Used Ford Focus RS for sale: everything you need to know

The Ford Focus RS is a hugely popularly car with fans of Fast Fords and is one of the hottest hatchbacks currently on the market.

As you'd expect from a high performance sporty hatch like the Ford Focus RS, this is a very exciting car to drive with acceleration and handling two of its main selling points. Considering the power on tap, the Ford Focus RS remains a very practical car to own, with four very comfortable seats plus a decent boot hiding under that distinctive hatchback.

Considering just how potent it is, the Ford Focus RS is reasonably economical if driven carefully and it remains of strong appeal to car enthusiasts, particularly Ford fans, who might want to trade on up from something like the Ford Fiesta ST.

There is competition though in the shape of the Honda Civic Type R, Volkswagen Golf R, Audi S3 and Hyundai i30 amongst others in this vibrant end of the sports car market.

Should you buy a Ford Focus RS? 

The Ford Focus RS is a great car to buy both new and used. It appeals to a keen drivers who have a thirst for performance, although as a result does mean insurance can be an issue for some hopefuls. 

If you're keen to own a performance car, but need to have something practical the Ford Focus RS definitely works as an everyday driver, although it can happily sit around if you're more inclined to keep it as a second car for the weekends. Relatively speaking, the Ford Focus RS is affordable to both buy and run.

One of the best aspects of the Ford Focus RS is the way it drives. This is a high performance hatchback that goes and stops with ease and its got that Ford racing pedigree to back it up. Its turbocharged 2.3-litre petrol engine produces 345bhp, which combined with fantastic handling makes the Ford Focus RS exhilarating to drive in a variety of scenarios.

The latest Ford Focus RS was launched in 2016 and comes with an impressive list of features and functions as standard. Alongside the blistering performance, there are eye-catching alloys, Recaro seats and Bi-Xenon headlights along with plenty of tech inside the car to keep it relevant with today's buyers.

Although it has stiff competition, with a car like the Honda Civic Type R being an obvious example, the Ford Focus RS keeps its appeal, mainly because it's a great practical daily driver with space for families.

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

What’s the best used Ford Focus RS model to buy?

The Ford Focus RS comes with just one engine and transmission option, which is a turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder petrol motor. It produces 350PS maximum power and a nominal 440Nm peak of mid-rev shove. However, Ford gave the Focus RS an added slug off punch to help with overtaking that boost the maximum torque figure to 470Nm for 20 seconds under full throttle. As you’re unlikely to ever use the accelerator for more than that, it’s effectively the real top figure.

The six-speed manual gearbox was the only transmission option and it’s a slick shifter. It’s coupled to a four-wheel drive system as standard that uses a clever rear differential to deliver superb driving thrills.

Although the RS came in a single specification, it was also available with a Luxury Pack that added parking sensors, cruise control, keyless ignition, and folding door mirrors. You could also add optional Recaro front seats and 19-inch forged alloy wheels, both of which were popular and desirable additions when new and as a used buy.

Used Ford Focus RS fuel economy and performance

• Ford Focus RS 2.3 litre petrol: There's only one engine to choose from but it's a great one, with a 2.3-litre turbo petrol engine putting out a very beefy 350PS. Offered with a six-speed manual gearbox, it does 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds, has a top end speed of 165ph and is claimed to achieve up to 36.7mpg combined. 

What used Ford Focus RS trim levels are available?

The Ford Focus RS is available in just one trim level, although there have been special editions along the way that might be worth looking out for it you want that little bit more.

• The Ford Focus RS pick a Focus RS and you'll find that it comes with an impressive specification that helps boost its performance look and feel. As you'd expect, it's all about the engine, which is complimented by a sports exhaust system. Recaro seats, Bi-Xenon headlights, heated screen, Sony audio and an 8-inch touchscreen add to the impressive specification.
• The Ford Focus RS Edition most notable for some performance upgrades including the Quaife limited-slip differential, although various trim tweaks boost the appeal. Matte black 19-inch wheels look great against its easy-to-spot Nitrous Blue exterior.
• The Ford Focus RS Red Edition look out for this Edition variant car with its distinctive Race Red exterior finish topped off by a contrasting black roof.
• The Ford Focus RS Heritage Edition a top-of-the-pile limited edition car consisting of just 50 examples, which means availability is limited and costs high.

Used Ford Focus RS dimensions and boot size

The Ford Fiesta’s dimensions are: 

• Length: 4390mm
• Width: 2010mm
• Height: 1472mm
• Ground clearance: 104mm

The Ford Fiesta’s boot size is:

• 260-litres
• 1045 litres with rear seats folded down

Used Ford Focus RS road tax

All Ford Focus RS cars registered up to 31 March 2017 will attract an annual Vehicle Excise Duty tariff of £240 per year. As the Focus RS production lifespan straddled that date, later cars registered from 1 April 2017 will pay road tax at the reduced rate of £150 per year.

How much is it to insure a Ford Focus RS? 

As is the case with any high performance vehicle, insurance can be high. The Ford Focus RS is no exception and falls into insurance group 40.

Read our full Ford Focus RS review