The Focus RS is Ford's flagship hot-hatch, mixing tenacious grip, strong performance and hatchback practicality, ideal for enthusiasts who still need daily comfort and tech; find fully checked used Ford Focus RS for sale from Vertu nationwide with 14-day money-back guarantee and flexible finance.
The Ford Focus RS is one of the most celebrated performance cars Ford has ever built, a four-wheel-drive hot hatch that took the fight to far pricier rivals like the Audi RS3 and Mercedes-AMG A45. Produced between 2016 and 2018, it has since become a modern classic, prized for its 350hp engine and genuinely playful character.
On the used market the RS occupies rare ground. It offers supercar-baiting pace and four-wheel-drive grip in a practical five-door body, and because production was limited, well-kept examples hold real desirability. This is a performance Focus with a following all of its own.
Any remaining manufacturer warranty transfers to you as the new keeper, and every Focus RS at Vertu is checked and prepared before it reaches the forecourt. For drivers who want a modern-classic hot hatch that still thrills, the RS is in a class of its own.
Yes, for the right driver, the Focus RS is one of the most exciting used hot hatches money can buy. Its 2.3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder turbo, shared in concept with the Ford Mustang, produces 350hp (345bhp) and 325lb ft of torque, firing the RS from 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds and on to a 165mph top speed.
What sets it apart from rivals is how Ford tuned its four-wheel-drive system. Rather than chase outright grip alone, the RS uses clever electronics and four drive modes, Normal, Sport, Track and the famous Drift, to make it deeply engaging to drive. A six-speed manual gearbox keeps the driver firmly at the centre of the action.
As a focused performance car it prioritises thrills over practicality, so the four-wheel-drive hardware trims boot space to 260 litres, and fuel economy reaches up to 36.7mpg. Every used Focus RS sold by Vertu is checked before it reaches the forecourt as part of our used car preparation process, covering no outstanding finance, no history as a taxi, and no salvage or write-off record.
The Focus RS is a specialist performance car, and the table below matches the kinds of buyer it suits best.
| Buyer Type | Why the Focus RS Fits |
|---|---|
| Performance enthusiasts | A 350hp engine, four-wheel drive and a 4.7-second 0-62mph time deliver serious pace that once rivalled cars costing far more. |
| Drivers who value fun over lap times | The switchable Drift Mode and playful chassis make the RS engaging in a way many faster rivals never matched. |
| All-weather performance drivers | Four-wheel-drive grip means the RS deploys its power confidently in all conditions, not just in the dry. |
| Collectors and modern-classic buyers | Limited production between 2016 and 2018 gives well-kept examples lasting desirability. |
The Focus RS wears its performance intent openly, from the deep front bumper and rear diffuser to the boot-mounted spoiler, all of which aid stability as well as looks. Fire it up and the raspy exhaust, complete with pops and bangs, signals its rally-inspired character before you've even moved.
Inside, the RS keeps the regular Focus's usable front space and adds RS-blue trim detailing, with optional Recaro bucket seats for extra support. It is practical enough to use daily, the main compromise being the smaller 260-litre boot, a consequence of packaging the four-wheel-drive system.
Because it shares much with the wider Focus range, servicing and parts remain accessible for a car of its performance. Once a Focus RS arrives at Vertu it is inspected and prepared by our technicians before sale, and having it serviced by Vertu's Ford-trained colleagues helps protect any warranty still in place.
The used Ford Focus RS is powered by a single, potent engine: a 2.3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder turbo driving all four wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox. It is the fastest Focus ever produced, and its four-wheel-drive system is tuned for engagement as much as grip.
The table below sets out its key figures.
| Specification | Ford Focus RS 2.3 EcoBoost |
|---|---|
| Powertrain & Transmission | |
| Engine | 2.3-litre EcoBoost turbo petrol, 4-cylinder |
| Transmission & Drive | 6-speed manual, four-wheel drive |
| Drive Modes | Normal, Sport, Track, Drift |
| Performance | |
| Maximum Power | 350hp (345bhp) |
| Maximum Torque | 325lb ft |
| 0-62mph | 4.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 165mph |
| Economy & Emissions | |
| Fuel Economy (up to) | 36.7mpg |
| CO2 Emissions | 175 g/km |
*Figures are drawn from published UK specification sources and reflect the 2016-2018 Focus RS. Actual economy and performance vary with weather, driving style, road conditions and vehicle load.
The RS keeps the Focus's five-door body but gives up some load space to its four-wheel-drive hardware. The table below shows the headline figures.
| Dimension | Ford Focus RS |
|---|---|
| Boot space (seats up) | 260 litres |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1,045 litres |
| Seats | 5 |
| Body style | 5-door hatchback |
*Figures reflect the 2016-2018 Focus RS and may vary by specification.
Every used Ford Focus RS at Vertu goes through the same preparation before it reaches the forecourt, covered by our used car preparation policy. That means an HPI finance check, a full mechanical inspection, and confirmation the car has never been used as a taxi or recorded as a salvage or write-off.
If you're replacing an existing car, Vertu's part-exchange process gives a free, instant online valuation before you commit to anything, and finance options including PCP and HP are available on every used Focus RS in stock. Our finance explained guide covers how each option works in plain English.
For current Ford Focus RS price and availability, the most accurate route is a personalised quotation from your local dealership. If you'd prefer a newer performance Focus, the used Ford Focus ST is worth a look, or explore the wider used Ford range.
Vertu stocks used performance Ford models across its dealerships nationwide, with Focus RS availability varying given its limited production. Browse the full range of used Ford cars for sale online to see what's in stock. Once you're on the road, Vertu's Ford servicing team keeps every example running to manufacturer standards, with fixed-price packages and manufacturer-trained technicians.
The Ford Focus RS covers 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 165mph, making it the fastest Focus ever produced. Its 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine produces 350hp (345bhp) and 325lb ft of torque, sent to all four wheels.
That pace once rivalled cars costing considerably more, part of what made the RS so celebrated.
Drift Mode is one of the Focus RS's four drive modes, alongside Normal, Sport and Track. It allows the car's tail to slide out in corners much like a rear-wheel-drive car, while the four-wheel-drive system manages power to keep the slide controlled.
It became one of the RS's most talked-about features and a big part of its playful reputation.
Yes. The Focus RS uses a four-wheel-drive system, unusual among hot hatches of its era, which gives it strong grip and all-weather traction. Ford tuned it not just for outright grip but for engagement, enabling the car's four selectable drive modes including Drift.
The four-wheel-drive hardware does reduce boot space slightly compared with the standard Focus.
The Ford Focus RS offers 260 litres of boot space with the rear seats up, rising to 1,045 litres with them folded. That is smaller than the standard Focus hatchback, because the four-wheel-drive system takes up some of the load area.
It remains usable for everyday needs, keeping the RS practical enough to drive daily despite its performance focus.
This generation of Ford Focus RS was produced between 2016 and 2018. Its limited production run is part of why well-kept examples remain desirable on the used market, and it has since gained modern-classic status.
Availability varies as a result, so it is worth speaking to your local dealership about current stock.
Every used Ford Focus RS sold by Vertu is checked before it reaches the forecourt. That means confirmed free of outstanding finance, never used as a taxi, and free of any salvage or write-off history, alongside a full mechanical inspection.
That preparation also covers bodywork and wheel refurbishment, interior repairs where needed, and a minimum of six months or 6,000 miles before the next service or MOT is due. Full details are in our used car preparation policy.