Ford Focus vs. Honda Civic, which is Better and What Are the Differences?

Last Updated on December 17, 2023 by Leepu Da Maxim

The Ford Focus and Honda Civic have nearly identical standard engines. The regular Focus engine produces 160 horsepower, while the Civic produces 158. The ST performance variant of the Focus delivers up to 252 horsepower and a battery-electric propulsion system.

Key Takeaways

• The Honda Civic is available with a wider range of engine options while Ford Focus has limited engine options
• The Civic is more fuel efficient compared to Ford Focus
• The Honda Civic has a more modern interior design with a 7-inch digital driver display and a 9-inch touchscreen display compared to Ford Focus
• The starting price of the Ford Focus is lower compared to Honda Civic, so Ford Focus is more affordable

Focus Ford

For almost two decades, the Ford Focus tiny vehicle has been attracting first-time drivers, city residents, and those wanting the convenience of a hatchback or wagon. The Focus is available in hatchback and sedan body types and is inexpensive, simple to operate, and easy to drive.

Ford continues to offer an all-electric Focus and sportier models for those looking for a little more thrill.

The Ford Focus is a mid-size car that fits the smaller Ford Fiesta and the larger Ford Mondeo. The Ford Focus estate is available if you need even more space and practicality, while hot-hatch enthusiasts will like the sporty Focus ST type.

The interior of the Ford Focus is attractive, with a central strip of gleaming trim on the dashboard topped by a soft-touch piece that extends to the tops of the door cards. The Focus’s climate control and other features have large, well-labeled buttons that are easy to press.

While other options are available, the 125hp 1.0-litre Ecoboost petrol in the Ford Focus is perhaps the best. It will never seem sluggish and will be inexpensive to acquire and run. The 120hp 1.5 diesel, for instance, will provide all the power you want while quickly achieving 60mpg.

Honda Civic

Since 1972, Honda has been producing the Civic line of vehicles. The Honda Civic has been classified as a complete car since 2000, after previously being classified as a subcompact. In Honda’s global automobile lineup, the Civic is positioned between the Fit/City and the Accord as of 2022.

The first-generation Civic debuted in 1972 as a two-door coupe, with a three-door hatchback following in 1973. Despite its diminutive proportions, the automobile provided decent inside room, thanks to its 1169 cc transverse engine and front-wheel drive, similar to the British Mini.

Initially noted for its fuel efficiency, dependability, and environmental friendliness, later incarnations have gained a reputation for performance and sportiness. The Civic has been rebadged for overseas markets several times.

How Do the Ford Focus and Honda Civic Compare?

Because of its attractive design and excellent reputation, the Ford Focus is one of the most popular mid-sized hatchbacks. The most recent fourth-generation Ford Focus follows the same popular template as the original 1998 model, with vehicle handling and a high-powered Ford.

On the other hand, the new Honda Civic can easily compete with the ever-popular Ford Focus thanks to its sporty appearance, improved ride, and comfort.

Technical Specifications

Details	Ford Focus	Honda Civic
Number Cylinders	4	4
Valves per Cylinder	4	4
Compression Ratio	12.0:1	10.8:1
Gear Box	5-speed	6-speed
Transmission Type	Manual	Manual
Engine Displacement	1998 cc	1966 cc
Power	160 hp	158 hp
Torque	198 Nm	187 Nm
Fuel Type	Petrol	Petrol

Interior Measurements

The Ford Focus is a roomy vehicle with 90.7 cubic feet of passenger space. The Honda Civic outperforms the competition with a maximum passenger volume of 97.8 cubic feet. You might be wondering, though, how that translates into legroom.

The Ford Focus has 33.2 inches of legroom in the back. The backseat legroom of the Honda Civic is 37.4 inches. The Honda Civic is a tiny vehicle that does not compromise internal capacity for a low profile.

The Honda Civic gets the upper hand if you seek a spacious car for you and your passengers. The Honda Civic is a more pleasant alternative for lengthy rides, with a roomier cabin overall and substantially greater legroom for occupants.

Technology

The Ford Focus comes standard with the Ford SYNC2 system, which features Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. If you want features like cruise control, parking sensors, and air conditioning, you’ll have to upgrade to a premium model.

Similarly, the minimal technology available in the entry-level Civic trim is limited to safety features. On the other hand, the premium trims come with a lot of cool technology.

Trim Levels

Both cars come in a range of trim levels, each with amenities and prices. Understanding these trims and how they could fulfill your needs will aid you in deciding which automobile and trim are suitable for you.

Ford Focus Trim Levels

• Focus Zetec: Despite being the base model, the Focus Zetec is equipped with lane-keeping warnings, intelligent speed assists, and an automatic parking brake.
• Focus Titanium: This specification adds LED rear lights, automatic wipers, heated front seats, and keyless entry.
• Focus ST and ST-Line: The red seat stitching, body-colored spoiler, dual tailpipe, and sports-tuned suspension give the Focus ST and ST-Line trims a sporty feel.
• The Vignale: This is the top-of-the-line model, with a distinctive body style, luxury leather seats, a high-gloss interior, and a B&O premium audio system.

Honda Civic Trims

• The Honda Civic S: This car comes with several safety features, including lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, and adaptive cruise control.
• SE: Upgrade to SE for temperature control, heated mirrors, Bluetooth connectivity, and steering-wheel controls.
• SR: The SR trim adds a range of extra features, the most noticeable of which are the seven-inch touchscreen display, navigation, cruise control, reverse camera, and temperature control.
• Sport: This specification comes with LED headlights, dual automated temperature control, automatic wipers, and a central dual exhaust system.
• The EX– The EX-trim adds adaptive dampers to the car’s construction, an opening glass top, and 11 premium audio speakers, making it a thrilling drive.

Fuel Economy and Engine Choices

Both the Ford Focus and the Honda Civic have a range of engine options, with the 1.5-liter diesel engine in the Focus and the 1.6-liter engine in the Civic proving to be the most popular.

Model	Fuel Type	Engine Size	Bhp	Fuel Economy (mpg)	0-60 mph secs
Ford Focus	Diesel	1.5 liter	118	54.3-62.8	9.7-9.9
Honda Civic	Diesel	1.6 liter	118	55.4-64.2	9.6-10.4
Honda Civic	Petrol	1.0 liter	126	42-46	44.8-47.9
Ford Focus	Petrol (EcoBoost)	1.0 liter	123	44.1-51.4	9.7-10.7
Ford Focus	Diesel	2.0 liter	147	55.4-60.1	8.2-9.0

References:

https://www.edmunds.com/car-comparisons/honda-civic-vs-ford-focus/

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/compare/Ford-Focus-vs-Honda-Civic_d346_d586