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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  Sexy and Elegant! - 2014 Ford Taurus
  By bondgirl73 - January 22 - 8:09 am

  I had to trade the truck that I had for something that was easier to get in and out of due to a back injury. I have had two older Tauruss before and my teenage daughter even has an older one now. I have also had various makes and models of other vehicles over the years, mostly Jeep, Honda, Toyota or Ford. No vehicle even comes close to this baby! Tuxedo Black with black leather, black and aluminum wheels. It is SEXY! There is something also very elegant about it. But I will warn you, even though it is a 4 cylinder engine, (with turbo) it will take off if you press the gas, could get you a ticket if you arent careful! Love it, pure joy to drive, and turns heads! The color is gorgeous!

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  2013 Titanium Focus - 2013 Ford Focus
  By rringo - January 20 - 6:08 pm

  Its hard to believe that people who have written bad reviews have the same car as I do. Yes the tranny can be a little quirky sometimes but this may have a lot to do with the driver. I have owned a lot of vehicles, Mercedes, BMW, Toyota Nissan etc all of which I liked. I love this car and feel it is the most for the money I have ever owned. Runs great, drives great, looks great and is comfortable with great mileage. Ive taken trips of 3000 miles. Sorry those other folks didnt get one like mine.

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  A Horse of a Different Color - 2015 Ford Mustang
  By keboss302 - January 18 - 9:06 pm

  Like the Shelby Mustangs from 1968-1970, this new one is an odd contradiction: Both brutally powerful (in 435-hp GT form) and luxurious at the same time, it recalls those late 60s boulevard cruisers more than it reminds me of the more simple, honest 5.0 liter GTs of the 80s or the straightforward 2005 retro reboot. That is ok, as my 2015 GT Convertible finds me in my mid-40s, ready for a little more refinement in my car. This is my 19th Mustang my tastes have changed and the car has grown up along with me. This car is built like an anvil and full of modern conveniences. It seems low and heavy at first, but soon it shrinks around you and feels like an old pair of Levis.

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  Awesome little SUV - 2009 Ford Escape
  By tugboat95 - January 15 - 11:46 pm

  I love this truck! I bought this with 33k miles to replace a Durango I could no longer afford to feed. It was an adjustment to go that small. I chose the Escape because it had the most interior room of the small SUVs. Im 65 and I sit comfortably in it for an 8 hour drive twice a month. I have the XLT V-6. I get 28mpg round trip on that drive and I see 33 in certain spots where I behave with the throttle. It now has 75k miles on it and the only thing I have touched is the oil and transmission fluid and a new set of tires. Most dependable vehicle Ive ever owned. And it pulls a 3050lbs RV and gets 12mpg doing it. Ive been offroading in WV with it and even just 2wd, it holds its own.

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  Close to perfect - 2015 Ford Mustang
  By suleman09 - January 15 - 1:40 pm

  This car is close to perfect as it gets. I have a few things I would improve from factory but overall there is no reason not to love this Mustang. Im not a fan of how much they want to charge for some of the options, if they could crunch some numbers and find a way to save the customer some more money on some of the options it would make the car buying experience so much better and make getting the options you want so much easier.

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  1998 Ranger XLT - 1998 Ford Ranger
  By andrejp - January 11 - 4:18 pm

  This is my 6th vehicle. I owned a Ranger a few years back and had to sell it because i moved to Hawaii. When i moved back i made a dumb mistake and bought a new Hyundai only to crash it less then a year after i purchased it. Soooo i knew its time to go back to the one true truck that i know will last forever. Rangers are built to last and theyre built TOUGH. I bought this one for $3500 with 133k miles on it and i know itll last me for atleast another 160k miles easy. I will never own another vehicle. You cant go wrong with a Ford.

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  LOVE my Red Pig - 1998 Ford Explorer
  By 3chooks - January 7 - 5:48 pm

  I bought my Explorer "used" in 99, with only 1300 miles on it. I truly lucked out! I bought it to pull my new Danish horse trailer (Brenderup) and as my commuting vehicle, which is why my wonderful Red Pig now has about 264K miles on it. ["Red Pig"? so named the first time I filled it up, having traded in a 96 Honda Civic coupe in the transaction]. It was my commuting vehicle as well as my trailer-puller until 6 years ago. Before the Pig was semi-retired, I was putting a good 22K miles on it per year after, less than 3000 I am only now thinking its time to find a successor for my beloved Pig. Very reluctantly, because I dont think anything made more recently will measure up

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  2013 Ford Traurus Limited - 2013 Ford Taurus
  By fnevans98 - January 6 - 10:13 am

  I am 82 years young, and have owned a lot of vehicles, and I can say that my 2013 Ford taurus Limited is the best vehicle I ever owned.

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  Ford needs to research this problem - 2012 Ford Explorer
  By ralph1956 - January 5 - 7:32 am

  I have a 2012 Ford explorer that has wheel sensors on all wheels and have had to replace them all and now having to replace some again . When the sensor goes bad you have no 4 wheel drive and at times you can not drive at all. This is not reliable to me. Wondering if others are having issues with this also. Also have the check engine light come on and stay on and I am told its because of the gas tank and nothing that can be done to correct this issue.

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  Amazing Truck - 2008 Ford F-150
  By andrew_kaber08 - January 3 - 3:38 pm

  My 2008 F150 extended cab with the 4.6L V8 had 187,000 miles on it when I sold it. ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEMS! Never once had this truck left me stranded. The only thing I have had to replace on this truck was the throttle body, but that was a minor issue which could have been ignored. The engine is great and sounds amazing, but the 4-speed automatic transmission drags it down. When towing near the maximum capacity, expect aggressive downshifting. The audio system could definitely use more bass, but Im probably just being picky. If youre considering buying this truck, just make sure you have enough money saved up for the not-so-great fuel economy.