2016 Ford Focus

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Rating7.8

Ranked #5 in 

Compact Sedan
Write Review
$17,225 - $35,900
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on January 31, 2024

ProsConsWhat's New

Comfortable ride quality

Cramped in the rear row

SYNC 3 Technology available as standard now

Decent handling

Sub-par reliability rating

Shadow Black and Kona Blue

Upscale interior

Unrefined automatic transmission

17-inch wheels available as an option

Underpowered acceleration with the 1.0-liter engine

Specs & Features

$17,225

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 2016 Ford Focus sedan features an impressive cabin experience along with a well-built interior. The seating is comfortable with plenty of head and legroom in both rows. This year, the infotainment system gets some updates and now features an intuitive SYNC3 system. The Ford Focus offers best-in-segment performance specs along with impressive fuel economy figures. It boasts a design capable of turning a lot of eyeballs on the road.

Buying Advice

The buyers of Ford Focus are offered three trims with pretty premium features in the highest-end trim but even the base trim comes along with a handsome feature list. Among these, Titanium is the one that caught our eye. The Titanium sees a steep rise in the price and sells at $23,225 but receives various premium features like Keyless ignition, rear parking aid, fog lamps, and so on, along with other features. It shines as a value for money deal. Under its hood, it receives a similar engine with a 6-speed automatic gearbox.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

The Focus comes loaded with a lot of standard safety features along with some impressive scores in tests conducted by various authorities in terms of safety. It features three trims along with a similar engine but varying transmission setups. The cargo space available is also spacious along with foldable seats which are easy to fold. Starting at an MSRP of $17,225, it competes against the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, and Toyota Corolla.

Features
9.9/10

The 2016 Ford Focus sedan is offered in total three trims named the S, SE, and the Titanium trim levels respectively. Powering the car is a 2.0 L naturally aspirated Inline-4 engine with a varying transmission setup in different trims. All the trims differ in terms of features offered, price starting from $17,225 the S trim which gets features like steering mounted controls, anti-theft alarm system, and much more. The SE trim is priced at $18,515 and gets all the features from the base list along with add-ups like Cruise Control, optional Heated Mirrors, 16-inch alloy wheels, fog lamps, and Ford's MyKey system. More details are mentioned below:

Trim

S

SE

Titanium

MSRP

$17,225

$18,515

$23,225

Key Features

Rearview Camera

Adds or replaces features of S

Adds or replaces features of SE

 

Steering Mounted Controls

Anti-theft alarm system

Fog Lamps

 

Auto-off headlights

Cruise Control

Keyless Ignition

 

Smart Device Integration

Auto-off headlights

Daytime Running Lights

 

Anti-theft alarm system

Optional Heated Mirrors

Rear Parking Aid

 

Auxiliary Audio Input

Rearview Camera

Rear Spoiler

We Recommend

The buyers of Ford Focus are offered three trims with pretty premium features in the highest-end trim but even the base trim comes along with a handsome feature list. Among these, Titanium is the one that caught our eye. The Titanium sees a steep rise in the price and sells at $23,225 but receives various premium features like Keyless ignition, rear parking aid, fog lamps, and so on, along with other features. It shines as a value for money deal. Under its hood, it receives a similar engine with a 6-speed automatic gearbox.

Engine and Performance
8.0/10

The 2016 Ford Focus has a standard 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine in all of its trims that produces an engine output of 160 hp and 146 lb-ft of net torque on a front-wheel-drive system. The engine is similar across the trims but the gearbox is different. The S and SE trim gets a 5-speed manual transmission while the top-end trim, the Titanium model, comes connected to a 6-speed automatic gearbox.

 The Ford focus gets taut suspensions along with quick steering providing a sporty ride without compromising the comfort of the vehicle. It is one of the most enjoyable cars in its category when it comes to driving pleasure. It also offers an optional 1.0 L three-cylinder engine that produces 123 hp and 125 lb-ft of torque. This is a more fuel-efficient engine. The Ford Focus sedan also comes with confident brakes and hence is a very enjoyable car.

Model

2016 Ford Focus sedan 

2016 Hyundai Elantra sedan

2016 Toyota Corolla sedan

2016 Honda Civic sedan

MSRP

$17,225

$17,250

$17,300

$18,640

Engine

2.0L NaturallyAspirated Inline-4

1.8L Naturally Aspirated Inline-4

1.8L Naturally Aspirated Inline-4

2.0L Naturally Aspirated Inline-4

Drivetrain

FWD

FWD

FWD

FWD

Transmission

5-speed manual

6-speed manual

6-speed manual

6-speed manual

Power

160 hp @ 6500 rpm

145 hp @ 6500 rpm

132 hp @ 6000 rpm

158 hp @ 6500 rpm

Torque

146 lb-ft. @ 4450 rpm

130 lb-ft. @ 4700 rpm

128 lb-ft. @ 4400 rpm

138 lb-ft. @ 4200 rpm

0-60 MPH (sec)

8.4

9.5

9

7.2

Quarter Mile (sec)

16.4

17.1

16.6

15.5

Top Speed (mph)

133

120

120

125

Among the lot, the Ford Focus receives a larger engine as compared to its rivals, except the Honda Civic which is priced much higher in the segment and gets a 2.0 L Inline-4 engine as well. In terms of performance, the Ford Focus dominated the segment in terms of numbers leaving other rivals behind. The Civic is just behind it giving out a total power output of 158hp but despite better performance specs, the Ford loses to the Honda in the 0-60 dash and the quarter-mile specs. The Ford still managed to pull off a better top speed than the others.

Fuel Economy
8.0/10

The 2016 Ford Focus returns up to 27 mpg in the city, 40 mpg on highways, and 31 mpg on combined usage with its standard four-cylinder engine. It is among the better-performing cars in terms of fuel efficiency all thanks to its optional 6-speed automatic transmission and improved aerodynamics. On its 5-speed manual gearbox, the figures go down a bit. The Ford Focus gets a big 12.4-gallon fuel tank giving it a decent overall range.

Model

2016 Ford Focus sedan 

2016 Hyundai Elantra sedan 

2016 Toyota Corolla sedan

2016 Honda Civic sedan

MPG (City)

27

27

28

27

MPG (Highway)

40

37

37

40

MPG (Combined)

31

31

31

31

Fuel Capacity

12.4

12.8

13.2

12.4

Range (City/Highway/Combined)

334/496/384

346/474/410

370/488/429

335/496/415

The Ford Focus offers a pretty good EPA figure but here the Toyota Corolla shines as it carries an extra mile in the city for every gallon of fuel. The Corolla is also the one with the largest fuel tank; so coupled with its impressive efficiency it features the best overall range among the lot. Although the fuel efficiency and range of the Ford Focus are admirable, it is still just an average performer among its key competitors and due to its smaller fuel tank features the lowest overall range.

Interior
7.0/10

The interior of the 2016 Ford Focus features a well-built upscale cabin. The Focus can fit up to five people with comfort. The interior design looks classy and sophisticated and offers comfortable seats with adequate bolstering and cushioning. The available leather upholstery is quite fine along with other features like heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat that offers a very comfortable drive.

The sound insulation of the cabin is well done and thus gets impressively low NVH levels inside the cabin. Talking about space, the Ford disappoints a little in the front, offering compromised knee space but can accommodate riders over six feet as headroom and legroom are decent. At the back, the legroom falls a little short but still feels pretty comfortable. The Ford Focus features 13.2 cubic feet of cargo space.

Model

2016 Ford Focus sedan 

2016 Hyundai Elantra sedan 

2016 Toyota Corolla sedan

2016 Honda Civic sedan

Seating Capacity

5

5

5

5

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

38.3/55.6/43.1

40/55.9/43.6

38.3/54.8/42.3

39.3/57/42.3

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

38/53.7/33.2

37.1/54.8/33.1

37.1/54.8/41.4

37.1/55/37.4

Cargo Capacity (cu ft)

13.2

14.8

13

15.1

The 2016 Ford Focus doesn’t offer much space in the front row when compared to its rivals but the rear seats are better than most among the lot. For the front row, the Elantra dominates the segment with spacious head and legroom. The cargo capacity offered in Focus is not that impressive as it gets a smaller cargo space when compared to most of its rivals. The Honda Civic is the one with the most spacious cargo space which can accommodate a total of 15.1 cubic feet of cargo inside it. Major interior features include-

  • 6-way Power Driver Seat
  • Cargo Mat
  • Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel
  • Interior Air Filtration
  • Heated Mirrors
  • Steering Mounted Controls

How intuitive is the infotainment unit?

All the trims of the 2016 Ford Focus are available with an 8-inch touchscreen and 5-inch display screen which is connected to a rearview camera. The Focus comes standard with the SYNC 3 system replacing the previous MyFord touchscreen systems. The SYNC 3 system is extremely easy to figure out due to its user-friendly interface. It can be operated just like the way a smartphone is used. The SYNC3 system features a voice-control system that is very responsive to commands and the AppLink capability for the on-screen operation of various smartphone apps is useful. Among the basic specs, it gets AM/FM stereo, CD Player, and MP3 Player. Some of the other features include:

  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • USB Connection
  • Speed-Sensitive Volume Control
  • Smart Device Integration
  • Memory card slot (Titanium trim only)
  • 4/6/10-speaker sound system

Exterior
9.0/10

The exterior 2016 Ford Focus looks distinctive and appeals to a lot of buyers. The styling of Focus feels more upscale and stylish as compared to most of its rivals and in the Titanium model, the design is pushed to the best. At the front, the sedan gets a wide-mouth grille in the entire line-up, giving an impressive front fascia. Looking at the side profile, it features a 15-inch steel wheel with an option to upgrade 16/17-inch wheels. 

The sculpted crease on the sides gives it stunning looks and improved aerodynamic efficiency. The stylish taillights and rear spoiler give it a rather distinguishing character as well. Features like fog lamps, rear wing spoilers, and chrome door handle also make it much more appealing to buyers. The Titanium trim gets an Exterior Protection Package that includes a rear bumper protector and molded splash guards for front and rear bodyside graphics.

Model

2016 Ford Focus sedan 

2016 Hyundai Elantra sedan 

2016 Toyota Corolla sedan

2016 Honda Civic sedan

Curb Weight (lbs.)

2970

2773

2800

2742

Length (in)

178.5

179.1

182.6

182.3

Width (in)

71.8

69.9

69.9

70.8

Height (in)

57.7

56.3

57.3

55.7

Ground Clearance (in)

N/A

5.3

5.5

5.1

Wheelbase (in)

104.3

106.3

106.3

106.3

Talking about the external dimensions, all the rivals in the lot feature similar wheelbase dimensions while the Ford Focus gets the shortest wheelbase of 104.3 inches. The Ford Focus has the heaviest curb weight while in terms of length the Toyota Corolla is the longest with 182.6 inches in length. This is also reflected in how roomy the Corolla is on the inside. Some of the other exterior highlights include:

  • Exterior Protection Package (optional)
  • 15 -inch Wheels
  • 16/17-inch Wheels(optional)
  • Rear Spoiler (available with the Titanium trim only)
  • Optional sunroof
  • Fog lamps

Safety
8.0/10

The structure on which the Ford Focus is built is providing top safety performance in a wide range of crash tests done showing the brand’s intention in providing a safe vehicle. The Focus is a reliable vehicle offered along with a large range of safety features. In the crash tests done by authorities, the Ford Focus has done exceptionally well and earned a ‘Good’ rating from IIHS in the moderate overlap front, side-impact, rear crash protection, and roof-strength tests. 

Along with this it also earned the second-highest rating of ‘Acceptable’ in the small overlap front assessment.  In the tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it received five stars in the frontal and side crash tests and four stars in the rollover test. The Focus comes equipped with standard features like brake assist, traction control, and child safety locks. Along with the standard safety features the Titanium trim gets several optional safety features, which include a blind-spot monitor, lane-keeping assist, and lane departure warning. Some of the standard features include:

  • Post-collision Safety System
  • Tire Pressure Monitoring System
  • Anti-theft Alarm System
  • Engine Immobilizer
  • Child seat anchors
  • Front and rear head airbags

Final Verdict

The Ford Focus is a fun-to-drive sedan with several standard features and a long list of safety features with impressive safety scores. Even though it lacks a bit in terms of EPA figures and might not be the top pick for people looking for the best economy vehicle, it does provide excellent performance in the segment. The comfort level is very impressive along with a well-built and upscale cabin. The exterior styling is decent and attracts a lot of buyers. Although there are better options in the market like the 2016 Honda Civic that offer comparable performance specs and fuel economy, due to its higher price the Focus seems to be a better deal in comparison.

Trims

    S
    $17,225 onwards
    • 1St row LCD monitor
    • AM/FM/Satellite-Prep
    • Cloth Seat trim
    • Manual front air conditioning
    • Remote anti-theft alarm system
    SE
    $18,515 onwards
    • Parking assist
    Titanium
    $23,225 onwards
    • 17-inch silver painted aluminum wheels
    • Driver Lumbar support
    • Dual Zone Front Automatic Air Conditioning
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    ST
    $24,425 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: 25 mpg
    RS
    $35,900 onwards
    • Engine: 2.3L 4cyl AWD 6M
    • Horsepower: 350 hp @ 6000 rpm hp
    • Torque: 350 lb.-ft. @ 3200 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 4.6 sec
    • Top Speed: 165 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 22 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$17,225- $35,900

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.83

Horsepower

350 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque

350 lb.-ft. @ 3200 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$27,900- $34,890

Gasoline

7.47

201 hp @ 6800 rpm

180 lb.-ft. @ 3800 rpm

5

Read Review

$21,065- $28,670

Gasoline

8.02

180 hp @ 6700 rpm

171 lb.-ft. @ 4900 rpm

5

Read Review

$16,120- $24,370

Gasoline

7.56

138 hp @ 6300 rpm

125 lb.-ft. @ 3800 rpm

5

Read Review

$16,995- $24,395

Gasoline

7.62

160 hp @ 6400 rpm

148 lb.-ft. @ 4600 rpm

5

Read Review

$14,580- $21,460

Gasoline

7.46

120 hp @ 6350 rpm

112 lb.-ft. @ 5000 rpm

5

Read Review

$18,640- $26,500

Gasoline

8.77

158 hp @ 6500 rpm

138 lb.-ft. @ 4200 rpm

5

Read Review

$17,250- $21,700

Gasoline

7.85

145 hp @ 6500 rpm

130 lb.-ft. @ 4700 rpm

5

Read Review

$15,990- $21,990

Gasoline

7.75

145 hp @ 6500 rpm

130 lb.-ft. @ 4700 rpm

5

Read Review

$17,845- $26,495

Gasoline

8.22

155 hp @ 6000 rpm

150 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

2016 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
    7.8 sec15.5 sec114 mph
    8.2 sec16.3 sec118 mph
    2016 Mazda 3

    Ranked #3

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

    2016 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.
      2016 Mazda 3

      Ranked #1

      29 mpg41 mpg33 mpg13.2 gal.382.8/541.2 mi.
      27 mpg40 mpg31 mpg12.4 gal.334.8/496 mi.
      27 mpg37 mpg31 mpg13.2 gal.369.6/488.4 mi.
      27 mpg37 mpg31 mpg12.8 gal.345.6/473.6 mi.
      27 mpg36 mpg31 mpg12.4 gal.334.8/434 mi.

      2016 Ford Focus vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        2016 Ford Focus

        Ranked #13

        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.
        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.
        182.3 in.70.8 in.55.7 in.6 in.106.3 in.

        2016 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.487.3 cu.ft.
          15 cu.ft.94.6 cu.ft.237.8 cu.ft.
          14.8 cu.ft.95.6 cu.ft.128.1 cu.ft.
          12 cu.ft.96.6 cu.ft.97 cu.ft.
          13.1 cu.ft.97.2 cu.ft.33.5 cu.ft.
          12.8 cu.ft.85.1 cu.ft.46.2 cu.ft.

          2016 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.487.3 cu.ft.-
            -14.9 cu.ft.--
            2016 Mazda 3

            Ranked #3

            14.4 cu.ft.12.4 cu.ft.14.4 cu.ft.-
            28 cu.ft.15.7 cu.ft.28 cu.ft.-
            83.1 cu.ft.13.1 cu.ft.33.5 cu.ft.73 ft.
            52.4 cu.ft.12 cu.ft.52.4 cu.ft.-

            2016 Ford Focus vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              -827 lbs.2935 lbs.
              1000 lbs.-3300 lbs.
              1000 lbs.-3122 lbs.
              -1078 lbs.3025 lbs.
              -899 lbs.3084 lbs.
              -1058 lbs.2773 lbs.

              2016 Ford Focus Sedan Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              7

              Recalls

              3

              Investigations

              1154

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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              2016 Ford Focus User Reviews

              0.0

              [3 Reviews]

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              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              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

              SA

              Sierra Angell

              2017 Ford Focus

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

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: July 19, 2024

              Love my Car

              Pros - ["Gas mileage is amazing", "Beautiful and reliable"]

              Cons - ["The interior up top is white", "Doesnt go up hill well"]

              The focus is a beautiful and a compact car that is reliable and very good on gas. I love how easy she is to drive and how pretty she looks. ..................... .....................................car is great amazing sweet beautiful fabulous

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

              mw

              Michael walsh

              2017 Ford Focus

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

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: July 5, 2024

              A great compact car

              Pros - ["Compact but roomy", "Lots of space for it's size"]

              Cons - ["Gas is higher than it should be", "Gets dirty fast"]

              I'm overall pretty happy with this car. The backup camera does have issues at times and the gas milage could be better. I like that it's a great car if you are a tall person looking for a smaller car option. Good amount of trunk space

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