The Ford Focus is an iconic American car, and for good reason. It's built on the outskirts of Detroit (for now), it has a well-deserved spot in driveways across the country, and it handles beautifully. Plus, its fuel efficiency is amazing. In short, the Focus is one of those cars that just keeps giving—and we as American consumers are all better off for it.
Although the Focus comes with some drawbacks, such as being outclassed by larger rivals and having less passenger space, it is easy to recommend. The two bodystyles - hatchback and sedan- have a appeal. In addition, there are high performance ST and RS versions along with a plug in electric model (which we review separately).
Although the Focus doesn't have a ton of power, it more than makes up for it in its efficiency. In fact, it's one of the best fuel savers in its category, often outperforming its EPA ratings—and most of its competitors. We put it to the test and it got an average real-world mpg rating 38 mpg. If you're mainly concerned with saving on gas, go with the turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine with the standard six-speed manual transmission. It comes equipped with an engine stop/start system and has an EPA highway rating of 40mpg.
The Focus's cabin is looking outdated and in need of an overhaul, with its widespread use of plastic trim. At least the controls are mostly straightforward and easy to use. Your friends and family won't enjoy being stuffed into the small rear quarters of the Focus as it falls behind nearly all rivals when legroom for back-seat passengers is concerned. Small windows don't help alleviate the claustrophobic feel of the interior.
Although the Focus's powertrains aren't too special, the sedan is still fun to drive down a twisty road. Its comfortable interior makes it feel like a more expensive car than it actually is.
With declining sales due to the shift towards SUVs, the Focus will cease production. That doesn't mean Ford can't revive the model in the future. So far, it's unclear where Ford will go with their smaller line vehicles.
Our most recent experience has been in the 1.0-litre EcoBoost hybrid, and it's the powertrain we'd recommend, so that's the one we'll focus on here.
Most servicing prices are cheap, though, and any local garage should be able to work on your Focus. Other running costs will be no problem. You should see at least 40mpg from any of the petrol engines; our favourite petrol, the 113bhp 1.6, returns an official average of 43.8mpg, while the 1.6 diesel gives 65.6mpg.
As one of the best-selling Ford models ever produced, the Focus has been a much-loved figure in the motoring world for many years now. Proving popular thanks to its value for money offering and great all-round capabilities, it's a suitable match for a variety of lifestyles.
Lucky for you, the Ford Focus has exceptional fuel economy. Its standard 2.0L engine will get an EPA-estimated 25 city/34 highway mpg.