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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  Great little car - 2009 Ford Focus
  By mlhunt1 - March 27 - 4:48 pm

  I bought this 2009 Focus with 21k on the clock when i found out that my soon to be wife was expecting our first child. I found this black on black focus SE 2.0L Auto trans. I get 30mpg cursing down the highway at 80mph. My wife gets 36mpg driving 70mph. I have had very little issues with the vehicle We have since put over 20k on the car driving all over New England. The car drove great in the two snow storms of 20plus inches. Now is the car not made to have 4 6ft people in it. Do they fit yes. I would say that if i were to buy again for the purpose that i bought it for i would have bought a larger car. But for a single person a commuter car, or for just cheap transportation ITS GREAT.

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  Clear sailing - 2003 Ford Focus
  By matthewew - March 26 - 5:59 pm

  I love this car. The only issue is that it is rough on tires. I normally get about 40K out of a 60K tire. I average 26-27mpg in the winter and 29-32mpg the rest of the year. I have 149900 miles on my car. I have not experienced many of the issues that others have, but then I bought mine new and know what it has gone through. If you do the maintenance when the owners manual says to do it then you will have very few problems. Word to drivers the rotors are not the best, but the pads are really good so if you have worn out your brake pads, that is on you. I went 89K before having to change rotors and it was a mountain pass that did in the rear brake pads.

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  I will never buy another Ford product. - 2013 Ford Focus
  By johnmiller1 - March 25 - 7:09 pm

  2013 Ford Focus SE automatic Hatchback I wish that I had never bought this car. For starters, the average fuel economy is not what Ford advertises. My average MPG is 32 hwy at 69mph. The best was 36mpg with a tail wind. I can live with the poor fuel economy...but the deciding factor for me to get rid of this car is the Torturous seats !! The seats are rock hard ! They feel like youre sitting on a park bench ! The padding in the seats is very minimal. Push down 1/2 inch and you can actually feel the metal framework of the seat. The very design of the seats are not ergonomic. The front of the seats are tilted in a way that if you stretch out, the back of your legs will begin to hurt

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  Purchased the Focus Hatchback 2013 in Jan. and was very pleased with everything for the first week but the second week it began making noises upon acceleration and continued to get worse. Brought it into the Dealership and they said I needed to drive it - 2013 Ford Focus
  By slainte2 - March 24 - 6:50 pm

  Have had the Focus Hatchback for 2 months and was very pleased with everything for the first week but by the second week it was making noise when accelerating and cont. to get worse. I brought the car to the Dealership and they said they could not do anything till 1000 miles. I brought it back at 1000 miles but Ford says this problem is occuring on the 2013 Focus but the engineers do not know what the problem is so they can not fix it yet. They returned the car to me and told me to keep driving until the problem is fiqured out. This makes me very nervous, what could happen to it next. I would think about another car until they have fiqured these quirks out.

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  Consider a different vehicle - 2007 Ford Focus
  By ndowner87 - March 22 - 2:21 pm

  Poor engineering with the backing of a company that doesnt know what customer service is. 4 years of ownership with visits to 5 different Ford dealerships I never want a Ford again. The vehicle is known to go through tires fast so no tire company will replace them during the "warranty". Brake lines wear at 40k and the dealership I bought the car from along with a premium warranty said that at 40,001 miles it wasnt their problem. The 2 visits beforehand all it needed was silicon spray to fix it. My transmission has had problems from day 1 of delivery, but again its not their problem. Please consider alternative vehicles and automotive companies before purchasing a Ford.

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  A Big Waste of Money - 2013 Ford Focus
  By puffinalong - March 21 - 7:52 pm

  The Focus Ti I have looks sharp,but its not dependable technology wise . I have been locked out of it twice.The 8 inch display has frozen on me so as I coulnt call to get help.The phone unpairs three times a week as Ford after 5years hasnt got syncing their cars right yet. Just Google all the complaints by owners who bring their cars back and the service people blame the phone or the weather. Served my country and got screwed and tried to belive in an American car and got screwed again. Not the dealers fault or the poor mechanic whos not a techie,Ford is in one big mess. Ill have my German car by 2015. What a waste of $25,585 sticker price I had to pay excise tax on.

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  Whats not to love!! - 2013 Ford Focus
  By clintntx - March 18 - 5:07 pm

  I researched Mazda 3, Chevy Cruze, Buick Verano, & Ford Focus, & contacted dealers online. Then I test-drove them in that order. When I got to the Ford, the car just felt right for me in a field of very good cars. Ended up buying a Titanium sedan at Cerritos Ford in September 2012. Great service from sales rep Kathy Bailey & service rep Sergio Ortiz. Drove the car across the desert southwest when it had less than 500 miles on it, was pleased at gas mileage of 37 & doubly pleased that the long drive was less tiring than in my 2008 Lincoln. The car is adequately powered, great handling, quiet, smooth, & best of all, fun to drive.

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  More fun than expected - 2003 Ford Focus
  By driven1320 - March 9 - 7:54 pm

  I knew what I wanted initially: a small hatchback with good mpg and a manual trans. However, I never expected to like it this much. The old saying that its more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow... this car nails it. Driving around town I find this car more satisfying than my 400hp Mustang. Its reasonably peppy, doesnt have to be revved, and with the addition of a stiffer rear swaybar, the handling is a blast. Tons of room too. On one trip I managed 3 people and a 50" tv. On another, a full dresser. Its got 140k miles on it, so a few things are starting to go, but Id say its held up incredibly well. Couldnt be happier with my purchase!

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  Update - more comments - 2012 Ford Focus
  By bencheerios - February 28 - 6:37 pm

  Update from previous review. Still like it after driving a 2012 Mazda 3 SkyActiv for the last 2 weeks as a rental. The Mazda 3 SkyActiv seems to get slightly better gas mileage, but its not as easy to live with as the Focus.

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  UNRELIABLE - 2013 Ford Focus
  By tommycj - February 23 - 10:09 am

  Ive owned a 2013 Focus for two months now and its been back to the shop twice for bad grounding wires in two different spots. The last one was for the fuel pump so the car died in the middle of traffic without warning!! Not the reliability youd expect from a car with 1400 miles on it. The dealership just laughs it off. Ford has come a long way but their individual dealerships still has a lot to learn!! Read up on their Electronic Power Assist Steering too. Not the sales hype either, find the complaints, there is a Tech Bulletin released on the problem but once again, the service center at the dealership acts as if there is no problem. My advice ... shop elsewhere.