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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  Focus transmissions are bad - 2014 Ford Focus
  By Do not buy Focus or Fiesta - November 28 - 3:12 am

  Do not buy. Period.

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  2014 Focus SE Hatchback: Buy a manual transmission - 2014 Ford Focus
  By brooke - November 25 - 8:10 pm

  I recently came to terms with the fact that my 1983 VW GTI was no longer serving my family needs. I held on to it for many years because it was the most reliable and fun car Ive ever owned. After test driving several cars and not loving any of them, I drove a Focus hatchback with a manual transmission. It was like driving a new version of my GTI. I often find excuses just to drive it because its so much fun. I love everything about it. I handles like a much more expensive, performance car. I hear so many complaints about the Focus. However, almost all are about the DCM Automatic transmission. If you want a great, fun car, buy the manual transmission version. Im very glad that I did.

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  Looks great and stylish, but build quality is poor - 2012 Ford Focus
  By John - November 24 - 1:46 pm

  This vehicle is all about looks and style with the only exception the great gas mileage. The suspension is sub par with problems keeping the wheels in alignment. The interior build quality is poor - the headliner is poorly constructed and is noisy. There are dash board rattles at all moderate speeds. The sound system is poor at best. You get what you pay for - as the old adage goes.

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  Big disappointment! - 2012 Ford Focus
  By T - November 23 - 8:02 pm

  I was completely in love with this car when I first bought it back in aug. 2014. I was upgrading from a falling apart suzuki forenza. Honestly, even though my forenza was falling apart, it drove smoother and was a lot more quiet. My focus shutters, hesitates, sticks in gear, has loss of power, sometimes I can barely get it to move which is scary when I am turning at a traffic light....It is also very loud! The entire interior rattles like a tin can, the dash, the door panels and the headliner and its super loud. The engine does this really annoying ticking sound that nobody at the dealership seems to care about. I have brought this car in over 5 times now and to 2 different dealerships and I keep getting the "its normal" for that transmission to drive wacky. But seriously, I pay good money to have a car that drives rough and sounds like a rattling tin can and you cant fix it or even attempt to because it wont give the "proper" readings for them to be allowed to order the parts? This is my first and last Ford and I gotta say it sucks. I am bummed out because I really do love the car but I hate the things that are wrong with it even more.

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  Great economy car - 2011 Ford Focus
  By James Smith - November 22 - 7:32 am

  This is a great economy car. It does a lot of things well and is very easy to drive. With Traction Control and Anti-Skid, weve never had problems getting around in bad weather. Includes blue tooth phone and 6 air bags...just a very nice small car. It has been very reliable.

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  Do not buy Ford Focus!!! - 2014 Ford Focus
  By Erwin Rempola - November 20 - 3:00 pm

  I made a big mistake buying my 2014 Ford Focus Hatchback Titanium. I bought this car brand new. After a year, it started to shake or jerk al low speed. It is so bad that I felt unsafe driving the car. I took the car to the Ford Dealership at Capitol Ford of San Jose, California for service and nothing happened. They have my car for 8 days now and they have not fix anything yet. One of the service advisor said that Ford have no fix for this issue. There have been a lot of lawsuit against Ford about Ford Focus and Ford Fiesta. Before you buy Ford please check online for Ford Transmission issue. I dont know what to do with my Ford Focus. Ford has not issued a recall for Ford Focus and Ford Fiesta (2011-2014). I cannot believe a company so big like Ford will not issue a recall. They would rather fight the lawsuit or wait until someone dies driving Ford Focus until they finally admit that there is something wrong with their cars.

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  Never buy a ford again - 2013 Ford Focus
  By FoundOnRoadDead - November 20 - 1:37 am

  2013 ford focus is a joke. Bought the titanium edition with all bells and whistles, got the nice lcd touch screen with navi (2500$ option). After about 1 year and 38,000 miles the lcd touch screen stopped working rendering the navi and most other options useless or a complete inconvenience to use. Ford says sorry, but warranty ended at 35,000 miles and it is an 800 dollar repair, sorry about your luck. Did I mention on my second oil change dealership noticed a transmission leak. Then there were Multiple trips to dealership for reprogramming, cleaning clutch plates. Recently at 80,000 miles vehicle wouldnt switch out of 1st gear. Ford says just needs computer update,that should do it. Two weeks later as Im attempting to accelerate onto freeway tach goes to 7000 rpm and I cant get out of first gear as the vehicles jerks and sputters. Left me stranded about 50 miles from home. Had to get it towed off the freeway. Now ford says it just needs a new control module, that will fix everything. Yeah right!!! Do not buy this vehicle, you will be sorry!! Ford is not stepping up to the plate to get these issues fixed. I will never buy another ford vehicle!!!!!!

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  Another story of a transmission problem - 2012 Ford Focus
  By Cynthia Beard - November 18 - 10:05 am

  I was rolling along in traffic on a main interstate highway and 2012 Ford Focus suddenly would not accelerate and then stalled. This was followed by all sorts of things lighting up on my dash, and the car would not re- start, wouldnt turn over, nothing. I was lucky to be able to get over to the shoulder of the highway, although it was on the left side of the road, which was super dangerous. Long story short, I was denied roadside assistance (which I thought I was covered under) because my car was no longer under warranty. I had 76,000 and change. My warranty apparently ran out at 60,000. However, this well known transmission problem that exists with this vehicle, is covered under an "extended warranty" up to 150,000 miles (but theres a $100 deductible!!!). So, because theres a faulty issue with this vehicle, a documented, known fault in the manufacturing my money, time and convenience are not a matter of concern. My car had been properly maintained, in fact had been inspected not a week before this happened, and there was no indication of this happening. This is extremely dangerous and frankly I find it unacceptable that FORD didnt do more to prevent this from happening. There is one Service Advisor at the dealership who was helpful. He has agreed to submit my towing bills for reimbursement. No one was really apologetic or concerned with my satisfaction as a Ford customer. If I was knowingly selling dangerous, faulty vehicles, I would be falling all over myself to make sure I could make the customer happy, if that were possible. Basically the attitude is one of indifference. I thought I was doing a good thing by buying an American car, but I would never buy another Ford again, and will try to trade this vehicle in ASAP. I will buy a Subaru if I can afford it. In short, buyer beware ... transmission problem, Ford not too concerned with customer satisfaction.

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  2009 Ford focus - 2009 Ford Focus
  By Kristi - November 14 - 11:31 pm

  Bought this car with 47,000 miles in it in 2012. Needed it for gas mileage because I commute 50 miles one way. Its been a great car. Have 150,000 now. Still gets great gas mileage. I average 34 mpg around town and 38 on the road. Ive taken it all over the United states and keep up maintenance. The most Ive done is replace gasket seals.

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  Love her - 2007 Ford Focus
  By Mar - November 11 - 1:55 am

  I bought this car used in 2014 with 120,000 miles for $4,000 and I am extremely happy with this car. Its a great everyday driver and is impressively sporty. Added a cold air and exhaust as well as cosmetic features. It sounds great compared to most four cylinder vehicles on the road. This car has so much potential. The acceleration is great stock but i believe theres always room for improvement. At 132,000 miles I havent had a single problem. Comfortable ride, easy to get in and out of, great sound system, and extremely tight steering. Gas mileage could be better with a 6 speed. Its not very common to find this model in the US so shes one of a kind. The 2007 focus ST is worth every penny.