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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DCT is not your regular Automatic Transmission - 2014 Ford Focus
By gentle_coconut - May 10 - 8:12 pmThat being said, Ford and its dealer network should do a lot more to explain to future owners what DCT is. The regular swish-style gearbox is simple in that one bears down on the throttle to go fast and eases to slow. DCT requires one to drive with a manual gearbox mentality. To quickly get to 4th or 5th, stay below 2500 rpm and then once on 4th or 5th one can push beyond 3000rpm to get some speed - I suspect thats when the turbo kicks in. Ive found 6th works best in the range between 2200 and 2600rpm. To accelerate, use manual mode but at 160hp from turbo, I dont think this is the horse for that race.
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lemon lemon lemon - 2014 Ford Focus
By mavoiture2014 - May 3 - 8:34 amTransmission is terrible! It hesitates, jerks, jumps, shudders and is unsafe. I bought this car brand new and the issues are becoming increasingly worse. I have had it in for repairs and the service center assured that it only needed "reset". It operated slightly better for two weeks. Then warning lights appeared stating that the transmission was too hot. So there I was with a brand new car and left stranded in a traffic jam. I purchased this car to alleviate stress of car problems and for the safety ratings. I made a terrible choice.
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Poor choice!!! - 2012 Ford Focus
By ericarras_81 - May 3 - 1:03 amI bought a used focus hatchback and at first thought it was a fun ride, that is until it began to give me problems after 2 months of driving it. First, the keys wouldnt lock my car, then the car would jerk when I would come to a stop or switch gears. Afterwards, I would put the key into the ignition but it wouldnt start and after $750 and a week later, the dealership fixed some wires "causing the problem". I only had it a week and its at the dealership again because the car died at an intersection and even though it was in drive and on it would not kick into gear. They are "ordering the part" to fix it but Im ready to trade in. Buying a ford was a huge mistake!! Never again!!
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Cute but always something wrong - 2002 Ford Focus
By Madison Pickens - April 30 - 10:45 amI first got this car when I turned 16, I payed 4k for it. I thought it was the cutest car I had ever seen. The first time the oil was changed and tires were rotated my tires were rusted on to my car, they had to keep it over night. As a high school student I didnt have much money, especially after buying a car, it cost 160 dollars to get it fixed. The second time it got an oil change, there was a huge rust hole in the cradle, it could have fit a really fat cat. It was going to cost 1,400 to get fixed but that was ridiculous. So I got a used one for only 400, a lot cheaper. Then my ac went out, my muffler is about to fall off, and the rear passenger side window as stopped working.
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One week in - 2015 Ford Focus
By dredd_tac - April 24 - 7:27 amJust read the elderly gentlemans review from march and felt compelled to respond. Im one week in owning a 2015 Focus SE Hatch. This is my second Focus. Had a 2012 that I traded in on the current one. Heres what was explained to me about the transmission by service and salesits actually a manual transmission that has 2 clutches. The chattering sensation is the clutches engaging against the flywheel and is normal. If youve ever driven a manual pedal clutch car not all but most make a similar chatter. Now when I say chatter this is very subtle and I test drove two 2015s and they both did it. My 2012 also did it and had 76,000 on trade with no tranny problems.
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DO NOT BUY - 2015 Ford Focus
By twv - April 23 - 9:08 amI have had nothing but trouble with my 2015 Ford Focus. The transmission is so jerky, that you can not drink coffee without it landing in your lap. If stopped behind another car and you go to take off, it hesitates and then lunges forward. Had it in the shop five times, written Ford, and all say the same, "it is within Fords acceptable allowance". I guess it is okay to make a lousy transmission, as long as you also make lousy allowances. Ford does not care about customer satisfaction. I have been buying Fords for 45 yeas, but this will be my last.
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I was dumb enough to buy 2 of them - 2014 Ford Focus
By Jen Stott - April 11 - 2:07 pmCar 1 Clutches replaced first week. Tire, glove box door, water leak, bad brake booster, brakes locked up, heat air not working normally, popping in dash, front end suspension, dealer left it sit with bird poop all over so paint is now ruined. Purchased 8/27/14 been in the shop going on 120 days now. Ford refuses to fix because I hired an attorney and they are not supplying the rental vehicle.
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Dont EVER buy a Ford vehicle - 2012 Ford Focus
By noo2 - April 7 - 5:56 pmThis is by far the worst ford Ive owned. Im not a new customer to Ford and I will NEVER buy another Ford again. The focus sounds like its about to break down constantly. I would rather drive a used beat up 1996 POS than this BRAND NEW focus. Ive brought it in for multiple issues, not just the transmission, and Im so tired of dealing with them and the same response. Ford may be saving money by not fixing any of their mistakes, but they sure as hell are losing a lot of customers and future clients for it. Word of mouth spreads faster and more efficiently than any deal they can create to help fix this.
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The Best compact car in reasonable price - 2014 Ford Focus
By ssoeun - April 7 - 1:02 pmMy first time to own Ford, most Asian people scared American cars for less reliability but not like the 1990s, now American cars even better than the Japanese cars in both quality and comfort. The Focus beats the famous nameplates of Civic and Corola in both power and comfort and much cheaper price. I love my Focus my wife and my son also love to drive it than my Altima. Small but when I drive, I feel like big car-- quiet, smooth, and quick to turn the corner or on the free way and great fuel economy. And I paid the lowest price for the year end 2014 clearance. I will buy the other one for my son when he go to college next year.
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I will NEVER buy another Ford - 2012 Ford Focus
By Karen Ross - April 1 - 10:07 amIn 2011 I bought a Ford Fiesta - within a few weeks after it started jerking and shuddering on acceleration. Long story short - after 3 repairs I was going to have it declared a lemon. The dealership wanted to put me in a Ford Focus and give me a good "deal" after all my headaches. I bought the 2012 Focus and started having the same issues - shaking, jerking and shuddering. The transmission control was replaced last year and now having the same issues. Took the car in and they said they need to replace the transmission control unit again but it will be 12-16 weeks before the part comes in because there is a huge waiting list - duh. Fix it right the first time. I am done with Ford.