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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  Avoid The 2013 Focus Automatic At All Costs - 2013 Ford Focus
  By Realist - October 7 - 9:06 pm

  I almost lost count of the trips to the dealer for warranty work on the infamous dual-clutch transmission. After a recent update, the car stalled out while in slow-and-go traffic on I-95 in Virginia. I traded it two days later. Not safe, not reliable.

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  Beware of transmission - 2013 Ford Focus
  By John Murphy - October 7 - 1:53 am

  Ford admits to "shuddering" and "rough shifting" vehicle is not comfortable the head seats can not be removed to clean seat the gas mileage is around 19 city for me with 87 octane and around 15 with Ethanol. Dont believe me? Test drive today.

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  Watch out for DCT auto transmissions - 2014 Ford Focus
  By Unhappy Ford owner - October 6 - 7:26 am

  Had a 2014 Ford focus se hatchback with DCT auto transmission. This is a great vehicle other than the transmission. Transmission would at slow speeds hesitate, shudder, jerk back and forth, go in and out of gear, and had metal sounds ( like silverware clanging) coming from under car. When I would take off from a stop you never knew if you were going to go or shake and shudder for 2 to 4 seconds sometimes more and then go. Sometimes it felt it would stall but never did. When I bought this car it did none of this at first and it started to do this after 5 to 7 thousand miles and progressively got worse. Had it in shop at Ford to fix and it was much worse after reprogram. Talked to Ford about it again and was told that the shuddering could never be totally fixed and would always be there due to nature of transmission. I told them I had looked on the internet and saw that this was a common problem and that it doesnt seemed to be able to be fixed by Ford and that I wasnt happy about this. At this point they tried to get me into another Ford vehicle but did not give me a good trade in value for my 1 year old vehicle (I wonder why???). It was the one chance the Ford dealer had at keeping me and they screwed up so I traded my vehicle in somewhere else. All the money Ive spent on service visits repairs and new tires (4 sets) over the years on other fords I guess didnt mean much. I am now giving my business to a company that has very good reliability ratings for their vehicles so hopefully I dont run into this again. If looking at this vehicle for your next car do your homework first.

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  THE WORST FORD IVE EVER OWNED!!!! - 2012 Ford Focus
  By Phill O - October 5 - 8:28 pm

  1st let me say i was eagerly awaiting this car. i loved the styling, performance and economy of it. Now lemme tell ya, this car is a POS!!! the transmission is junk (look at Fords FSAs regarding this). the rear door latch broke, nobody uses this door so it should not have failed, the drivers window motor failed the day before a rain storm. and now, today the freaking drivers door will not latch closed!!! DO NOT BUY ONE OF THESE VEHICLES! YOU WILL REGRET IT!

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  ford focus misery - 2014 Ford Focus
  By Diana - October 5 - 8:07 pm

  Shutters at every acceleration from a stop has a hard time picking up speed entering freeway

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  Almost Killed Me! - 2014 Ford Focus
  By Mr.POD@Ford - October 5 - 7:11 pm

  I was driving an 08 Crown Vic was happy when I was given a new car. To be specific this car was driven 5 days a week about 5 hours in the city as an unmarked narcotics vehicle. I very rarely "dogged" this vehicle. It first gave me problems at 6,000 miles. It started to slip gears and make grinding noises. I got it towed to the city fleet lot and they took it to the Ford dealership. They replaced a module and I got it back after it was down for 2 weeks. The second time (15,000 miles) was when I was driving in an area of town that is not "officer friendly". It completely stalled in traffic and was towed to the dealership. It took 2 months to diagnose the problem and was fixed after 3 months. The third time was the icing on the cake. (40,000 miles) A shots call fire came out over the radio and PD said there was a victim. I was pretty close so I decided to pull and check either units that were dispatched. I hit the lights and the siren and started to head that way. When I came to a busy intersection (2highways) I cleared half of the intersection then the car stalled. I was left in the middle of the intersection with heave traffic coming right towards me. After this incident I told my supervisors that I would not be driving this vehicle and that they can put me in the oldest vehicle in the fleet but I am not driving that POS car. The city has auctioned it of and I feel sorry for whoever bought it. I hope they will be safe.

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  Do not buy a 2014 Ford Focus - 2014 Ford Focus
  By Christy - October 5 - 10:50 am

  I wish I wouldve read these reviews before I bought mine. I have a 2014 Ford Focus Titanium. It started shaking, grinding, all sorts of trouble around second gear. I have taken it in 3 times and Ford keeps giving me the run around. I cannot believe they are not making this right. I am in the process of a lemon law complaint. Take my advice - look elsewhere. I wish I would have.

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  HEADACHE!!! - 2012 Ford Focus
  By Elizabeth - October 4 - 4:54 pm

  I purchased this vehicle in May of 2015 the first month I had it it was great then started shifting hard. On Saturday September 26 I was drving on i44 through springfield and my car slammed itself in to park while I was going 70. I drove my car 3 hours to get it fixed due to my town refused to fix it. The car has a recall on the tcm. I got my car back on october 1 the car was in for 4 days and my check engine light just came on saying " transmission malfunction service now" I have the biggest headache with this vehicle right now I hwve to get the rpms up to 4 grand just for it to shift out of 1st gear. I am so sick of Ford dealerships saying "thats just how the Focus is made" "its going to do that for the life of the vehicle"...... Love the gas millage just not the headache

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  Fun to drive work horse of a little wagon. - 2000 Ford Focus
  By Rick Ehrsam - October 4 - 12:26 am

  The ztec is a great little engine. my car has 162000 miles (260000km). originally paid 16280 ttl included. ive been through two sets of all weather tires and two sets of winter tires (pass driving is much easier with snow tires). Ive replace the brakes twice, one set of struts, timing belt replaced (yes, it is a necessary maintenance item at about 100K. two sets of spark plugs, an EGR valve and an O2 sensor and tie rod ends thanks to the crappy seattle roads. Oil changes every 5000 miles and transmission oil changed every 30K miles. I just replace the batter for the second time in 15 years. Its been a super inexpensive car to own. and I rely on it for 350 mile trips on a regular basis. If you find a well maintained 2000-2004 SW with a ztec engine, it should be a fine car to own and drive.

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  Gas pedal get stuck and Transmission shakes - 2014 Ford Focus
  By Red Ford Focus Se - September 30 - 1:20 pm

  I bought a Brand New red 2014 Ford Focus Se this early April 2015. It had 22 miles on it when I purchased it. Anyway, now its a vehicle from hell. The Gas pedal gets stuck when I try to accelerate at any speed and when I put my foot on the gas pedal the car shakes. Ibe been in for service over 3x. I took it the Elder ford dealership and they its the transmission programming. Smh Also, the a/c sucks it doesnt blow out cold. And its an part from under the front passenger side under the seat that is just sitting there like they forgot to finish putting the car together! I feel like I got a Lemon. I really want my money back or get another Ford Focus with less problems.