carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $15,491–$18,115 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2017 Ford Focus at 7.0/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this sedan. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.7/10, while Technology at 6.4/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sedan — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability is the weak spot: 6.8/10, under the class average. Review the recall record on this page and price in extra maintenance headroom. The safety score of 7.7/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.5/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 6.4/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $15,491–$18,115, 24 MPG, seating 5, the Ford Focus sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. The 7.5/10 value score says the pricing is fair rather than generous; cross-shop the segment before signing anything. At 9 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2017 Ford Focus is a passable sedan but not a standout one. Weaknesses in reliability and performance and technology hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2017 Ford Focus ranks #1048 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 20% of the segment. Its 7.0/10 overall score is 0.5 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $15,491 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 44%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →
Across the Focus model years we've scored, the 2017 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 7.0/10 | $16,080 | Read review → |
| 2017 (this review) | 7.0/10 | $15,491 | |
| 2016 | 7.0/10 | $14,903 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 6.8/10 | $14,315 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Fuel system, gasoline / Storage 22/10/2018 · 18V735000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Ford Focus vehicles with a 2.0L GDI or 2.0L GTDI engine. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system. |
|---|---|
| Fuel system, gasoline / Storage 05/07/2019 · 19V515000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 and 2017 Focus vehicles equipped with 2.0L GDI gasoline engines and 2013-2014 Focus ST vehicles equipped with 2.0L GTDI engines, previously recalled under 18V-735. The affected vehicles did not have the… |
| Power train / Manual transmission 28/11/2018 · 18V845000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L Fox GTDI engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission… |
| Seat belts / Rear/other 28/08/2017 · 17V528000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Focus vehicles. The rear left side seat back frame may have an insufficient weld between the outboard pivot bracket and the pivot nut joint, resulting in the seat back having reduced strength. As such,… |
| Latches/locks/linkages / Hatchback/liftgate / Lock 28/09/2016 · 16V698000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Ford Focus hatchback vehicles manufactured February 14, 2012, to August 26, 2016 and equipped with a manual transmission. The hatchback of the affected vehicles may be unlatched with a… |
Showing 5 of 8 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
Explore the full lineup of Ford models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.