Focus sedan II vs Kalina I: which is better?
Ford Focus sedan II (2004–2011) vs Lada Kalina I (2004–2013): specs, fuel economy, tax and common problems.
Ford Focus sedan II
Lada Kalina ISpecifications
| Ford Focus sedan II | Lada Kalina I | |
|---|---|---|
| Production years | 2004–2011 | 2004–2013 |
| Body | sedan | sedan |
| Fuel | petrol | petrol |
| Engines | 1.6 Duratec | 1.6 8V |
| Power, up to | 100 hp | 81 hp |
| Torque, up to | 143 Nm | 125 Nm |
| Gearbox | manual | manual |
| Drive | front-wheel drive | front-wheel drive |
| Length | 4 481 mm | 4 040 mm |
| Width | 1 839 mm | 1 700 mm |
| Height | 1 497 mm | 1 500 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2 640 mm | 2 476 mm |
| Fuel tank | 55 L | 50 L |
| KZ tax 2026 (car under 10 years) | ≈ 13 675 ₸ | ≈ 13 675 ₸ |
The better value is highlighted in green.
Pros, cons and common problems
Ford Focus sedan II
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
- Ford 6F35/6F50/4F27E gearbox: valve body and solenoid wear
Engine (Ford Duratec/Zetec/EcoBoost): on Duratec — timing belt and ignition coil wear; on EcoBoost — overheating and coolant leaks on the 1.6.
Gearbox (Ford 6F35/6F50/4F27E): valve body and solenoid wear; shift shocks.
Lada Kalina I
Pros
- Local assembly: Russia
- Sold in all major markets of the region — parts and mechanics available
Cons
- Engine VAZ (1.5–1.6): timing belt failure: bends valves on some engines
- Modest power: up to 81 hp
Engine (VAZ (1.5–1.6)): timing belt snapping: bends valves on some engines; sensor and thermostat failures; valve cover leak.
Which one to choose
- Focus sedan II — if you care more about: power, torque, wheelbase, fuel tank.
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 II or Kalina I?
Focus sedan II: up to 100 hp, Kalina I: up to 81 hp.
What is the vehicle tax in Kazakhstan?
For 2026, for a car under 10 years old: Focus sedan II — about 13 675 ₸, Kalina I — about 13 675 ₸ (base engine). A 0.7 factor applies to cars aged 10–20 years and 0.5 to cars over 20.