2018
Ford Focus RS

Starts at:
$41,120
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New 2018 Ford Focus RS
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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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2018 Ford Focus RS 2018 Ford Focus RS 2018 Ford Focus RS 2018 Ford Focus RS 2018 Ford Focus RS 2018 Ford Focus RS 2018 Ford Focus RS 2018 Ford Focus RS 2018 Ford Focus RS 2018 Ford Focus RS 2018 Ford Focus RS 2018 Ford Focus RS 2018 Ford Focus RS 2018 Ford Focus RS 2018 Ford Focus RS 2018 Ford Focus RS 2018 Ford Focus RS 2018 Ford Focus RS 2018 Ford Focus RS 2018 Ford Focus RS

Notable features

2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine
350 hp, 350 pounds-feet of torque
All-wheel drive standard
Six-speed manual transmission
New Limited Edition version
Giant rear spoiler and diffuser
Optional Recaro sport seats

The good & the bad

The good

Engine responsiveness
All-wheel-drive performance
Variable exhaust system can be quiet or loud
Excellent steering feel
Exterior styling sets it apart from regular Focus

The bad

Low-budget interior
No rear vents or charging ports
Skittish ride even in most comfortable mode
No cupholders in backseat
Lack of active safety features
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Available cars near you

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Safety review

Based on the 2018 Ford Focus RS base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
Overall rating
4/5
Combined side rating front seat
4/5
Combined side rating rear seat
5/5
Frontal barrier crash rating driver
4/5
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
4/5
Side barrier rating passenger rear seat
5/5
Side pole rating driver front seat
5/5
11.1%
Risk of rollover
Side barrier rating driver
4/5
Side barrier rating passenger rear seat
5/5
Side pole rating driver front seat
5/5
11.1%
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
Gold Certified: Ford models up to 6 years old with less than 80,000 miles
Basic
12-Month / 12,000-Mile (whichever comes first) Comprehensive Limited Warranty Blue Certified: 90-Day / 4,000-Mile (whichever comes first) Comprehensive Limited Warranty Disclaimer: See your dealer for warranty coverage details.
Dealer certification
Certified 172-point inspection
See all CPO program details

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    All-wheel drive
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Consumer reviews

100% of drivers recommend this car
5.0 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.6
Interior 4.2
Performance 5.0
Value 4.6
Exterior 5.0
Reliability 4.8

Most recent

  • By Noreaster from Portsmouth, NH
    Owns this car
    March 19, 2021

    Amazing fun at a high value (non-inflated price)

    The RS is amazing! I got it new and now have 20k on it. It runs like the day I got it. I swap winters/tires/rims every winter and it's my daily driver in New Hampshire. The 18 has refined suspension compared to prior years. I absolutely love this car! The bang for the buck is truly great! That said, I waited until the mark-ups were taken down! I love the design and including the interior. Only complaint with interior is the front seats are a little too high and the words for the dash controls (heat, defogger, etc) are super small/hard to read. I still get looks and random thumbs up, which is a gas. So far, it's been completely reliable. I test drove it to the Golf R and Subaru STi and the RS won! I could not turn off the control traction on the Golf R and dummed down things, which I did not like and the STi just didn't put a smile on my face like the RS and the interior felt drab/ordinary. So far, 3 years into this RS, I still love it!
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    11 people out of 11 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Dan from Beverly Hills
    Owns this car
    June 25, 2020

    absolutely exceeded all of my expectations

    I was looking for a fun daily driver that has great performance I can use in all seasons. With the winter tires and wheels this was a snowmobile in the winter, and a blast in the summer.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    5 people out of 5 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Hammernine from Scottsdale, Arizona
    Owns this car
    December 3, 2019

    Truly fun to drive.

    Great gas mileage, exceptional power, and excellent control, make this a perfect daily driver. The adaptive all wheel drive makes even a novice driver feel in control.
    • Purchased a New 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
    5 people out of 5 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By JRKM from LOS ANGELES
    Owns this car
    May 10, 2019

    My fave car

    Very fun car with great power and style. Interior styling is very basically though. Recaro seats are awesome and very supportive. So far I haven't had any issues with it.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Masblk from Oxon Hill, Md
    Test drove this car
    January 5, 2018

    I like the car

    I thought it was a great success. I really like the car. I would come back again. I a Really excited
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    1 person out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
See all reviews

Latest news from cars.com

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Ford Focus RS Drift Stick: Use With Caution

Beginning Dec. 1, Ford will sell the Drift Stick, a kit for the Focus RS that includes an electronic handbrake and accessories. Read more
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Ford dealers near you

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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2018 Ford Focus RS?

The 2018 Ford Focus RS is available in 1 trim level:

  • RS (1 style)

What is the MPG of the 2018 Ford Focus RS?

The 2018 Ford Focus RS offers up to 19 MPG in city driving and 26 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 RS?

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

Is the 2018 Ford Focus RS reliable?

The 2018 Ford Focus RS has an average reliability rating of 4.8 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2018 Ford Focus RS owners.

Is the 2018 Ford Focus RS a good Hatchback?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2018 Ford Focus RS. 100.0% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

5.0 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.6
  • Interior: 4.2
  • Performance: 5.0
  • Value: 4.6
  • Exterior: 5.0
  • Reliability: 4.8

Ford Focus RS history

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