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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  Love My Focus - 2003 Ford Focus
  By lemac - April 12 - 2:00 am

  Great styling.Average gas mileage.Location for ignition key difficult to see,especially at night.A fun car to drive, great on long trips. Super vision with high seats and low hood.

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  3rd PCM Failure within 10K miles, under 100K - 2012 Ford Focus
  By John - April 11 - 9:08 pm

  Okay let me begin with this: I have written a previous review, but I lost my login, so I am back with a vengeance this time. As the title states, since my original post titled "Im losing my job and livelihood over this thing!!!" it has had 2 more PCM failures. The first time, I DID lose my job. The boss was clear. "If you cant come to work Ill just have to replace you." Well at least he was cordial about it and gave me a good reference to a similar company. So two weeks after the initial failure, I was back to work. Just somewhere else doing the same thing. There was the 2nd PCM failure about 4 months afterwards. Same conditions: Car wont start. Either the PCM doesnt believe the transmission is in neutral and therefore safe to start the engine, or it cannot get the transmission into neutral. Had it towed to dealership. Only payed towing fee. Ford covered the repair. Now, only 2 months from that failure, the car is in my driveway with its 3rd PCM failure. SAME. CONDITIONS. People, this is multiple failure of a critical part of the car that has failed on me 3 times in less than 10,000 miles. Im doing everything I can on my end to keep its maintenance up. I drive it reasonably, take good care of it, and it fails on me. Fails... fails... fails... There is no other explanation besides it is a flawed design, and Fords response and actions are futile. See all of these good reviews on here? I cant explain them. There are millions of unhappy, stranded and possibly unemployed people all because they bought this car with a horrible transmission. I cant blame them or berate them in any way. I mean, its a nice car, but it has this one MAJOR FLAW that can be a serious inconvenience at best, and life-threatening at worst. Google it. Spend a couple of hours researching every review you can find. Find a way to contact authors of positive reviews and ask them is their transmission still operating properly. For the third time in one year, my car is literally being described with an old Ford-bashing acronym, and I dont think I need to say which one. Please for love of whatever... DO NOT buy one of these things, used or new. Fords Powershift transmission is prone to random failures despite operating reliably up to the point of said failure.

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  if you are in for the long-haul... - 2000 Ford Focus
  By freelisa - April 6 - 10:00 am

  If you are in for the long-haul, dont waste your money. It is ridiculous how often Ive had to put my Focus in the shop. Ive had about 9 recalls so far, and a lot of other repairs including a transmission leak twice, faulty rear seat, and a blocked ignition, to name a few. I love the size of the car, and the functionality of the hatchback, but that is not enough to make a consumer happy. A car needs to be reliable. This one is not. I cant wait to get rid of it.

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  LOVIN IT - 2003 Ford Focus
  By JONA - April 6 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE THE SUPERIOR HANDLING AND THE 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION IN THE SVT FOCUS. THIS NEXT TO MY PROBE AND SVT MUSTANG IS MY FAVORITE CAR.

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  2012 Ford Focus - Tech Saavy Buyers Beware !!! - 2012 Ford Focus
  By spbio - April 5 - 2:11 pm

  If you want to buy a new car that breaks after 30 days and cannot be fixed by Ford, the 2012 Ford Focus SEL is the car for you. I bought my 2012 Ford Focus on May 27, the BRAKES, Antilock Brake System, Traction Control, Uphill Assist and other Safety systems Failed before the end of June. The car has been at the dealership for repairs for >45 days and Ford does not know how to fix it . Attempts to resolve the problems at the Milham, PA dealership, service department and thru Ford Customer Care were futile. Ford markets this car to young tech saavy first time new car buyers, then treats them poorly. Do not be fooled or you will have a Bad Case of Buyers Remorse.

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  Big Mistake - 2000 Ford Focus
  By GrandOwl - April 1 - 10:00 am

  Since buying my Focus new off the dealers lot, Ive had to endure five recalls, a cracked windshield, both back windows breaking, a wiring problem which caused the windshield wipers not to work (the windshield broke again during their attempt to fix that), a defect in the engine, a crack in the A/C line, and a defective passenger- side speaker that still only works 40% of the time after numerous repair attempts. While the design is great, the building materials and workmanship are sub-par (my back windows broke because the bracket which holds the windows in place is made out of cheap plastic which breaks if you must go over speed bumps daily).

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  should be car of the year - 2005 Ford Focus
  By kingsreiter - March 31 - 12:00 pm

  My 2005 ford zxw sesis an excellent people mover with room to spare for extras fun to drive and easy on gas it has all the toys for a reasonable price. thanks ford for a good experience

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  Outstanding small car. - 2005 Ford Focus
  By Ted - March 26 - 12:36 pm

  Great all around carl good driver vision in all directions. The automatic is spot on. Gas mileage averages 30 mpg. Easy to park. Changed the tires to Pirelli Nero Zeros. Now it is a better ride with less tire noise. This car is a GREAT BARGAIN wiith the rebates and low financing rates. If something happened to this one, I would purchase another.

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  Love MY Focus! - 2003 Ford Focus
  By SmilinDaz - March 26 - 2:00 am

  The name of my car is true! Focus!! It gave me nre focus ... a wonderful "happy" yellow ,,, and a joy to drive!

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  Im very happy with my Focus ZX5 SES!! - 2005 Ford Focus
  By W.Lindquist - March 22 - 6:50 am

  This is a really nice small car. Four adults can be carried comfortably with plenty of room in the hatch. It has a rather tight "European" type suspension that handles great with the 16" Pirelli tires. Just a bit harsh on chuckholes, but a very good ride most of the time. Gas mileage has been as predicted on the window sticker at 26 city/ automatic. Since our temperature averages about 40 degrees (F) in November the milage has lowered to more like 22 or 24 city. Still very good! Lots of power and pick up. A joy to drive. The 6 disc CD player is of better than average quality. My Alpine in the other car outperforms it, but not by that much.