Ford Focus RS (2016 – 2018) Review

Ford knew it would only sell a handful of the 2016 Focus RS, yet as a halo model and treat for enthusiasts it was unsurpassed. The moment the car was rumoured, deposits flowed in from eager buyers and that means used values have remained as strong as for any other eminently desirable fast Ford. IT’s easy to see why when Ford threw everything at this car: four-wheel drive, clever rear differential, and 350PS from a turbocharged 2.3-litre engine. It resulted in 0-62mph in a mere 4.7 seconds and 165mph top speed. Little wonder it’s reckoned to be a modern classic.

Like the Escort Mexico and Sierra Cosworth, the Focus RS follows in the best of Ford's performance history. It’s fantastic fun, offers serious performance and yet it’s affordable next to competitors. The only thing that lets it down a little is the fairly conservative interior.

Power – all 350PS of it - comes from a 2.3-litre four-cylinder EcoBoost petrol engine with peak torque of 440Nm. This is overboosted to 470Nm for up to 20 seconds, with a very short cooldown period - so in reality the higher figure is what you’ll typically get under full throttle. Acceleration is accompanied by a great, characterful exhaust note, particularly in Sport mode.

Unlike previous incarnations of the Focus RS the latest model has no trouble transferring all of its power to the road, since it has all-wheel drive. Ford, though, has cleverly calibrated the onboard computer and mechanicals to prioritise pure fun over supremely fast lap times, unlike Audi with the RS3 or Mercedes-Benz with the A45 AMG.

The result is a car with huge, confidence-inspiring levels of traction, helped by a very well-judged suspension set up that keeps body roll at bay without being too harsh, even on uneven, broken British roads. Adaptive dampers are fitted as standard, but they only firm up in ‘Track’ mode which, along with Drift mode, is genuinely meant for track driving only.

A six-speed manual transmission is fitted as standard, instead of the paddle-shift automatics common on other all-wheel drive super hatches. The brakes are hugely powerful Brembos that can shave off speed as alarmingly quickly as the engine can build it up. It’s a real, bona fide performance car, yet it’s easy to drive in town and it’s reasonably practical.

Inside, the Focus RS feels a little subdued in comparison to the likes of the vibrantly upholstered Civic Type R. It has supportive buckets seats and a pod of extra gauges, but is otherwise as staid and reserved as a normal Focus. That’s partly down to the cost-saving production process – the RS is produced on the same line as other Focus variants.

The Focus RS costs about the same as an Audi or Mercedes-Benz but less-powerful, front-wheel drive Civic Type R – also hugely impressive. But really, the Focus RS is the more capable, well-rounded car. In fact, we think it’s the best hot hatch you can buy. 

It still does a great job of balancing acceptable comfort with good body control as speed builds. Furthermore, the responsive, torquey engine makes threading together a series of corners a great experience, not least because the all-wheel drive system provides extra reassurance when using the throttle to its full.

The computers and systems are exceptionally quick to react to changes in road surface, steering and throttle inputs, making the car feel balanced and poised, but with a huge level of traction to keep the car pointing where the driver wants it to go. You don’t have to work too hard to enjoy the Focus RS and yet it’s still exciting and involving when you do put in the extra effort.

The Ford Focus RS uses a 2.3-litre turbocharged engine with 350PS and 440Nm of torque available from 2000rpm right up to 4500rpm. That means the engine is responsive almost regardless of which gear is selected and working the six-speed manual gearbox is a great experience.

From rest to 62mph takes just 4.7 seconds and top speed is 165mph, so the Focus RS is quicker than its German rivals with top speeds electronically pegged to 155mph. The downside is poor fuel economy. Officially the Focus RS offers 36.7mpg, but it’s likely to be closer to 30mpg or worse when driven hard or in urban traffic.

The RS enjoys the same five-star crash test rating as other Ford Focus models from this generation. It could have performed better overall if Ford had included autonomous emergency braking as standard on this pricey model rather than leaving it on the options list.

You do get twin front, side and curtain airbags as standard, along with a Hill Hold function and tyre pressure monitoring system. The RS was also supplied with Ford’s MyKey, which lets you programme up to four keys with individual settings for the car, so different keys can be set with limited top speeds and even restrict the volume of the stereo.

Aside from that the cabin is so similar to more mundane Focus models, it’s actually a little disappointing as there isn’t as much drama as you get in the cabin of the Honda Civic Type R.

There are differences between lesser Focus models and the RS, though. The most notable change is the addition of bucket front seats, which offer loads of support in high-speed corners but are quite uncomfortable to get in and out of. Getting in and out of the hind quarters of the Focus RS is easy, even with the sporty front seats that do not take up vital room for feet.

The boot is the same size as any other Focus hatch, so the RS is as practical as it is outrageously quick. The only thing that lets it down a little is the fairly conservative interior.

Ford made all of its rivals look very expensive when it launched the Focus RS. This involved sticking with most of the same materials found in a standard Focus, which don’t stack up quite as favourably next to the Audi RS3 and Mercedes A45 AMG with their very solid construction values.

Some of this dowdy feel to the Focus is down to the dash being all but identical to the standard Focus item other than the small bank of extra dials on the dash top. You’ll find some soft-touch padding to the dash and door panels, but the rest is the usual mix of Ford plastics.

The Ford Focus RS came with the company’s SYNC 2 infotainment system with 8-inch colour touchscreen positioned high in the centre console. It comes with sat-nav, DAB digital radio, Bluetooth, voice controls and easy smartphone integration. As a result, it has all of the functions and features you’d expect of a super hatch of the recent past.

This is not to say the system is perfect as the screen can be very sluggish to respond to the touch of your finger. Plugging in a destination to the navigation takes longer than in many other rival set-ups.

A car that originally cost £28,940 new, and crept up to £29,995, will still need £22,000 to buy a four-year old example with 40,000 miles on the clock and in well cared for condition.

The last of the line Heritage editions are finished in a unique Tief Orange colour and have power boosted to 375PS. Only 300 were made and they cost a hefty £39,895, but you’ll pay that to own one now due to their rarity and desirability.

A two-year old Focus RS with half that mileage will need you to spend pretty much exactly what it cost when new, so reckon on a £28,000 asking price. The good news here is that values are unlikely to drop as the Focus RS becomes a car sought out by collectors.

It's worth considering the longer-term position of Focus RS values. With only a finite number produced and many in the hands of owners who will never sell, the value of well cared for examples with low mileages and with all the desirable options fitted will always remains strong. Not only is that good news for the seller, it bodes well for a buyer who will only add miles at a gentle rate. As such, the Ford Focus RS looks set to join the same exalted group as its illustrious forebears such as the Sierra RS Cosworth and Escort RS models.

Ford claimed a combined fuel consumption of 36.7mpg for the Focus RS. However, the reality is few RS drivers were going to use the car gently and even when you only access the full power of the car only occasionally it will eat up fuel.

As a result, Real MPG figures show a Focus RS owner is more likely to experience average economy of 25.3mpg. That means a range of about 300 miles from full to empty.

When it comes to getting the Ford Focus RS insured, it’s not going to be cheap as it sits in group 40. However, that’s the same as for an Audi RS3 and four groups lower than a Mercedes A45 AMG, so it’s at the lower end of this ball park of super hot hatches. Only the Volkswagen Golf R is notably lower down the insurance rankings as it sits in group 34.

With carbon dioxide emissions of 175g/km, a Ford Focus RS registered up to 31 March 2017 will attract an annual Vehicle Excise Duty tariff of £240 per year.

As the Focus RS production lifespan straddled that date, later cars registered from 1 April 2017 will pay road tax at the reduced rate of £150 per year.

All Ford Focus RS models have 19-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels, 350 mm ventilated front disc brakes with lightweight Brembo calipers, RS performance rear spoiler, Bi-Xenon HID headlamps with adaptive lighting, and automatic headlights.

There are also heated washer jets, rain sensing wipers, and heated door mirrors with integrated turn indicators. Inside, there are RS branded Recaro front seats with leather side bolsters, dual-zone climate control, SYNC 2 infotainment with 8-inch touchscreen, DAB audio system, and Quick clear heated windscreen.

You also get four pre-set drive modes, comprising Normal, Sport, Track or Drift, as well as Launch Control, and dual mode damper settings. In the boot is a tyre repair kit.

Options for the RS included the Luxury Pack that added parking sensors, cruise control, keyless ignition, and folding door mirrors. You could also add Recaro front shell seats and 19-inch forged alloy wheels.