Ford Focus vs Subaru WRX
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Subaru WRX
Overview
| Spec | Ford FocusS | Subaru WRXWRX (Base) |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | S | WRX (Base) |
| Body style | Sedan | Sedan |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | premium unleaded (recommended) |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual | 6-speed manual |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2018 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Ford FocusS | Subaru WRXWRX (Base) |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $17,950 (best) | $32,495 |
| Lowest listing price | $6,423 (best) | $13,897 |
| Median listing price | $8,860 (best) | $27,379 |
| Highest listing price | $15,717 (best) | $40,979 |
| For sale now | 5 | 29 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Ford FocusS | Subaru WRXWRX (Base) |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 28 MPG (best) | 22 MPG |
| City MPG | 25 MPG (best) | 19 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 34 MPG (best) | 26 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 12.4 gal | 16.6 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Ford FocusS | Subaru WRXWRX (Base) |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 160 hp | 271 hp (best) |
| Torque | 146 lb-ft | 258 lb-ft (best) |
| Engine size | 2 L | 2.4 L (best) |
| Cylinders | I4 | flat 4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Ford FocusS | Subaru WRXWRX (Base) |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 13.2 cu ft (best) | 12.5 cu ft |
| Curb weight | 2,928 lbs (best) | — |
| Ground clearance | — | 5.4 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 104.3 in | 105.2 in (best) |
| Length | 178.7 in | 183.8 in (best) |
| Width | 71.8 in | 71.9 in (best) |
| Height | 57.8 in | 57.8 in |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Ford FocusS | Subaru WRXWRX (Base) |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 4 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Rollover | 4 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | 7 | None reported (best) |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Ford Focus | Subaru WRX |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | S $17,950 MSRP(Currently comparing) | WRX (Base) $32,495 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | SE $19,245 MSRP | Premium $33,995 MSRP |
| 3 | SE $20,540 MSRP | Limited $38,995 MSRP |
| 4 | SEL $21,870 MSRP | Limited $39,995 MSRP |
| 5 | SEL $22,070 MSRP | GT $44,995 MSRP |
| 6 | Titanium $24,270 MSRP | tS $44,995 MSRP |
| 7 | Titanium $24,470 MSRP | Series.Yellow $45,995 MSRP |
| 8 | ST $25,170 MSRP | — |
| 9 | Electric $29,120 MSRP | — |
| 10 | RS $41,120 MSRP | — |
Live inventory
Ford Focus5 for sale
See all
Used2010 Ford Focus
SE
INGOT SILVER METALLIC•Charcoal Black116,768 mi$7,331Fred Anderson Toyota of Charleston
Charleston, SC
Used2018 Ford Focus
SEL
Hot Pepper Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat•Black60,243 mi$12,681Bruce Titus Port Orchard Ford
Port Orchard, WA
Used2018 Ford Focus
SE
Magnetic•Black113,320 mi$8,860McCarthy Toyota of Sedalia
Sedalia, MO
Used2014 Ford Focus
Titanium
Tuxedo Black Metallic•Charcoal Black127,404 mi$6,423Jack Hanania Audi Orange Park
Jacksonville, FL
Used2016 Ford Focus
ST
Shadow Black•Black47,964 mi$15,717Lynnes Hyundai Bloomfield
Bloomfield, NJ
Subaru WRX29 for sale
See all
Used2019 Subaru WRX
Limited
Crystal Black Silica•Black/Carbon Black46,313 mi$24,985Seelye Select on 9th
Kalamazoo, MI
Used2018 Subaru WRX
STi
Lapis Blue Pearl•Black60,052 mi$25,995Carizona
Mesa, AZ
Used2015 Subaru WRX
WRX
Ice Silver Metallic•black117,814 mi$13,897Carizona
Mesa, AZ
Used2021 Subaru WRX
STi
Magnetite Gray Metallic•black49,608 mi$31,440Findlay Volvo Cars Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV
Used2021 Subaru WRX
STI Limited Sedan 4D
gray•black45,627 mi$39,497Daly City Mitsubishi
Daly City, CA
Used2023 Subaru WRX
BASE
Magnetite Gray Metallic•Carbon Black32,416 mi$25,922Classic Nissan Newport News
Newport News, VA
Ford Focus vs Subaru WRX FAQ
- Which is better: 2018 Ford Focus or 2026 Subaru WRX?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2018 Ford Focus vs 2026 Subaru WRX on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2018 Ford Focus or 2026 Subaru WRX?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2018 Ford Focus starts lower at $17,950. Live Ford Focus listings start at $6,423. Live Subaru WRX listings start at $13,897.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2018 Ford Focus or 2026 Subaru WRX?
- The 2018 Ford Focus leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (17,950).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2018 Ford Focus or 2026 Subaru WRX?
- The 2018 Ford Focus leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (34).
- Which has better electricRangeMi: 2018 Ford Focus or 2026 Subaru WRX?
- The 2018 Ford Focus leads on electricRangeMi in this comparison (115).
- Which has better horsepower: 2018 Ford Focus or 2026 Subaru WRX?
- The 2018 Ford Focus leads on horsepower in this comparison (350).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2018 Ford Focus vs 2026 Subaru WRX?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Ford Focus (5/5 NHTSA overall); Subaru WRX (5/5 NHTSA overall).