Is the Ford Focus RS a Good Daily Driver? (incl. Focus ST)
While it possesses serious performance credentials, the Ford Focus RS isn’t ideal for daily driving chores; its overly stiff ride is a flaw too significant to overlook when softer-riding hot hatches exist.
Focus RS’s Negatives as a Daily Driver
#1 Harsh Ride in Almost Every Mode
The base Ford Focus is one of the segment leaders in offering a compliant ride and a quiet cabin for relaxed cruising.
The same doesn’t apply to the track-focused Focus RS, where the available suspension settings offer no respite from the stiff-riding experience.
Opting for the Standard setting still makes the car feel a little too firm and bouncy at times.
The Focus RS is a car that excels when pushed.
It may be uncomfortable for daily duties, but the demand for this pocket rocket will remain high with the limited number on the road.
If you want a 300-plus horsepower hot hatch that drives insanely well yet can transport its occupant in relative comfort, opt for one of these:
#2 Lackluster Gas Mileage
EPA rated the Focus RS at 22 mpg combined (manual transmission), a mediocre performance considering the monstrous 350 horses the 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder delivers.
Honda Civic Type R and VW Golf R may not be significantly more efficient, but their 2-3 mpg extra in mixed driving is a welcome improvement when fuel prices are high.
Both hot hatches also have a turbocharged inline-four motor, capable of exhilarating performances in a small package.
All three manufacturers recommend the use of premium fuel for maximum power.
Focus RS’s Positives as a Daily Driver
#3 Hatchback Utility (But Below-Average Cargo Capacity)
The utility and practicality of the hatchback body style are irrefutable.
This performance hatch is a blast to drive yet delivers a decent amount of cargo-carrying versatility.
Its 19.9 cubic feet of cargo space equals what you’ll find in the Golf R but less than the generous 25-plus-cubic-feet the Civic Type R has.
However, the 60/40-split rear seats make it easy to load items over 6 feet long, although the thick seats compromise storage room marginally.
#4 Good Visibility
The ease of seeing out of the cockpit is crucial to a safe daily driver and a less strenuous experience behind the wheel.
On that front, the Focus RS – like its front-wheel-drive sibling, the Ford Focus – performs well, providing the driver a good view forward.
Its narrow windshield pillars and moderate-size glass area help improve the vision out the front and side.
However, the relatively small back window and high head restraints compromise rearward visibility.
#5 Sufficient Crash Safety
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the 2018 final Focus RS model year 5 out of 5 stars overall.
That said, ratings for the specific crash tests are less stellar.
It received 4/5 stars in the overall front impact and rollover crash ratings, while full marks went to its overall side-impact assessment.
It’s a minor gripe considering most pocket-sized cars do not score as well as larger sedans.
#6 Tenacious Grip from the AWD
For the hot hatch faithful, the Focus RS is a dream come true with potent turbo power, all-wheels propulsion, and a usable backseat.
Unlike Ford’s own Focus ST and Fiesta ST with a front-wheel-drive system, the RS adopts the AWD drivetrain, which helps with performance, handling, and all-weather traction.
This feature is particularly handy for those living in regions that experience snow or inclement weather – a benefit the smoother-riding VW Golf R shares.
Ford Focus RS Comparison with Other Vehicles
Ford Focus RS vs. VW Golf R as a Daily Driver
Table Guide:
- Engine: base trim; T=turbo; +drivetrain.
- Fuel Economy: mpg combined (base trim).
- Fuel Type: Prem=premium; ReQ=required; ReC=recommended.
- Maintenance Costs: per year avg. (RepairPal).
- Visibility: excellent, good, average, poor.
- Ride Comfort: excellent, good, average, poor.
| Engine | Horsepower | Fuel Econ. | Fuel Type | Maint. Costs | Visibility | Ride Comfort | |
| Focus RS | 2.3L-i4-T–AWD | 350-hp | 22-mpg | Prem-ReC | $569+ | Good | Poor |
| Golf R | 2.0L-i4-T–AWD (2022-present) 2.0L-i4-T–AWD (2015-2019) 2.0L-i4-T–AWD (2012-2013) | 315-hp (2022-present) 288-292-hp (2015-2019) 256-hp (2012-2013) | 23-mpg (2022-present) 24-25-mpg (2015-2019) 22-mpg (2012-2013) | Prem-ReC | $903 | Good | Good |
Golf R rides more firmly than a standard Golf the way the RS compares to the base Ford Focus – albeit to a significantly more tolerable degree.
The Golf R is hands down the better daily driver than the Focus RS as it is more comfortable and livable daily; plus, its turbocharged engine is equally potent but with marginally higher efficiency.
Its ride quality and cabin are more refined than the Focus RS, so you aren’t sacrificing too much civility for weekend thrills.
Volkswagen’s expensive upkeep is the Golf R’s major sticking point.
Ford Focus RS vs. Honda Civic Type R as a Daily Driver
Table Guide:
- Engine: base trim; T=turbo; +drivetrain.
- Fuel Economy: mpg combined (base trim).
- Fuel Type: Prem=premium; ReQ=required; ReC=recommended.
- Maintenance Costs: per year avg. (RepairPal).
- Visibility: excellent, good, average, poor.
- Ride Comfort: excellent, good, average, poor.
| Engine | Horsepower | Fuel Econ. | Fuel Type | Maint. Costs | Visibility | Ride Comfort | |
| Focus RS | 2.3L-i4-T–AWD | 350-hp | 22-mpg | Prem-ReC | $569+ | Good | Poor |
| Civic Type R | 2.0L-i4-T–FWD | 306-hp | 25-mpg | Prem-ReC | $368+ | Good | Good |
Honda’s hottest hatch is as remarkable as the Volkswagen’s, but with another attribute falling in the former’s favor: inexpensive upkeep.
Despite producing less horsepower, the Civic Type R is an all-around better daily driver than the Focus RS, with superior fuel economy and ride quality.
Type R’s seats are massively supportive, and the suspension does an excellent job cushioning the cabin over pavement imperfections – tire noise is noticeable but nowhere near excessive.
Is the Focus ST a Good Daily Driver?
While inheriting the regular Focus’ appeal, the speedier turbocharged ST has sporty steering and handling with razor-sharp cornering reflexes and tenacious brakes.
It offers decent fuel economy (mid-20s-mpg combined), the practicality found in any Focus hatchback, and a stiffened but not harsh ride, making the Focus ST a reasonable choice for day-to-day use.
Despite its performance capability and fun-to-drive character, the cabin remains relatively calm and quiet at city driving speed.
On the downside, the car’s 40-foot turning circle makes parking in tight spaces a chore.
Plus, you’ll need all-season tires on the front-wheel-drive ST come winter time when it snows.
Ford Focus ST Comparison with Other Vehicles
Focus ST vs. Fiesta ST as a Daily Driver
Table Guide:
- Engine: base trim; T=turbo; +drivetrain.
- Fuel Economy: mpg combined (base trim).
- Fuel Type: Prem=premium; ReQ=required; ReC=recommended.
- Maintenance Costs: per year avg. (RepairPal).
- Visibility: excellent, good, average, poor.
- Ride Comfort: excellent, good, average, poor.
| Engine | Horsepower | Fuel Econ. | Fuel Type | Maint. Costs | Visibility | Ride Comfort | |
| Focus ST | 2.0L-i4-T–FWD | 252-hp | 25-26-mpg | Prem-ReC | $569+ | Good | Average |
| Fiesta ST | 1.6L-i4-T–FWD | 197-hp | 29-mpg | Regular | $ | Good | Average |
Both sportier versions of their mainstream models tie in ride quality, but the Fiesta ST has a quieter cabin.
Excluding the power output discrepancy, the Fiesta ST makes a better everyday car than the higher-performing Focus ST due to its strong fuel economy, regular gas requirement, and quieter ride.
The price difference reflects their performance capability. Still, the Fiesta ST’s well-appointed interior is a more pleasant space for daily commute.
Focus ST vs. Focus RS as a Daily Driver
Table Guide:
- Engine: base trim; T=turbo; +drivetrain.
- Fuel Economy: mpg combined (base trim).
- Fuel Type: Prem=premium; ReQ=required; ReC=recommended.
- Maintenance Costs: per year avg. (RepairPal).
- Visibility: excellent, good, average, poor.
- Ride Comfort: excellent, good, average, poor.
| Engine | Horsepower | Fuel Econ. | Fuel Type | Maint. Costs | Visibility | Ride Comfort | |
| Focus ST | 2.0L-i4-T–FWD | 252-hp | 25-26-mpg | Prem-ReC | $569+ | Good | Average |
| Focus RS | 2.3L-i4-T–AWD | 350-hp | 22-mpg | Prem-ReC | $569+ | Good | Poor |
This comparison isn’t a like-for-like; the RS is considerably more powerful and track-capable than the ST – the fuel economy and ride quality mirror their differences.
If comfort matters more, opt for the Focus ST; if you want outright performance, the Focus RS is clearly the better choice to double as your daily driver.
References:
https://www.autoevolution.com/cars/ford-focus-rs-2016.html
https://www.caranddriver.com/ford/focus-st/specs
https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/FORD/FOCUS%252520RS/5%252520HB/AWD
