About the Ford Focus RS

The Ford Focus RS arrived in the 2017 model year for the first time in the United States. Unlike the sedate economy car it shared a body with, the Focus RS ripped with a 350-horsepower 2.3-liter Ecoboost turbocharged four-cylinder with 350 pound-feet of torque, all-wheel drive (AWD), and a six-speed manual transmission. This rally-bred five-door hatchback could route up to 70 percent of the engine’s power to the rear wheels, and 100 percent of that available power to either wheel, depending on the driving situation.

What are the advantages of the Ford Focus RS?

• Insane engine power for such a compact car
• A unique all-wheel drive system built solely for performance
• Multiple unique interior and exterior features

What is the best Ford Focus RS model year?

The Ford Focus RS was only available for the 2017, 2018 and 2019 model years. There are no major differences from year to year, but there are reasons to purchase each year over the other. 2017 was the first year and 4,111 RS models arrived in North America. The 2018 model year is the most plentiful, with 7,351 in circulation throughout North America. The final year (2019) is the most rare, limited to just 1,002 for the United States and 516 for Canada.

What are the disadvantages of the Ford Focus RS?

All of the disadvantages of the Ford Focus RS are directly related to its advantages. By the end it was in limited production and even before that, examples were rare so finding one in excellent condition can be a challenge. Its performance meant that these cars were often abused and many ended up crashed or otherwise out of circulation. And the exclusive all-wheel drive system, dinner plate-sized Brembo brakes and unique suspension added complexity and expense when it comes time for repairs.

Comparison: Is the Ford Focus RS better than the Honda Civic Type R?

Aside from both being hatchbacks with turbocharged four-cylinder engines, the Focus RS and Honda Civic Type R couldn’t be more different cars. The Focus RS is all-wheel drive while the Honda Civic Type R powers the front wheels. There are obvious advantages to all-wheel drive, but in the Focus RS, it contributed to the $2,200 boost in base price over the Civic Type R, and that’s before you got to the $2,785 RS2 package that comparably equips the Focus RS with heated seats and a nav system. On the used market, though, the equation flips: when analyzing Similar Focus RS and Civic Type R models, we've see the latter priced below for former..

Is the Ford Focus RS a reliable car?

Any car tuned to the edge of performance is going to require more (and more expensive) maintenance to keep it running in top condition. Everything from brake rotors to suspension bushings to tires are going to be more expensive for a Focus RS than even a performance oriented trim of the same car like the Focus ST.

Is the Ford Focus RS worth the cost?

Absolutely, especially on the used market. These are hilariously entertaining cars with a bit of the utility the rest of the world has come to expect from a five-door hatchback. On the one hand, they’ve dropped in value since they were new, but on the other, they hold a much higher percentage of that original value than something like a Focus ST would. These are collector cars right out of the gate, and they’re always worth spending a bit more for a quality example.