DuelsLeaderboardGarageBlogCarsGlossaryBrowse

Ford Focus RS

Ford

Ford Focus RS: Ford Focus RS: The Rally-Bred All-Wheel-Drive Hot Hatch
Photo: Dinkun Chen / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Ford Focus RS: The Rally-Bred All-Wheel-Drive Hot Hatch

The Focus RS was Ford's high-performance, all-wheel-drive hot hatch, famous for its turbocharged power and a tire-smoking Drift Mode.

The Focus RS sat at the very top of the Focus range as a hardcore performance hatchback. The acclaimed final generation used a 2.3-liter turbocharged EcoBoost engine producing around 350 horsepower, paired with a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system with torque vectoring.

That system enabled a now-legendary Drift Mode that could send torque to the rear wheels for controlled slides, a feature no rival offered. Combined with sharp handling and a firm, focused setup, it became a cult performance car.

The Focus RS delivered supercar-baiting pace and playful dynamics at a relatively attainable price, cementing its status as a modern performance icon.

Frequently asked questions about Ford Focus RS

How powerful is the Focus RS?
The final Focus RS used a 2.3-liter turbo EcoBoost producing around 350 horsepower.
Does the Focus RS have all-wheel drive?
Yes, it used an advanced all-wheel-drive system with torque vectoring.
What is Drift Mode?
Drift Mode sends torque to the rear wheels to enable controlled slides, a Focus RS signature.
Is the Focus RS a hot hatch?
Yes, it was the high-performance flagship of the Focus range.
Why is the Focus RS collectible?
Its rally-bred AWD, strong power, and unique Drift Mode made it a cult performance icon.

More on the Ford Focus RS

What Made the Ford Focus RS So Special?
What Made the Ford Focus RS So Special?

Ford built the Mk3 Focus RS for just three model years, and people still argue about it. It had 350 horsepower, a trick all-wheel-drive system that could shuffle torque across the rear axle, and a Drift Mode that actually worked. It also had a head gasket problem worth knowing about.

Why the Kia Sorento Is a Great Value
Why the Kia Sorento Is a Great Value

The Kia Sorento occupies a specific and underrated spot in the three-row SUV market: it's smaller and cheaper than the full-size three-row crowd while still offering genuine three-row functionality. Starting at $33,885 for 2026...

Sedans Are Not Dead. Automakers Just Stopped Trying.
Sedans Are Not Dead. Automakers Just Stopped Trying.

Every few months a new obituary gets written for the sedan. Sales are down. Automakers are canceling models. The crossover has won. The four-door is finished. And every time someone writes that obituary, the Toyota Camry sells another 300,000 units, the Honda Accord moves another 200,000, and the Tesla Model 3 quietly becomes one of the best-selling vehicles on the planet. The sedan is not dead. A specific group of automakers decided it was not worth their effort, walked away, and then pointed at falling sales as proof the customer did not want it anymore...

The Cars That Look Best Dirty
The Cars That Look Best Dirty

Most cars look worse dirty. A dusty black sedan looks neglected. A water-spotted white crossover looks like it spent a week in a grocery store parking lot. But there is a specific category of vehicle where a layer of dirt, dust, or mud does not hurt the design at all. In some cases it actively improves it. These are those cars and the reason is more interesting than it sounds...

Other Ford models

BroncoBronco SportCrown VictoriaEdgeEscapeExpeditionExplorerF-150F-250F-350FairlaneFalcon
More Ford models