Focus sedan I vs Accent LC (TagAZ): which is better?
Ford Focus sedan I (1998–2005) vs Hyundai Accent LC (TagAZ) (2000–2012): specs, fuel economy, tax and common problems.
Ford Focus sedan I
Hyundai Accent LC (TagAZ)Specifications
| Ford Focus sedan I | Hyundai Accent LC (TagAZ) | |
|---|---|---|
| Production years | 1998–2005 | 2000–2012 |
| Body | sedan | sedan |
| Fuel | petrol | petrol |
| Engines | 1.6 Zetec | 1.5 16V |
| Power, up to | 100 hp | 102 hp |
| Torque, up to | 145 Nm | 134 Nm |
| Gearbox | manual | manual |
| Drive | front-wheel drive | front-wheel drive |
| Length | 4 362 mm | 4 260 mm |
| Width | 1 702 mm | 1 670 mm |
| Height | 1 430 mm | 1 395 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2 615 mm | 2 440 mm |
| Ground clearance | — | 160 mm |
| Fuel tank | 55 L | 45 L |
| KZ tax 2026 (car under 10 years) | ≈ 13 675 ₸ | ≈ 8 650 ₸ |
The better value is highlighted in green.
Pros, cons and common problems
Ford Focus sedan I
Pros
- Sold in all major markets of the region — parts and mechanics available
Cons
- Ford Duratec/Zetec/EcoBoost engine: Duratec suffers timing belt and ignition coil wear
- Age: the last cars were built in 2005, condition is everything
Engine (Ford Duratec/Zetec/EcoBoost): on Duratec — timing belt and ignition coil wear; on EcoBoost — overheating and coolant leaks on the 1.6.
Hyundai Accent LC (TagAZ)
Pros
- Sold in all major markets of the region — parts and mechanics available
Cons
- Hyundai/Kia Alpha engine (1.4–1.5): timing belt wear
- Small tank: 45 L
Engine (Hyundai/Kia Alpha (1.4–1.5)): timing belt wear; oil consumption at high mileage.
Which one to choose
- Focus sedan I — if you care more about: torque, wheelbase, fuel tank.
- Accent LC (TagAZ) — if you care more about: power, kz tax 2026.
The condition of a specific car matters more than the model: check the service history and get the engine and gearbox inspected before buying.
FAQ
Which is more powerful: Focus sedan I or Accent LC (TagAZ)?
Focus sedan I: up to 100 hp, Accent LC (TagAZ): up to 102 hp.
What is the vehicle tax in Kazakhstan?
For 2026, for a car under 10 years old: Focus sedan I — about 13 675 ₸, Accent LC (TagAZ) — about 8 650 ₸ (base engine). A 0.7 factor applies to cars aged 10–20 years and 0.5 to cars over 20.