The Ford Focus does 47.5 mpg combined (46.1 city, 50.4 highway), which works out to about $808 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: Electric does 105.6 mpg while 2L 4-cyl does 28.9 — a difference of $965 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Ford Focus engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 112.3 / 98.1 | 2012–2018 | $364 | |
| 1L 3-cyl | 30 / 40.5 | 2015–2018 | $1,129 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 25.2 / 34.8 | 2000–2018 | $1,329 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.067 |
| Fuel per year | $808 |
| Fuel over five years | $4,040 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$704 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $1,777 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 46.1 mpg | $833 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 50.4 mpg | $762 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +4.3 mpg (9%) | Narrow — equally happy either way |
How the Focus changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 58 / 58 | 3 | $670 | |
| 2017 | 58 / 58 | 3 | $670 | |
| 2016 | 55.7 / 59.7 | 3 | $677 | |
| 2015 | 55.7 / 59.3 | 3 | $677 | |
| 2014 | 69 / 69 | 2 | $561 | |
| 2013 | 69 / 69 | 2 | $561 | |
| 2012 | 69 / 69 | 2 | $561 | |
| 2011 | 25 / 34 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2010 | 24 / 34 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2009 | 24 / 35 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2008 | 24 / 33 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2007 | 24 / 33 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2006 | 23 / 31 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2005 | 22 / 32 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2004 | 24 / 32 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2003 | 24 / 32 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2002 | 25 / 32 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2001 | 25 / 32 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2000 | 24 / 32 | 1 | $1,422 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
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- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Ford Focus get?
47.5 mpg combined on average — 46.1 in the city and 50.4 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2000–2018.
How much does a Ford Focus cost in fuel per year?
About $808 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $4,040 over five years, or 0.067 dollars a mile.
Which Focus engine is the most economical?
The Electric at 105.6 mpg, against 28.9 for the 2L 4-cyl — a difference of about $965 a year.
Is the Focus good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.