Used Ford Focus RS for sale: everything you need to know
There’s one badge that tops even the likes of XR3 or ST in the Ford hierarchy: RS. Ford has applied it to numerous cars in the past but it’s best known in recent years for being attached to three generations of Ford Focus RS - and the most recent, sold from 2016 to 2018, is the hottest of all of them.
It’s the first Focus RS to go all-wheel drive, turning it into something of a road-going rally car. There’s huge performance on offer and dramatic styling to go with it, and despite the car’s short time on sale, it’s become a fast Ford legend in its own lifetime. It’s full-on appearance and performance won’t be to all tastes, but it’s sure to be popular on the used market for many years to come.
Should you buy a Ford Focus RS?
There’s nothing too unusual about a high-performance hatchback driving all four wheels these days, but the Focus RS wears its heart on its sleeve, and is a very different experience from the German models that tend to define this sector. It’s more like older rally homologation specials than an executive express, and the car’s boisterous attitude is a huge part of its appeal.
As is the fact that it’s based on a Ford Focus, so all the fundamentals of that car are still present and correct - it’s practical, relatively compact, and is fairly easy to use on normal roads and in normal traffic. Obviously there are some compromises, with a very firm ride and an engine that is constantly goading you into using all of its performance, and that’s before you even get to other road users constantly wanting to race you…
It’s great fun to drive though, with super-quick steering responses, enormous grip, and a chassis that always wants to play - though the drift mode is best left for a private race track. All-wheel drive means it has all-weather traction too, while toys like Recaro seats, a touchscreen infotainment system and bi-xenon headlights contribute to a healthy equipment tally. Only potentially high running costs are a real deterrent - it’s unlikely to be cheap to insure, and you’ll be doing well to get anywhere near its claimed economy figures.
Most of the competition in this sector comes from Germany: the Volkswagen Golf R, Audi S3 and RS3, and Mercedes-AMG A35 and A45 all do the four-wheel drive hot hatch thing with various degrees of performance and expense. But there are two cars that are probably closer to the Focus in ethos that are both worth considering - one being the smaller, front-wheel drive Fiesta ST, which is just as fun as the RS but more affordable, and the other is the rally homologation special, the Toyota GR Yaris. The Toyota is also smaller but just as much of a hoot to drive.
What’s the best used Ford Focus RS model to buy?
There’s only one engine and transmission in the Focus RS, though some models did get an official power boost from Mountune so not all RSs are exactly equal in output. Still, the Mountune upgrades aren’t essential - all RSs are very quick cars from the factory. The vast majority on sale will be in standard specification, and there’s not much point deviating too far from this either - the special edition models will be of more value to collectors and hardcore enthusiasts, but they don’t greatly alter the driving experience.
Used Ford Focus RS fuel economy and performance
- Ford Focus RS 2.3 Ecoboost: The 2.3-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol in the Focus RS makes a beefy 350PS, and comes with a six-speed manual gearbox and all-wheel drive as standard. That combination is good for 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds, and a respectable 36.7mpg combined, on paper at least.
What used Ford Focus RS trim levels are available?
- The Ford Focus RS is the core model in the range, and the bulk of models for sale will be in this specification. Equipment includes a sports exhaust system, Recaro seats, bi-xenon headlights, a heated windscreen, Sony audio, and an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
- The Ford Focus RS Edition adds a Quaife limited-slip differential, matte black 19-inch alloy wheels, and Nitrous Blue paintwork was standard.
- The Ford Focus RS Red Edition is, as the name suggests, painted red - Racing Red to be specific, with a contrasting black roof.
- The Ford Focus RS Heritage Edition was limited to just 50 units, all of which got a power bump by renowned tuning firm Mountune to 370PS, plus a Quaife differential at the front axle, and Deep Orange paintwork.
Used Ford Focus RS dimensions and boot size
The Ford Focus RS’s dimensions are:
- Length: 4390mm
- Width: 2010mm
- Height: 1472mm
- Ground clearance: 104mm
The Ford Focus RS’s boot size is:
- 260-litres
- 1045 litres with rear seats folded down
Used Ford Focus RS road tax
Focus RS sales spanned either side of the VED tax changes in April 2017. Models sold prior to this date are taxed on their CO2 emissions, which based on 175g/km means a bill of £305 a year at the time of writing. Post-April 2017 cars get a lower £190 bill, though any models that cost more than £40,000 brand new are subject to a surcharge, taking the annual bill to £600.
How much is it to insure a Ford Focus RS?
Insurance costs on the Focus RS are likely to be high, but the RS doesn’t max out the scale, coming in at group 40 out of 50. For comparison with some similar high-performance, all-wheel drive hot hatches, a Volkswagen Golf R sits in groups 31-35, an Audi S3 in groups 31-34, an RS3 groups 35-40, a Mercedes-AMG A35 from 32-38, and the A45 in groups 40-41 - so the RS is similar to most of its rivals.
