Used Ford Focus for sale: everything you need to know

The Ford Focus has long been one of the best hatchbacks you can buy. A best-seller across more than two decades and multiple generations, it’s a compelling alternative to that other well-known family hatchback: the Volkswagen Golf.

As it competes in one of the UK’s most popular new car markets, the Ford Focus has no end of new and used rivals from other car brands. These include the popular Vauxhall Astra, the impressive Honda Civic and the SEAT Leon.

Ford has facelifted the Focus range for 2022, to make it even more appealing for new car buyers. There’s more onboard tech and a more assertive appearance. If you’re thinking of buying a new Ford Focus, here’s what you need to know. 

Should you buy a Ford Focus?

The Ford Focus is a familiar and well-liked family hatchback. If you’re looking to buy a car that won’t throw up any unexpected surprises, it’s a great choice. 

This ease of use is found in how straightforward the Ford Focus is to drive, how simple it is to get serviced and, when your lease or PCP is up, how painless it is to swap into a new one. For those who buy outright, they will always be able to sell on a Ford Focus at a good price when they’re ready. 

It may be fuss-free to own, but it’s certainly not boring from behind the wheel. In terms of driver satisfaction, it holds its own against more illustrious (and more expensive) alternatives such as the BMW 1 Series and Mercedes-Benz A-Class. Steering feel is detailed, handling is agile and composure is sophisticated across all types of road surface.  

The 2022 facelift has given the car a cleaner exterior appearance – spot revised cars at a glance by the Ford badge that now sits in the middle of the grille – and new tech inside, including the largest ever touchscreen fitted to a Ford Focus. Fuel-saving mild hybrid engines feature heavily, while Ford continues to offer high-performance Ford Focus ST and crossover-style Ford Focus Active alternatives. The Ford Focus Estate is also available if the hatchback isn’t practical enough. 

Every Ford Focus is a roomy five-seater, with a perfect driving position up-front and passenger-friendly space in the rear. The sophisticated feel of a modern Ford Focus means long journeys won’t be a problem, and those stylish lines will probably turn a head or two along the way. 

The Ford Focus has been a best-seller nearly all its life, for good reason. It is a rightly popular car, both new and used, and makes a lot of sense for those seeking a safe bet that can do it all. 

We rate it highly, because it is a car with few obvious weaknesses. It can hold its own alongside premium alternatives from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, and is a strong rival to popular alternatives such as the Volkswagen Golf and Vauxhall Astra. If you simply want to buy a well-proven family hatchback that will deliver plenty of everyday satisfaction, you could do a lot worse than choosing to buy or lease a Ford Focus. 

A Ford Focus not for you? We've got 1000s of used cars for sale to suit all budgets and needs.

What's the best Ford Focus model to buy? 

If budget allows, we reckon the latest post-facelift Ford Focus is the most desirable. Improvements to the interior (including an impressive widescreen infotainment display) bring it bang up to date, while mild-hybrid technology brings a welcome boost in terms of both power and efficiency.

In terms of trim level, there's a Ford Focus to suit every buyer. A Ford Focus ST-Line X will tick a lot of boxes for a lot of people, with stylish looks and a long list of appealing features (things like heated faux-leather seats and the digital instrument cluster). We quite like the rugged Active models, though, especially if you live in an area with lots of uneven road surfaces.

Used Ford Focus fuel economy and performance

• Ford Focus 1.0 Ecoboost 125: The most affordable Ford Focus uses the well-proven 1.0-litre Ecoboost three-cylinder turbo engine. It is very smooth-running and, thanks to a standard six-speed gearbox, is fuel-efficient when cruising. It is a super entry point for those looking to buy or lease a Ford Focus on a budget. 
• Ford Focus 1.0 Ecoboost 125 mHEV: The 1.0-litre Ecoboost 125 mHEV is a mild hybrid version of the core Ford Focus engine. It costs around £1,900 more to buy because it comes as standard with a seven-speed Powershift automatic gearbox. The Powershift is actually marginally more efficient, and the fuel-saving mild hybrid tech gives almost identical CO2 emissions to the regular engine, too. 
• Ford Focus 1.0 Ecoboost 155 mHEV: The 1.0-litre Ecoboost 155 mHEV is a more powerful version of the core Ford Focus motor. It is offered in both six-speed manual and seven-speed Powershift automatic guises. Fuel economy for both is almost identical, and there’s just a 5g/km CO2 difference between the two gearboxes, so tax rates will be identical. 
• Ford Focus 1.5 Ecoblue 120: Ford used to offer a full range of diesels, but these days, it’s down to a single 1.5-litre Ecoblue motor producing 120PS. It comes with a six-speed manual as standard, with an eight-speed automatic available as an option. Both average over 60mpg, with the manual offering as much as 67mpg – around 15mpg higher than the petrol alternatives. 
• Ford Focus 2.3 Ecoboost 280: The exciting 2.3-litre Ecoboost 280 is a high-performance four-cylinder turbo engine that also starred in the famous Focus RS, as well as the Mustang sports car. It is a rorty, spirited engine that isn’t the most fuel-efficient, but delivers 0-62mph in well under six seconds. Have it either with a six-speed manual or eight-speed auto gearbox. 

What used Ford Focus trims levels are available?

The Ford Focus is available to buy or lease with a range of engines offered across five core trim levels. For some of them, buyers can also add on Vignale packs, which increase the number of luxury features that come as standard. 

• Ford Focus Trend: This is the entry-level model in the Ford Focus range. It still has essentials such as air conditioning and 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment, but it lacks features such as alloy wheels.
• Ford Focus Titanium: This is the core entry-level car for most people buying or leasing a Ford Focus. It has important extras such as climate control air-con and 16-inch alloy wheels, and uses the latest 13.2-inch Ford Sync 4 infotainment system. 
• Ford Focus Titanium Vignale: A luxury version of the Titanium, Vignale grade adds larger alloy wheels, rear privacy glass and other goodies. 
• Ford Focus Active: Active is the crossover-style Ford Focus variant. It has a raised ride height, extra plastic body cladding and special suspension tuned to tackle rough roads. 
• Ford Focus Active Vignale: Active Vignale brings more luxuries such as premium heated front seats, larger 18-inch alloy wheels and an upmarket B&O sound system. 
• Ford Focus ST-Line: ST-Line allows buyers to blend more fuel-efficient engines with a sportier-looking Focus on sports suspension. There is a unique ST-Line grille, full bodykit and large rear spoiler. 
• Ford Focus ST-Line Vignale: ST-Line Vignale has larger gloss-finish alloy wheels, a B&O sound system and heated front seats, with an electrically-adjustable driver’s seat.
• Ford Focus ST: The high-performance hot hatch Focus, ST spec matches a powerful engine with unique ST suspension, 19-inch alloys and powerful dynamic matrix LED headlights. 

Used Ford Focus dimensions and boot size

The Ford Focus’ exterior dimensions are: 

• Length: 4378mm
• Width: 1825mm
• Height: 1454mm
• Ground clearance: 125mm (Ford Focus Active: 163mm)

The Ford Focus’ boot size is:

• 375 litres
• 1320 litres with rear seats folded

Used Ford Focus road tax

As all examples of the latest Ford Focus have been registered since 2017, they'll be subject to the latest VED road tax rules. That means you'll pay a flat rate of £180 a year in tax and, as it's impossible to spec a Focus to more than £40,000, you don't have to worry about the premium car tax. Mild hybrid models qualify for a £10/year discount in VED, so you'll pay £170 a year in tax. Click here to check out the latest tax rules and how much your car will cost to tax. 

How much is to insure a Ford Focus? 

Insurance should be relatively affordable for Ford Focus owners. The basic Trend starts from group 13, with the diesel falling into group 14. Pick a more powerful 155PS Titanium and it moves up to group 16, with the ST-Line versions generally a group or two higher than standard models. There is no car insurance premium for Active models, though. The most expensive Ford Focus to insure will be the range-topping ST. This has a heady group 34 car insurance rating, in both manual and automatic guises. 

Read our full Ford Focus review