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:

• 

  Terrible car transmission is horrible - 2015 Ford Focus
  By chuck1953 - June 14 - 12:27 am

  This car should be removed from the market until the transmission is completely reworked and a recall done on all those that have been sold. I have had mine about a week and I think the transmission is complete crap. It slips, shudders, jitters, and surges when starting out from a stop.

• 

  TERRIBLE TRANSMISSION - DO NOT BUY - 2014 Ford Focus
  By mycrazylife681 - May 26 - 7:59 am

  I purchased this car in Feb 2014. Almost immediately after purchasing, it was shuddering, and jerking. I took it in for "reprogramming". It shuddered worse. I took it back, and it was admitted by the Ford staff, its an ongoing issue with their new transmission, and theyve increased the trans warranty to 10 years. Theyve KNOWN about this issue, and sold it to me anyway?! I had the clutch replaced, it was making grinding noises but stopped for a few months until the other day, when it lost all power for a few seconds on the road, in traffic (luckily slow), then the transmission kicked in, and my whole car lurched forward. Luckily I didnt hit anyone. Very unsafe!! DO NOT BUY!!!!

• 

  Love thiscar - 2002 Ford Focus
  By franker01 - May 22 - 9:50 pm

  Bought it several years ago with about 100K on it. Now pushing 200K. It did break a timing belt which cost me some but that was because the previous owner never had it replaced which I didnt know. Doesnt hold freon but neither does my wifes 5 year old Sienna so that is about 50 bucks a year to recharge. It is a very serviceable car that gets me places and is OK to drive. Looking into buying a newer model.

• 

  Makes driving fun in this segment - 2014 Ford Focus
  By minesok - May 20 - 4:10 pm

  Had a 2012 Focus SE, actually purchased in 2011, and only issue it had in 4 years was a software fix for the Dual Clutch transmission. After the new software was installed it was fine. SO with the great rebates and incentives on 2014 Focuss I traded in the 2012 for a 2014 to get much more content for only a few more dollars a month. Looks great and drives great, so far.

• 

  Dont bother - 2012 Ford Focus
  By km09 - May 20 - 3:33 pm

  Ive had nothing but trouble since the first month Ive purchased this vehicle. The clutch has been replaced 5 times.. yes, the clutch in an automatic transmission. The car shudders, and shakes and doesnt properly drive and hasnt since I purchased it brand new with only 7 miles on it. Please view other options before Ford gives you the run around too. Oh and the seats- the "mesh" option is terrible. Water will stain them and Ford will charge close to $100 to clean them, nothing can really clean them.

• 

  STAY AWAY from the FOCUS - 2014 Ford Focus
  By bigrob10 - May 15 - 3:47 pm

  Where do I start? I purchased a 2014 Focus, Have had it for over a year, and is falling apart. First the clutch was replaced, because it was "Jumping" and "Stalling" then 2 months later back to same problems. Now in addition to that the Tranny is over heating" light is going on as well as Brake Bulb and Tire lights are going off. Contact Ford and they say it will be 8 weeks before they can even look at my since they have so many other owners with the same problem. My Focus jumped forward in traffic out of no where and almost caused a serious accident on the freeway. Ford 100% knows about all these issues with the Focus but they do not care about anyones safety they just give the run around

• 

  Transmission is HORRIBLE - 2014 Ford Focus
  By dal214tex - May 14 - 2:51 pm

  My wife and I unfortunately bought this car (2014 Ford Focus SE Automatic) in April 2014 from Randall Reeds Prestige Ford. From the time we test drove the car it felt very jerky, but assumed it was from not being used to driving a small car. (Previously drove 2003 Chevy Suburban and 2007 Dodge Durango) The first week we drove the car it continued to feel very shaky at rest and worse at take off. I spoke with a gentleman from Ford voicing my concerns of receiving a defective car. He assured me it was the way the transmission was "made", and that there was no issue. WHAT?! Stay away from this car, seriously. It is a nightmare.

• 

  My 3rd Focus - 2015 Ford Focus
  By sanfla52 - May 12 - 11:16 am

  This is my 3rd Focus. I decided to buy "new" this time, having bought used before and the cars were great. This one is great also in most ways. However, I do NOT like the transmission. The hesitation felt on acceleration is a big issue for me. Both of my previous Focus vehicles had quick acceleration. This one will too...but if you push past the "hesitation" then it REVS up to 3500 rpm and goes back down again, which I also do not like. When I bought this car I thought with it being new and the fact that I dont drive much that this might be my "last" car, now it will depend on how much I can tolerate that hesitation issue. No option to choose 4 cyl auto transmission which I have.

• 

  One Year In and Very Satisfied - 2005 Ford Focus
  By fcaruso213 - May 12 - 8:10 am

  I bought my Focus in February 2014 with 66,000 miles on it. So far, I havent had any issues with this vehicle at all. I am a rather large individual and Im very comfortable in this car. The interior is very spacious and the Focus fits 4 comfortably. So far, I have only had to perform routine maintenance on this car. The gas mileage averages around 32 mpg and is an excellent choice for a daily commute.

• 

  Horrible car!! - 2014 Ford Focus
  By nick4118 - May 11 - 10:07 am

  This car is nothing but awful. Our model was equipped with leather, sunroof, etc. but it was junk. There was not enough room, it was too small, poor viability, and the engine was horrible. It has very little power, and it shakes, shutter, and sputters CONSTANTLY. It has been doing this since it was drove off the lot. We checked with the dealer, but other people who bought the car from other places had the same issue. I give this car two thumbs down. We now have a Dodge Dart and it is so much better!