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FordFocus RS (2016-2018)

Medium
Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Used only

£18,871Typical price

Test score

where to buy or sell

The version of this car that we've reviewed might not be available to buy through all listed retailer links. For more options, see our guides on where to buy a car and how to sell a car.

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The latest Ford Focus reincarnates the RS badge, with a 350hp engine and four-wheel drive. But just how good is the Ford Focus RS, and can you treat it as an everyday car? Find out in our full Ford Focus RS review.

pros

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cons

What's included?

What is it?
What's it great at?
What's it like to drive?
How reliable are Ford's cars?
How comfortable and spacious is it?
How economical is it to run?
How safe is it?
Is there anything I should look out for?
Should I buy it?

KEY TEST RESULTS
Comfort and practicality
Brand reliability 0-4 years

Jan 2023Last checked by Which?
Apr 2017First reviewed by Which?
Oct 2016Released

The overall Which? test score is made up of the following star ratings, all determined by our rigorous lab tests.

How we test cars

6 Jun 2025

Ease of driving

Overall
Visibility
Smoothness of power delivery
Driving stability
Cabin layout

How we test ease of driving

To find out how easy a car is to drive, we assess cars across a number of areas from visibility and handling to the layout of the cabin and how smoothly the engine delivers its power.

Performance

Overall
In-gear acceleration
Brakes

How we test performance

We test braking distances and whether the effectivess of the brakes fade with repeat use. Performanc is based on in-gear acceleration.

Comfort and practicality

Overall
Entry and exit
Seat comfort
Ride quality
Quietness
Seat space
Boot space (small SUVs and medium cars)

How we test comfort and practicality

Comfort and practicality includes how easy it is, or not, to get in and out of the car and the maximum height of occupants. We also measure road, wind and engine noise and assess how well the car deals with bumps from large potholes to jittery surfaces like cobble stones.

Euro NCAP

How we test euro ncap

Any car that receives a rating of two stars or less from Euro NCAP is made a Don't Buy. Any car that receives three stars can't be a Best Buy. If a car has been available for more than four years and has not been tested by Euro NCAP, it cannot be a Best Buy.

Safety kit

How we test safety kit

We factor in the safety equipment that’s factory-fitted or optional, along with how well the car protects its occupants and pedestrians in the event of an accident. We also test how easy it is to fit a variety of child car seats.

Brand reliability 0-4 years

Overall
Full hybrid reliability
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

How we test brand reliability 0-4 years

Our reliability ratings are based on the feedback from tens of thousands of UK motorists, as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.

Brand reliability 5-9 years

Overall
Diesel reliability

Brand reliability 10-15 years

Overall
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

General
Class	Medium
Luxury	No
Convertible	No
Availability	Used only
Used price	£18,871 - £41,211
Fuel type	Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Tested fuel efficiency	32.8mpg
Length	4,390mm
Width (excluding wing mirrors)	1,823mm
Width (including wing mirrors)	2,020mm
Height	1,470mm
Driver max height
Second-row passenger max height
Boot space with seats up
Boot space with seats down
Number of seats	5
Folding rear seats	Yes
Isofix attachments	Yes
Turning circle	12.5 m
On sale date	01 October 2016
Lowest pence-per-mile cost	£18.58

Latest tested engine
Engine and trim name	Focus RS 2.3
Fuel type	Petrol
Capacity and power	2.3-litre (350hp)
Transmission	6-speed manual
Driven wheels	Four-wheel-drive (4WD)
Fuel tank capacity	62 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway (mpg)
Tested fuel economy: Combined (mpg)
Cost per mile	18.58p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£83
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Very low
CO level	Extremely High
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	195
Official fuel economy: NEDC	36.7
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6b
Engine test date	20 October 2016
Test programme	2017

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FordFocus RS (2016-2018)

where to buy or sell

Sign up to unlock the full expert review

pros

cons

What's included?

How we test cars

Ease of driving

Performance

Comfort and practicality

Euro NCAP

Safety kit

Brand reliability 0-4 years

Brand reliability 5-9 years

Brand reliability 10-15 years

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FordFocus RS (2016-2018)

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cons

What's included?

Test results

Specifications

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