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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  Surprisingly poor quality car - 2000 Ford Focus
  By focus - July 24 - 2:00 am

  I bought a 2000 Focus Wagon SE in January 2001. Since then weve only done about 14k in it but it has been to the dealership about a dozen times. Things break and fall off, and weve had nasty vibration from the wheels, most noticeably during braking, ever since they rotated the tires, despite re-rerotating and re-balancing somewhere else at my own cost. Now I just got another recall notice. Very disappointed, wont be buying a ford again. Only reason I havent got rid of it is the resale value is way less than what I owe.

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  Focus ZX5 - 2002 Ford Focus
  By mahrow - July 24 - 2:00 am

  1yr and 12k miles-- I drove competitive makes and decided Focus over Matrix, Civic & others. Adequate for families and tall people, just enough space to make this car practical. It came with LOVELY Firestone (why is Ford is still doing business with them) tires. I had the dealer upgrade to a high performance Yokohama and it DRASTICALLY improved the handling. I hit a curb (playing dodge cat) and TOTALED the aluminum rims (both ends @ 30mph) and my side airbag went off. If I had had a passenger they would have been plastered to the door when the bag went off...WOULD HAVE HURT!!! I wonder about the safety of the bags

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  Wonderful - 2005 Ford Focus
  By linda engh - July 21 - 9:46 pm

  This is the best car I have ever bought; very fuel efficient and thats what I needed. Very well equipped.

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  2006 Focus SES review - 2006 Ford Focus
  By Mark - July 20 - 7:56 am

  My wife and I just picked up our 2006 Focus SES, and love it! How can you beat all the rebates Ford has put out there. Car is very sporty, handles great, and is good on gas. We looked at a Saturn, and a Cobalt but went with the Focus. We plan on having this car for a very long time, and the Ford extended warranty will surely help us achieve that.

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  Great little car - 2005 Ford Focus
  By fundrive - July 18 - 11:16 am

  I owned a 2001 Ford Focus ZTS and drove my brothers 2001 Honda Civic Lx while I was home for several weeks. When I went to buy a new car, I was set on the Civic until I drove the new Focus. It just feels better to me. The performance is much better than my old Focus, the transmission is smoother and quieter, and overall the workmanship seems higher quality. I wouldnt consider it the best of its class, but it is as good or better than the Civic, Corolla and Cavalier, all of which I test drove. Would I change things? Yes, but for the amount I paid, it is a great car. I put 120,000 on my old Focus in 4 years without any problems. I expect no less from this fun little car.

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  Love It - 2002 Ford Focus
  By Louis Davidson - July 12 - 10:00 am

  Excellent car. I owned a 2000 Focus Sedan and really liked it, but it lacked something. That something was 40 horses and a 6-speed. Excellent handling, solid power, and fantastic styling. Have had one problem that took a long time to get repaired due to backordered parts, but the SVT product comes with a free loaner so it was not a big problem. One word of caution, I have bent two of the wheels on some of the nasty potholes in Nashville, TN this year due to the horrible winter we had. The low-profile tires couple with the tight suspension can make for a bumpy ride when the pavement is broken up.

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  Under-rated, under-estimated - 2003 Ford Focus
  By warehousebum - July 12 - 10:00 am

  Absolutely in love with this car. Dont be off-put by the 2000-2001 recall whiners- hasnt been a recall since 01 and my ZX3 hasnt had a single problem to date. This car is so much fun to drive that I often find myself taking the long-way to destinations. A convoluted intake system robs this car of much-needed low-end torque (even with the 5-speed manual), but its still easy to chirp the tires and its great in the higher revs. A surprisingly fun car to flog in the twisties. All the friends whom Ive allowed to test-drive dont want to give up the keys. For a $13,000 hatch-back!

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  Focus Hatch 5 speed manual - 2012 Ford Focus
  By wgreen3 - July 7 - 6:02 am

  Ive had the car for a month; it replaced a 2007 Mazda3 and I also previously owned a 2007 Focus. This car is worlds apart from the 2007 Focus. The shifting is buttery smooth; good power, good fuel economy (averaged 36 mpg on recent 800 mile road trip). The car feels "stiff" and this is a good thing; it holds corners amazingly well, very little sway. This actually takes a little getting used to if you havent driven a car that handles as well. Its very quiet, much quieter than the Mazda3. The drivers cockpit feels like it wraps around you. A very well thought out, good performing vehicle, especially for the price point!

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  2012 Ford Focus- dont buy. - 2012 Ford Focus
  By Christie Andryc - July 6 - 1:30 pm

  My car has transmission problems. Every single time I start and stop the car shudders and hesitates. The car is unsafe to drive. Also the cars cruise control broke within 3 months of owning the car, it was fixed and then broke again a month later. And hasnt worked in 2 years. This car is junk. I have taken it to three different ford dealerships and they refused to fix the problem. They would tell me there was nothing wrong with the transmission it was the way I drive. Every time I took it in for the cruise control Ford would tell me that they were unable to fix the problem because the cruise was working that day, when it never worked for me. They refused to fix the problems and I finally ran out of a warranty and gave up. I dont have the money to pay to have this car fixed when I bought a brand new car I college to not have to worry about getting work done to a car. This has been the biggest disappointment and I just want them to be recalled. Ford owes it to all the customers that are currently stuck with this car and paying big money for a car that doesnt work. I dont not feel safe allowing my family in the car because it is too dangerous to drive. It stresses me out on a daily basis having to drive this car and never knowing when its going to stop working. I have been having these problems since I bought the car in July of 2012.

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  Somewhat happy - 2001 Ford Focus
  By skiepke - June 30 - 2:00 am

  The car itself has been a great reliable auto. I have a problem with the service of the dealer that sold me the car. Im not please with that.