Used Ford Focus for Sale near South Dakota

How much does the Ford Focus cost in today's market?

Used Ford Focus prices span a wide range depending on model year. Here's what the market looks like right now:

The Ford Focus's current nationwide average price is $7,863, and its year-round low is $7,707.69. That puts the model in a fairly accessible price band across the years shown here, with recent model years still spanning a broad range. Recently, prices have come down for the 2016, 2017, and 2018 models, making now a good time to shop recent model years.

Is the Ford Focus a good car?

Yes — the Ford Focus earns strong owner approval across its model years, with the all-generations owner rating at 4.26/5 across every model year in the data. Owners repeatedly praise its fun driving experience, great fuel economy, reliable performance, easy handling, modern features, stylish design, and value for money. Expert coverage also points to a refined feel, good ride quality, and a well-weighted, sporty steering character.

Expert reviews rate the 2014 and 2016 models among the highest across all years.

The main trade-offs that come up in recent expert coverage center on interior space, transmission behavior, and some base-model powertrain choices.

25.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.

Are Ford Focus models reliable?

Owners consistently praise the Ford Focus for its smooth rides, great fuel economy, sporty handling, and generally satisfying ownership experience. Expert coverage also highlights a refined feel, good ride quality, and easy-to-use controls.

• Owners rate the Ford Focus between 4.0 and 4.62 out of 5 stars across all model years in the data.

For used buyers, the biggest long-term ownership risk to check is transmission history, especially on cars with higher mileage or incomplete service records.

What should I look for when buying a used Ford Focus?

Across all model years, at 62.4% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

Key things to evaluate:

• Safety package: backup camera with virtual guidelines and available parking sensors
• Infotainment: Ford’s Sync system with voice control, stereo access, and Bluetooth-paired smartphone support
• Fuel efficiency: 27 mpg city/40 highway/31 combined; 28/40/32 combined; 42 mpg highway

Which Ford Focus trim should I buy?

The 2016 Ford Focus offers these trims:

• S: the entry trim with the base 2.0-liter engine and a 5-speed manual; a straightforward choice if you want the lowest starting point.
• SE: the best-value trim, adding the available 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine and the hatchback body style, which the expert review recommends for its usefulness and appearance.
• Titanium: the upscale trim with the 6-speed automatic as standard equipment and the most premium positioning in the lineup.

What Ford Focus do most buyers choose?

The Ford Focus years with the most listings are 2015, 2017, and 2016.

Higher-volume years tend to draw more shoppers because they give you more inventory to compare and more chances to find a well-priced example. In this case, the most common years also sit in the middle of the price range, which helps keep them attractive to value-focused buyers.

What is the Ford Focus's resale value?

Most of the model years shown are moving lower year over year, which can work in your favor if you want to buy used. The biggest drops are concentrated in the newer years, while the oldest year in the table is changing more slowly. That pattern suggests you may find stronger value in the recent-model-year market right now.

The 2014, 2018, and 2016 model years have held their value best, with the smallest year-over-year price changes.

Is the Ford Focus safe?

• 2016: 7/10
• 2015: 7/10
• 2014: 9/10

The 2016 Focus includes a backup camera with virtual guidelines and available parking sensors, along with large side mirrors and inset wide-angle mirrors that reduce blind spots.

For the safest used buy, the 2014 model posts the highest confirmed score of 9/10.

Should I buy a used Ford Focus now or wait for the next model?

Buy now if:

• Price trend: The 2017 model is at −7.27% versus a year ago, and the 2016 model is at −4.71%.
• Deal availability: The 2017 model has 27.3% good and great deals, and the 2016 model has 27.4%.
• Sweet-spot year: The 2015 model has the most listings at a current average price of $7,687. The Ford Focus offers a sporty, easy-to-live-with character that makes it appealing as a daily driver.

Consider waiting if:

• Powertrain/efficiency: The base engine across the lineup is a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder that makes 160 hp and 146 lb-ft of torque, and the 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine makes 123 hp and 125 lb-ft of torque.
• Tech: Ford’s Sync system allows you to access the stereo and a Bluetooth-paired smartphone, and the digital screen uses vivid fonts with a large typeface.
• Safety: The backup camera includes virtual guidelines that turn with the wheel, and the available parking sensors are great for parallel parking.
• Starting price: The Base MSRP of the 2016 Ford Focus is $17,225.

If you're buying used today, the 2015 model year offers the best mix of value and availability. If you want the latest tech and features, it may be worth waiting for 2019 inventory to mature.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.