Skip advert
Advertisement

Ford Focus review – MPG and running costs

High MPG and low running costs mean the Focus is still a strong value proposition

Evo rating
  • Gets the fundamentals right; handles well; impressive new interfaces
  • It’s maybe a bit austere, despite it now being quite expensive

While the purchase price of cars have gone up, running costs haven’t and in the case of the Focus remain low due to inexpensive servicing and parts pricing.

MPG figures on this latest Focus are also impressive, ranging between 47 and 52mpg for the 124bhp non-MHEV manual and 48 to 52mpg for the 124bhp MHEV dual-clutch. The more powerful 153bhp MHEV variant is even more efficient at 51-54mpg for both transmissions.

Things change considerably for the Focus ST, which swaps the clean three-cylinder for a more brutish 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine that’s used across Ford’s global products, finding homes in the Ford Mustang, Ranger and even the previous-generation Focus RS. As such, MPG figures sit in the low-to-mid 30s, with the seven-speed auto knocking a few more MPG off the total.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Consumables like tyres and brakes will be at the lower end of the price scale due to their relatively conservative sizes, and gives the Focus another advantage for the mainstream everyday car buyer as these will retail far below the bloated sizes you’d need to source for a crossover or SUV. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Living with the Toyota GR Yaris, a homologation hot hatch for £20k
evo Fast Fleet Toyota GR Yaris
Long term tests

Living with the Toyota GR Yaris, a homologation hot hatch for £20k

As the mystery of the GR’s true fuel tank capacity is solved, a new enigma emerges
27 Jan 2026
Caterham Project V is delayed, but a running prototype is finally here
Caterham Project V
News

Caterham Project V is delayed, but a running prototype is finally here

Caterham’s new age electric coupe is now officially behind schedule, but the first running prototype has now been unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Salon
13 Jan 2026
Cupra Leon VZ review – is this now the best hot hatch you can buy?
Cupra Leon VZ
Reviews

Cupra Leon VZ review – is this now the best hot hatch you can buy?

The choice of full-sized front-drive hot hatches now doesn’t include the Civic Type R. Can the Cupra Leon VZ take the top spot?
26 Jan 2026