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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  White Girl - 2001 Ford Focus
  By kara - July 16 - 10:26 am

  Ive had this car from November 2007 to July 2016. The owner before me had sold it to me for $3,500 with 75,000 miles on it. He was moving to Germany for a new job and couldnt take it with him. I was about to graduate high school so my mom bought it for me as a gift. The interior and exterior were in excellent condition, except the headlights had a cloudiness to it and later on the thermometer gage got weird. I switched out the radio, because it was too old school. Too bad it didnt stay that way, a few years later on the highway a heavy chair fell out of into the lane I thought I would be safe from it hitting me, so I had a dent on the side near my headlight and then my moms coffee spilt everywhere on the passenger side so speckles on the ceiling from that. Around 2014 my air stopped working and living in Florida its miserable but I didnt want to pay to have it fixed. Then in March 2015 after driving it for an hour my car made a really loud noise like a shotgun. Turns out my radiator is bad. Although my gage goes from red back and sometimes back to the middle and theres a little smoke coming from under the hood after starting it up. Im still able to get to where I need to go 10 mile radius of course. Repair isnt necessary because its how much the cars worth. Im not the type of girl who wants all the gadgets that come in a newer car so I love it. If it didnt have a baby on the way I would get another one. Since my husband bought a mini cooper s before we were married, its time for an suv.

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  Buy this car - 2003 Ford Focus
  By Great car to buy - July 14 - 10:00 am

  I think this is an awesome car. Great fuel economy (35+MPG). No problems so far. Stock stereo system is the bomb :-)!!! Never had a better car.

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  Great car with some tech issues - 2012 Ford Focus
  By hipoldlady - July 14 - 8:51 am

  I have owned my Focus HB Titanium for 10 months now, and have for the most part enjoyed it. The controls are difficult to read in direct sunlight, and there are LOTS of reflections from the shiny interior trimwork, but the most frustrating thing is that the Sync system does not seem to understand a word I say. Asking for directions is a big reason I wanted Sync, but I wish I had never gotten it. In the beginning, the car was slow to move from 1st to second, and nearly stalled several times in the middle of busy intersections! After an update, though, this problem seems to be corrected. The handling is great!

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  ARRRRGGGHHHHH! - 2001 Ford Focus
  By NoMoreFords!!!! - July 14 - 2:41 am

  Another gremlin in the electrical system is blowing the resistor that controls the A/C & blower. Other gremlins have been blowing out tail lamp bulbs every 3-5 months. The dealers are useless. The car is on its 3rd set of brake pads & rotors in the front. The car arrived with the power lock controls not plugged in. The wheel bearings have been replaced. The air bypass control valve has been replaced. The dealers collision center took a month & many return trips to fix minor rear end damage. The dealer closed the hood with the prop up & tried to return the car the corner of the hood sticking up ... other minor problems. Gee, only 40 months old & 57k miles. Better buy that Honda or Toyota soon.

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  fun sedan - 2003 Ford Focus
  By chili dawg - July 13 - 2:00 am

  Just got a 03 se sedan, automatic. This is a solid little sedan with lots of features and a smooth ride. Trunk is roomy as is the interior. 6 disc player in dash is just off the hook, stock speakers sound good too. I love the trunk release button on the keyless unit.

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  2008 Ford Focus: Best Bang for the Buck - 2008 Ford Focus
  By Dave R - July 9 - 5:40 pm

  I purchased my Focus S Coupe mainly for the gas mileage, as the price at the pump was over $4/gal at the time. I test drove an automatic first, then a manual, and settled on the 5-speed, as it literally left the automatic for dead at stoplights. What is more, the manual seemed to hunt between its two top gears with an annoying frequency. This is not a problem when you stir your own gears. Having owned mostly European cars, I was pleasantly surprised with the up-high seating position of the Focus. I also like the steering feel, as it lacks the numbness of so many American cars I have driven. Performance is pretty decent for a car of this type, and the engine is well behaved at all speeds.

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  Consider something else - 2015 Ford Focus
  By Joyce Sykes - July 9 - 1:43 am

  I have no idea where to even begin, but so far with just 9,000 miles on this car, it needs quite a bit of work. The wipers act like rain sensing wipers, which I do not have. The heater when on level 4 acts like it has climate control, which it does not and also likes to come on when I start the car (I shut it completely off when shut off the car) and then it takes five or six tries before it will stay off. I have a belt that squeels when I start the car. The shifting of this car is a laugh as it has more noises that I can count and they told me that was normal. The way this car acts, I am afraid of what will happen when the warranty runs out. I just have the feeling that this car will not be reliable at all. The positives of the car are I like the color (performance blue), I love the heated seats and heated steering wheel. These are the only two things that actual work right. UPDATE 8/12/16 - have had the car a year, has 17,000 miles and it continues to be a problem. Transmission was fixed for about 3000 miles and now makes noise again. Electronics all messed up and dealership cannot "replicate" the problem. I am ready to take the loss and trade this piece of junk in for a Toyota Corolla.

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  Focus on a very good car - 2005 Ford Focus
  By rollinstone60 - July 8 - 12:36 pm

  I am very impressed with the reliability of my Focus. I like the acceleration, and the easy handling. And of course in this day and age the gas mileage. I would buy it again in a heart beat.

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  Great Car, Great Sound - 2000 Ford Focus
  By Fun to Drive - July 4 - 12:55 pm

  I have owned my Sony Focus for 5 years. It has been a great little car - very zippy with a great sound system! Bought really good piped tires after the originals wore out - now its even better. Mileage is easily over 30 mpg. When deciding whether or not to buy out my lease, the only factor for me was the price!

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  DO NOT BUY!!!! - 2013 Ford Focus
  By Nolan - July 3 - 1:17 pm

  Save yourself the headache, the constant trips to the service department and being broke down on the side of the road. This car is beyond unsafe. Ive had it for 2 years and its had transmission issues the entire time and has a active recall on the transmission. Its on its way back to get repaired for the 5th time and Im sure it will break down again. Ford doesnt do anything to help. So Im stuck with a car that value is very low because of the recall. Im looking at a $6,000 loss if I trade it in. I will never ever buy a ford anything again. Please dont buy this car.