Ford Focus (2011 to 2018)

Key specifications
Image gallery
Media reviews
Auto Express
Auto Trader
Business Car
Car Keys
Green Car Guide
Honest John
Motoring Research
The Sunday Times
The Telegraph
What Car?
Safety rating
Eco rating
Reliability rating
Similar cars
Buy a used Ford Focus
Subscribe to a Ford Focus

Summary

The Ford Focus is a medium-sized five-door hatchback and estate. This model is the third-generation version, which first arrived in the UK back in 2011. It was facelifted in 2014 and remained on sale until being replaced by the current Focus in 2018.

There are hot-hatch performance models called the Focus ST and the Focus RS. We don’t currently have pages for these versions so check back soon.

The Focus received consistently positive review scores both before and after its 2014 facelift. Parker‘s Mike Humble described the family car as a “joy to drive”, while Auto Trader‘s Ivan Aistrop added that the Focus line-up included “a range of cracking engines” and “an attractive and useable interior”.

“The Ford Focus is a decent car”, said Alex Robbins of The Telegraph, also conceding that “the Volkswagen Golf is classier and more comfortable; the Nissan Qashqai has a better reliability record; and Skoda’s Octavia offers a lot more space.”

The third-generation Ford Focus holds a Used Car Expert Rating of 72%, based on 36 reviews published by the UK motoring media.

Focus highlights

An engaging drive
Well-equipped as standard
Comfortable ride
Good value-for-money

Focus lowlights

Rivals were more spacious and practical
Rather poor rear visibility

Key specifications

Body style: Five-door hatch and estate
Engines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £13,865 on-road

Launched: Spring 2011Last updated: Summer 2014
Replaced: Summer 2018

Image gallery

Focus (2011 – 2014)

Focus (2014 – 2018)

Focus estate (2014 – 2018)

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express

Model reviewed: Hatchback range overviewScore: 6 / 10“One of the best all-rounders in the competitive family hatchback sector, the Ford Focus is also brilliant to drive. Its fabulous mix of quality, comfort and handling – not to mention some very keen used prices – make the Focus a terrific used buy.”
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Model reviewed: Estate range overviewScore: 6 / 10“The Ford Focus Estate shares its technology with the standard hatch, but while it delivers better carrying capacity and rear headroom, the Estate’s load-lugging capacity is significantly less than that of rivals such as the Skoda Octavia Estate and Peugeot 308 SW.”
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Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual ST-Line hatchbackScore: 6 / 10“If you value style above all else, then the Ford Focus ST-Line will tick lots of boxes. With this entry-level EcoBoost engine it’ll be cheap to run, but the sporty add-ons come at the expense of necessities like parking sensors, automatic lights and climate control.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual EcoBoostScore: 8 / 10“1.5-litre EcoBoost version of new Ford Focus hatch is both punchy and efficient.”
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Model reviewed: Pre-facelift diesel hatchback modelsScore: 8 / 10“You can’t go too far wrong with a Ford Focus diesel, as all are comfortable and good to drive.” (Dean Gibson)
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Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual hatchbackScore: 8 / 10“This 1.0-litre EcoBoost is more capable than a three-cylinder engine has any right to be. Not only does it make the Ford Focus feel grown-up, it helps it perform as well in town as on motorways.”
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Model reviewed: Pre-facelift hatchback rangeScore: 10 / 10“All new for 2011, the latest Focus promises the very best in comfort, technology and drivability.”
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Auto Trader

Model reviewed: Hatchback range overviewScore: 7.2 / 10“The Ford Focus is better than it’s ever been before, with a range of cracking engines, an attractive and useable interior and a driving experience that’s a match for anything else in the class.”
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Model reviewed: Pre-facelift estate rangeScore: 7.4 / 10“The Ford Focus Estate is a good-looking addition to the line-up of Britain’s best-selling car. It’s also more practical and packed with equipment.”
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Model reviewed: Pre-facelift hatchback rangeScore: 7.8 / 10“The third-generation Ford Focus is more refined, efficient and safer than ever before, although it lacks the sharp-edged driving thrills of previous models.”
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Autocar

Model reviewed: Facelift range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The facelifted Ford Focus is improved in all ways bar one. It’s appealing, but no longer excels dynamically.” (Matt Burt)
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Model reviewed: Pre-facelift range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The Ford Focus is so sophisticated in feel, so quiet at a cruise and stable at motorway speeds that it could quite easily come from the class above.”
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Business Car

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre diesel manual hatchback ZetecScore: 9 / 10“Array of little improvements makes the Ford Focus a stronger competitor.”
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Car Keys

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual ST-Line hatchbackScore: 8 / 10“The car you buy if you like the idea of a Focus RS or ST but can’t quite justify a full-bore performance car, the Ford Focus ST-Line certainly looks the part.”
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Model reviewed: Hatchback range overviewScore: 8 / 10“There’s always been a good reason that the Ford Focus has been the most popular car in its class for many years, but with its latest update it’s now even better and every bit as refined as it looks.”
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Model reviewed: Pre-facelift hatchback range overview“Overall, the new Ford Focus is a very impressive piece of kit. The interior is exceptional, the kit levels and technology similarly strong and the trade-off between ride comfort and handling is well balanced for the needs of buyers.”
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Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7.2 / 10“The Ford Focus is a comfortable, fun-to-drive and well-equipped family car that makes a great used buy.”
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Model reviewed: Pre-facelift hatchback range overviewScore: 8.8 / 10“The Ford Focus is great to drive, full of technology and very refined, but a small boot means it’s not the most practical five-door around.”
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Carwow

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 6 / 10“The Ford Focus is a family car that’s fun to drive and fairly frugal, but its boot is pretty small compared to other similar-sized hatchbacks.”
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Evo

Model reviewed: 8Score: 8 / 10“The Ford Focus Ecoboost delivers punchy performance and a thrummy soundtrack.”
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Model reviewed: Pre-facelift hatchback rangeScore: 8 / 10“The steering is very light, but it’s also accurate so you can always feel how hard you’re working the front tyres, and there is a really nice balance to the chassis so, although you won’t find any wild lift-off oversteer, you can adjust the Ford Focus subtly in a way that makes it very easy and rewarding to flow through corners.”
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Fleetworld

Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual EcoBoost hatchback“The Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost has the potential to spearhead a petrol revival by offering diesel-like running costs without the additional cost of fuel and the car itself.”
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Green Car Guide

Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual 125hp EcoBoost hatchbackScore: 9 / 10“The Ford Focus 1-litre EcoBoost is a 5-door hatchback powered by a 1-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine, which sounds like a recipe for disaster, but the car actually has excellent performance and it’s almost as quiet as an electric car.”
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Heycar

Model reviewed: Facelift rangeScore: 8 / 10“Combining the practicality and comfort that family buyers are looking for with a strong driving experience, it benefited from a number of key updates from the 2011 Ford Focus and is all the better for it. Choosing the right spec is important, but do so and you’ll have a car that will serve you well.”
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Honest John

Model reviewed: Score: 8 / 10“This Ford Focus may not have been brand new but nonetheless it’s good to drive, fairly practical and it feels well made. Factor in the improved cabin and high-tech features and the Focus is a great choice.”
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Model reviewed: Score: 6 / 10“The Ford Focus has a refined and upmarket feel to the cabin and is comfortable and quiet on the move.”
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Motoring Research

Model reviewed: ST-Line (2016)“The new Ford Focus ST-Line combines sporty styling with low running costs.”
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Parkers

Model reviewed: Hatchback range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The Ford Focus is joy to drive and a great used car bargain if you find a good one.” (Mike Humble)
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The Sunday Times

Model reviewed: 1.6 EcoboostScore: 6 / 10“The Ford Focus is a looker, it’s loaded with gadgets and EcoBoost engine has grunt.” (Jeremy Clarkson)
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The Telegraph

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“The Ford Focus is a decent car, and still sets the standard for driver enjoyment, so if a fun-to-drive family motor is what you’re after, it’s the one to have. However, a VW Golf is classier and more comfortable; the Nissan Qashqai has a better reliability record; and Skoda’s Octavia offers a lot more space.”
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Model reviewed: Facelift hatchback rangeScore: 8 / 10“Much needed tidy-up for the body, a couple of new capacities for existing engines and a talking dashboard.”
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What Car?

Model reviewed: Hatchback rangeScore: 8 / 10“The 1.0-litre petrol Ecoboost 125 engine is not quite as economical as it appears on paper, but it’s sweet and smooth and more than punchy enough to push the Focus around. Zetec offers the sweetest spot between price and equipment, with all of the basics covered plus a DAB radio and a heated windscreen. Usefully, it’s also been by far the most popular Focus from new, ensuring a healthy supply of used examples.”
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Model reviewed: Facelift range overview“There’s no doubt the 2014 Ford Focus is a better car than the one it replaces. It’s now cheaper to run, more refined and remains the best family car to drive bar none.” (Rory White)
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Which?

Model reviewed: Facelift range overview“The Ford Focus has always been a fun car to drive, and the latest model still is, although it’s definitely more grown-up, comfortable and refined than previous generations.”
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 starsDate tested: May 2011Date expired: January 2019
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 92%Child protection: 82%Vulnerable road users: 72%
Safety assist: 71%

Notes on safety rating

The third-generation Ford Focus was originally crash tested by Euro NCAP back in 2011 and awarded a five-star rating. However, this rating expired in January 2019 and is no longer valid as the car no longer meets the standards required for such a rating. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.

However, if you are comparing a used Ford Focus to vehicles of similar age, whose ratings will have probably also expired, its safety rating score is still useful.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

The Ford Focus was not lab tested by Green NCAP during its production cycle as it pre-dated Green NCAP’s formation.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by

Total claims: 326Average repair cost: £702.27
Last updated: October 2022

Reliability score

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for claims

As of November 2022, the Ford Focus is slightly above average for reliability with a score of 54%, according to exclusive data provided by our commercial partner, MotorEasy. This covers the current Focus, as well as previous (pre-2018) models, which is worth bearing in mind if you’re looking at a used car.

The good news is that the majority of problems are relatively inexpensive. Braking and electrical system problems make up the vast majority of issues reported by MotorEasy’s warranty data, while the big-ticket expenses of engine and gearbox faults are mercifully rare.

If you’re looking at a used Ford Focus, make sure any extended warranty cover you purchase covers all of these potential problem areas.

Awards

Trophies, prizes and awards that the Ford Focus has received.

2016

BusinessCar Awards – Best Lower Medium Car

2015

Fleet News Awards – Best Lower Medium Car

2014

What Car? Awards – Used Car of the Year + Best Used Family Car

2013

BusinessCar Awards – Best Lower Medium Car

2012

BusinessCar Awards – Best Company Car
Car of the Year Awards – Family Car of the Year
Fleet News Awards – Best Medium Car
Road & Travel Magazine Awards – International Compact Car of the Year

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Keyword: Ford Focus (2011 to 2018)