Ford Escort vs Ford Focus RS Compare price, expert/user reviews, mpg, engines, safety, cargo capacity and other specs at a glance.

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User Ranking Drivers and owners ranked these cars in 9 categories.

Used Car Pricing Used listing price comparison and analysis.

2003 Ford Escort
ZX2
CarGurus Instant Market Value
$13,750
2018 Ford Focus RS
Hatchback
CarGurus Instant Market Value
$42,222
7 listings nationwide

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Expert Reviews Reviews from CarGurus experts.

2003 Ford Escort
ZX2

The last of a classic breed, the 2003 Ford Escort was the final model in one of the automaker's top-selling economy lines. The popular subcompact was designed as a low-cost family car...

2018 Ford Focus RS
Hatchback
Kyree Rollerson Preview:

Introduced as Ford’s answer to compact global cars, the Focus hit the market in the late 90s to critical acclaim. The Focus remained largely unchanged until the third-generation releas...

User Reviews Reviews from CarGurus users who have driven or owned the car.

2003 Ford Escort
ZX2
65
Amanda 2003 Ford Escort ZX2Review:

:d — exterior is a newer style. interior is nice. not to bad on gas. easy to drive. lately have had probl...

Primary Use: Family transportation

115
Austin 2003 Ford Escort ZX2Review:

Escort Zx2 (lead Footer) — This car handles nimbly, probably due to the light weight, but the stock tires don't have very much ...

Primary Use: Sport/fun (spirited driving, track racing, off-roading, etc.)

35
Pato 2003 Ford Escort ZX2Review:

Ford Escort — Si lo llevas al piso queda hermosooo. Bastante fragil pero se la banca. Tiene buena mecanica y si lo...

Primary Use: Sport/fun (spirited driving, track racing, off-roading, etc.)

2018 Ford Focus RS
Hatchback
10
Josh writes:
The car drives like its on rails when driving in the canyons but where I live the roads are terrible and the r...
Value Ranked 2018 Volkswagen Golf R 4-Door AWD better.
"The interior and it does not have major recalls like the focus rs. Although the 2018 models I believe addressed the gasket issues."
Would Buy Ranked 2018 Volkswagen Golf R 4-Door AWD better.
"It fits my lifestyle better. I think the golf r is a better daily commuter than the focus. The focus is more fun but as an everyday car I dont think it surpasses the golf"
20
GuruWY277 writes:
This car is the most over achieving car I have ever owned. I am on new car number 38 in the last 30 years. Mo...
Power Ranked 2015 BMW M4 Coupe RWD better.
"Engine just has more power which makes it faster in a straight line although it cannot compete with the 4 wheel drive and tenacious grip of the Focus RS"
Handling Ranked 2015 BMW M4 Coupe RWD worse.
"Steering feel is better and it just grips the corners like a Honey Badger. I have taken both on my favorite twisty roads (I live in an area with amazing deserted twisty roads) and the Focus out handles the M4 easily. Much faster through the corners, the tighter the faster, with a much more confidence inspiring feel. The only place the M4 was better is highway ride or rough road conditions in general. Smoother. But as far as sports car handling the Focus RS is in an entirely different category."
Looks/Style Ranked 2015 BMW M4 Coupe RWD worse.
"It is just more unique looking, paint jumps out as special compared to M4, aggressive stance. You have to look at the M4 fairly closely to be able to tell it is not a regular 4 Series coupe. The Ford Focus will never be mistaken for anything but a Ford Focus RS."
Front Seats Ranked 2015 BMW M4 Coupe RWD worse.
"The Recaro seats just have better support and feel."
Back Seats Ranked 2015 BMW M4 Coupe RWD worse.
"The Focus has 4 doors giving it an advantage but the seats are also larger and more usable."
Cargo Capacity Ranked 2015 BMW M4 Coupe RWD worse.
"The back seats are bigger and the hatch space is more versatile. "
Family Car Ranked 2015 BMW M4 Coupe RWD worse.
"Four doors and the space afforded by the hatch design. Much more flexible and convenient. Also the 4 wheel drive makes it much more capable in wet weather and snowy conditions."
Value Ranked 2015 BMW M4 Coupe RWD worse.
"The Focus RS has much better handling and steering feel compared to the M4 and 80% of its straight line speed and equal braking at a little over 1/2 the price. I guess it lacks the prestige of the M badge but when you are driving it you dont care and you get just as many looks and thumps ups."
Would Buy Ranked 2015 BMW M4 Coupe RWD worse.
"Better handling, steering and 80%+ of its straight line speed with quality overall approaching the M4 at just over 1/2 the price."
5
AaronTV writes:
The Focus RS is a lovely mix of fun and practicality. Its a great year round hot hatch that owns snowy roads w...
Cargo Capacity Ranked 2018 Honda Civic Type R better.
"The Civic Type R has a wider hatch opening and more overall cargo volume. "
Would Buy Ranked 2018 Honda Civic Type R worse.
"I live in Wisconsin and the Focus RS does a better job year round due to its AWD and amenities like heated seats and steering wheel. If I lived in a year-round warm climate Id probably pick the Type R. "

Specs

2003 Ford Escort
ZX2
2018 Ford Focus RS
Hatchback
Powertrain 6-Speed Manual
Drivetrain
FWD
FWD
AWD
Fuel Economy, City
23 MPG
23 MPG
19 MPG
Fuel Economy, Highway
28 MPG
30 MPG
26 MPG
Fuel Tank Volume 12 gal 13.7 gal
Engine
Fuel Type
Gasoline
Gasoline
Gasoline
Power
130 hp @ 5,300 RPM
130 hp @ 5,300 RPM
350 hp @ 6,000 RPM
Torque
135 lb-ft @ 4,500 RPM
135 lb-ft @ 4,500 RPM
350 lb-ft @ 3,200 RPM
Cylinders
4 cylinders
4 cylinders
4 cylinders
Compression Ratio
--
--
9.5:1
Displacement
2,000 cc
2,000 cc
2,300 cc
Bore x Stroke
--
--
3.44 in x 3.67 in
Safety
ABS Brakes Optional Standard
Driver Airbag Standard Standard
Passenger Airbag Standard Standard
Front Side Airbags -- Standard
Curtain Airbags -- Standard
NHTSA Crash Test Results
Front Driver 4 stars --
Front Passenger 4 stars --
Side Driver 1 stars --
Side Rear Passenger 4 stars --
Rollover (pre-2011) 4 stars --
Overall -- 4 stars
Front Crash Overall -- 4 stars
Front Crash Driver -- 4 stars
Front Crash Passenger -- 4 stars
Side Crash Overall -- 5 stars
Side Barrier Driver -- 4 stars
Side Barrier Passenger -- 5 stars
Side Pole Driver -- 5 stars
Rollover -- 4 stars
Comfort and Convenience
Leather Seats -- Standard
Air Conditioning Optional Standard
CD Player -- Standard
Cassette Player Standard --
Radio Standard Standard
Power Windows Optional Standard
Power Door Locks Optional Standard
Driver Power Seats -- Standard
Passenger Power Seats Optional --
Interior
Maximum Seating 4 seats 5 seats
Front Legroom 42.5 in 43.1 in
Back Legroom 33.4 in 33.2 in
Payload and Towing
Cargo Volume -- 19.9 cu ft
Exterior
Length 175.2 in 171.7 in
Width 67.4 in 80.5 in
Height 52.3 in 58 in
Wheelbase 98.4 in 104.3 in

Available Options

2003 Ford Escort
ZX2
2018 Ford Focus RS
Hatchback

Exterior Colors

  • Nitrous Blue Quad-Coat
  • Race Red

Option Packages

  • Power Moonroof
  • Tires: 19" Michelin Pilot Cup Sport 2 Summer Track

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