2015 Ford Focus

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Rating7.7

Ranked #7 in 

Compact Sedan
Write Review
$17,170 - $24,370
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Quiet cabin

Rivals offer better acceleration

Fully redesigned for 2015 model year

Impressive handling

Confined rear seats

Well-built interior

Firm and stiff ride

Specs & Features

$17,170

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

The newly designed 2015 Ford Focus is one of the most attractive and popular compact sedans in the market. For the year 2015, it is available in three major trims which are S, SE, and Titanium. The Ford Focus offers very decent performance for the segment and it is better than many of its rivals in terms of acceleration. The driving dynamics of the 2015 Focus have also received good focus by Ford’s engineers and perform well in that aspect too. 

Buying Advice

The middle trim SE fits perfectly in the budget of a buyer who’s looking for a compact sedan. Opting for this trim also unlocks multiple add-on packages which you can choose from depending upon your desires. You can go for the SE Sport Package which gives you a body kit, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, paddle shifters, sport cloth upholstered seats, etc. SE EcoBoost package will give you an all-new three-cylinder turbocharged engine for optimum fuel economy.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

The 2015 Ford Focus is a completely redesigned model over the previous year’s model. It carries a base price of $17,170 and competes with the likes of Chevrolet Cruze, Honda Civic, and Hyundai Elantra. Something new for this year is the introduction of the highly efficient 1.0L Turbocharged EcoBoost sub-trim for the SE trim. 

Features
9.9/10

The 2015 Ford Focus Sedan is available in three trims which are S, SE, and Titanium. The S is the base trim which is priced at $17,170. It comes with 15-inch steel wheels, manual air conditioning, 60/40 split-folding rear seats, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, a 4.2-inch display, rearview camera, CD player, keyless entry, 4-speaker audio system, height-adjustable driver’s seat, integrated blind-spot mirrors, Ford’s MyKey, Ford’s Sync voice-activated phone, audio interface and Bluetooth connectivity, etc. 

The next in line is the $18,460 priced SE trim. It comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, a trip computer, cruise control, power rear windows, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, additional front headrest adjustments, a 6-speaker audio system, rear air vents, etc.

The Titanium is the top-tier trim which will cost you $23,170. The Titanium comes with all the features standard on the SE including the 201A plus the Cold Weather package. However, the Titanium does not get a heated steering wheel. It gets an upgraded exterior and interior trim, keyless ignition, hill start assist, remote start, rear parking sensors, and HD radio. An additional package exclusive for this trim is the Titanium Technology package includes automatic headlights and a number of driver-assist and safety features.

Trim

S

SE

Titanium

MSRP (FWD)

$17,170

$18,460

$23,170

Key Features

15-inch steel wheels

In addition to the features on the S trim:

In addition to the features standard on the SE trim plus 201A and Cold weather package:

 

Manual air conditioning

16-inch alloy wheels

Upgraded interior and exterior trim

 

4.2-inch display with rearview camera

Automatic headlights

Rear parking sensors

 

4-speaker audio system

Cruise control

HD radio

 

Height-adjustable driver’s seat

6-speaker audio system 

Hill-start assist

 

Ford’s MyKey, Ford’s Sync Voice commands

201A Equipment Group, Cold Weather Package, SE Sport package, SE Ecoboost package

Titanium Technology package

We Recommend

The middle trim SE fits perfectly in the budget of a buyer who’s looking for a compact sedan. Opting for this trim also unlocks multiple add-on packages which you can choose from depending upon your desires. You can go for the SE Sport Package which gives you a body kit, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, paddle shifters, sport cloth upholstered seats, etc. SE EcoBoost package will give you an all-new three-cylinder turbocharged engine for optimum fuel economy.

Engine and Performance
8.0/10

The 2015 Ford Focus Sedan has a fun-to-drive 2.0L Inline-4 engine under its hood. It puts out 160 hp and 146 lb-ft of torque. This engine is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox in the S and SE trims while the Titanium trim gets a 6-speed automatic transmission which Ford calls “Powershift”. The standard drivetrain is an FWD which remains the only option on the Focus. 

The behind-the-wheel experience of the Ford Focus is one of the most exciting when it comes to the compact sedan segment. It delivers average but adequate performance and an outstanding fuel economy. The manual transmission is much more engaging than the automatic. The manual gearbox gives the car a sporty personality and is definitely the preferred one. 

A newly added trim level is the SE EcoBoost which features a 1.0L turbocharged 3-cylinder engine. It puts out a decent 123 hp and has a max torque output of 148 lb-ft. It is paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. This trim has been specially introduced for those who prefer fuel efficiency over anything else. 

Model

2015 Ford Focus Sedan

2015 Chevrolet Cruze

2015 Honda Civic Sedan

2015 Hyundai Elantra

MSRP

$17,170

$16,170

$18,490

$17,250

Engine

2.0L Inline-4

1.8L Inline-4

1.8L Inline-4

1.8L Inline-4

Drivetrain

FWD

FWD

FWD

FWD

Transmission

5-speed manual

6-speed manual

5-speed manual

6-speed manual

Power

160 hp @ 6500 RPM

138 hp @ 6300 RPM

143 hp @ 6500 RPM

145 hp @ 6500 RPM

Torque

146 lb-ft @ 4450 RPM

125 lb-ft @ 3800 RPM

129 lb-ft @ 6500 RPM

130 lb-ft @ 4700 RPM

0-60 MPH (seconds)

8.3

9.2

9.1

8.7

Quarter mile (seconds)

16.3

17.4

17.0

16.8

Top speed (MPH)

124 

123

124

121

The Focus is the quickest to reach the 0 to 60 mph mark and to complete a quarter-mile taking 8.3 seconds and 16.3 seconds respectively. It also features the biggest and the most powerful base engine among the four sedans mentioned above. The top speed is also very impressive for the segment at 124 mph. The 2015 Chevrolet Cruze is the slowest in the 0 to to 60 mph run. 

Fuel Economy
8.0/10

The compact sedan segment is filled with highly economical cars. A shining example is the Focus Sedan. The numbers mentioned in the table below are for the base engine with the 5-speed manual gearbox. Although the manual transmission entertains you better, the automatic transmission is much more fuel-efficient. The numbers are 27/40/32 MPG (city/highway/combined). The newly introduced SE EcoBoost with the 1.0L Turbocharged 3-cylinder engine surpasses all of these configurations. It manages to return 29/40/33 MPG which is remarkable. 

Model

2015 Ford Focus Sedan

2015 Chevrolet Cruze

2015 Honda Civic Sedan

2015 Hyundai Elantra

MPG (City)

26

25

28

27

MPG (Highway)

36

36

36

37

MPG (Combined)

30

29

31

31

Fuel Capacity (Gallons)

12.4

15.6

13.2

12.8

Range (City/Highway/Combined, in Miles)

322.4/446.4/372.0

390.0/561.6/483.6

369.6/475.2/409.2

345.6/473.6/396.8

The Focus Sedan is fitted with a 12.4-gallon fuel tank. This is the lowest capacity in the segment. Despite having good mileage, it has the lowest range among its rivals. The sedan with the largest fuel tank is the Chevy Cruze. It can contain up to 15.6 gallons of fuel which help it attain a combined range of 483.6 which is the best in the segment.

Interior
7.0/10

The interior of the 2015 Ford Focus Sedan features an upscale and quiet cabin. The materials used are of good quality and are probably the best in class. For the price of what you’re paying, it is certainly good value. The dashboard and center console design lean more towards visual attraction rather than useful practicality. The vents are awkwardly placed and the buttons and knobs are much lower than our liking as the infotainment system sits high in the dashboard.

The front seats have ample space in terms of headroom, shoulder room, and legroom but somehow these numbers are least in the segment. The compact sedan with the best space in the front seats is the 2015 Hyundai Elantra. Regardless of the Focus’s body style i.e. Hatchback or Sedan, you get the same space in the rear seat. It is not highly spacious but adequate for tall adults. 

The lower trims that are S and SE feature cloth upholstered seats while the top-tier trim Titanium gets leather upholstery. The base trim S gets a 6-way manual adjusting driver’s seat and a 4-way manual adjusting passenger’s seat. Moving up the trim ladder, these manual adjustments are replaced by power adjustments. The base trim also features manual air conditioning while the MyFord Touch package available on the SE trim helps you avail of dual-zone automatic climate control. The comfort level can be increased by option for the Cold Weather package which includes heated front seats, heated steering wheel, and heated exterior mirrors.

Model

2015 Ford Focus Sedan

2015 Chevrolet Cruze

2015 Honda Civic Sedan

2015 Hyundai Elantra

Seating Capacity

5

5

5

8

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

38.3/55.6/41.9

39.3/54.7/42.2

39.0/56.6/42.0

40.0/55.9/43.6

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

38.0/53.9/33.2

37.9/53.9/35.3

37.1/53.3/36.2

37.1/54.8/33.1

Cargo Capacity (cubic feet)

13.2

15.0

12.5

14.8

Overall, the interior of the Focus Sedan might not be the most spacious but it is definitely a nice place to be. When it comes to cargo space, the Focus sits in the middle of the competition. It has a storage capacity of 13.2 cubic feet in its trunk which is less as compared to the likes of Hyundai Elantra and Chevrolet Cruze. The Cruze offers up to 15 cubic feet of cargo space which is the best in class. Some of the key highlights of the interior are:

  • Dual-zone automatic climate control (MyFord Touch package)
  • Ambient lighting
  • 60/40 split-folding rear seats
  • Day-night rearview mirror
  • Cruise control (SE and Titanium)

How intuitive is the 2015 Ford Focus Sedan’s Infotainment unit?

The MyFord Touch package as mentioned earlier also includes an 8.0-inch touchscreen display which is the infotainment system of the Focus. It also features a 4.2-inch multi-function display beside the touchscreen display. The system is fitted high on the dashboard for easy manipulation from the driver’s end. The cluster of buttons and knobs which can be used to control the functions of his system are placed well below the screen.

The base model S is fitted with a 4-speaker audio system which gets upgraded to a 6-speaker audio system in the SE trim. The MyFord Touch package also unlocks a 10-speaker Sony audio system which can be fitted in the SE and Titanium trims only. Some of the key features of this infotainment system are:

  • 2 USB ports
  • Ford’s Sync voice commands (audio controls and Bluetooth connectivity)
  • 6-speaker audio system
  • 10-speaker Sony audio system (optional)
  • Satellite radio
  • HD radio (optional)
  • Navigation system (optional)

Exterior
9.0/10

The 2015 Ford Focus Sedan is one of the best-looking compact sedans in the market. It looks agile and attractive with beautiful aerodynamic elements which help it stand out from the crowd. The front fascia includes sleek automatic aero-composite halogen headlights, a wide trapezoidal grille, and perfectly placed and sized fog light housing. The slightly contoured hood adds a more sporty personality to the front end of the car. 

The side profile of the car is where you notice the aerodynamics. The dipping front stance and the tall rear stance give the Focus a sloping and aerodynamic profile. The side of the car features curvy fenders and body lines. Depending on the trim you’ll either find 15-inch steel wheels or 17-inch alloy wheels. The Titanium trim features body-colored heated power adjusting manual-folding side-view mirrors. 

The rear end of the Focus comprises sharp taillights, an optional rear lip spoiler, a body-colored rear bumper, and a single exhaust outlet. Opting for the Titanium trim will give the exterior and the interior a special trim. Instead of the black accents on the grille and fog light housing, the Titanium features chrome accents. It also offers brushed aluminum wheels and chrome inserts around windows. 

Model

2015 Ford Focus Sedan

2015 Chevrolet Cruze

2015 Honda Civic Sedan

2015 Hyundai Elantra

Curb Weight (lbs)

2935

3084

2754

2773

Length (in.)

178.5

181.0

179.4

179.1

Width (in.)

71.8

70.7

69.0

69.9

Height (in.)

57.7

58.1

56.5

56.3

Ground Clearance (in.)

4.7

6.4

5.3

5.3

Wheelbase (in.)

104.3

105.7

105.1

106.3

The Focus Sedan has the lowest ground clearance among its rivals which is only 4.7 inches. The Chevrolet Cruze is the heaviest car among the 4 cars mentioned above, weighing 3084 pounds. The Focus Sedan is almost 150 pounds lighter than the Cruze. The Honda Civic sedan remains the lightest sedan in the competition. Some of the key exterior features are:

  • Automatic aero-composite halogen headlights with DRLs
  • Body-colored heated side-view mirrors
  • 17-inch alloy wheels (SE and Titanium)
  • Rear decklid spoiler (optional)
  • Fog lamps

Safety
9.0/10

The Ford Focus is built with utmost care and attention towards safety. It offers multiple safety and driver-assist features as standard and also as part of ad-on packages. The NHSTA has given the new Focus a perfect score of 5-stars. The IIHS share the same concern and have given it the best possible rating of “Good”. 

This year Ford has added a few features like a blind-spot monitoring system and lane departure warning with a lane-keep assist system as a part of the add-on package. This, however, is only available on the higher trims. Some of the standard and optional safety equipment on the Focus are listed below:

  • Back-up camera
  • Rear parking sensors (optional)
  • Blind-spot monitoring system (optional)
  • Lane departure warning system (optional)
  • Tire pressure monitoring system
  • Electronic Stability Control

Final Verdict

The 2015 Ford Focus Sedan is one of the best compact sedans in the market. It offers just the right amount of performance to have fun while driving. It has an excellent interior but is not the most spacious. Its rivals offer more cargo space and are also more economical with the base configurations. It has phenomenal safety scores making it highly reliable as well. Overall, the Focus is a highly recommended pick in this segment.

Trims

    S
    $17,170 onwards
    • 15-inch steel Wheels
    • 1St row LCD monitor
    • A-Spec Sport Seats
    • AM/FM/Satellite-Prep
    • Cloth Seat trim
    • Front manual air conditioning
    • Remote keyless entry
    SE
    $18,460 onwards
    • Engine: 2.0L 4cyl FWD 5M
    • Horsepower: 160 hp @ 6500 rpm hp
    • Torque: 146 lb.-ft. @ 4450 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 8.4 sec
    • Top Speed: 130 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 30 mpg
    Titanium
    $23,170 onwards
    • 17-inch silver painted aluminum wheels
    • Driver Lumbar support
    • Dual Zone Front Automatic Air Conditioning
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    • Parking assist
    ST
    $24,370 onwards
    • Engine: 2.0L 4cyl FWD 6M
    • Horsepower: 252 hp @ 5500 rpm hp
    • Torque: 270 lb.-ft. @ 2500 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 6.3 sec
    • Top Speed: 150 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 26 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$17,170- $24,370

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.68

Horsepower

252 hp @ 5500 rpm

Torque

270 lb.-ft. @ 2500 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$27,050- $31,750

Gasoline

7.9

150 hp @ 6500 rpm

140 lb.-ft. @ 4300 rpm

5

Read Review

$21,065- $29,215

Gasoline

7.92

180 hp @ 6700 rpm

171 lb.-ft. @ 4900 rpm

5

Read Review

$16,170- $25,660

Gasoline

7.67

138 hp @ 6300 rpm

125 lb.-ft. @ 3800 rpm

5

Read Review

$16,495- $23,795

Gasoline

7.75

160 hp @ 6400 rpm

148 lb.-ft. @ 4600 rpm

5

Read Review

$14,455- $21,435

Gasoline

7.24

120 hp @ 6350 rpm

112 lb.-ft. @ 5000 rpm

5

Read Review

$18,290- $29,390

Gasoline

8.25

143 hp @ 6500 rpm

129 lb.-ft. @ 4300 rpm

5

Read Review

$17,250- $22,600

Gasoline

8.23

145 hp @ 6500 rpm

130 lb.-ft. @ 4700 rpm

5

Read Review

$15,890- $21,890

Gasoline

7.59

145 hp @ 6500 rpm

130 lb.-ft. @ 4700 rpm

5

Read Review

$16,945- $26,595

Gasoline

7.96

155 hp @ 6000 rpm

150 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

2015 Ford Focus vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    8.2 sec16.5 sec130 mph
    5.3 sec14.0 sec132 mph
    6.7 sec18.0 sec-
    8.2 sec16.3 sec118 mph
    2015 Mazda 3

    Ranked #3

    8.2 sec16.4 sec130 mph
    8.4 sec16.7 sec-

    2015 Ford Focus vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      27 mpg36 mpg30 mpg12.4 gal.322.4/446.4 mi.
      2015 Mazda 3

      Ranked #1

      29 mpg41 mpg33 mpg13.2 gal.382.8/541.2 mi.
      27 mpg36 mpg31 mpg12.4 gal.347.2/446.4 mi.
      30 mpg36 mpg31 mpg13.2 gal.369.6/475.2 mi.
      27 mpg37 mpg31 mpg13.2 gal.369.6/488.4 mi.
      27 mpg37 mpg31 mpg12.8 gal.345.6/473.6 mi.

      2015 Ford Focus vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        2015 Ford Focus

        Ranked #12

        178.5 in.71.8 in.57.7 in.5 in.104.3 in.
        183.9 in.71.4 in.58.1 in.9 in.105.7 in.
        183.9 in.72 in.57.7 in.4 in.106.4 in.
        183.3 in.70 in.57.2 in.5.2 in.104.4 in.
        182.6 in.69.9 in.57.3 in.5.5 in.106.3 in.
        182.1 in.69.3 in.58.9 in.6.4 in.106.3 in.

        2015 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.404.3 cu.ft.
          15 cu.ft.94.6 cu.ft.237.8 cu.ft.
          13 cu.ft.97.5 cu.ft.103 cu.ft.
          13.1 cu.ft.97.2 cu.ft.47 cu.ft.
          12.8 cu.ft.85.1 cu.ft.16.7 cu.ft.
          14.3 cu.ft.95 cu.ft.81.7 cu.ft.

          2015 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.404.3 cu.ft.-
            81.7 cu.ft.14.3 cu.ft.81.7 cu.ft.79 ft.
            81 cu.ft.12 cu.ft.81 cu.ft.-
            83.1 cu.ft.13.1 cu.ft.47 cu.ft.-
            -14.9 cu.ft.--
            -15.1 cu.ft.--

            2015 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.-3122 lbs.
              1000 lbs.-3300 lbs.
              --3267 lbs.
              --2800 lbs.

              2015 Ford Focus Sedan Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              8

              Recalls

              4

              Investigations

              989

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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              2015 Ford Focus User Reviews

              0.0

              [2 Reviews]

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              POPULAR TAGS

              BG

              Brandy Gomez

              2016 Ford Focus

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

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: June 30, 2024

              One of the best cars I have owned

              Pros - ["Miles to the gallon", "Back up camera"]

              Cons - ["It's small", "Middle console is short"]

              We get 32 miles per gallon it has cloth seats so it doesn't burn you when you get in it on a hot day if you hook your phone up to the Bluetooth it has 911 assist the interior is in good condition to be 8 years old although I don't like that it's black because it attracts the heat in these hot summer days the tires are in great shape and have good tread on them but I don't like that it sits so low...

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

              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