The Ford Focus was offered in four trim levels and two body styles, allowing customers to find the best fit for them at the right price point. Customers also had several upgrade packages to choose from to customize their cars.

The 2018 Ford Focus SE saw several downgrades from the previous model year, but aftermarket mods can help make the used car into a more stylish option.
Certain factory upgrades, such as the interior protection package and tech package, can decrease the overall ownership cost of the car, and could even lead to
car insurance
discounts.
Third-party add-ons, such as tires, engine mods, exhaust system upgrades, tinted windows, body kits, and suspension tune-ups can add more style and power to the 2018 Ford Focus SE.

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2018 Ford Focus SE customization options

The Focus was a popular

Ford compact car

in its glory days. However, with the last production year “refreshing” the Focus with reduced features, it’s no wonder

Ford Motor Company

ceased production.

The 2018 models saw “updates” that included:

Downgraded headrests

Deletion of exterior mirror turn-signal indicators (SE trim)

Removal of the auxiliary input jack

Removal of some ambient lighting elements in all models

The 2018 Ford Focus is available in four standard trim levels—the

, SE,

SEL

, and

Titanium

. All the trims are available as a sedan, and SE, SEL, and Titanium offer a hatchback option.

The 2018 Focus was also available in an Electric variant, as well as performance-oriented Ford

Focus ST

and even higher-performance

Ford Focus RS

models.

Starting prices ranged from $17,950 to $29,120 in 2018—however, you can find a used Ford Focus SE for under $15,000.

2018 Ford Focus SE offered the following powertrain options:

Hatchback: 2.0-liter Ecoboost inline-four-cylinder engine which produces 160 hp and 146 lb-ft torque

Sedan: 1.0-liter turbo Ecoboost inline-three-cylinder engine which produces 123 hp and 125 lb ft of torque

Although the engines have a lackluster performance, the available manual transmission makes the Ford Focus an exceptionally fun drive—especially down winding roads. The biggest surprise is that this tiny car maintains comfort while zipping through the twists and turns.

The best selling point of the Ford Focus is still its outstanding fuel efficiency—with the EPA rating the combined city and highway fuel economy at 28 mpg. This provides a welcome advantage in a world where gas prices continue to soar.

Finally, the Focus SE is offered in six standard neutral colors and two optional funky colors, allowing customers to choose what reflects their style the best.

Ford Focus SE optional packages

Ford had a couple of add-on packages available for the Focus SE that brought the car up a notch. If you’re looking for a used 2018 Focus, see if these packages were added:

Package	Features	Which trims is it available on?
Cold weather package	Heated front seats, all-weather floor mats, heated mirrors, 3 point leather-wrapped heated steering wheel	Touring, Focus SE
Interior protection package	All-weather floor mats, cargo area protector	SE, SEL
SE appearance package	Black gloss upper grille, fog lamps, 16" machined aluminum wheels, dark painted pockets, black headlamp bezels, dedicated daytime running headlamps, LED signature lighting	SE
Titanium technology package	BLIS with cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping alert, automatic high beam headlamp	Titanium

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How to customize your Focus SE to save money

Choosing a used car with more add-ons and packages will increase the overall cost of the car—and depending on what the add-ons are, it could be a significant price difference.

However, certain upgrades can actually help you decrease the overall ownership cost of the car. These features include:

Interior protection package: The addition of floor mats and cargo area protectors will help keep the interior clean and/or make cleaning much easier. This helps to retain the car’s value if you intend

to sell the car

in the future.

Technology package: This package adds several safety features, such as a lane-keeping alert, which could earn you a small

car insurance discount

from your insurance company.

If you’re not sure about what insurance discounts are available for added safety features, you can contact your provider for more details.

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The best Ford Focus SE mods

The Focus SE is already a charming little car, but you can infuse more style or turn your hatchback into a hot hatch with aftermarket

vehicle modifications

. In some cases, you can save more money with third-party add-ons compared to getting a used car with factory upgrades.

Tires

The base Focus SE comes with 16-inch wheels and all-season tires—which won’t look exceptional. You can get 18-inch wheels and a +40 offset to add more flair to your Ford Focus SE. Just be aware that increasing the wheel size can be quite costly.

Engine

You can add extra power to your Focus SE by installing a turbo kit to increase the horsepower. The intake manifold can also be replaced to increase the engine’s cold air intake and horsepower.

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Exhaust System

The standard exhaust system on the Focus SE won’t be making any impressive noises. There is a large selection of aftermarket bolt-on mufflers and headers available on the market—meaning you’re bound to find something that upgrades your engine sound yet still fits your budget.

Tint

The clear windows of the Focus SE don’t scream style, but that can be rectified quickly with tinted windows. You can also tint the tail lights for a more discreet look. However, check your state tint laws before getting the work done so you don’t risk getting fined.

Body kits

If you’re really looking to up the style quotient on your 2018 Focus SE, you could add a custom body kit. Kits vary in cost and composition, but can include one or more of the following stylish add-ons:

Front bumper splitter spoiler lip

Carbon fiber spoiler

Window deflectors

Fender flares

Side skirts

Rear diffusers

Suspension upgrades

If you’re really looking to go all out, check out upgrades for the Focus SE’s OEM suspension. Kits often include:

Sway bars

Stiffer springs

Firmer struts

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“
Jerry
was quick and provided me with various choices. I found the policy I wanted in 10 minutes and was able to drive off with my new car!” —Emiya S.