Pros: Acceleration in ST and RS models; sporty driving character; high-quality interior trim; impressive fuel economy
Cons: Tight rear-seat space; higher-end models get quite pricey; not all drivers like behavior of automated-manual transmission
CG Says: Ford Focus gains a high-performance RS model for 2016. The RS packs a 350-horsepower 2.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. All-wheel drive is standard and a 6-speed manual is the only transmission choice. Ford’s finicky MyFord Touch media control system is replaced with a new SYNC 3 interface on all Focus models. An automatic transmission can now be ordered with the 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine. Focus is a sporty, fun-to-drive compact that can be ordered with some unexpected high-end equipment. It can also be equipped with Ford’s fuel-efficient 1.0-liter EcoBoost 3-cylinder engine. We like the manual transmission more than the automated manual. Focus prices range from class-competitive to surprisingly expensive for loaded Titanium models. The ST promises lots of muscle, but we were a bit disappointed in the front-drive car’s ability to get it to the road. The AWD RS should solve that problem. While it’s not our favorite compact, Focus is still worth your consideration.
| Class | Compact Car |
| Body Style(s) | 4-door sedan, 4-door hatchback |
| Passenger Count | 5 |
| Drive Wheels | front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive |
| Manufacturer | Ford |
| Nation of Manufacture | USA, Germany |
| Base Prices | S sedan: $17,225 SE sedan: $18,515 SE hatchback: $19,015 Titanium sedan: $23,225 Titanium hatchback: $23,725 ST hatchback: $24,425 AWD RS hatchback: $35,900 |
| Base Engine 2.0-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower 160 |
| Std. Transmission 5-speed manual |
| Avail. Transmission 6-speed automated manual |
| EPA City Range (mpg) 26 |
| EPA Hwy Range (mpg) 36-40 |
| Optional Engine turbocharged 1.0-liter 3-cylinder |
| Horsepower 123 |
| Std. Transmission 6-speed manual |
| Avail. Transmission 6-speed automatic |
| EPA City Range (mpg) 28-30 |
| EPA Hwy Range (mpg) 40-42 |
| Optional Engine turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower 252 |
| Std. Transmission 6-speed manual |
| Avail. Transmission NA |
| EPA City Range (mpg) 22 |
| EPA Hwy Range (mpg) 31 |
| Optional Engine turbocharged 2.3-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower 350 |
| Std. Transmission 6-speed manual |
| Avail. Transmission NA |
| EPA City Range (mpg) 19 |
| EPA Hwy Range (mpg) 25 |
