Overview & Reviews

For more than 100 years now, Ford Motor Company has been selling mass-produced automobiles in the United States and around the globe. Known as one of the Big Three American manufacturers, Ford has attracted millions of loyal customers with a wide range of vehicles that offer considerable value. The automaker's trucks and SUVs have been especially popular. For decades, Ford's F-Series truck has been the best-selling vehicle in America.

The company was founded by Henry Ford in 1903. Ford dreamed of building a car for the masses, and that's precisely what he did, most notably with the immortal Model T of 1908-'27. The latter was bought by 16.5 million Americans during its 20-year lifespan and was affordable enough for Ford's own factory workers to purchase. Ford's early years were also distinguished by its introduction of the moving assembly line. It was the first to utilize this more cost-effective method of production, and its innovation became a mainstay of the manufacturing process.

Ford expanded into the luxury-car market with its purchase of Lincoln Motor Company in 1925. Over the next few years, the company broadened its focus even further by creating the Mercury division to produce mid-priced cars. By the late '30s, Ford had unveiled the stylish Lincoln Zephyr, introduced a low-priced V8 engine and built more than 25 million vehicles.

The 1950s saw the introduction of the legendary Thunderbird. Offering sleek styling and spirited performance wedded to available luxury features like power windows and a signal-seeking radio, the car was a huge hit. Another model of that decade, the Edsel, met with a somewhat less enthusiastic reception. In the wake of abysmal sales, the Edsel was discontinued just a few months into its third model year.

Ford regained its footing in the early 1960s with the introduction of the compact Falcon, a model that was warmly received by the public. By the middle of the decade the automaker had given enthusiasts something to cheer about with the launch of the sporty Mustang, a car that went on to become one of the biggest sellers of its day. Buyers adored the Mustang's low price, available powerful V8 engines and sporty styling. The Mustang even created a brand-new vehicle category: the pony car.

By the 1970s, Ford, like other domestic automakers, was starting to suffer the effects of changing consumer tastes and new government regulations. Many of its cars became shadows of their former selves. But the seeds of rebirth were planted in this decade. In 1979, the company acquired a stake in Mazda; this move would later aid Ford significantly in co-development projects. The company also emerged with a new mindset of global competitiveness.

By the mid-to-late '80s, Ford was showing new strength with its popular Escort and Taurus models while further expanding its empire with the purchase of the Aston Martin and Jaguar brands. Meanwhile, its full-size LTD sedan (later renamed the Crown Victoria) remained a staple of taxi companies and police forces throughout America.

Ford rode a wave of popularity in the 1990s, thanks in part to the huge success of its Explorer midsize SUV. The truck played a huge role in ushering in the era of the SUV. In 1999, Ford expanded its family yet again with the purchase of Volvo's car division, and, in 2000, it acquired Land Rover. For awhile, there was talk of Ford even taking General Motors' spot as the No. 1 automaker in the world.

But the new millennium initially saw a downturn for Ford. Increased competition, a continuing operating loss for Jaguar, legacy costs and a reliance on SUVs for profit took their toll. To compensate, the company sold Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo and introduced a wave of successful new products. Models like the F-150, Fusion, Fiesta, Focus, Flex and Mustang have allowed Ford to regain its health and standing as a very competitive manufacturer.

User Reviews:

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  Never Thought Id Buy a Ford - 2003 Ford Expedition
  By JBenu - August 3 - 2:00 am

  When it came time to shop for a new SUV, I thought it would be a Toyota. While the Sequoia is a nice vehicle, it came down to the interior comfort and the cargo area versatility. The power-folding 3rd row seats simply cannot be beat. The interior is roomy and comfortable, the ride is nice, and while engine performance could be improved upon it is what I expected to get.

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  Escape Well Developed for the Long Run - 2005 Ford Escape
  By Richard - August 2 - 6:43 pm

  I drive long distances in my business and appreciate the comfort and utility of the Escape. I also drive in very hot climates of the Southwest and the air conditioner is outstanding. Picking up speed with the air conditioner on at speed is extremely satisfactory. I would recommend the vehicle to anyone; new buyers, young buyers, buyers that want to be able to carry the golf clubs everywhere as I do, or senior citizens.

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  Ford moves in right direction - 2009 Ford Escape
  By sean - August 2 - 6:36 pm

  The 2009 Ford Escape is in my opinion one of the best cars Ford has ever produced and represents part of their new commitment to reliability and excellence. The 09 Escape is comfortable, utilitarian and a pleasure to drive. I test drove almost every small to middle SUV on the market. I found myself comparing everything to the Escape. I was quite surprised by this as I come from a family that almost always buys foreign autos. IN all of my test drives the Escape bested every other vehicle in terms of comfort, pragmatism and function. I believe that the 09 is also a vast improvement over the 08. If you are in the market for a SUV I highly recommend this car. Ford earned my business!

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  Family Dream - 2005 Ford Freestyle
  By Satisfied Owner - August 2 - 6:21 pm

  My wife chose the Freestyle as a family car while I was overseas, the family (wife and three daughters)enjoyed it for six months. When I returned for vacation I had the opportunity to drive it for a week. I loved the style, handling,color, gas mileage for the times, in-city and highway, spaciousness and cargo capacity. Only regular maintenance and general upkeep required. We loaned it to my sister in- law (a Chevy fan)for 6 months, and now she is a convert. Friends unfamiliar with the vehicle also enjoyed the comfortable ride, leg space and features.

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  2017 Ford Explorer XLT 2.3L I4 Ecoboost 202A - 2017 Ford Explorer
  By Lori W. - August 2 - 12:18 pm

  I am so excited to write a review about my new car. While I have only had this vehicle for less than a week. I am thoroughly impressed. I have NEVER owned a Ford. I did not buy top of the line and I have not purchased a new vehicle in 20+ years. I always buy used. I was looking at three SUVs (4 Runner, Honda Pilot and Ford Explorer) and I found the features, price offering, technology, ford incentives excellent and the warranty was one of the reasons I decided to buy this. I have a 20 yr/200k mile powertrain warranty (that is anything that touches oil). I was initially hesitant about considering the inline 4 cylinder engine with ecoboost. I test drove it and loved it; I went home to research the I4 w/ecoboost needless to say I was not disappointed. I was surprisingly impressed with the gas mileage and the 310 horsepower. The 6 cylinder is 255 horsepower. I am getting bout 20/mpg in the city. WHAT!!! Do keep in mind I rented an explorer to drive from Jacksonville to Tallahassee in a bad storm, this vehicle handled very well. My explorer is Blue Jeans Metallic with tan leather, sync, navigation, touchscreen technology, halo lights, foot activated lift gate, convenient dash controls, auto start is great, auto wipers, great steering controls and so much more! The vehicle is well equipped, rides nicely, grabs the road and the cabin is super quiet compared to my 2012 Honda Odyssey. My husband is not into SUVs but he was impressed when he drove it, he said it feels more like a luxury car. The mahoney sticker was about $40.5k, after rebates the vehicle was $33,760. The final thing that ultimately sealed the deal for me was the 20yr/200K mile warranty. FORD-Im impressed!!!!!

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  Love My Stang - 2003 Ford Mustang
  By Atlanta - August 2 - 9:24 am

  I bought it used in 2004 with 29k miles on it. It is fun to drive, has decent gas mileage, (mostly drive it around town), and I have had only two repairs. The windshield washer pump went out shortly after purchase, but the dealer fixed it for free and the alternator had to be replaced in Nov. 2007. Other than that, it has been trouble free. My husband is 61" and feels very cramped when riding in it, but Im 51" and its great for me. Not made for 4 people to sit comfortably in it. Would recommend it to anyone looking for a sporty, good looking car at a reasonable price. The only Ford car I would buy! Both kids want it when I get tired of it, they might be in for a long wait....

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  Ford 500 Review - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By Jenalan - August 2 - 7:26 am

  A surprising great car. Not as soft as the bigger Ford. Real nice interior. Good ride.

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  Cant touch it for the money - 2006 Ford Mustang
  By Macdadtexas - August 2 - 2:06 am

  For what is really an inexpensive car, I have had more fun driving daily than any other vehicle I have ever owned. The level of performance that is available right off the showroom floor for $30k cannot even be contemplated by any other car. Throw in the fact that Ford understands and embraces the aftermarket phenomenon for Mustangs, and that the car is built for add-ons, and it can be a fun hobby. Spend an extra $10k in upgrades and you have a car that challenges Porches, and blows away Corvettes. Great job on this one Ford, now work on the rest of your line.

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  A truly great American performance car! - 2015 Ford Mustang
  By Ed A - August 1 - 8:37 am

  I bought my first Mustang GT in 1979. While the 5.0L V8 and the handling was fun, the car itself was a piece of junk. Every single part on that car squeaked or rattled. After a year, I traded it towards a VW Scirocco, a nimble little jewel of a car based on the Golf platform. Thus began a 35 year love affair with German cars, including 2 Porsches and 3 Audi S4s. But with the introduction of the 2015 S550 Mustang platform, the auto magazimes were raving that Ford had finally built a car that could compete with the best from Germany, and they were right. When I first saw my 2015 Mustang GT, I was impressed with the gorgeous sheet metal, but was skeptical that it could match the driving dynamics and build quality of my (then current) 2015 Supercharged Audi S4. I test drove the GT out of curiosity and was blown away. Everything about the car was just right. The steering had just the right amount of effort and feedback, and the shifter for the 6-speed manual was the slickest and smoothest Id ever experienced (OK, to be fair, its a German shifter and gearbox). The stock seats and driving position were just right for me, and I was surprised at how good the seats were. And of course, theres nothing like the exhaust tone of V8... throaty and deep, but not obnoxiously so. It just sounds like it means business, and with 435 HP and 415 lb-ft of torque, it means business. The car accelerates to hyper speeds with so little effort that you cant help but smile as you leave the traffic behind. But the real surprise came when I pulled onto an uneven winding country road. The new platform has fully independent suspension (finally), and it responds with confidence on uneven surfaces. Nothing can perturbed the poise of this car. I was also blown away by the interior build quality, which rivals anything from Audi or BMW. The real shock is how they can build a car like this for only $40K in GT Premium trim. This includes just about every option, including NAV, and 19" alloy wheels. The seats are not only heated, but also cooled! So you get quality, features and performance at 2/3 the price of a comparable Audi or BMW, with looks that make the others look boxy by comparison.

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  Great Van - 2007 Ford Freestar
  By FreestarFan - July 31 - 6:17 pm

  I bought my Freestar new in Feb 07 and have had no problems at all. Rides great on the interstate and does pretty good on gas mileage. Like the ease of dropping down the 3rd row seat into the floor and gives the dogs somewhere to lay. Plan on keeping it for years!