22 MPG combined is what you get for the unique thrills of the 2018 Ford Focus RS. Nobody buys a Focus RS to save gas. This car is for enthusiasts who crave a visceral connection to the road and a turbocharged punch that pins them to Recaro seats. The fuel gauge just reminds you that fun costs money.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates the Focus RS gets 19 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway. These numbers reflect the car’s spirited personality. The city figure shows the temptation to use the turbocharger’s boost at every stoplight, while the highway number suggests the car’s ability to cruise efficiently when driven carefully. Most RS owners will find it difficult to resist using the car’s performance, which lowers those numbers.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA says the annual fuel cost for the 2018 Ford Focus RS is $2,650. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year and using national average fuel prices. The amount you spend may vary depending on your driving habits, the type of fuel you use (premium is recommended), and local fuel prices. Think of this as a benchmark, but expect to spend more if you often drive aggressively or live where fuel costs are high.

Real-World Expectations

Forget the EPA numbers for a moment. Talk to Focus RS owners, and you’ll hear different stories. Some average close to the combined figure with careful driving, while others see numbers closer to 18 MPG, especially if the car is driven hard or modified. Traffic, driving style, and terrain all matter. If you live in a hilly area or drive in stop-and-go traffic, expect lower fuel economy. Hard acceleration and frequent use of launch control will also reduce fuel economy. Your fuel economy will depend on how and where you drive.

How it Compares

The Focus RS is a high-performance hatchback. The Subaru WRX STI, with its 2.5-liter engine and standard all-wheel drive, is another choice, but only gets 19 MPG combined. The Volkswagen Golf R, another AWD hot hatch, is slightly more refined and gets a better 25 MPG combined. The Honda Civic Type R, while front-wheel drive, offers similar performance and track ability while delivering a commendable 25 MPG combined due to its lighter weight and drivetrain losses. Ford fuel economy data suggests this RS isn’t aiming for Prius efficiency. Choosing one of these performance cars often comes down to preference, and those choosing the RS understand the need for fuel to feed its power.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Don’t constantly use the turbocharger’s boost. Gentle acceleration and maintaining a steady speed will improve fuel economy. The Focus RS is fun, but it’s also reasonably efficient when driven with restraint.

Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, which reduces fuel economy. Check your tire pressure and inflate them to the recommended pressure on the sticker inside the driver’s side door. Small adjustments improve efficiency.

Avoid unnecessary idling. If you’re stopped for more than a minute, turn off the engine. Modern vehicles are designed to restart quickly, so you won’t damage the engine or waste fuel by turning it off and on. This makes a bigger difference than you might think, especially in city driving.

Plan your routes to avoid traffic. Stop-and-go traffic reduces fuel economy. Use navigation apps to find the quickest and least congested routes. A more direct route will save you time and fuel.

Consider the long-term cost of modifications. Performance upgrades like exhaust systems or ECU tunes can enhance the Focus RS’s power, but they can also hurt fuel economy. Weigh the benefits of these modifications against the cost at the pump, and check the FOCUS MPG across all years when making these decisions.