Ford Focus RS (2009 – 2011) Review

Ford Focus RS (2009 – 2011) At A Glance

4/5

+Ferocious acceleration. Meaty steering. 163mph and 0-60mph in 5.6 seconds.

-20mpg in reality. Quaife diff requires getting used to.

Insurance Group 38
On average it achieves 85% of the official MPG figure

Car seat chooser

Child seats that fit a Ford Focus RS (2009 – 2011)

Our unique Car Seat Chooser shows you which child car seats will fit this car and which seat positions that they will fit, so that you don't have to check every car seat manufacturer's website for compatibility.

Which car seat will suit you?

Real MPG average for a Ford Focus RS (2009 – 2011)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

85%

Real MPG

20–32 mpg

MPGs submitted

60

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

Satisfaction Index

Satisfaction Index What is your car like to live with?

We need your help with our latest Satisfaction Index, so that we can help others make a smarter car buying decision. What's it like to live with your car? Love it? Loath it? We want to know. Let us know about your car - it will only take a few minutes and you could be helping thousands of others.

Help us with the Honest John Satisfaction Index now

Ask Honest John

What price should I pay for a used Focus RS?

"I have just sold my 2012 Ford Focus ST3 and am thinking of going back to a 2009 Focus RS as they seem to be holding their value. I have seen a 2009 RS in green with 15,000 miles and it's mint. The dealer wants £20495, does that sound like a good price? The dealer is respectable and can cut the price to £19,995 if I agree to buy."
That's right for the RS, and the dealer is being straight. There are so few around that it's a seller's rather than a buyer's market. What did you not like about the ST3? Was it the diabolical ESP system? We found that the only way to safely drive the thing was to switch off both stages of it. Paradoxically, no problem at all with the Fiesta ST. Some problems with the Focus ST here: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/ford/focus-st-2012/?section=good
Answered by Honest John

Poor paintwork on my car

"I live on the Isle of Man and I wanted a new Focus RS. No one had one here so I found one in England. I came to an agreement on a deal over the phone with a main Ford dealer and payed for it, trading in my old RS. This is my 5th RS. When I got home I decided to clean and polish the car, and I noticed that there was overspray and 'fish-eye' imperfections in the paint. I payed just under £30,000 for this car. I have asked for a new car and they refused, they only do that if the car can't be fixed, and apparently this can be."
Get legal with the garage that originally supplied you with the car. Tell them if they don't get it fixed within 10 working days you want your purchase price refunded.
Answered by Honest John

Is the Ford Focus RS relatively easy to sell on?

"I'm thinking about buying a “new” Focus RS from a main Ford dealer. The full retail price is £29,286. The dealer has offered me the car at a discounted price of £27,500. However, I have been told that the RS is a difficult car to sell either new or used. I know that the RS cars the dealership have in their compound have been there for over 2.5 months. This tends to put me off buying the car, as I don't want to get my fingers burned, so I would appreciate your opinion on the RS and the price offered to me."
Ford topped it with the RS500. The Focus RS is a very quick car. But I actually prefer the RenaultSport Megane 250 or 250 Cup for their superior steering, traction and handling. Next March there will be an ST250 of the new Focus (it's in my Paris Show video) and that may further devalue the current RS, though it will always have a place in the collectors market and will eventually hit a point from which it bounces back.
Answered by Honest John
More Questions

What does a Ford Focus RS (2009 – 2011) cost?