Upscale styling; confidence-inspiring handling; high-tech interior
High price; tight back seat; compromised cargo capacity
There are no changes for this model year.
There's only one trim level, so that choice is simple. We recommend the 240-volt fast-charging option. The more vexing question is whether to choose a rival instead. There would be more thrills driving this than, say, the Kia Soul EV. But buyers of electric cars tend not to place much importance on the thrill factor.
The 5-seater 2018 Ford Focus Electric ($29,995) comes in one well-equipped trim level. There's no sedan version.
Standard features include 17-inch alloy wheels, 4-wheel disc brakes, xenon headlights, LED taillights, keyless entry/start, cruise control, eco-themed cloth upholstery, heated front seats, heated side mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel/shift knob, ambient cabin lighting, rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, configurable gauges augmented by EV-specific functions, a mobile app with vehicle status monitoring, remote start, Sync voice-command functionality with Bluetooth, Sync 3 infotainment system with an 8-in touchscreen, satellite/HD radio and a premium Sony audio system.
Options include leather upholstery (bundled with a 6-way power-adjustable driver's seat and a rear center armrest), a 240-volt home charging system plus an exterior protection package with mud guards and a protective rear bumper coating.
| Hatchback | Original MSRP / Price | Engine | Horsepower | City MPG / Hwy MPG | Transmission | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus Electric Hatch | $29,120 / $27,810 | Electric | 143 | N/A | Automatic | FWD |
| Focus RS Hatch | $41,120 / $39,270 | 4 Cylinder Turbo | 350 | N/A | 6-Speed Manual | AWD4WD |
| Focus SE Hatch | $20,540 / $19,615 | 4 Cylinder | 160 | 26 / 38 | 6-Speed Automatic | FWD |
| Focus SEL Hatch | $22,070 / $21,077 | 4 Cylinder | 160 | 24 / 34 | 6-Speed Shiftable Automatic | FWD |
| Focus ST Hatch | $25,170 / $24,038 | 4 Cylinder Turbo | 252 | N/A | 6-Speed Manual | FWD |
| Focus Titanium Hatch | $24,470 / $23,369 | 4 Cylinder | 160 | 24 / 34 | 6-Speed Shiftable Automatic | FWD |
| Sedan | Original MSRP / Price | Engine | Horsepower | City MPG / Hwy MPG | Transmission | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus S Sedan | $17,950 / $17,323 | 4 Cylinder | 160 | N/A | 5-Speed Manual / 6-Speed Automatic | FWD |
| Focus SE Sedan | $19,245 / $18,378 | 1 Cylinder / 4 Cylinder | 123 | N/A | 6-Speed Manual / 6-Speed Shiftable Automatic | FWD |
| Focus SEL Sedan | $21,870 / $20,886 | 4 Cylinder | 160 | 24 / 34 | 6-Speed Shiftable Automatic | FWD |
| Focus Titanium Sedan | $24,270 / $23,178 | 4 Cylinder | 160 | 24 / 34 | 6-Speed Shiftable Automatic | FWD |
Standard safety equipment includes 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, electronic traction and stability control and seven airbags (front, front side, driver knee and full-length side curtain).
In government crash testing, the regular Focus scored a perfect five stars out of five, including four stars for frontal impacts and five stars for side impacts. The independent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Focus its top score of Good in all crash tests except for the new small-overlap front test, where a rating of Acceptable (second best) was awarded.
| Basic | 3 Years/36,000 Miles |
| Drivetrain | 5 Years/60,000 Miles |
| Corrosion | 5 Years/Unlimited Miles |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 Years/60,000 Miles |
2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV -- Has a potential range of 238 miles. Yes, that much. About $7,000 more expensive than the Focus Electric, though.
2018 Hyundai Ioniq EV -- Can cover 124 miles, but only available in California at the moment.
2018 Kia Soul EV -- The electrified Soul has interesting styling along with some real cargo- and people-carrying versatility. Range is 93 miles.
2018 Nissan Leaf -- All-new for 2018. Bigger and better than before, capable of 150 miles.
2018 Volkswagen e-Golf -- Like the Golf we all know and love, plus a range of 125 miles. Buyers might have to source a 2017 model, because the 2018 version isn't due until later this year.
Used Toyota RAV4 EV -- The electric RAV4 is based on the previous-generation model, but it has the most cargo space of the bunch. It's also pretty quick, thanks to a powertrain from Tesla.
Hatchbacks offer more practicality than their sedan counterparts.