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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  STAY AWAY - 2014 Ford Focus
  By Shane House - November 10 - 7:46 am

  I have had this car for a little over a year and it has been the worst purchase I have ever made. I have about 45k on the odometer and will be trading it in as soon as the extended warranty runs out. First problem problem at about 10k the abs and traction control lights came on. Took it to Ray Varner Ford and They had to order a speed sensor and wiring harness and was told to bring car back the next day. Took a second day off from work to take car in once again but after I made the hour drive to the stealership they told me that the part had not came in and to call back to check tomorrow. Kept calling back but the parts never came in so after I gave up on that dealer I took it to Lance Cunningham Ford. I had started to notice a faint roar and informed them of the roar also. They diagnosed it with the same problem for the ABS and had to order parts. They couldnt find the roar and basically told me I was hearing things. Took the car back a couple of days later and they repaired the ABS light issue. At about 25k the same problem with the appeared. Took it back told them the roaring noise was louder. Once again I needed to come back for parts for the ABS. They found that the roaring sound was from the tires in the rear was cupped due to an alignment issue and that was not covered under warranty. They wanted about $400 to repair the alignment and put on two new tires. I declined and took it elsewhere for half the price. Took it back and had the ABS issue taken care of once again. At around 35k the ABS came on once again but by the time I could get it to a stealership I had already turned over 36k and the warranty was out. I took it to a different dealer and they diagnosed it with a bad ABS module this time and it was going to be a $2500 repair. They even told me that the ABS module should have been replaced the first time and it had caused the wiring harness and speed sensors to go out the first couple of times. They called corporate and Ford refused to pay for the repair. I had purchased a third party extended warranty when I bought the car and they paid for most of the repair and it only cost me around $100 and two more days of missed work. I totaled it all up and these repairs although under warranty ended up costing me around $2200 in missed work. My last car was an Accord and it had one problem with the radio while under warranty and they brought out a loaner car and picked my car up. I made it 340k without any repairs other than routine maintenance. I will trade this in for another Honda as soon as the extended warranty is over.

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  Dont Buy It. Dont Be another Statistic - 2012 Ford Focus
  By Mark - November 9 - 11:42 am

  Dont buy this car. Its not worth taking the chance with the transmission. I bought this car thinking that the transmission problems would get fixed. Bought the car at 28,000. In my first months of having the car, I went to the dealership for shuddering and gear grinding noises.. oh and how the car completely shut down engine light on and wouldnt go faster than 20 mph. THAT was scary on the freeway. Supposedly its a safety mechanism. Talked with at Susan with my car at 50,000 at corporate and theres nothing that she can do. My car doesnt count to be a lemon. It would be a great car if it wasnt for the transmission. Everything else is there but the fundamentals are all shot. And to my surprise, they are still implementing the same faulty transmission even in their new 2016 cars.

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  Excellent Car! Except... - 2014 Ford Focus
  By John Donne - November 8 - 10:03 pm

  When I first saw and drive the car I instantly fell in love with it. It was cool, fun,sporty, smooth and solid. I bought it (used) right away thinking I just got a very great deal and a great car. But right away I was finding the car to have really strange transmission feel. When I was test driving it the transmission felt like like a munual. I just assumed it reved high because it was a sport car. It felt sporty. But later on after I bought the car I started notice some jerking when starting from a stop. With all this going on I decided to do some research on the car and transition. I didnt realize it was a dual clutch transmission (automated manual) when I bought the car. This explained the manual feel of it. After that I when on a drive to test the transmission and I was terrible, rough starts, jerking up hill, weird reving. I read reviews on here and everyone says the same thing. Lemon transmission. Dual clutches tend to be not a smooth as tradition manuals but this one is just awful. I cant believe ford would put a transmission this terrible in a car this day and age. My advice to you...just spend the extra money and get a Mazda 3 of corolla. Luckily my dealer offers a 3 day return policy. I will be sadly returning this car at once.

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  I Love This Car! - 2012 Ford Focus
  By Joseph - November 6 - 7:42 pm

  I read the reviews about the 2012 Focus before I bought it and I admit that some of the reviews about the auto tranny with the dual clutch had me worried. But when I drive this car, that dual-clutch transmission is what makes the car so peppy. For does a nice job converting the 160 horsepower into an incredibly amount of acceleration for a 4 banger. When I need to move out into traffic, I shift the auto into SPORT mode and give it gas and I am *never disappointed with how quickly this car accelerates, even at highway speeds. Im not leaving any Mustangs or Corvettes in my dust, but I am making the Hyundai Elantra owners wonder if they made the right choice as they view the beautiful styling of my focus from behind in traffic as I pull away. And if you are worried about the transmission issues that *some people have reported (a minority of owners, not all), then take comfort in the fact that Fords drive train warranty is 5 years and 60 thousand miles and that warranty transfers with the car. So if you buy it used, you have the warranty. Also, Ford extended the warranty on the part of the transmission that has been troublesome to 100,000 miles. If you like the car, buy it. Dont listen to the naysayers. This is my third Ford and I have enjoyed each one and had good experiences with them all.

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  Unreliable - 2014 Ford Focus
  By Hmorabustos - November 6 - 2:23 pm

  It all seemed like a good deal, great milage, good engine, comfortable ride, but all the bells and whistles dont mean jack if you have a garbage transmission. its [non-permissible content removed] to take into account all the good aspects of this vehicle if one of its most important and expensive mechanisms is garbage. Great milage, a good engine, the comfort of the ride, all the technology, and safety features mean jack if your vehicles transmission goes out, our vehicle is eleven months old. 2015 year model. The vehicle has only had eight oil changes, and the transmission goes out??? That is a serious issue. Besides this Ford Focus (on the transmission Issue) I also own both a Chevy and a Toyota that are well over ten years old, one with 130000 miles and the other with 235000 miles on it, and im yet to experience this type of issue with either vehicle. There is a reason why this vehicle is so affordable... its simply cheaply made. Manufacturers of these types of vehicles obviously Focus more on the aestetics (as if) of the product than the quality of the product itself.

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  Great car! - 2001 Ford Focus
  By Chayse G. - November 5 - 8:52 pm

  I got my blue 2001 Focus ZX3 for free, it needed an idler pulley, and it ran well! It may have the occasional stall and rattle, but it runs well!

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  Good for what it is, dont expect a luxury car. - 2014 Ford Focus
  By Evan Waller - November 4 - 9:46 pm

  I have owned this car for the past 10 months. I did my research on this vehicle before I bought it and I knew what I was getting myself into by purchasing the DCT transmission. Not going to lie this car absolutely sucks in traffic. It lurches and lunges along however Its the best car ever on the highway. My job sometimes has me commute a lot all over the city (and state) and the car is very smooth on the highway. Acceleration isnt an issue and it gains speed quickly (quickly enough to merge and pass cars safely that is). Ive put on close to 15 thousand miles on it so far and I still really like it. I have the SE hatchback (in the very nice Tuxedo Black) great for hauling all the stuff I need. The back seat is very small but I rarely have people sitting back there for long so space isnt an issue. It also does surprisingly well in the snow. Being from southern Ohio I had to drive it in a lot of it this past winter and not once did i get stuck. I get great MPG and average 32 mixed driving (mostly city). I have learned to live with this car and I hope the car will last as Im ok with the DCT quirks but Ive heard mixed reviews about DCT reliability in general.

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  Some good, some bad - 2013 Ford Focus
  By Dan - November 3 - 4:17 pm

  The bad: the transmission is terrible, the dual clutch system is terrible, everyone agrees this should never have existed and this alone might be a reason to stay away from the car. Additionally, the Ford Sync technology is faulty at best. It reads my phone about 1/2-2/3 of the time and has trouble switching between bluetooth, USB, or auxiliary. The good: great AC and heater, comfortable front seats. Good storage with the hatchback. Handles great, good gas mileage (on the highway, modest in the city), good price tag. Bottom line: with a different transmission I would definitely get this car. With the current one Im definitely thinking of selling.

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  Disappointed - 2015 Ford Focus
  By C S - November 2 - 5:03 pm

  SYNC is a disaster, did not work with my Android phone. Slow, quirky experience with iPhone. NVH on highway felt pronounced, but not necessarily worse than other cars in this class. As compared to a low spec Toyota Corolla, this cars non-driving interface (ventilation, radio, and car information) is clunky, awkward, and slow. Otherwise the two cars are similar.

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  Traded my Audi A5 for a 2015 Focus Titanium - 2015 Ford Focus
  By Scott - November 2 - 3:24 pm

  After owning the Audi for less than 2 years, I decided that I didnt want to own it when the warranty ran out. I tested Toyotas, Mazda, and Kia. I was more impressed with the Focus than any of these, but still a bit hesitant to go from an Audi to a Ford. Well, I couldnt be happier. While it doesnt have all the pep of the turbo on the A5, it handles just as well, is actually quieter riding, and has better navigation. Added benefits are regular gas, better mileage, and a lower car payment!