Other Ford Focus (2011 - 2018) models:

Ford Focus Hatchback (2011 - 2018) RS 2.3 EcoBoost 350PS 5d Owner Review

RS 2.3 EcoBoost 350PS 5d
Ford Focus (2014)

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In their own words

I liked the looks and the handling. The brakes were the best part of the car, absolutely superb and stopped on a six pence. It’s a shame the rest of the car doesn’t live up to the ill deserved hype given its cost. The mpg is a myth, this is as much of a guzzler as previous v8 cars I’ve owned. Expect 20-22mpg when commuting in town and only marginally better on motorway unless you drive like miss daisy. The boot space was not enough for a family car and is actually significantly smaller than you might expect. The dealer network are not clued up on performance models and were quite rude and arrogant - the Mountune dealers tend to be far better. Combined with the engines expiring before 10k being reported widely across social media and forums this persuaded me to cut my losses and sell after just 6 months ownership and I’ve never regretted doing so. For the money you can buy a used AMG, M3 or some Japanese exotica all of which will offer more thrills and a nicer more all round experience (and bigger boot!) than the Focus. I certainly don’t miss the contrived pops from the exhaust which wet cringeworthy.

How reliable do you find the car?

Sudden veering steering at higher speeds on a flat straight road (google “Pull drift compensation”). Head ford mech at dealer confirmed he felt it was dangerous, Ford said “characteristic of vehicle”. Exhaust valve stuck and a check engine light at just 4000 miles.

Does the car do everything you expected it to do?

Boot ridiculously small to be practical. I could have accepted that as a compromise if the rest of the car was better but it just isn’t. It’s too slow and heavy (it made 325bhp when standard on the dyno against the billed 340bhp, and even after the FPM375 was applied it just felt laggy and unexciting), the ride is too hard with the sports seats (that’s in normal not track suspension setting), the dash layout isn’t great and sync 2 and 3 both look dated and lack polish. I liked the looks and the handling (when it wasn’t interrupting and steering for me) was very good if not a bit crashy over B roads.
  • How they rated it

  • Reliability: 2 out of 5 2.0
  • Meets Expectations: 2 out of 5 2.0
  • Overall Rating: 2 out of 5 2.0
  • Mark Stern doesn't recommend this car

About their car

  • Fuel type Petrol
  • When purchased June 2016
  • Condition when bought New
  • Current Mileage 5,000 miles
  • Average MPG 20 mpg