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2018
Ford Focus

Starts at:
$17,950
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New 2018 Ford Focus
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Consumer rating
Owner reviewed vehicle score
Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
Consumer rating
Owner reviewed vehicle score
Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • S Sedan
    Starts at
    $17,950
    26 City / 38 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Regular Unleaded I-4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • SE Sedan
    Starts at
    $19,245
    27 City / 38 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-3
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • SE Hatch
    Starts at
    $20,540
    115 mi.
    Range
    5
    Seat capacity
    Regular Unleaded I-4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • SEL Sedan
    Starts at
    $21,870
    24 City / 34 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Regular Unleaded I-4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • SEL Hatch
    Starts at
    $22,070
    24 City / 34 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Regular Unleaded I-4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • Titanium Sedan
    Starts at
    $24,270
    24 City / 34 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Regular Unleaded I-4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • Titanium Hatch
    Starts at
    $24,470
    24 City / 34 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Regular Unleaded I-4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

Photo & video gallery

2018 Ford Focus 2018 Ford Focus 2018 Ford Focus 2018 Ford Focus 2018 Ford Focus 2018 Ford Focus 2018 Ford Focus 2018 Ford Focus 2018 Ford Focus 2018 Ford Focus 2018 Ford Focus 2018 Ford Focus 2018 Ford Focus 2018 Ford Focus 2018 Ford Focus 2018 Ford Focus 2018 Ford Focus 2018 Ford Focus 2018 Ford Focus 2018 Ford Focus 2018 Ford Focus

Notable features

Sedan and four-door hatchback body styles
Manual or dual-clutch automatic transmission
Turbo three-cylinder engine option
Sync 3 multimedia system available
Performance-oriented ST and RS versions

The good & the bad

The good

Attractive styling
Fuel economy
Advanced electronic safety systems
Handling

The bad

Tight interior space
Options get pricey
Visibility not the greatest
Automatic transmission performance

Expert 2018 Ford Focus review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By Cars.com editors
Full article
our expert's take


What it is: The Focus serves as Ford's entry in the compact car class; it's available in sedan and hatchback body styles. Most models come with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, but the SE sedan offers a turbocharged three-cylinder engine. Competitors include the Chevrolet Cruze, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla.


The hatchback is also sold as the Focus Electric, which is covered separately in the Cars.com Research section, and as the sporty ST and performance RS.


There are no significant changes.

Focus ST
The Focus ST is a sportier version of the hatchback. Power comes from a 252-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 270 pounds-feet of torque. A six-speed manual is the only transmission offered.

What’s Special

  • 18-inch alloy wheels with summer tires
  • Honeycomb grille
  • Sport suspension with firmer shocks and springs
  • Available Recaro sport seats

2018 Ford Focus review: Our expert's take


What it is: The Focus serves as Ford's entry in the compact car class; it's available in sedan and hatchback body styles. Most models come with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, but the SE sedan offers a turbocharged three-cylinder engine. Competitors include the Chevrolet Cruze, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla.


The hatchback is also sold as the Focus Electric, which is covered separately in the Cars.com Research section, and as the sporty ST and performance RS.


There are no significant changes.

Focus ST
The Focus ST is a sportier version of the hatchback. Power comes from a 252-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 270 pounds-feet of torque. A six-speed manual is the only transmission offered.

What’s Special

  • 18-inch alloy wheels with summer tires
  • Honeycomb grille
  • Sport suspension with firmer shocks and springs
  • Available Recaro sport seats

Available cars near you

Safety review

Based on the 2018 Ford Focus base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
Overall rating
5/5
Combined side rating front seat
5/5
Combined side rating rear seat
5/5
Frontal barrier crash rating driver
5/5
Frontal barrier crash rating passenger
4/5
Overall frontal barrier crash rating
5/5
Overall side crash rating
5/5
Rollover rating
4/5
Side barrier rating
5/5
Side barrier rating driver
5/5
Side barrier rating passenger rear seat
5/5
Side pole rating driver front seat
5/5
11.6%
Risk of rollover
Side barrier rating driver
5/5
Side barrier rating passenger rear seat
5/5
Side pole rating driver front seat
5/5
11.6%
Risk of rollover

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
3 years / 36,000 miles
Corrosion
5 years
Powertrain
5 years / 60,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
5 years / 60,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
Fords and many non-Ford vehicles up to 10 years old with less than 150,000 miles
Basic
90-Day / 4,000-Mile (whichever comes first) Comprehensive Limited Warranty
Dealer certification
139-point inspection

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Consumer reviews

4.6 / 5
Based on 207 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.6
Interior 4.6
Performance 4.4
Value 4.5
Exterior 4.7
Reliability 4.6

Most recent

  • Got my car in 2020 during Covid and was able to use my

    Got my car in 2020 during Covid and was able to use my stimulus check on it! Had it for 6 months and boom $800. Drove it a year after boom the tranny goes out and thank Godni still was under warranty and they fixed it! Here we are almost three years later and the tranny goes out of no where! No jerkying no early signs of going out! took my kids to practice and tried to start and wouldn’t! Got it jumped and what do you know I can’t reverse and car won’t go over 10 miles.. I’m sooo over this car and now I can’t trade it because I still owe too much so I’m stuck with a xxxxty car DO NOT BUY
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 1.0
    Value 1.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 1.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Purchased a used 2018 with 35K miles in 2023.

    Purchased a used 2018 with 35K miles in 2023. I now have 75K miles as it's a commuter car, about 90 miles a day. I average almost 41 mpg going from Pueblo to Colorado Springs and back. The CVT was a bit suspect when I first got it, but I think the driving has corrected the 3rd gear delay. The CVT is hands down better than my Altima. One year that car was gone, total junk.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • I love this car, the only exception is the transmission.

    I love this car, the only exception is the transmission. The clutches jerk hard, only once in a while. It mainly jerks when someone besides me drives and only occasionally with me. Overall, I love this car!
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Great little car

    I bought my 2017 Ford Focus SE 1.0L Manual New and only had minor issues with it it that was covered under warranty. only issues I had was the PVC needed to be replaced and the CV Axle seals. The Focus rode great, I ended up getting 45+ miles per gallons using 93 octane fuel and a pedal enhancer, made a world of a difference. She was a peppy little car. I loved the Black interior, the seat were fairly comfortable. I ended up trading it for a small SUV for more room because my son was growing so fast and needed more leg room for him. I regretted getting rid of it and just should have kept for my commute to work.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Nothing but problems with 2018 Ford focus

    Have had nothing but problems and it’s never covered under warranty but it’s the things that’s been recalled. But it’s a hatchback so we’re out of luck. It sits in my driveway because of it not wanting to shift.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 2.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 1.0
    Value 1.0
    Exterior 1.0
    Reliability 2.0
    3 people out of 5 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Good car great buy

    I own a 2013 manual Se model it has been a great car 35 miles a gallon. Love it and mad that Ford stopped making them..
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    10 people out of 11 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Very disappointed, for 60 years I have ford cars,

    Car shuttering on take off , when I called ford, the lady told me to take off faster, really that was what I was instructed would take care of the problem
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 2.0
    Interior 2.0
    Performance 2.0
    Value 2.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 2.0
    15 people out of 24 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • My focus review.

    I recommend this car if you get it in a standard shift, I'm on my second focus and both were standard shift, the second one is an st and is awsome the first one was a 2013 se with a 5 speed standard and had no problems with either one, my wife's 2018 se has an automatic and so far has bine very reliable!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    11 people out of 11 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Read Before You Buy These Lemons

    I bought a 2018 Ford Focus sedan brand new off the lot in 2018. DO NOT BUY these cars have a faulty transmission. This car is not even 4 years old and has had the clutch replaced 5 times!! Also replaced cv joints and then something else in the transmission. I was looking for a brand new car so I didn’t have to worry about fixing it all the time but ended up working on it more than my car that’s over 10 years old. I talked to a lawyer and he said 90 percent of his law firm’s income is from lawsuits against Ford for the 18-19 Focus and Fiesta’s so it’s a VERY common problem with this make/model. I don’t understand why they haven’t just recalled them. Also, if you do buy a focus or fiesta, make sure you have an outstanding warranty that covers all transmission problems. And another thing, the car is super cramped with no space for anything. No leg room. The trunk is tiny too. My baby stroller took up the entire trunk making it hard for groceries etc. My baby’s car seat was almost touching the front seat. It felt very unsafe if we were to have an accident
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 2.0
    Interior 2.0
    Performance 1.0
    Value 2.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 1.0
    8 people out of 10 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Great service

    purchased a used 2015 Hyundai Sonata Sport with a lot of options and under 15k miles. I'm a big guy, 6'3" and big-boned, with two younger children that require car seats. There is still some room behind me with the seat backed up all of the way. The features and smart key
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    8 people out of 21 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Enjoying every bit of it!

    It is very comfortable. We are from Rawlins and the 4 1/2 hr long drive back was fun. Smooth car handled great. Love the heated seats and the sportiness of it.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    4 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Burns through coolant and the dealership new it

    It’s great, but does have recalls in blown head gaskets that makes it burn through coolant. But it drives great, gets great gas mileage and is a comfortable ride
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    8 people out of 8 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No

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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2018 Ford Focus?

The 2018 Ford Focus is available in 4 trim levels:

  • S (1 style)
  • SE (2 styles)
  • SEL (2 styles)
  • Titanium (2 styles)

What is the MPG of the 2018 Ford Focus?

The 2018 Ford Focus offers up to 26 MPG in city driving and 38 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

What are some similar vehicles and competitors of the 2018 Ford Focus?

The 2018 Ford Focus compares to and/or competes against the following vehicles:

Is the 2018 Ford Focus reliable?

The 2018 Ford Focus has an average reliability rating of 4.6 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2018 Ford Focus owners.

Is the 2018 Ford Focus a good Sedan?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2018 Ford Focus. 89.4% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.6 / 5
Based on 207 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.6
  • Interior: 4.6
  • Performance: 4.4
  • Value: 4.5
  • Exterior: 4.7
  • Reliability: 4.6

Ford Focus history

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