2014 Ford Focus

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Rating8.3

Ranked #2 in 

Compact Sedan
Write Review
$16,810 - $24,115
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on July 18, 2024

ProsConsWhat's New

Ergonomic interior layout

Tight rear legroom

SE Sport Package

Lively powertrain

Some interior elements feel cheap

Titanium trim gets a 5-speed manual as optional

A plethora of safety tech

Specs & Features

$16,810

price

160 hp @ 6500 rpm

horsepower

146 lb.-ft. @ 4450 rpm

torque

5-Speed Manual

transmission

2.0L 4cyl FWD 5M

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

Buying a car is an important decision and the midsize affordable sedan segment is one of the most preferred. Rightfully so, almost every mainstream automaker offers a plethora of choices for consumers. At the right budget, buyers can now pick a handsome midsize sedan, with an impressive interior, efficient powertrain attributes, and first-class safety.

Buying Advice

Since there’s a narrow margin in prices of base S trim and Titanium trim, we recommend the buyers shell some more cash, and opt for top-spec Titanium. It acquires all the additions of the SE Appearance package, the Winter package, and the MyFord Touch packages (not the navigation system though) as standard. It features upgraded interior and exterior trims too.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

To name, the 2014 Ford Focus seems to be one of the best picks in the segment. Recently redesigned in 2012, the Focus sedan offers a comfortable and soothing ride quality. There is a plethora of standard equipment and the interiors are upscale for the price and class while there is no dearth of impressive safety tech. However, Focus has plenty of rivals to face such as the Honda Civic, Chevrolet Cruze, and the Mazda 3, which are quite popular in the segment too. Let's find out if the Ford Focus has the right ingredients to attract eyeballs and potential buyers.

Features
9.9/10

The 2014 Ford Focus continues with the same three-trim offerings that include S, SE, and Titanium trim. One can buy the entry-level Focus S at $16,775 while the range-topping Titanium would cost $23,575. In addition, there are multiple optional packages to add desirable features.

Trim

S

SE

Titanium

MSRP

$16,810

$18,615

$23,565

Key Features

Manual climate control

Dual Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirrors

Power front and rear windows with all windows one-touch up and down

 

Steering wheel with redundant audio controls.

Illuminated entry

Remote Start System.

 

Dual Visor Vanity Mirrors

Cruise control

Heated and leather steering wheel

 

Full-floor center console with storage, cupholders.

Power front and rear windows with driver one-touch down.

8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat

 

Manual air-conditioning

AM/FM radio with six speakers

Dual-zone automatic climate control

 

Manual rear windows

SiriusXM satellite radio

 

The S, SE, and Titanium are the three trim levels to choose from. Besides these, the Focus comes with different optional packages. The SE Sport package adds sport cloth seats, rear disc brakes, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. While SE appearance package equips the Focus sedan with 17-inch alloy wheels, rear disc brakes, foglamps, ambient interior lighting, a six-way power driver seat, leather upholstery, 60/40 split-folding rear seats for the sedan (with a rear center armrest), and satellite radio. This package opens the option to choose two-tone interior color schemes. While an optional SE Winter package adds creature comfort like heated mirrors and heated front seats.

We Recommend

Since there’s a narrow margin in prices of base S trim and Titanium trim, we recommend the buyers shell some more cash, and opt for top-spec Titanium. It acquires all the additions of the SE Appearance package, the Winter package, and the MyFord Touch packages (not the navigation system though) as standard. It features upgraded interior and exterior trims too.

Fuel Economy
8.0/10

The mid-size family sedan segment is ever-growing and amongst the most competitive segments. Fuel economy ranks as a top priority in such segments and the Ford Focus strives hard to be worth its value. It delivers EPA estimates like 25/34/28 MPG on city/highway/combined driving conditions. To assist the engine, a 12.4-gallon fuel tank is adequate enough to push the Focus sedan for 360 combined miles on average.

Models

2014 Ford Focus

2014 Honda Civic

2014 Chevrolet Cruze

2014 Mazda 3

MPG (City)

25

28

28

30

MPG (Highway)

34

40

39

41

MPG (Combined)

28

32

32

34

Fuel Capacity (Gallons)

12.4

12.4

13.7

13.2 

Range (City/Highway/Combined) (miles)

310/422/366

347/496/421

384/534/459

396/541/448

The Ford Focus looks efficient, but rivals like Mazda 3 offer top-notch figures making the Focus look underwhelming. Other rivals like Honda Civic and Chevrolet Cruze too, have a better economy than the Focus sedan averaging 32 MPG. The fuel tanks are almost similarly sized, but the Chevrolet has a total 13.7-gallons capacity and averages 459 miles.

Interior
8.0/10

While the 2014 Ford Focus already wins hearts with a punchier engine and satisfactory economy. It also features a comfortable and family-friendly cabin, that has remained unchanged since the 2012 redesign. To start with the front, the supportive seats are very ergonomic and relaxing during longer rides. There’s ample headroom and legroom, and also room for adjustability. There’s nothing extravagant, but the subtle and simplistic design language is highly pleasing. There are soft surfaces wherever required, but hard plastics are still pretty abundant. There are brushed aluminum accents on the dash and the center dash, while dual-tone interior paint is what makes the cabin more lively. The wing-like, peculiar design of the physical buttons on the center stack is intricate, while the Ford’s 4-spoke steering remains unchanged.

The rear seats are just as comfortable, but they're slightly tight when it comes to legroom. Six-footers won’t be as comfortable and might bang their knees quite frequently. There are 13.2 cubic feet of cargo volume in the trunk. The tailgate and the wide opening enable better access to the cargo space, while the 60/40 split-folding seats are perfect for longer items such as skis.

Models

2014 Ford Focus

2014 Honda Civic

2014 Chevrolet Cruze

2014 Mazda 3

Passenger capacity

5

5

5

5

Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

38.3/55.6/41.9

39.3/57.0/42.3

38.9/54.9/42.0

38.6/57.2/42.2

Second Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

38.0/53.7/33.2

37.1/55.0/37.4

37.3/53.2/36.1

37.5/54.4/35.8

Cargo Volume (cubic feet)

13.2

15.1

14.8

12.4

The cabin is modern and the layout is subtle yet impressive, but the Focus lacks in terms of rear legroom, The Chevrolet Cruze and Honda Civic are the ones that are generous enough to have tall passengers seat with breezy space at the back. In terms of cargo space, the Honda Civic has the best figures to flaunt of 15.1 cubic feet. Even its rear-seat legroom is higher than its competitors.

Some of the key interior highlights include:

  • Height-adjustable driver seat
  • Keyless entry
  • Ambient interior lighting
  • Six-way power driver seat, leather upholstery
  • 60/40 split-folding rear seat (with a rear center armrest)
  • Dual-zone automatic climate control
  • Heated front seats (optional)

How intuitive is the 2014 Ford Focus infotainment unit?

The wing-imitating center stack design does attract the eyes as you enter the cabin. But there’s more to the infotainment than design and layout. The base trim features a 4-speaker sound system with a CD player and auxiliary audio jack. While upgrading to SE trim would add Bluetooth and audio connectivity and upgrades the sound system to a 6-speaker unit. Buyers looking for a more advanced list can opt for the MyFord Touch package that adds an 8-inch touchscreen display along with a 10-speaker Sony sound system and a navigation system. 

Some of the key infotainment features are:

  • Bluetooth
  • 4/6-speaker audio system
  • 10-speaker Sony sound system (optional)
  • 8-inch touchscreen (optional)
  • Navigation System (optional)

Exterior
9.0/10

Redesigned in 2012, the 2014 Ford Focus carries a rather charismatic and energetic attire over the previous bulky and outdated looks. The underrated Ford Focus’ design is sporty and masculine at the same instance. The smooth bodylines reflect the subtle nature of the Ford sedan, while there are bits that add elegance and a subtle touch of sportiness. However, it's the top Titanium trim that stands out the most as it adds chrome bits and larger 18-inch wheels to distinguish itself from the rather understated base S and SE trims.

Models

2014 Ford Focus

2014 Honda Civic

2014 Chevrolet Cruze

2014 Mazda 3

Curb Weight (lbs)

2935

2742

2835

2866

Length (in)

178.5

182.3

183.7

180

Width (in)

71.8

70.8

70.5

71

Height (in)

57.7

55.7

57.4

57

Ground Clearance (in)

4.7

5.9

6.4

6

Wheelbase (in)

104.3

106.3

106.3

106.3

The 2014 Honda Civic attracts more eyes with its stylish exterior design. While the Cruze’s aggressive face is more striking than the understated Focus sedan. However, it's the Mazda 3 that looks the most premium among the rivals. In terms of dimensions, the 2014 Ford Focus is the shortest among the competitors measuring 178.5 inches, and even the wheelbase is shorter. All three competitors have a better wheelbase to vaunt and are eerily similar measuring 106.3 inches. Despite its smaller proportions, the Focus is the heaviest weighing 2,935 lbs while the Civic has a curb weight of 2,742 lbs. 

Some of the exterior highlights include:

  • Automatic quad-beam halogen headlamps
  • Mirror with integrated blind spot
  • Rear window defroster
  • 18-inch Alloys
  • Front upper-grille with gloss black
  • Heated mirrors
  • LED lighting with daytime running lamps
  • Rear spoiler

Safety
9.0/10

The 2014 Ford Focus, as the name suggests, is quite “Focus-ed” on the safety of the occupants too. This is why Ford utilizes high-tensile metals to construct a rigid and robust body. The same has been backed up with top-notch safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS. The former has awarded the 2014 Focus sedan with a 4-star rating out of a top score of 5. While the IIHS has awarded the Ford sedan with the highest possible rating of “Good” in most of the categories. Besides, the Ford Focus also features:

  • Four-wheel ABS
  • Electronic brake force distribution
  • Child seat anchors
  • Airbags
  • Traction and stability control
  • Emergency braking assist
  • Passenger airbag deactivation
  • Tire pressure monitoring

Final Verdict

To conclude, the 2014 Ford Focus offers a wide list of features that would please buyers, while the powertrain is punchy and efficient. However, some of the rivals are arguably better, and the likes of Chevrolet Cruze nail at being more economical and swift. The interiors are well-decorated, but there’s tight legroom at the back which might be a deal-breaker for some. All in all, if you are going to spend most of your time at the front, the Focus sedan will not disappoint.

Trims

    S
    $16,810 onwards
    • 15-inch steel Wheels
    • A-Spec Sport Seats
    • AM/FM/Satellite-Prep
    • Cloth Seat trim
    • Front manual air conditioning
    • Remote keyless entry
    SE
    $18,615 onwards
    • 1St row LCD monitor
    Titanium
    $23,565 onwards
    • 17-inch silver painted aluminum wheels
    • Driver Lumbar support
    • Dual Zone Front Automatic Air Conditioning
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    • Parking assist
    • Siriusxm AM/FM/Satellite
    ST
    $24,115 onwards
    • Engine: 2.0L 4cyl FWD 6M
    • Horsepower: 252 hp @ 5500 rpm hp
    • Torque: 270 lb.-ft. @ 2500 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 6.1 sec
    • Top Speed: 150 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 26 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$16,800- $21,300

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

8.28

Horsepower

132 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque

128 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$16,945- $26,495

Gasoline

8.08

155 hp @ 6000 rpm

150 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

$17,895- $23,195

Gasoline

8.17

148 hp @ 6200 rpm

145 lb.-ft. @ 4200 rpm

5

Read Review

$17,520- $24,985

Gasoline

7.82

138 hp @ 6300 rpm

125 lb.-ft. @ 3800 rpm

5

Read Review

$14,645- $17,395

Gasoline

7.47

138 hp @ 6300 rpm

123 lb.-ft. @ 4850 rpm

5

Read Review

$11,990- $16,890

Gasoline

7.42

109 hp @ 6000 rpm

107 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

5

Read Review

$16,810- $24,115

Gasoline

8.27

252 hp @ 5500 rpm

270 lb.-ft. @ 2500 rpm

5

Read Review

$14,100- $21,400

Gasoline

7.82

120 hp @ 6350 rpm

112 lb.-ft. @ 5000 rpm

5

Read Review

$23,700- $29,065

Gasoline

7.67

180 hp @ 6700 rpm

171 lb.-ft. @ 4900 rpm

5

Read Review

$17,200- $22,700

Gasoline

8.58

145 hp @ 6500 rpm

130 lb.-ft. @ 4700 rpm

5

Read Review

2014 Ford Focus vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    8.1 sec16.4 sec130 mph
    8.2 sec16.3 sec118 mph
    2014 Mazda 3

    Ranked #2

    8.2 sec16.4 sec130 mph
    8.5 sec16.7 sec115 mph
    8.5 sec--
    8.6 sec16.8 sec-

    2014 Ford Focus vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      26 mpg36 mpg30 mpg12.4 gal.322.4/446.4 mi.
      2014 Mazda 3

      Ranked #1

      30 mpg41 mpg33 mpg13.2 gal.382.8/541.2 mi.
      27 mpg36 mpg31 mpg12.4 gal.336/432 mi.
      28 mpg37 mpg31 mpg12.8 gal.345.6/473.6 mi.
      28 mpg37 mpg31 mpg13.2 gal.369.6/488.4 mi.
      30 mpg36 mpg31 mpg13.2 gal.369.6/475.2 mi.

      2014 Ford Focus vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        2014 Ford Focus

        Ranked #11

        178.5 in.71.8 in.57.7 in.5 in.104.3 in.
        183.9 in.72 in.57.7 in.4 in.106.4 in.
        183.9 in.71.4 in.58.1 in.9 in.105.7 in.
        182.6 in.69.9 in.57.3 in.5.5 in.106.3 in.
        182.2 in.70 in.57.2 in.5.5 in.104.4 in.
        182.1 in.69.3 in.58.9 in.6.4 in.106.3 in.

        2014 Ford Focus vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          13.2 cu.ft.90.7 cu.ft.315.2 cu.ft.
          14.8 cu.ft.95.6 cu.ft.95.4 cu.ft.
          13.1 cu.ft.97.2 cu.ft.79.5 cu.ft.
          12.8 cu.ft.85.1 cu.ft.16.7 cu.ft.
          12.3 cu.ft.89.3 cu.ft.80.3 cu.ft.
          12.5 cu.ft.94.6 cu.ft.74.6 cu.ft.

          2014 Ford Focus vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            83.1 cu.ft.13.2 cu.ft.315.2 cu.ft.-
            80.3 cu.ft.12.3 cu.ft.80.3 cu.ft.-
            83.1 cu.ft.12.8 cu.ft.16.7 cu.ft.-
            32 cu.ft.13 cu.ft.32 cu.ft.-
            -13.7 cu.ft.--
            16.7 cu.ft.15 cu.ft.15.5 cu.ft.-

            2014 Ford Focus vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              -827 lbs.2935 lbs.
              1000 lbs.899 lbs.3084 lbs.
              1000 lbs.-3186 lbs.
              1000 lbs.-3300 lbs.
              -860 lbs.2363 lbs.
              2014 Mazda 3

              Ranked #2

              --2781 lbs.

              2014 Ford Focus Sedan Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              12

              Recalls

              5

              Investigations

              2608

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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              2014 Ford Focus User Reviews

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              POPULAR TAGS

              CD

              Carlos DeLaRosa

              2014 Ford Focus

              S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: April 23, 2024

              My little focus

              Pros - Aftermarket support, Fuel economy

              Cons - Interior quality, Rear windows aren't powered

              The 2014 Ford Focus S is a solid contender in the compact car segment, offering a blend of efficiency, practicality, and driving enjoyment. One of its standout features is the manual transmission option, which enthusiasts will appreciate for its engaging driving experience. The manual gearbox adds a level of control and connection to the driving experience that is often lacking in automatic trans...

              Not Rated
              Features
              Not Rated
              Interior
              Not Rated
              Design
              Not Rated
              Safety
              Not Rated
              Reliability
              Not Rated
              Deal Value
              Not Rated
              Dealer Review