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:

• 

  My second Focus with a bad transmission - 2014 Ford Focus
  By Holly - January 2 - 8:28 pm

  After two trips to the shop in under 30k miles, I thought my 2012 Ford Focus was a lemon so I traded it in and Holy Cow...my 2014 does exactly the same thing. The transmission shakes and jerks so badly that it scares my passengers. I feel like such a schmuck for buying this car twice , but I cant believe Ford gets away with this!!!

• 

  Expected a beater got this - 2015 Ford Focus
  By Anthony J. Pavone - December 21 - 9:53 pm

  I got this car as I was looking for cheap reliable transportation but ended up being able to lease a 2015. Had the car for about six months and so far havent had a bad experience. I wish the headlights threw a little farther and it tends to hesitate a little when you step on the gas but all around its performs pretty well. The gas mileage leaves little to be desired and it handles well. My major complaint is that with the material of the dashboard, the black interior looks incredibly dirty within a matter of days, but smoking in the car probably doesnt help. Overall I would recommend this car.

• 

  What a turd - 2012 Ford Focus
  By Hong - December 20 - 3:16 pm

  What a turd. I purchased on on April 2012 and its been a nightmare since. Its had build, mechanical, electrical issues from day one. I noticed the window switch would work sometimes. It was later replaced twice. Then I noticed the dash had a gap on the right hand side. Its had intermittent issues with MFT Sync so the thing had to be replaced. It was not detecting my phones. The dealership told me my phone was not compatible yet it worked when I first bought it. There was paint issue on the trunk as well. It was repainted then I noticed the spoiler coming undone so back it went. Now the fun part, the transmission, its been a nightmare since day one. Its been reprogrammed multiple times to no improvement. Since I cannot afford to trade it in or purchase a new car, Im stuck with this [non-permissible content removed]! Run, do not walk away from Ford and Kearny Pearson Ford in San Diego, CA. I will never buy an American car again!

• 

  bought it and 3 days later.. new transmission - 2012 Ford Focus
  By JR Gillespie - December 16 - 1:03 pm

  I went to the local Ford Dealer in Dallas, GA last weekend to look at cars. I found a 2012 SE Hatchback that seemed nice enough, Ford Certified used car, great condition, 40,000miles with 100,000 powertrain and extended 36,000 mile bumper to bumper It seemed a bit funny on the test drive, all flat terrain but was assured that was normal. Then I took it to work the first time.. on my way home it was mostly uphill and it slipped at every time I tried to start up from a stop, rolled back at every stop and at speed would lose power and slip out like into neutral The second day it was even worse so I called the dealer who referred me to service who said it was a easy fix and they had to reprogram the transmission with the new software released this week dropped the car off this morning and a hour later was told it would require a whole new transmission and they have to order parts which are in short availability and could take weeks before I have my 3 day old car back.. at least they loaned me a fusion.. DO NOT BUY THIS!!!

• 

  AVOID FORD FOCUS - 2014 Ford Focus
  By Harry Jenkins - December 10 - 11:53 am

  I bought a 2014 Ford Focus it is in the garage for the third time for transmission problems. Ford built it knowing they had bad transmissions. Auto-nation Bradenton Fl sold it to me knowing there was problems. The salesmen sold it to me knowing it had problems. Ford the dealer and salesman all lied to me and are immoral,unethical.

• 

  transmission nightmare - 2014 Ford Focus
  By C Rowland - December 9 - 11:29 pm

  My 2014 ford focus has become the biggest purchase regret. Just to start i live in ga with one of the strictest lemon laws. My transmission started having issues around 25,000 miles just outside of the lemon law guidelines. Our family car has been in the shop 6 times in seven months. Total days in shop over 75 days. Our ford dealership says repairs done are only according to ford motorcompany guidelines. They are only as good as what they are given. This was my answer the service manager gave me. Contacted ford and was given a refernce number to have a customer service manager to call me. She did.. Told i would hear back after she spoke with dealership manager. Over a course of three weeks and leaving her three voicemails i never heard back. Fourth week i made contact. She actually answered the phone. I asked why???? Her reply....i need to advise you your lemon law in the state of ga. There is nothing we can do for you. I was blown away! Now i have contacted the bbb auto line. No help lemon law in ga is one of the strictest i was told. We will contact ford for you but u are really at a loss. I drive a ford truck as well and love it. It will be my last. Buyer beware.... Ford did not back this customer. The ford vehicles i own now will be my last.

• 

  Dont Buy - 2012 Ford Focus
  By penny - December 4 - 3:27 pm

  Please dont buy this car.....clutch problems fro day one!

• 

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

  Do not buy. Period.

• 

  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.

• 

  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!!!!!!