2018 Ford Focus

Overview

Built on the outskirts of Detroit—for another year or so—and with a well-deserved spot in driveways across the country, the Ford Focus is as American as apple pie. During its journeys, the Focus has accumulated many gifts, and it has bestowed them on the American consumer; among them are lithe handling and impressive fuel efficiency. Unfortunately, these gifts come with some compromises. The Focus is outclassed by larger rivals that offer more passenger space, larger cargo holds, and more modern features. Still, it's an easy car to recommend, and its two body styles—hatchback and sedan—offer broad appeal. There are even high-performance ST and RS versions and a plug-in electric model, but we review those models separately.

Note that the Focus has ceased production; 2018 was the last year it was made.

What's New for 2018?

The SE EcoBoost Appearance package is now the SE Appearance package and is available on all SE models regardless of engine choice. The rest of the updates actually involve reducing equipment on S, SE, and SEL models. These changes include two-way adjustable headrests that replace last year's four-way adjustable units, the deletion of the turn-signal indicators on exterior mirrors of SE trims, the deletion of rear-seat floor mats in S models, and the disappearance of the auxiliary input jack and door-release handle ambient lighting elements in all models. SE and SEL models no longer come equipped with a driver's-side seatback map pocket, and the single-disc CD player has been removed from S and SE models.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

The Focus is available as a sedan and for extra money as a hatchback. We'd gladly pay the additional dough for the Focus SEL hatchback ($22,545) for its increased practicality and equipment. Opting for the SEL gets you a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Being Midwesterners, we'd also select the Cold Weather package, which includes heated front seats and a heated steering wheel to make frigid mornings less unpleasant.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Likes: Manual transmission is available, great steering, fun to drive.
Dislikes: Six-speed automatic is unrefined, both the four-cylinder and three-cylinder engines are slow.

None of the Focus's powertrains are particularly inspiring. The standard four-cylinder is not as punchy as the turbocharged engines available in many competitors, while the tiny, efficient turbo three-cylinder available on the sedan is overmatched by the Focus's weight.

The Focus is one of the more amusing cars in its segment to hustle down a twisty road. Its fun-to-drive nature doesn't come at the expense of comfort, either, as the Focus boasts a composed ride and a relatively isolated interior that make it feel more expensive than it is.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The Focus makes up for its lackluster power with impressive efficiency. It's among the best fuel sippers in its segment, outperforming its average EPA ratings—and most of its competitors—in our real-world testing with a result of 38 mpg. If you're seeking maximum fuel efficiency, the turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder with the standard six-speed manual is the setup to choose. It comes standard with an engine stop/start system and is rated at 40 mpg highway by the EPA.

Interior, Infotainment, and Cargo

Likes: Easy-to-use optional infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available.
Dislikes: Cramped back seat, outdated interior design, disappointing standard infotainment system.

The Focus has gone a long time without an interior overhaul, and its widespread use of plastic trim and outdated-looking cabin are clearly weak points. 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 legroom for back-seat passengers is sorely lacking compared with nearly all of its rivals. Small windows don't help alleviate the claustrophobic feel of the interior.

The optional touchscreen infotainment system—called Sync 3—is refreshingly easy to use, with well-organized menus and large on-screen buttons. The base setup uses a much smaller screen and offers far fewer connectivity features. We recommend stepping up to either the SEL or Titanium trims, which have the more advanced system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen. Sync 3 is simple to use and supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.

Practicality is not the Focus's strong suit. While its cargo-carrying numbers are average, storage space for small items in the cabin is lacking. In our testing, it fit four of our carry-on suitcases with the rear seats in use and 15 carry-ons with the rear seats folded.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The Focus achieves only average crash-test results and lacks many of the active safety features of its competition. While it achieved a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), it lags behind in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's small overlap crash test, where it only achieves an Acceptable rating—most of its newer rivals were rated Good in this test. Few active safety features are available, and the ones that are—namely blind-spot monitoring and lane-departure warning—are only offered as part of an option package on the top Titanium trim level, meaning you'll pay more than $25,000 for a Focus so equipped. Key safety features include:

• Available blind-spot monitor
• Available lane-departure warning
• Available lane-keeping assist

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Ford's warranty program is entirely average among its peers, without the complimentary scheduled maintenance that GM offers on many of its vehicles.

• Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
• No complimentary scheduled maintenance