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Ford Focus

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Ford Focus Australia

Ford's Focus small hatch is one of the world's most popular cars, thanks to strong sales in Europe and the United States.

It's been on sale in Australia since 2002, but hasn't really enjoyed the same run of success against established competitors like the Mazda3 and Toyota Corolla. The third generation car hit showrooms in 2011, but the brakes were applied hard when its 'Powershift' dual-clutch gearbox was exposed as a dud. The bright light in the current Focus small car range, priced from $44,000 for the Focus ST, is the sporty $55,990 Focus ST X, which really is one of the performance buys of the decade.

Ford Focus Q&As

Check out real-world situations relating to the Ford Focus here, particularly what our experts have to say about them.

  • Can I put the motor of a 2016 Ford Focus in a 2012 model?

    The short answer is no. Ford changed from a range of normally-aspirated engines in late 2016, to a newer, turbocharged 1.5-litre engine for the 2016 model year.

    In theory, any engine can be made to fit any car, but there's no chance of this swap being an easy or inexpensive one. You'd also have to change the transmission to suit the newer engine and then there are the thousands of modifications to things like heater cores, radiators, engine mounts, steering and suspension components, exhaust systems and anything else that could be in the wrong place to suit the newer engine. And that's before we get to the different computers the newer engine will have to run it properly. You'd probably also need to have this conversion signed off by an engineer to ensure its legality and safety, too.

    The simple solution (particularly ion a relatively inexpensive car like a second-hand Focus) is to simply buy the version you want in the first place.

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  • Are there any known transmission issues with a 2012 Ford Focus manual?

    By buying a manual Focus, you neatly sidestep the biggest problem with this car, that of the perennially faulty DCT transmission. As a rule of thumb, the advice is to never buy a Ford with this transmission, purely because its failure is a question of when, not if.

    The irony is that the rest of the car was actually pretty reliable, so as long as the recall for a potential fuel leak caused by a blocked carbon-canister has been attended to, you stand a good chance of buying a reliable car.

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  • Can I fit a boot release latch from a 2005 Ford Focus LS to a 2006 model?

    This all depends on whether the 2005 Focus is a Mark 1 or Mark 2 version of the Focus. So that's the first thing to ascertain. If they're both Mark 2 cars, then there's a very good chance that the boot release will be the same in either (and, therefore, interchangeable) as we're talking about the same car.

    But even if the 2005 Focus is a Mark 1 model, it would still be worth physically checking to see if the release latches are the same. That's because even though the Mark 1 and Mark 2 Focuses were different cars, many manufacturers (Ford included) carried over some mechanical parts (such as latches and cables) from previous models to save on development costs. A good example of Ford doing this was the succession of 1980s Falcons including the XD, XE and XF models which all used the same exterior door handles. So compare the latch you have with the latch on offer and make sure it operates in the same way and direction, uses the same mounting points and will connect to the same cable. If so, you might just be lucky.

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  • Is the wiring harness on a 2005 Ford focus ZX42.0 interchangeable?

    Just for starters, the ZX4 is a four-door sedan, while the ZX3 body is the three-door hatchback. At the very least, that will mean differences in the wiring loom as regards door-courtesy and boot/tailgate lights. Cars will have different wiring looms depending on their transmission, too, so even if the engine is the same in both cars, the loom might not be.

    Then there's the more basic question of whether they're actually the same model of Ford Focus. Ford Australia switched to the all-new second-gen Focus in April 2005, and if your 2005 Focus is that newer version, the wiring will not be compatible with the 2001 model. But even if they're from the same generation of Focus, swapping a wiring loom from one car to another involves many, many hours of work.

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See All Ford Focus Q&As
Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.

Ford Focus Colours

The Focus Active is available in 10 colours - Agate Black, Blue Metallic, Blue Panther, Desert Island Blue, Magnetic, Fantastic Red, Moondust Silver and Metropolis White, all for $650. The two remaining colours - Race Red and Frozen White - are the only two freebies.

  • Blue Metallic
  • Desert Island Blue
  • Magnetic
  • Frozen White
  • Moondust-Silver
  • Fantastic Red
  • Race Red
  • Metroplis White
  • Agate Black
  • Blue Panther
To confirm current colour availability, please check the manufacturer's website. Shown above are the colours for the Ford Focus 2021.

Ford Focus Models Price and Specs

The price range for the Ford Focus varies based on the trim level you choose. Starting at $44,000 and going to $55,990 for the latest year the model was manufactured. The model range is available in the following body types starting from the engine/transmission specs shown below.

Year Body Type Specs Price from Price to
2023 Hatchback 2.3L, —, 7 SP AUTO $44,000 $55,990
2022 Hatchback 1.5L, ULP, 8 SP AUTO $27,390 $55,330
2021 Hatchback 1.5L, ULP, 8 SP AUTO $22,880 $50,600
2021 Wagon 1.5L, ULP, 8 SP AUTO $26,070 $32,120
2020 Hatchback 1.5L, ULP, 8 SP AUTO $19,140 $46,420
2020 Wagon 1.5L, ULP, 8 SP AUTO $26,070 $32,120
2019 Hatchback 1.5L, ULP, 6 SP MAN $16,720 $46,640
2019 Sedan 1.5L, ULP, 6 SP AUTO $17,600 $29,920
2019 Wagon 1.5L, ULP, 8 SP AUTO $24,310 $30,690
See All Ford Focus Pricing and Specs

Ford Focus Accessories

Coming standard from the entry grade Trend upwards of the Ford Focus range is an eight-inch display screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, digital radio (DAB+), sat nav, a leather wrapped steering wheel, single-zone climate control, raisin sensing wipers, cloth seats, paddle shifters, a six-speaker stereo and 16-inch alloy wheels.

The ST-Line adds 17-inch alloys and the ST-Line body kit which includes the black mesh grille, large rear spoiler, privacy glass and flat-bottomed steering wheel. Wireless charging, dual-zone climate control, a proximity key also comes in as standard from the ST-Line grade upwards.

The ST-Line wagon comes standard with roof rails and so does the Active which also has 17-inch alloy wheels but unique to this grade

The Titanium grades adds a B&O 10-speaker stereo, LED headlights, leather seats (heated up front) and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Shown above are the accessory details for the Ford Focus 2021.

Ford Focus Wheel Size

The Ford Focus has a number of different wheel and tyre options. When it comes to tyres, these range from 235x40 ZR18 for Hatchback in 2023.

Year Body Type Front Tyre Size Front Rim Rear Tyre Size Rear Rim
2023 Hatchback 235x40 ZR18 235x40 ZR18
2022 Hatchback 215x50 R18 215x50 R18
2021 Wagon 215x50 R17 215x50 R17
2021 Hatchback 215x50 R18 215x50 R18
2020 Hatchback 205x60 R16 16x6.5 inches 205x60 R16 16x6.5 inches
2020 Wagon 215x50 R17 17x7 inches 215x50 R17 17x7 inches
2019 Hatchback 205x60 R16 16x7 inches 205x60 R16 16x7 inches
2019 Sedan 205x60 R16 16x7 inches 205x60 R16 16x7 inches
2019 Wagon 215x50 R17 17x7 inches 215x50 R17 17x7 inches
The dimensions shown above are for the base model. See All Ford Focus Wheel Sizes

Ford Focus Boot Space

The boot starts at a fairly average 375 litres - clearly reduced in exchange for rear-seat space - and maxes out at 1320 litres with the seats down.

Ford Focus Boot space Ford Focus Boot space
Shown above are boot space details for the Ford Focus 2021.

Ford Focus Dimensions

The dimensions of the Ford Focus Hatchback, Wagon and Sedan vary according to year of manufacture and spec level.

Year Body Type Height x Width x Length Ground Clearance
2023 Hatchback 1455x1825x4393 mm 102 mm
2022 Hatchback 1483x1844x4397 mm 163 mm
2021 Hatchback 1483x1844x4397 mm 163 mm
2021 Wagon 1472x1825x4668 mm 123 mm
2020 Hatchback 1454x1825x4378 mm 135 mm
2020 Wagon 1472x1825x4668 mm 123 mm
2019 Hatchback 1467x1823x4360 mm 109 mm
2019 Sedan 1492x1823x4538 mm 109 mm
2019 Wagon 1472x1825x4668 mm 123 mm
The dimensions shown above are for the base model. See All Ford Focus Dimensions

Ford Focus Fuel Consumption

The Ford Focus is available in a number of variants and body types that are powered by —, ULP and PULP fuel type(s). It has an estimated fuel consumption starting from 8.1L/100km for Hatchback /— for the latest year the model was manufactured.

Year Body Type Fuel Consumption* Engine Fuel Type Transmission
2023 Hatchback 8.1L/100km 2.3L 6 SP MAN
2022 Hatchback 6.4L/100km 1.5L ULP 8 SP AUTO
2022 Hatchback 8.8L/100km 2.3L 7 SP AUTO
2022 Hatchback 8.8L/100km 2.3L PULP 7 SP AUTO
2021 Hatchback 6.4L/100km 1.5L ULP 8 SP AUTO
2021 Hatchback 8.8L/100km 2.3L PULP 7 SP AUTO
2021 Wagon 6.4L/100km 1.5L ULP 8 SP AUTO
2020 Hatchback 6.9L/100km 1.5L ULP 6 SP AUTO
2020 Hatchback 8.8L/100km 2.3L PULP 7 SP AUTO
2020 Wagon 6.4L/100km 1.5L ULP 8 SP AUTO
2019 Hatchback 5.8L/100km 1.5L ULP 6 SP MAN
2019 Hatchback 7.3L/100km 2.0L PULP 6 SP MAN
2019 Sedan 6.2L/100km 1.5L ULP 6 SP AUTO
2019 Wagon 6.4L/100km 1.5L ULP 8 SP AUTO
* Combined fuel consumption See All Ford Focus Pricing and Specs for 2023

Ford Focus Interior

The Focus Active's cloth-covered interior is well-equipped with climate control, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen

Shown above are interior details for the Ford Focus 2021.

Ford Focus Towing Capacity

The Ford Focus has maximum towing capacity of 1400kg for the latest model available.

Year Body Type Braked Capacity from Braked Capacity to
2023 Hatchback 1400kg 1400kg
2022 Hatchback 1200kg 1400kg
2021 Wagon 1200kg 1200kg
2021 Hatchback 1200kg 1400kg
2020 Hatchback 1000kg 1400kg
2020 Wagon 1200kg 1200kg
2019 Hatchback 0kg 1400kg
2019 Sedan 1100kg 1100kg
2019 Wagon 1200kg 1200kg
See All Towing Capacity for Ford Focus

Ford Focus Speed

The 1.5-litre turbo three-cylinder pushes the Focus Active from 0-100km/h in 8.7 seconds.

Shown above are speed details for the Ford Focus 2021.

Ford Focus Seats

The Focus Active has five seats, with an unusual amount of room for a car this size.

Shown above are seat details for the Ford Focus 2021.