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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  Twenty Years with Ford - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By Gaffer - January 12 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned Ford trucks for over twenty years and moved into the Explorer with the same expectations. The performance is good but the gas mileage is only a little better than my trucks. The seats and trim need improvement. They are adequate but for what the Explorer cost I expected a little more. While it handles well off the road, getting the mud from inside the doors is a hassle. Going through a car wash doesnt get it, you have to open the doors to really clean it off.

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  FX4 Level II Ranger - 2006 Ford Ranger
  By Phil - January 11 - 6:31 pm

  I bought this to replace an 04 Suburban 2WD. I love the look of the truck and it seems to be VERY solidly built. I wish Ford would get their act together and improve the gas mileage of the 4.0 V-6. I have to say it is the worst thing about the truck. Also, I havent owned it long enough to know about its reliability, but at least I have a warranty!

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  Solid Performer - 2007 Ford Escape
  By Steve P - January 10 - 12:54 pm

  This is my 2nd Escape. The 04 XLT FWD was good reliable transportation with just a little dose of fun factor included. The LTD adds the MACH sound system which is much better than the standard unit, as well as AWD which I can appreciate as a boat towing kind of guy. Using the old XLT FWD for towing my 3300lb boat was sometimes trouble coming out of the water. The AWD easily gets around any wheel slippage. Getting about 18mpg but drive it fairly hard and at least half the miles are city. Our family highly recommends this vehicle as a good fit between a CUV and any of its much larger politically incorrect cousins.

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  Beginner SUV - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport
  By Ese Mang - January 9 - 3:30 pm

  I have driven the 2001 Ford Exploer Sport for 5 years during my college days. Just to give you insight as to who I am, I am a 23 year old engineering student studing mechanical engineering I am looking to buy a bmw 330i, 2006 now. Speaking for SUVs I want to say that Ford has built a great truck in the Explorer Sport. This is because first,the reliablility is exceptional. If you maintaine regular fluid changes, the sport will run like the first day you owned it. Second, if you do have to maintain something large, the repairs are relatively inexpensive compared to European counterparts, (Japanese SUVs may be more expensive to repair too). Thirdly, The torgue that the sport has is plenty fun

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  Until gas is $5.00/gallon.... - 2004 Ford F-150
  By EJ - January 8 - 5:16 pm

  Ive tried to convince myself to look at other vehicles (for fuel economy only), but I cant get away from Ford F Series! This is my third one Ive leased a 2000 XLT, 2002 XLT, and now a 2004 XLT. My lease on the 04 is up in six months, and Ill be stepping up to a SuperCrew (but sticking to an XLT). I love the interior room (Im 65" and have plenty of headroom to spare), along with the big captains chairs. My 02 had a bench seat in the front, but I missed having that huge center console. I dont mind the simple plastic features of the dash if I wanted luxury, I wouldnt be in a truck. The radio is fine plus, the cabin is SO quiet, you dont need a loud sound system.

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  My 2006 Freestyle - 2006 Ford Freestyle
  By donsducks - January 8 - 12:04 pm

  Bought a used 2006 Freestyle with 11k miles. It was a former lease and we had been looking for a wagon instead of mini van or SUV. My wife loves the Freestyle, so we focused on purchasing one. Have had it for 1 week now and it rides wonderfully, it has a great transmission, but the one thing I noticed, and this seems true for all Fords, is that the disc brakes stink. They do not hold up well when we looked at used Freestyles, every one of them needed brake jobs by 10k miles. Mine was done at 11k before I bought the car. Ford needs to do something about the brakes. I purchased brake dust shields as the pads shed dust terribly, you can get a set for about $75.

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  Reliable and good value for the money - 2006 Ford Taurus
  By TR - January 7 - 6:54 pm

  This car was NOT my first choice but I have been pleasantly surprised with the overall experience. While not the sexiest or most stylish of vehicles, it is a solid performer. The ride is smooth and comfortable, the engine is quiet and the interior cabin and its parts all seem pretty solid. Gas mileage has been very good. For the money, a used one of these with low mileage is the way to go if you are looking to save some money while still being able to drive a decent size car that has some "bells and whistles" (i.e. leather, moonroof). My only complaint is with trying to park because it is hard to judge where the nose of the vehicle is when pulling in a parking space.

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  one of the best - 2002 Ford Focus
  By stuck with ford - January 7 - 3:39 pm

  I owned my Focus for 5 years have had transmission replaced at 37000 miles, tires every 20000 miles and the alternator replaced once. Not too much work for 140000 miles, besides routine maintenance. I like the cars fuel economy/handling/pickup. If I didnt need more room I would buy a new Focus. So I sticking with Ford and buying a Ford Escape Limited.

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  Fun while it lasted - 2005 Ford Mustang
  By Chris - January 7 - 10:23 am

  Had this car for 2 years. Many problems started developing after one year. One was the fuel gage...Id fill the tank all the way and the gauge showed zero then went to full and back and fourth a few different times. Then the battery died leaving me stranded at work. At least thats what Ford said it was...it turned out to be the alternator which left me stranded again! And the list goes on. The car was fun, everyone seemed to like it, but the same old Ford issues kept coming back to annoy me.

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  Not too bad for a 13 year old car - 2003 Ford Escape
  By Gary - January 6 - 6:25 pm

  I bought my 2003 Ford Escape XLT with leather seats and a sunroof in February of 2015 with 130,000 miles on it. The moment I got it I gave it a tune up and a oil change a month later I had to replace the front driver side strut and its been good ever since. I read reviews online that the transmission sometimes has problems on these cars so I decided to install a transmission oil cooler which is supposed to extend the life of the transmission it shifts smoothly by the way and the engine is good too. The battery light has been on ever since I got it but there is nothing wrong with the battery or the alternator I had it looked at by more than one mechanic and they all said the same thing one of them said it could be a bad connection to the alternator he had customers with the same exact car and the same exact problem and he said he replaced the alternator only for the light to come back on so he changed the alternator connection and that solved the problem just recently I drove 8 hours to Buffalo, NY and 8 hours back with that battery light on and nothing happened. Dont expect a 13 year old car to be perfect its going to wear down a bit and end up needing a repair no matter the make or model Ford, BMW, Volvo, Nissan, Honda, Chevy, etc. I am satisfied with my Ford Escape