
With a longer range and available DC fast-charging at last, the 2017 Ford Focus Electric is a more competitive electric car than it's been in several years.
But it's still sold only in small numbers, and in just a handful of markets.
By far its biggest competitor is the Chevy Bolt EV, whose 238-mile range rating is twice that of the electric Focus.
The Bolt EV's range equals that of many Teslas, in fact, at half the price, and that lone will likely catapult it to the top of the electric-car list.
More comparable to the Ford is the Nissan Leaf, by far the world's highest-volume electric car.
The Leaf now has 107 miles of range—though its styling is polarizing, whereas the electric Focus is entirely invisible.
So is another converted gasoline model, the Volkswagen e-Golf, which gets its own range boost to 124 miles this year.
As for plug-in hybrids, the Chevy Volt offers half the electric range of the Focus, eliminates range anxiety entirely, and adds a dash of sporty new styling to boot.
Ford's own C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid hatchback offers 19 miles of electric range with gasoline backup, but its load bay too is compromised by the battery pack located underneath.
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Quick Specs | ||||
The fun-to-drive 2017 Ford Focus Electric finally gets the range boost and DC fast-charging it's needed for years, but Ford's sole electric car is still only available in a few markets. |
The 2017 Chevy Volt offers excellent fuel efficiency, and refined driving, improving on its predecessor in every way that counts. |
The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV could become the first mainstream electric car, with a 238-mile range and a base price in the high $30,000s before incentives. |
Eclipsed by the Chevrolet Bolt EV's 200-mile-plus range, the Nissan Leaf is best enjoyed with the substantial discounts dealers are eager to offer. |
The 2017 Volkswagen e-Golf is a Golf that happens to run only on electricity, but its range is now sub-par. |
MSRP From | ||||
N/A | $33,220 | $36,620 | $30,680 | $30,495 |
Gas Mileage | ||||
43 MPG City / 42 MPG Hwy | ||||
Engine | ||||
N/A | Gas/Electric I4 | Electric | Electric | Electric |
EPA Class | ||||
N/A | Compact Cars | Small Station Wagon | Mid-Size Cars | Compact Cars |
Style Name | ||||
N/A | 5-Door HB LT | 5-Door HB LT | S Hatchback | 4-Door SE |
Drivetrain | ||||
N/A | Front wheel drive | Front wheel drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
Passenger Capacity | ||||
N/A | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Passenger Doors | ||||
N/A | 4 | 4 | N/A | N/A |
Body Style | ||||
N/A | Hatchback | Hatchback | Hatchback | Hatchback |
Transmission | ||||
N/A | Automatic | NA | Automatic | Automatic |
Detailed Spec Comparison | ||||
2017 Ford Focus Electric vs. 2017 Chevrolet Volt | 2017 Ford Focus Electric vs. 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV | 2017 Ford Focus Electric vs. 2017 Nissan Leaf | 2017 Ford Focus Electric vs. 2017 Volkswagen e-Golf |