Of all of Ford's models, perhaps none offers as much variety as the Focus, a compact that comes in two body styles and six trims and can be had with five distinct powertrains.
As Focus is almost certain to redesigned soon -- this design dates back to 2012 -- it returns for 2018 with no changes to those varied offerings.
Focus is available as a sedan and hatchback. An entry-level S trim is sedan only, while SE, SEL and Titanium come either way. A pair of performance models dubbed ST and RS are sold only as hatchbacks, as is the battery-powered Focus Electric.
Engine choices begin with a 2.0L four-cylinder engine making 160 hp and 146 lb-ft of torque that comes standard in S, SE, SEL and Titanium models. The SE sedan can be optioned with a 1.0L turbocharged three-cylinder good for 123 hp and 125 lb-ft. ST models use a 2.0L EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder worth 252 hp and 270 lb-ft, and the RS gets its 350 hp and 350 lb-ft from a 2.3L turbo four. The Focus Electric's motor makes 143 hp and 184 lb-ft.
Transmissions are a five-speed manual in the S and SE, a six-speed manual in SE sedans with the 1.0L engine and a six-speed automatic optional in those cars and standard in SEL and Titanium models. Both ST and RS models get a six-speed manual, with the RS also getting standard AWD. The Focus Electric puts its power to the road through a single-speed automatic transmission.
See what we mean about variety?
While Ford has given the current-generation Focus only mild updates since its 2012 introduction, it still looks good and drives nicely. Its biggest deficits are a sung interior and the hatchback's small trunk.
The S sedan is a price leader, so we consider the SE to be the real starting point for this car, where standard kit includes air conditioning, keyless entry, six-way driver and four-way front passenger seat adjustments, 16-inch aluminum wheels and a backup camera.
Ford will let you option your Focus with things like active park assist, heated steering wheel and front seats and remote start, but conspicuous by their absence is the lack of any advanced safety features. The lack of lane departure warning with steering assist is a weird thing, too, considering the active parking system puts in place the hardware to make that feature possible.
Fuel consumption estimates for 1.0L models are 7.9/5.9 L/100 km (city/highway) with the stickshift, and 8.5/6.2 with the automatic. 2.0L cars are rated 9.5/6.9 with the five-speed manual and 8.9/6.1 with the automatic. The ST's 2.0L turbo is rated 10.5/7.8, and the RS's estimates are 12.2/9.0. The Focus Electric consumes electric at a rate of 2.0 Le/100 km in city driving and 2.5 on the highway.
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