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Overview

There's a longstanding myth among car buyers that in order to get what you want, you need to be prepared to pay out the nose. Luckily, the 2018 Ford Focus shatters that myth, thanks to its combination of comfortable ride, sporty handling, and robust list of high-tech interior options—all at an attractive price that customers can get behind. 

Performance

The 2018 Ford Focus comes with a standard 2.0-liter, naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, which produces 160 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. The manual transmission returns 25 mpg city and 34 mpg highway.*

A 1.0-liter three-cylinder Ecoboost® is also available and while the engine might not sound substantial on paper, believe us when we say it shows just how effective Ford’s EcoBoost® technologies can be. EcoBoost® engines use turbocharging and direct injection, allowing for cuts in displacement and improvements in fuel efficiency. The 1.0-liter EcoBoost® produces a stout 123 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque. 

The 1.0-liter EcoBoost® transmission choices include a six-speed manual and an available six-speed PowerShift automatic with SelectShift®. The tiny engine proves remarkably thrifty with either transmission, returning an EPA-rated 35 mpg combined (30 mpg city, 40 mpg highway) with the manual, and 32 mpg combined (28 mpg city, 40 mpg highway) with the automatic.*

As an aside, the Focus is also one of the only cars sold in the U.S. with an optional electric powertrain. The Focus Electric features a 143-hp electric motor that also churns out 184 lb-ft of torque. A 23-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack provides enough juice for an EPA-rated 76 miles of range, along with 105 MPGe combined (118 MPGe city, 98MPGe highway).*

Features 

The 2018 Ford Focus is a compact car offered as either a four-door, four-seat sedan or a five-door hatchback. It’s available in four trim levels, starting at $17,860.** The Ford Focus is also available in ST and RS variants that greatly enhance performance and driving dynamics.

Standard features on the base Focus S include full-floor center console storage with cup holders and USB ports, tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, MyKey® owner controls feature, steering wheel audio controls, a driver-configurable 4.2-inch LCD gauge-cluster display, SYNC® voice control, and more.

The Focus SE includes all of the applicable standard features from the Focus S, along with 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic quad-beam halogen headlights, power mirrors with integrated turn-signal indicators, rear-seat heat ducts, illuminated entry, cruise control, and other features.

For drivers that want their Focus to stand out more, there's the SEL trim. It adds 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, and LED running lights. The SEL also provides a number of driver safety and convenience features, including rear parking sensors, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 10-speaker Sony® audio system, and SYNC® 3 infotainment system with eight-inch touchscreen. 

The top Focus model is the appropriately-named Titanium. It includes all of the applicable standard features from the Focus SEL, plus remote start, a rear spoiler, heated mirrors, keyless entry/ignition, a keyless-entry keypad, a heated steering wheel, leather upholstery, an eight-way power driver seat, heated front seats and a rear center armrest.

Design

The 2018 Ford Focus may be a compact economy car, but it’s still incredibly stylish thanks in part to a  sleek oval grille and streamlined headlights borrowed from the larger Fusion, which gives the Focus an upscale look, whether in four-door sedan or five-door hatchback form.

The interior is very functional, with lots of standard storage space and an available 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat. Steering-wheel mounted audio controls and a standard LCD display in the gauge cluster help manage the increased flow of information that’s now expected from tech-filled cars. Speaking of tech, the Focus comes available with the latest SYNC® 3 infotainment system, which features a streamlined interface and a more effective touchscreen and voice controls than the previous SYNC® with MyFord Touch® system.

Safety

Standard safety equipment on the 2018 Ford Focus includes anti-lock brakes, AdvanceTrac ESC electronic stability control, traction control, a rearview camera, and a full array of airbags. Optional equipment includes a reverse sensing system, active park assist, and 911 Assist as part of the SYNC® 3 infotainment system.

Bottom Line

The 2018 Ford Focus combines exceptional value and efficiency with a nice helping of sporty performance, making it a worthy consideration for your next compact sedan or, if you prefer, hatchback. 

For more information, or to schedule a test drive, contact us online or visit Mills Ford Chrysler at 4100 U.S. 71, Willmar, MN 56201. 

*EPA-estimated city/hwy mpg for the model indicated. See fueleconomy.gov for fuel economy or other engine/transmission combinations. Actual mileage will vary. On plug-in hybrid models and electric models, fuel economy is stated in MPGe. MPGe is the EPA equivalent measure of gasoline fuel efficiency for electric mode operation.

**Starting MSRP excludes destination/delivery charge, taxes, title and registration.

Image: Ford