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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  Good ride for the $$$ - 2003 Ford Focus
  By VS - January 27 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my 2.3L 5SPD ZX5 for about 3 months now. Overall its a VERY well equiped car for the money with Fords rebates ($3K.) One of the very few 5 doors hatchbacks on the market it offers a lot of cargo space with the back seats (which fold virtually flat) down. One major gripe is the drivers seat. Dont know who designed it but the shape is HORRIBLE. Im average hight and build and cannot make it comfortable... tried all possible adjustments.

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  Awesome car to own - 2008 Ford Focus
  By bradh70 - January 27 - 1:55 am

  This is a very nice handling car. It gets great fuel mileage. I owned a 2001 Focus that I hated, it had every proplem in the world. The 2008 Focus is extremly well built. I would recomend this car to anyone. The only problem is the leg room in the back seat is tight and there is no rear seat dome light. Thats all I can say bad about the car.

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  For the price, you gotta look at it. - 2008 Ford Focus
  By Sisao Tresed - January 25 - 7:54 pm

  My daughter took my Honda Civic to college. She said she had fallen in love with it during the summer and it was no use to try to pry it from her hands. I had rented a few Focuses and always enjoyed their pure simple performance. went over to Ford to look at one. Finances were tight. I ended up buying an SES 2 Dr. with all the bells and whistles. The price put the imports to shame. No, its not a Beemer or an Audi. But I bought in on my credit card! It was half the price of the cars we had looked at. It goes very well, it can corner, and it can get up and go with that smooth 5-speed. It shines up real well, and even the Pirellis hold their own on tough surfaces. Im happy!

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  Worst car ever - 2004 Ford Focus
  By pos svt - January 25 - 2:35 am

  This is by far the worst car I have ever owned. I bought the car about a year ago with less than 50,000 miles and $6400 in repairs later its still not right. I have replaced the A/C compressor and condensor, the swaybar twice, gauge cluster and I have had countless electrical problems. I just noticed that the 4th thermostat housing is leaking. The car surges while driving down the road and the dual mass flywheel is constantly chattering. When the car is running its a blast to drive, but that really doesnt matter when it breaks down at least once a month.

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  Do Not Buy One - 2008 Ford Focus
  By cchrisman - January 24 - 6:38 pm

  The automatic transmission has problems with this vehicle. Stay away from it. I bought a 2008 Focus program car last week with 11,000 miles on it. I thought it drove very nice, etc., when I test drove it. I was not really familiar with how it was to actually perform. Driving a loaner vehicle of same type 2008 Focus SE automatic transmission, I knew something was wrong with the one I purchased. I was told by the dealership nothing was wrong with the transmission, even though the engine screams at 60 mhp because it is not shifting, I was told the car would acclimate itself to me, and shift after it got used to me? Do not buy one, this transmission problem is on the net. Last Ford for me

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  I Love This Car! - 2008 Ford Focus
  By Marla - January 23 - 4:30 pm

  I love this car. The concern I had about power vanished on the drive home when it easily went up the long steep hills coming into town. Merging into high-speed interstate traffic is a breeze. Its full of pep and handles great. Fun to drive. It shifts quietly. The seats sit high, unlike my previous car where I felt as if I were sitting in a hole. After only 600 miles, Im getting about 29 MPG, and it continues to rise. The interior lights at night are well designed and very attractive. I love the functions on the odometer, such as estimated miles to empty & estimated MPG. The car is very pretty, from the pin stripes on the side to the chrome inserts on front panel. Its a great little car!

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  Transmission will kill you - 2012 Ford Focus
  By Tony - January 23 - 2:12 pm

  The redesigned transmission for this model is completely flawed. Been stuck on the freeway and unable to even shift my car into neutral to move it two separate times. The Ford delearships have refused or been unable to permanently fix it. The resale value of the car is now garbage and i will have to eat the cost for trade-in. My car was bought certified pre-owned with 6k miles on it and had transmission problems from the beginning. Ford has lied to its consumers about this car and its going to get people killed. Dont buy and stop considering this car..

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  Bad/Scary - 2000 Ford Focus
  By Iseolde - January 23 - 11:26 am

  The car was bought used and was only two years old at the time of purchase. After only 5 months of owning the car I discovered a major problem with loss of vehicle power during turning at a normal speed, which later became a recall on this vehicle. (Almost had several collisions due to this problem) The first time I called the Ford Co. about the problem they said their had been no similar reports. Also I had taken the car to the dealership 3 times for repair of this problem, which was finally solved when Ford sent me a recall notice. This was the first of several other recalls I had to have fixed. Every year something major has gone wrong, costing usually around 1K. Please spare yourself!

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  Best of the Best - 2007 Ford Focus
  By Deborah Loudermilk - January 21 - 2:11 pm

  3rd one. Have rented a variety of vehicles for our trips. Drove my 1st Focus and said “I want this this car”. Brought one in 1998, then in 2000 (had over 200,000 miles w/no problems) and then traded it in for my third one. Travel about 120 miles a day and just thought it was time, each was an exceptional car. For a compact car it’s versatility is good, plently of room, especially head room. I recomend this car for fuel efficency, good city MPG/very good hwy MPG, has good accelertion. Nice riding car and very comfortable on trips. It’s underpriced considering its quality and reliablity. It’s everything I needed and more. When I’m ready to trade-in for a new vehicle, it will be another Focus!

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  GET FOCUSED - 2004 Ford Focus
  By TWEDER8002 - January 21 - 2:00 am

  THIS IS AN EXCELENT CAR. I WOULD RECOMENED IT TO ANYONE. THE REST OF THE SVT LINE OF CARS ARE ALSO AWESOME LOOK OUT FOR THE 2005 LIGHTINING NEW DESIGN 500 HORSES AND 550 ft/Lbs TORQUE. THE SVT FOCUS IS THE FUNEST CAR IVE EVER DRIVEN