Overview

The Ford Focus is located on the outskirts of Detroit, and it has been gaining popularity due to its many features. The car offers lithe handling and impressive fuel efficiency, which are both qualities that American consumers look for in a vehicle.

Although the Focus comes with some excellent features, it falls short when compared to its larger rivals in terms of passenger space, cargo hold size, and modernity. Even so, it's a recommendable car model due to its hatchback and sedan body styles that have broad appeal. The Focus even has high-performance ST and RS versions as well as  a plug-in electric model available; however we review those models separately.

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

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

While the Focus's powertrains may not be inspiring, the Focus itself is amusing to drive down a twisty road. The fun-to-drive nature of the Focus does not mean that comfort must be sacrificed. The Focus has a composed ride and an isolated interior which makes it feel like a more expensive car than it actually is.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Although the Focus power isn't noteworthy, its efficiency is outstanding and beats most of its competitors--we got 38 mpg in our real-world testing from it. If you're looking for maximum fuel economy, go with the turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine that has a standard six-speed manual--it comes with an engine stop/start system too and has an EPA rating of 40 mpg highway.

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.

Is 2018 Ford Focus a reliable vehicle?

The 2018 Ford Focus has a good predicted reliability rating of four out of five from J.D. Power.

How long does a 2018 Ford Focus last?

How long does a Ford Focus last? Based on customer reports, the Ford Focus can last up to 200,000 to 250,000 miles. If you drive 15,000 miles per year, you will get between 13 to 16 years of service life from the average Ford Focus car.