Are Ford Focus EcoBoost fast?
Yes—speed varies widely across the EcoBoost lineup. The high-performance Focus ST and Focus RS deliver serious acceleration, while the smaller 1.0L and 1.5L EcoBoost engines provide brisk, everyday quickness. Availability and exact figures depend on market and model year, with the US market historically offering ST and RS variants and Europe commonly featuring a broader range of EcoBoost tuning.
What EcoBoost means for the Focus
EcoBoost is Ford’s turbocharged, direct-injection technology designed to boost horsepower per liter while preserving efficiency. In the Focus, this ranges from small, efficient 1.0-liter three-cylinders to larger, turbocharged units used in the hot-hatch variants. The fastest Focus models—the ST and RS—employ larger EcoBoost engines and all-wheel drive (RS) to deliver daylight-bright acceleration, whereas the smaller EcoBoost engines emphasize fuel economy and city-friendly performance. Market availability has shifted over the years, with the Focus’ US presence changing after 2018 and European markets continuing to offer a broader EcoBoost lineup on newer generations.
Performance by variant
The following figures are representative of common Focus EcoBoost configurations and can vary by model year, transmission, and market. They give a sense of how fast each variant feels on the road.
- 1.0-liter EcoBoost: roughly 100–125 horsepower; 0–60 mph in about 9–12 seconds; top speed around 200–230 km/h (125–145 mph).
- 1.5-liter EcoBoost: typically around 150 horsepower in standard trims; 0–60 mph roughly 7–9 seconds; top speed near 215–235 km/h (135–146 mph).
- 2.0-liter EcoBoost (used in older Focus ST variants): about 250–255 horsepower; 0–60 mph in about 5.8–6.0 seconds; top speed around 250 km/h (155 mph).
- 2.3-liter EcoBoost (used in Focus ST/RS): about 280 horsepower in ST and up to 350 horsepower in RS variants; 0–60 mph roughly 4.7–6.0 seconds depending on model; top speed around 250–270 km/h (155–168 mph) for ST/RS.
In practice, the ST offers a strong balance of blistering quickness with sporty handling, while the RS delivers the outright fastest acceleration in typical road-legal configurations. The smaller EcoBoost engines feel punchy in everyday driving, but aren’t designed for track-day pace.
Real-world driving and market availability
Two key factors influence perceived speed: drivetrain and market availability. The Focus ST is front-wheel-drive in most markets, with the RS offering all-wheel drive, launch control, and more aggressive tuning—contributing to faster 0–60 mph times. In the United States, Focus was largely phased out by 2018, but the performance-focused ST and RS variants that were available there demonstrated the upper end of Focus acceleration. In Europe and other markets, the Focus still offers a wider range of EcoBoost trims, from efficient city cars to high-performance hatchbacks, each delivering a different level of speed depending on the engine and equipment chosen.
Real-world impressions also depend on transmission choice (manual vs. automatic), tires, and weather conditions. The ST and RS, with their turbocharged engines and improved drivetrains, clearly stand out for speed, while the smaller EcoBoosts deliver quick-responding throttle feel and strong mid-range torque for everyday driving.
Summary
Across the Ford Focus EcoBoost lineup, there is a broad spectrum of speed. The entry-level 1.0L EcoBoost offers lively city and highway performance with excellent efficiency, the 1.5L EcoBoost provides a noticeable step up in power, and the hot-hatch variants—ST with a 2.0L EcoBoost and RS with a 2.3L EcoBoost—deliver serious performance that competes with many hot-hatch rivals. For outright quickest acceleration, the RS and properly tuned STs are the benchmarks; for everyday practicality, the smaller EcoBoost engines strike a strong balance of speed and efficiency.
