180 hp and 240 Nm from 1,600 rpm, against 170 hp and 202 Nm at 4,550 rpm in the Mk3. It also cuts rated consumption from 6.6 to 5.6 L/100 km and annual road tax from RM380 to RM90. Crucially for a Malaysian used-car buyer, the FL adds curtain airbags, blind-spot monitoring and Enhanced Active City Stop. The Mk3 is the cheaper entry, but the facelift is the substantially better-equipped choice.
Pick the Ford Focus Sedan Mk3 if RM113,734 is the limit and you want the six-way powered driver’s seat rather than the facelift’s four-way item.
Pick the Ford Focus Sedan Mk3 (C346) FL if you want 240 Nm from 1,600 rpm, six airbags and the lower RM90 annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: RM113,734 for the Mk3 versus RM131,986 for the Mk3 (C346) FL.
- Power and torque: 170 hp/202 Nm for the Mk3 versus 180 hp/240 Nm for the FL.
- Rated fuel use: 6.6 L/100 km for the Mk3 versus 5.6 L/100 km for the FL.
- Annual road tax: RM380 for the Mk3 versus RM90 for the FL.
- Airbags: four in the Mk3 versus six, including front and rear curtain airbags, in the FL.
- Driver’s seat adjustment: six-way power in the Mk3 versus four-way power in the FL.
Mk3
- RM18,252 lower purchase price.
- Six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat.
- Same 421-litre boot and 2,648 mm wheelbase as the FL.
- 170 hp and 202 Nm, versus the FL’s 180 hp and 240 Nm.
- 6.6 L/100 km rated economy and RM380 annual road tax, versus 5.6 L/100 km and RM90.
- Four airbags and no blind-spot monitoring, collision warning or Enhanced Active City Stop.
Mk3 (C346) FL
- 180 hp and 240 Nm from 1,600 rpm.
- Six airbags, blind-spot monitoring, collision warning and Enhanced Active City Stop.
- 5.6 L/100 km rated economy and RM90 annual road tax.
- Costs RM131,986, RM18,252 more than the Mk3.
- Four-way powered driver’s seat, versus six-way power adjustment in the Mk3.
| 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 at 6,500 rpm | 180 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 202 Nm at 4,550 rpm | 240 Nm at 1,600 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 87.5 mm × 83.1 mm | 79 mm × 81.4 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 | 4 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side) | 6 (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.
Used cars for sale
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. It has 180 hp, 240 Nm, six airbags, blind-spot monitoring and Enhanced Active City Stop, while the Mk3 has 170 hp, 202 Nm and four airbags.
What is the price difference?
The Ford Focus Sedan Mk3 (C346) FL costs RM131,986 versus RM113,734 for the Mk3, a difference of RM18,252.
Which Focus Sedan has lower running costs?
The Mk3 (C346) FL has the lower quoted running figures: 5.6 L/100 km versus 6.6 L/100 km, 137 g/km of CO2 versus 156 g/km, and RM90 annual road tax versus RM380.
