Ford Focus RS - Is it as Good as Everyone Says?

I've driven almost every modern hot hatch under the sun. But many hail the Focus RS as one of the greatest hot hatches ever made. Is that the case? Time to find out.
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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:35 Exterior
1:08 Drivetrain
1:56 Interior
3:29 0-100km/h Time
3:41 Driving Experience
Thanks for Watching!

[@brown8317]

Absolute dream car, Ford hit it out of the park with this one

[@JamesEvans-uh7nu]

Sounds like a vacuum cleaner compared to the mk2

[@KiwiCarLife]

I wouldn’t say it sounds bad, but not that interesting all things considered

[@potatochobit]

there are many reasons this car was discontinued buddy. if you were old enough to shop for one you would know about new cars blowing head gaskets.

[@keithronson2624]

Yes not perfect...but an Iconic car. A pure Ford hot hatch that will be a future classic.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yeah it’s certainly pretty good

[@joshcook5480]

I'm hoping to get one within the next few years they look so awesome. Great video!!

[@KiwiCarLife]

Nice man! Would recommend

[@junit7590]

Great to see the channel growing, loved the early stuff, the Accord modding journey was so awesome to see and the gains you made with that car were impressive. Of course the quintessential hot hatch has to be the Gti-r pulsar 😉

[@KiwiCarLife]

Thanks man

[@rbproductions78]

I love Angel's review! Short, sharp and accurate 😅

[@KiwiCarLife]

Haha I’ll have to keep her on!

[@localmo88]

Glad you kept it on the road up there 😉✈

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yep definitely

[@zpe1200]

congrats on 20k

[@KiwiCarLife]

Thanks!

[@17t135i]

These were all the rage when they came out, but not heard much about them for a few years. Looks like I'd want to increase power by 100%, but I'm a mad man

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yeah me too needs a bit more I think

[@4pexPredator]

Stage 1 remap,jump from 44nm to 60nm+ and you will feel what you missing.But i m also mad man and gone for 500hp+

[@matthewling3293]

3 years I've had this car and whilst I've had ups and downs it's been worth it and extremely fun 😊

[@KiwiCarLife]

They are definitely great cars!

[@deyon100]

I’m currently rocking a 67 ST-3 focus 250bhp love it plenty of power handling is great too. Not gunna lie would love an RS but I feel fortunate to own an ST 😊

[@KiwiCarLife]

How good

[@thatguyben3128]

_Very cool car, love to own one, even though I’m a Honda guy 😜_ … _great review_

[@KiwiCarLife]

They are definitely cool

[@spadgm]

Great review!, I like these and the previous generations as well are cool cars, but I would probably look elsewhere for hot hatch thrills.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yeah I’d say it’s good but not good enough for me to buy one

[@poker_18rs92]

I’m In the US & I have a 2018 RS. I assumed it was going to be faster than what it is, however, I’m told it’s the ECU cutting the power output in first and second gear because they’re cramming so much boost into a small four-cylinder engine. It’s still fast enough and the all-wheel-drive system makes up for a lot of that because the car handles really well. It’s still a very fun car overall for the right person.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Ahh that’s interesting maybe that’s why it doesn’t feel like an absolute rocket…

[@Willieaway1977]

Having had the privilege of previously owning a 2010 Mk2 RS and now a 2017 MK3 RS I am surprised by the hate towards the Mk3. Mk2 was a great car, but had its flaws. Really enjoyed both but always felt the missing part of the Mk2 was AWD. The handling in the Mk3 is what makes the car.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yeah a lot of people seem to hate the mk3. It’s good, but having driven most of the competition I wouldn’t say it’s like amaaaaazing ya know?

[@christopherscott8272]

I think a lot of the hate comes from the US actually getting a RS. It's my opinion, that some people preferred it stay exclusively out of the US.

[@42cuba]

The Focus RS as a daily was far to crashy in suspension and seat comfort as you mentioned, so I went with a Golf R which is super comfy and goes like a rocket too.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yeah I’d probably do the same. Even the Type R is more comfortable

[@JasonISF]

Golf's are boring

[@42cuba]

@@JasonISF depends how you drive them. They are made to be boring if you want. Absolute weapon otherwise

[@scruffyLG]

Having tested mine in the canyons, gravel,mud and snow I gotta say it handles itself great in all conditions. I just wish Ford offered a rally edition with big coilovers and sequential trans. Engine could use an extra cylinder but with a tune,intake and exhaust it wakes up a bit.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yeah I would say it’s kinda a jack of all trades. Is good in every area but doesn’t excel at anything particularly. That doesn’t make it a bad car it’s just uncompromised I guess

[@sdlausen1]

The Focus RS is a great cahh!

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yes it is very lovely

[@craigauty6756]

See this on the motorway on my way home quite abit

[@KiwiCarLife]

Oh nice haha

[@That_ST_MK3]

Out of curiosity what would you have as a weekend toy I’m tossing up between a 2017 RS or a Lexus ISF, I’ve the RS a few times I love but the ISF is very tempting

[@KiwiCarLife]

Focus will have better tech, but the Lexus overall is a more special and comfortable car, that in the real world is faster too

[@junit7590]

Weekend car though, you'd want a manual the Lexus is a great car but auto is more a lux daily not a weekend fun car.

[@JasonISF]

The ISF will outlast any Ford by 30 years.

[@GeorgeXian]

Did you get a new camera recently?

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yeah relatively, a new lens actually

[@BlueSkyCrystals]

I have been an owner for years and while I can attest to this car’s ability to keep up with or dust its competition in the canyons, this car is definitely not for drag racing. 3400 pounds and boost limits in 1st and 2nd gear. Subtle mods transform the car. 2018 cars had revised dampers front and back which sort the ride out very noticeably, and they can be bought and added to the 2016s and 2017s. They also had the limited slip front diff. RS1 trim weighs 3300 pounds and does not have the moonroof so the rigidity is better than the RS2 trim, which is the porky one, with the heated seats/wheel/mirrors and nav plus moonroof. All 2018s are RS2 trim but not all got a moonroof. You can’t go wrong with any year but those looking to buy the best version of this car should look for a 2018 with no moonroof, but fair warning they are super rare and only come in Race Red or Nitrous Blue.

[@KiwiCarLife]

This is an RS2 then with no moonroof. Even in 3rd I felt it wasn’t as grunty as it should have been… but it’s a great car nonetheless! Glad you’re enjoying yours

[@BlueSkyCrystals]

@@KiwiCarLife Yeah it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. There’s not much drama with this car. Other cars definitely feel more lively, especially lighter cars like the Civic Type R.

[@stanleyflooring6772]

The RS is known to make about 320bhp really not the 345, its also a bit heavier than most other hatches at 1550kg. ive had mine for a year now running msd400 with a mountune short shifter and gearbox mount, intake and dual port bov. its an amazing drivers car, probably the last of an analogue experience where it doesnt feel too insulated from the outside.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yeah that doesn’t surprise me tbh, definitely didn’t feel any faster than the CTR

[@TheSoundzUK]

Msd400 however feels as fast as my.stage 1 golf r 7.5 i had, launch feels even more agressive than the golfs too

[@BlueSkyCrystals]

345 is when you floor it. The “Overboost” activates only when you floor it. I don’t know how Ford got away with advertising the 345.

[@heidirosenz]

Would love it if you could test drive an Alfa Giulietta 1.4 turbo in manual.

[@KiwiCarLife]

That would be interesting

[@perpetualgrin5804]

It does everything well, but no mention about its reliability.😅

[@17t135i]

Yeah they had head gasket issues early on, assume most were repaired under warranty by now.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yeah so I’ve heard at a guess they should all be sorted by now

[@ketufo]

Says the same thing about bmws lol

[@ketufo]

Or lack of

[@JasonISF]

​@@17t135iit wasn't the HG but the blocks warping on them even at factory power. Wouldn't touch one with a 10 ft pole.

[@GandhiBeatz]

Is that engine same as in Mazda mps?

[@KiwiCarLife]

A much more modern version but in essence yes

[@GandhiBeatz]

@@KiwiCarLife i think a test vs any honda is not so comparable because they are all fwd, but if so that would be fk2 rather than fl5. Carwow drag raced various type rs and fk2 is the fastest. Dunno was it actually available for nz market

[@HashDogg06]

@@GandhiBeatzCarwow also done a race between the FK8 & Focus RS, as you'd imagine the Focus ate the Civic off the line but a different story in the roll race, Civic even kept up with the A45 AMG. Link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6m8mGR_edd9i9U

[@dr_kim]

Had many problems with 2016 model. Has issues after issues with leaks from PTU, head gasket issues, had to trade it in. The car was brand new and I traded it at 12000km. Should have bought a Type R at the time. Good review and I think you are spot on!

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yeah I heard these have head gasket issues, gee 12,000km that’s not much! Well yeah I’d hope the Type r would be more reliable haha

[@veronicaogrady2383]

That's big balls taking a borrowed car over Paekakarik Hill road. Pete O

[@KiwiCarLife]

Thanks Pete for your concern

[@marcushubbert-persson4373]

Not my xr5 engine bay shot 😅😂

[@KiwiCarLife]

Haha you know it

[@SPQRTempus]

I nearly bought one, but it's the 10% car. The car that during the 10% of the time when you are up it for the rent delivers in spades. The rest of the time it's poor ride, noise from wind and tyres, and low rent interior constantly remind you where Ford didn't spend it's R&D budget. I didn't find the seats too uncomfortable once you are in them, but getting in and out quickly becomes a chore to the point I'd rather walk to the shops to buy milk than drive.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yeah that’s a good way to summarise it

[@cokemachine62590]

Weren't these catching on fire?

[@KiwiCarLife]

I thought that was the Ford Kuga>

[@JamesEvans-uh7nu]

Eco boom 🎉

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yes

[@Jalmari1]

Those are optional seats. I have the cheaper seats which are very comfortable and still keeps you from moving on sharp turns.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Ahh I see maybe that’s why

[@keawechan7748]

Had it for nearly 7years now. But still think it is too hard for daily. Even with ps4s which is way better than the uk oem pss tyres. The engine sound is a fake one by the way. It comes off speakers according to the rpm.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yeah would agree it's an impressive car but it's needlessly stiff. And yeah there's a bit of fake sound. It's not obnoxious though that's good

[@JasonISF]

A GR Yaris is far lighter, faster and more nimble and better built than this thing, not to mention the aftermarket support for the GR is better too.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Ehh, I doubt the Yaris is faster in a straight line but it’s a good car nonetheless

[@JasonISF]

@@KiwiCarLife can get sub 5 sec 0-100 kmh with a hard launch. Also the new one coming out to Australia soon has more power and torque so would definitely be faster.

[@Moueez]

I prefer euro r or volvo s60 5T bmw will broke

[@KiwiCarLife]

This is a focus video?

[@Harry-mv3kb]

Mk2 RS is 10 times better 👍

[@KiwiCarLife]

Need to drive one

[@reinierboshoff7722]

Previous Gen RS with the 5 cylinder was a better car in my opinion.

[@KiwiCarLife]

I could understand that, more special engine

[@ruley493]

first ✅

[@KiwiCarLife]

Well done

[@craigauty6756]

That 340hp is prob closer to 250-260hp atw

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yeah for sure

[@matthewling3293]

I dynod my stock RS years ago and it put out 331hp at the crank

[@4pexPredator]

@@matthewling3293 You should go to ford to update your firmware.V1 firmwares did that.Mine after update by Ford did 349hp/44nm and 47nm overboost,before update dyno was 328

[@ytyndale3643]

Terrible car

[@KiwiCarLife]

I wouldn't say terrible, but it's definitely not the best hot hatch ever made

[@amrazing33]

Please spare some used ones for when I can actually afford to buy it 🥲

[@KiwiCarLife]

I’m sure they’ll depreciate in no time haha

[@amrazing33]

@@KiwiCarLife I hope this age well, because last I checked, It's selling for MORE than what it was when it launched. This car's value is somehow still skyrocketing.

[@KiwiCarLife]

@@amrazing33 not here, this one we traded for 43k to retail for like 50. There are plenty in the 40k range retail

[@amrazing33]

@@KiwiCarLife I assume that's in NZD? That's actually cheap