Find four engine options in the 2015 Ford Focus, including a base 2.0L inline-four, an EcoBoost 1.0L three-cylinder, a sporty 252-hp turbo 2.0L, and a fully-electric powertrain.
Key Points
- The base Duratec 2.0L inline-four engine in the 2015 Ford Focus delivers average performance and fuel economy, but not much else.
- Opt for 1.0L three-cylinder EcoBoost for the best fuel efficiency, allowing for an annual fuel cost of just $1,450.
- Focus ST’s 252-horsepower, 2.0L turbocharged inline-four is the model’s quickest powertrain option, hitting 60 mph in just 6.1 seconds.
- The 2015 Ford Focus also offers an all-electric variant powered by a lithium battery capable of a 76-mile range.
2015 Ford Focus’ Base 2.0L Engine ‘Needs High Engine Speeds’ to Work Well, Say Auto Critics
The base engine in the 2015 Ford Focus is a 2.0L Duratec inline-four. It produces a humble 160-hp and 146 lb.-ft. of torque, a modest and appropriate amount of power for a compact car. It is mated to either a five-speed manual transmission or a six-speed dual-clutch automatic. The engine is available with the majority of 2015 Focus trim levels, with the exception of the ST and the Electric.
Fuel economy for the Duratec 2.0L sits at an EPA-rated 27 mpg in the city and 39 at highway speeds. Thanks to flex-fuel technology, this powertrain can run on Ethanol E85, meaning it can run off a blend of up to 85% ethanol. With E85 in the tank, it puts out 20 mpg city and 28 highway.
It’s not exactly a vigorous engine either. In their review of the 2015 Focus, Motor Trend said, “The 2.0-liter is peaky and needs the high engine speeds to display its full talent.” That means if you want to get the most out of this powertrain, you’ll need to push it harder.
For motor oil in the Duratec, Ford recommends 4.5 quarts of 5W-20.
2015 Focus’ 1.0L Three-cylinder EcoBoost Gets Impressive 30/41 mpg but is Only Available with Manual Transmission
Next up is a tiny 1.0L inline-three-cylinder EcoBoost engine. It displaces 999 cc, which is just 61 cubic inches. Despite that, thanks to direct injection and turbocharging, it still produces a decent 123 horsepower and 148 lb.-ft. of torque. It features an iron block and aluminum heads as well as an intercooler for better temperature management.
The three-cylinder EcoBoost is only available on the middle SE trim of the 2015 Focus. Interestingly, this optional powertrain is only available with a six-speed manual transmission.
What it lacks in horsepower it definitely makes up for in fuel efficiency. The EcoBoost produces an excellent 30 mpg city and 41 on the highway. It also comes standard with stop-start technology to help save fuel. That allows for a very reasonable annual fuel cost of $1,450.
2015 Ford Focus’ Fiery Turbocharged 2.0L Inline-four Brings 6.1 Second Zero-to-60 Time
Only available on the ST trim, the 2.0L turbocharged engine is a riot. It features an aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection, and an intercooler. The engine is mated only to a six-speed manual transmission. Thanks to its 252 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft. of torque, it propels the 2015 Focus from zero to 60 in 6.1 seconds. That’s two-tenths of a second slower than its rival the Volkswagen Golf GTI, but still a fast time for a front-wheel-drive hatchback.
Naturally, with the extra horsepower, fuel economy takes a hit. The 2.0L turbo gets 23 mpg in the city and 32 highway. As for motor oil, you’ll need to put in 5.7 quarts of 5W-20 and get it changed every 5,000 miles or so.
2015 Focus’ Available All-electric Powertrain Offers Smooth Power Delivery but Has a Range of Only 76 Miles
In addition to the three internal-combustion engines, the 2015 Ford Focus is available as a fully-electric vehicle. The powertrain is a 107-kilowatt synchronous electric motor powered by a 23kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Mated to a single-speed direct-drive transmission, it produces 143 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque.
Performance-wise, its power delivery, like most electric cars, is pretty smooth, which makes it perfect for daily commutes in the city. Unfortunately, though, the electric motor’s range is quite limited, coming in at just 76 miles. The range can vary depending on your driving style, as well as if you frequently drive in cold temperatures, which can reduce range by up to 40%.
The 2015 Focus EV’s powertrain can be charged within four hours with a 240-volt, 40-amp power source.
Despite its Single Trim Offering, the Three-cylinder EcoBoost’s Superior Performance and Fuel Economy Make it an Ideal Choice
The engine options of the 2015 Ford Focus are a curious case. You have the base 2.0L engine, which is available on a lot of trims but is only adequate in performance. Then there’s the 2.0L turbo inline-four, which is the most powerful but only available on the considerably more expensive and enthusiast-focused ST trim. Next is the electric powertrain which has a very limited range.
Finally, there’s the three-cylinder EcoBoost. It is considerably down on power to the base engine and only available in a manual transmission. So, why is it the best? Because it uses the power it has far more efficiently than the base engine.
Edmunds attested to this in its review, saying, “The new three-cylinder turbo EcoBoost engine isn’t as powerful as the standard four-cylinder, but its healthy low-rpm torque output (that shove you feel at low speeds) helps the Focus feels peppy enough in city traffic.”
Ultimately, if you know how to drive a manual transmission, the 1.0L EcoBoost will not only be better for daily driving but will save you money on gas too.
Photos: Ford
