2018 Ford Focus

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: The Ford Focus is unchanged for 2018. The Focus is available as either a four-door sedan or a four-door hatchback, in trims ranging from base S to well-equipped Titanium. There is also a sporty ST model and a high-performance RS–both of which are hatchback only. All Focuses are front-wheel drive except the all-wheel-drive RS. The base engine is a 160-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder that is paired with a five-speed manual or six-speed automated-manual transmission. Also available is a fuel-efficient 123-hp turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine that mates to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. The ST has a 252-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and the RS packs a 350-horsepower 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. A six-speed manual is the only transmission choice for both ST and RS. (Ford also sells an electric version of the Focus at select dealers, see separate report.) Available equipment includes active park assist, heated steering wheel, blind-spot alert, lane-departure mitigation, and cross-traffic alert. Focus is a sporty, fun-to-drive compact that can be ordered with some unexpected high-end equipment. 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 is a ferocious performance machine with formidable capabilities, but its uncompromising nature and steep price tag make it a vehicle for serious enthusiasts. In any of its forms, the Focus doesn’t quite top its class, but it is still worth your consideration.