Overview & Reviews

Introduced more than a decade ago, the Ford Focus was one of the first small cars from a domestic automaker that was truly competitive with traditionally more dominant models from Japan. An affordable price, sharp handling, expressive styling and availability in multiple body styles all contributed to making this one of Ford's most popular cars worldwide.

Since that time, Ford has gone on to introduce second and third generations of the Focus. Sadly, the second generation lost a lot of the mojo built up by the original, first-generation model and is hard to recommend as a used car. However, Ford has refocused its efforts for the latest Focus, and as such it stands as one of our top picks for a small hatchback or sedan.

Current Ford Focus
Available in sedan and four-door hatchback body styles, the Ford Focus boasts eye-catching styling and a sharply designed interior fitted with high-quality materials. There are three main trim levels: S, SE and Titanium, as well as an electric version. The high-performance Focus ST is reviewed separately.

The only engine available is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 160 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. Transmission choices include a five-speed manual and a six-speed automatic, the latter actually being a dual-clutch automated manual. Fuel economy is very good no matter what you pick, and with the available Super Fuel Economy package, the Focus earns a 33-mpg-combined estimate from the EPA.

If you don't want to use any gas at all, there's the Focus Electric, which is strictly battery-powered like Nissan's Leaf. Propelled by a 107-kilowatt (143-hp) electric drive motor and powered by a 23kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the Focus Electric has an estimated range of about 76 miles between charges. It can be recharged in just 4 hours from a 240-volt power source. Owners can also keep tabs on their electric Focus' charging state via smartphone integration.

Even the base Focus S comes with air-conditioning, full power features, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and a sound system with a CD player and auxiliary audio jack. Moving up through the trims gets you luxuries such as Ford's Sync voice-activated phone/audio interface, leather upholstery, a power driver seat, keyless ignition and entry, rear parking sensors and a rearview camera. There's also MyFord Touch, which features a large center touchscreen that minimizes button clutter. Options include a navigation system and an automated parallel parking assist system.

In reviews, we've been impressed by the Focus' refined road manners. Handling is sharp, with little body lean in the corners, while the steering is communicative and fairly quick. The ride is firm but well controlled over bumps. The 2.0-liter engine deserves praise as well, as it provides above-average performance and fuel economy. Changing gears with the five-speed manual transmission adds to the fun, though a sixth gear would be appreciated on longer freeway jaunts. The automatic is the one fly in the Focus' driving ointment, as it upshifts too quickly and is reluctant to downshift unless the throttle pedal is mashed to the floor.

Inside, the Focus boasts excellent materials, supportive seats and a hushed environment. Relative to its competitors, though, the backseat is a little cramped and the electronics interface can be unintuitive. But all in all, the Focus is a well-rounded, well-built economy car that is easy to recommend.

Used Ford Focus Models
A complete redesign of the Focus took place for 2012, and this generation represents massive improvements in the areas of cabin quality, overall performance and high-end features availability. Apart from subsequent minor equipment and trim level shuffling, these Foci are similar to the current model. The Focus Electric debuted for 2012.

The second-generation Focus ran from 2008-'11. It was available in coupe and sedan body styles until the final year, when only the sedan was offered. More squared-off styling distinguished it from the first Focus. Motivation was provided by a 2.0-liter inline-4 making 140 hp (130 in California-emissions states) hooked up to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Originally, the trim levels included base S, midgrade SE and sporty SES for both body styles. Ford's Sync system, which allowed voice control over cell phones and the audio system, was available and unusual for the economy car segment.

The following year the coupe's front fenders lost their glitzy chrome trim, and the trim levels were shuffled. Coupes were available in SE and SES trims, while the sedan came in S, SE, SES and leather-lined SEL trims. Stability control became optional but then was made standard for 2010.

A used Focus from this generation makes for a value-packed choice, but most competitors were stronger vehicles overall. It offered solid and reliable transportation with a few notable perks like the available Sync system, but the cabin lacked the more upscale materials quality that segment front-runners had. And although it offered a reasonably pleasant driving experience along with excellent fuel economy, its handling wasn't as finely honed as that of some sportier rivals such as the Mazda 3.

When the Ford Focus debuted for 2000, it was available as a two-door hatchback (ZX3) or as a sedan (ZX4) or wagon (ZXW). The base engine was an anemic SOHC 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine rated for 110 hp, or a preferable DOHC 2.0-liter engine called the Zetec that was good for 130 hp. Transmission choices were a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. These earlier Focus models went through a variety of changes, many of which are important to pay attention to if you're looking for a used Focus. In particular, Ford continually tinkered with the car's trim levels and availability of standard and optional features. From 2000-'04, the trim levels were typically base LX, midgrade SE and high-line ZTS. Antilock brakes and front-seat side airbags were optional equipment, and stability control was offered for a few years starting in 2001.

For 2002, Ford added a four-door hatchback (the "ZX5"). Starting in '04, the Focus gained an available 2.3-liter inline-4 that offered 145 hp and cleaner emissions. A 170-hp four-cylinder engine and a six-speed transmission were featured in the short-lived and rare Focus SVT hatchback. Coveted by young enthusiasts, the SVT Focus was offered as a hatchback from 2002-'04. For 2005, the Focus got a more modest refresh that provided cosmetic changes on the outside, a revised control layout inside and an updated engine lineup that included either a 136-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder or a 2.3-liter, four-cylinder engine that produced 151 hp (sedan only). The trim levels were renamed S, SE and SES. The wagon and hatchback were dropped after the '07 model year.

Our editors were quite fond of the Ford Focus in its earlier years, and the car earned Editors' Most Wanted award designations from 2000-'03. Although we consider the first-generation model a good, inexpensive buy on the used market, the Focus' reliability record hasn't been ideal, particularly regarding the 2000 models.

User Reviews:

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  Great little car - 2006 Ford Focus
  By Shelley - June 2 - 1:42 pm

  I love my Ford Focus and am so glad I purchased it last year. It getsÂ’s great gas mileage and drives well. The only drawback to this vehicle is that it isnt great in the snow beyond that I have no complaints. I would recommend this car to anyone looking for a reliable inexpensive automobile as long as youÂ’re less than 6 ft tall, my husband is a bit uncomfortable in the drivers seat. It has all the bells and whistles you need without the expensive price tag.

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  Great Car!!! - 2001 Ford Focus
  By Tyler Combs - June 1 - 5:47 am

  I got my car from a private sale in 2009. I have had it ever since. The only problem I ever had with the car was the fact that this particular model is known for its wheel bearings to go out very frequently. But once my mechanic changed brands of bearings it has worked great.

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  Fun, reliable commuter - 2006 Ford Focus
  By NHowner - May 31 - 9:09 pm

  5sp SES, owned since new, now 55k. Fun, practical, economical, even works well on long trips (for two adults). 33-38 mpg with manual trans on part- highway commute, taking it easy and using cruise. Never less than 30mpg, even with local stop and go. Stock Pirellis lasted 45k, now on all season Dunlop Signatures, better in snow, great in wet&dry. Only two repairs, under warranty: left rear door seal leak and power steering pump. Great in winter - heated seats, mirrors, traction control, ABS. SES interior for price is good. No squeaks or rattles. Some wind noise, but tolerable. 5sp is notchy, but you get used to it. Roomy trunk, rear seats fold nearly flat. View out back not so great

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  Love the space - 2004 Ford Focus
  By Beej - May 31 - 8:24 am

  This car is comfy to drive, with lots of cargo space. I love the large rear window so I can see out back. From the beginning I have had some skidding probs with the tires and now at 28000 miles am told I need new ones. Thats disappointing.

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  Fantastically built and fun to drive - 2001 Ford Focus
  By Bart314 - May 29 - 2:00 am

  The Focus ZX3 is an astonishing little car. It is light and nible and relatively powerful and the interior design and ergonomics are the best of any small car. Sometimes while driving to work I see BMWs and think how close I came to buying a cramped ZX3 and how much overally pleasure I get from driving my sporty Focus with its sunroof.

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  Fabulous Focus - 2003 Ford Focus
  By danielle71 - May 29 - 2:00 am

  This car is very reliable, sporty and fun to drive. Its a great car!

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  Worst mistake weve ever made - 2012 Ford Focus
  By Courtney - May 28 - 1:11 am

  Buying this car was the biggest mistake we ever made. Its given us nothing but problem after problem after problem. Bought it at 36k miles, its now at 80k. Most days my husband takes my 2001 Chevy Lumina to work to avoid driving this plague of a vehicle. It is quite literally a hazard on the road. It shifts terribly, and at lights, you have to accelerate cautiously because theres no way of knowing if the car is suddenly going to upshift 2 gears from a dead stop and rear end the car in front of you. People think I dont know how to drive when they see me trying to drive out of a parking lot at low speed, which this car is not capable of doing, because its constantly trying to upshift or downshift and causing you to rocket forward and then you have to brake to slow down. And the brakes are extremely touchy on this car, far too much so. Ford has sent bulletin after bulletin asking car owners to bring their Focuses in for repairs on the clutch and transmission. The last time we did that, the very next day, the car got stuck in 2nd gear on the highway which prevented it from going over 25mph and my husband almost got into a wreck. We had to have our insurance tow the car to the dealership because Ford refused to come out. Then they kept our car for 11 days!!! They said it would be a one day repair but I got excuse after excuse when I called asking where my car was. They did NOT offer us a loaner during those 11 days. We finally gave up and although our Ford drives like its on its last legs (which it probably is), we arent letting Ford touch it again. The next time we bring it to a dealership, were coming home with a replacement car. We paid $16,000 for this car less than 2 years ago and its worth less than $10,000. STAY AWAY FROM THIS CAR.

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  Had to replace Pirelli tires - 2007 Ford Focus
  By Brittll - May 25 - 7:52 pm

  We bought this for our daughter when she graduated from high school. Its a great little car and gets excellent gas mileage. She drove to Florida last August to do a internship at Walt Disney World and just this month her father and I flew to Orlando to drive back home with her. Lots of room in the vehicle and my husband is over 6. My only complaint is that when we went to come home we had the oil changed and noticed the rear tires were completely bald, front tires still looked good so we had the front tires put on the back and new ones on the front. Drove 1500 miles and now the rear tires are bald. I will never own another set of Pirellis.

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  Friends dont let friends.... - 2001 Ford Focus
  By kevjalittell - May 24 - 10:00 am

  Buy Focuss. this car has been nothing but trouble. Emissions sensors pop and the dealerships want me to rent a car for 3 days so they can fix it under warranty. UGGHHHH...If the value of the vehicle wasnt dropping so fast Id sell or trade but I financed it for 4 years with 15% down and Im STILL upside down on it. 26MPG is average with the AT. The interior is starting to fall out of it....It eats tires and wont keep alignment on either axle. Brakes on front end cost $375.00 in PARTS ALONE because they dont have squealers...Pad wear out and overheat the calipers...

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  2004 Focus SVT - 2004 Ford Focus
  By NJMike - May 24 - 10:00 am

  This car lives up to all the positive reviews its earned from all major publications. Its a total hoot to drive - and you get a $2500 rebate to boot! This car flies, handles like a dream and is functional too - guaranteed to put a grin on your face. The only bad news - you may not be able to find any 2004s left - maybe a 2 door here or there.... and Ford isnt making a 2005 SVT Focus (go figure). If you can find one, dont hesitate - buy it. My car has the audiophile system and sunroof, all for under $18K after the rebate. And you get to blow the doors off almost all the Civic, Eclipse, Impreza and Jetta drivers out there.