The Ford Focus came in two body styles, a sedan and hatchback. The last time Ford introduced a new Focus model range locally was as far back as 2015. That range received a host of trim upgrades in 2017 and in 2018 some of the last new models left dealership floors. If you want one of the American models, we recommend searching for a used Ford Focus model on AutoTrader.
While you will be spoiled for choice in the used vehicle market, you might wonder which trim level should you go for. Including the two performance models on offer, customers can choose between five trim levels namely Ambiente, Trend, ST1, ST3 and RS. Let us take a look at how they all fit into the range.
Ambiente
The Ford Focus range in Ambiente guise is what you can consider the base specification. One of the first things you will notice is that the Ambiente trim offers 16-inch steel wheels with plastic wheel covers, however, retains the tyre pressure monitoring system as on the more premium models. Other items omitted from the exterior specification includes foglamps, body-coloured door handles and the acoustic laminated windscreen.
Stepping into the interior one will notice the base specification trip computer and manual air conditioning system. Rear occupants will also have to operate their windows manually, while front occupants benefit from one-touch electric operation. Although you have access to dual USB ports, Bluetooth audio and Auxiliary input, the standard SYNC infotainment system is controlled from a 4.2-inch dot matrix screen with manual inputs.
In terms of safety, the Ambiente trim comes with ABS brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, stability and traction control systems and even hill launch assist, however, only retains four airbags rather than the six found in the Trend.
Trend
The Trend models see more premium standard equipment fitted. First noticeable on the exterior is the 16-inch alloy wheels, foglamps and body-coloured door handles. While the interior offers cloth upholstery too, it does come with leather items such as the gear knob. Furthermore, the driver benefits from cruise control with a speed limiter function.
Items such as a colour TFT screen for the instrument cluster and dual-zone climate control was optionally available, unlike on the Trend variant. Customers also had the option of specifying the 4.2-inch TFT colour display for the SYNC infotainment system which offers dual USB ports, Bluetooth audio and Auxiliary input. On the Trend model, however, audio controls on the steering wheel did come as standard specification.
The vehicle's safety is bolstered with the addition of two curtain airbags as well as a power-operated child lock system for the rear doors. Items such as active park assist, cross-traffic alert, front parking sensors, reverse camera with rear parking sensors, lane-keeping aid and lane departure warning, remained optional on the Trend. Other optional items included, Bi-Xenon HID headlamps, LED daytime running lights, headlamp jet wash, "Follow me home" headlamps, auto headlamps, auto high beam control and auto headlamp levelling.
One other area to take into account is that the Ambiente were exclusively available with the 1.0-litre, turbocharged, inline 3-cylinder petrol engine, whereas Trend derivatives could be specified with the aforementioned configuration or fitted with a 1.5-litre, turbocharged, inline 4-cylinder petrol engine which produces around 40 kW and 70 Nm of torque more.
ST1 & ST3
Most Ford enthusiasts will remember the Focus ST range. Ford offered the ST in two trims, ST1 and ST3 and while both come fitted with a 2.0-litre, turbocharged, 4-cylinder petrol engine producing 184 kW and 360 Nm there are some notable differences between the two variants. On the exterior of the ST1, you will find power-adjustable heated mirrors with side indicators, however, on the ST3 the units incorporate auto-fold as well as approach lights.
While the ST1 comes with halogen lights with manual controls and levelling, the ST3 comes as standard with Bi-Xenon HID headlamps, LED tail lamps, LED daytime running lights, a headlamp jet wash system, auto headlamp on/off and an adaptive cornering light system as well as automatic levelling.
On the interior things seems to be identical, however, the ST3 driver benefits from a colour screen trip computer including trip timer, fuel used, seatbelt warning and outside temperature whereas the ST1 driver needs to make do with a monotone unit only providing the trip, EcoMode and outside temperature information. ST3 owners further benefit from a dual-zone, climate control system in place of the manual air conditioning system as well as ST branded floor mats at the front and rear.
The infotainment systems found inside the two variants are very dissimilar, as ST1 drivers gain access to the standard SYNC system with dual USB ports, Bluetooth audio and Auxiliary input as well as voice control and a 4.2-inch TFT screen. ST3 drivers will find an 8-inch, touchscreen installed with Ford SYNC 2. In addition to all the features on the standard SYNC system, this offers an SD card slot and is connected to nine speakers instead of six.
The materials used on the interior is also somewhat different with the Recaro seats in the ST3 finished in leather as opposed to the cloth used in the ST1. The driver and front passenger seats in the ST1 are also only 4-way adjustable whereas the units in the ST3 is 8-way adjustable with lumbar adjust.
RS
The RS derivative is the flagship in the Focus range and not only offer the most striking looks but also the most powerful engine unit taking shape as a 2.3-litre, turbocharged, 4-cylinder petrol motor producing 257 kW and 440 Nm of torque. As you would expect, the most powerful of the bunch rolls on larger 19-inch light-alloy wheels with Brembo brake calipers featuring just behind them.
As you would imagine, this flagship model comes standard with exterior items such as fog lamps and power-adjustable heated mirrors with side indicators and auto-fold and approach lights. However, owners can expect RS-specific bumpers, spoiler and signature LED taillamps to feature. Like the ST3 model, the RS comes with Bi-Xenon HID headlamps, LED daytime running lights, a headlamp jet wash system, auto headlamp on/off and an adaptive cornering light system as well as automatic levelling.
Other RS-specific items can be found on the interior such as the unique performance gauges in the instrument cluster. The instrument cluster also benefits from the colour screen trip computer including trip timer, fuel used, seatbelt warning and outside temperature. The interior is finished in the highest grade with items such as the gear knob, handbrake, RS-specific multifunction steering wheel and 6-way adjustable Recaro sport seats getting leather cladding. The interior is also illuminated with a standard ambient lighting system.
Occupants of RS owners can also expect a dual-zone automatic climate control system to feature below the 8-inch, touchscreen infotainment system installed with Ford SYNC 2. The system offers dual USB ports, Bluetooth audio and Auxiliary input as well as voice control and an SD card slot. The Sony system sends its audio through no less than nine speakers.
