2018 Ford Focus Pros vs Cons

Comfort is crucial when it comes to driving, and the 2018 Ford Focus packs plenty of creature comforts into its cabin. While the Focus has some of the pitfalls you might expect of an economy car (especially with its sluggish acceleration and serious lack of backseat space), the 2018 model offers quite a few high-tech features and a quiet, well-insulated cabin that makes the drive comfortable for those in the front seats.

What's New for 2018?

Almost everything carries over from the 2017 to the 2018 Ford Focus. The 2018 Focus is the last year in the third generation of Focuses, so you can expect big changes on the next-gen 2019 Ford Focus instead.

Ten Reasons You May Like the 2018 Ford Focus – The Pros

1. High-Tech Features

Ford packs a lot of high-tech features into the 2018 Ford Focus. The base S trim comes with a USB port, voice controls, Bluetooth, a rearview camera, and a 4.2-inch touchscreen display. If you have more money to spend, upgrading to the Titanium trim can get you the Titanium Technology package, which includes blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a lane departure warning system, and automatic high beams.

2. Quiet Interior

As is the tradition with the third generation of Focuses, the cabin is well-insulated and makes for a quiet ride. Even when going at highway speeds, there is little in the way of intrusive road noise to be heard.

3. Sporty Steering

You might not expect an economy car to have such sporty steering, but the 2018 Focus navigates winding, narrow mountain roads with ease. You can also efficiently zip into tight parking spots.

4. Comfort

The Ford Focus is incredibly comfortable for the driver and front seat passenger. The seats appear to be made of quality material, and there is enough padding in them and lumbar support to keep you feeling cozy during long rides.

5. User-Friendly Infotainment System

The Sync 3 is one of the most user-friendly infotainment systems on the market. It is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The system isn't riddled with app issues or lag, and the 8-inch touchscreen on the SEL and Titanium trim levels provide easy-to-read and clear graphics.

6. Generous Cargo Space

For being a smaller vehicle, the Focus has a generous amount of cargo space. There are 13.2 cubic feet (which is above-average for this segment) of trunk space, which can be maximized when you fold the rear seats down.

7. Excellent Handling

Since the Focus has such a fine-tuned suspension, handling is precise and inspires driver confidence. The suspension makes the Focus feel light on its feet and lacks the heaviness you might expect on an economy car.

8. The Cold Weather Package

Available on the SE, SEL, and Titanium, the Cold Weather Package is a must-have for drivers living in cooler climates. Those who have to endure driving in harsh winters will appreciate the heated front seats, steering wheel, and mirrors.

9. An Electric Option

Those looking for an Electric vehicle might want to take note of the Focus Electric. This car runs on an electric motor that is paired with a single-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain generates 143 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque and gives the car a 115-mile range.

10. Good Forward and Rear Visibility

Side views while turning are generous, as are the forward and rear views. The Focus has slender roof pillars up front, which greatly increase frontal visibility. While the rear fascia is set high, the rearview camera provides plenty of visual aid.

Reasons You May Not Like the 2018 Ford Focus – The Cons

1. Lack of Space In the Back Seat

Unfortunately, the Focus is not known for having a spacious back seat. Even larger children will find themselves crammed into the rear. It also makes trying to tote bulky items in the rear seat difficult.

2. Advanced Driver Assist Features Only Available On Titanium Trim

While many automakers now include advanced driver assist features as options on most trim levels, that is not the case with Ford. The most advanced driver assist features (including blind spot monitoring) are only available on the Titanium trim.

3. Slow Acceleration

The 2018 Ford Focus, like its predecessors, is extremely slow to accelerate due to its somewhat outdated turbocharged engine. It takes about 10.6 seconds for the Focus to go from 0 to 60 mph

4. Lack of Interior Storage Compartments

Finding places to store your tech gadgets and other portable items can be surprisingly difficult. The Focus has some small storage compartments, but there definitely are not enough located throughout the cabin.

How it stacks up to the competition:

2018 Ford Focus vs. 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage

The Mirage sedan and hatchback are very competitively priced with the Focus and offer superb fuel economy. Like the Focus, the Mirage is slow to accelerate. The Mirage struggles with sub-par interior design and gives a noisy ride, which puts it a step below the quiet ride that the Focus provides.

2018 Ford Focus vs. 2018 Honda Fit

The 2018 Honda Fit leaves the 2018 Ford Focus in the dust when it comes to acceleration. The Fit goes from 0 to 60 mph in about 8.5 seconds. The Fit has enhanced handling and steering and is loaded with tons of standard safety and infotainment features, even on its lowest trim level. The front seats could use additional lateral support but are fairly comfortable overall.

Conclusion

The 2018 Ford Focus is, first and foremost, an economy car. That being said, Ford has gotten some things right, especially when it comes to comfort up front and making visibility a priority. While you will have to spend more to get the most bang for your buck, the upper-level trim options are worth considering. If you are not in a rush to buy a new vehicle but really want your next vehicle to be a new Focus, you might want to hang in there for one more year to see what Ford comes up with on the next generation of Focuses, which will debut in 2019.