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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  "THE DARKSIDE" - 2014 Ford Fusion
  By Roy JENNINGS - December 10 - 4:17 pm

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  RECALL - 2012 Ford Fusion
  By Angie Clark - December 10 - 2:16 pm

  I love my car but it kept cutting off for no reason....Come to find out it was a recall on my Throttle bottle...Took it back to dealership..Replace for free..Speedy service...i love it. Angie in Spring Texas

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  My 4th Ford , the BEST one yet - 2015 Ford F-150
  By John - December 9 - 12:03 pm

  I bought a month ago, 3.5 L twin turbo Ecoboost engine is a beast. We bought with alot of dealer incentives, and walked out with almost 12k in discounts. I am inpressed so far and will come back and write a longevity review when I have put her through the tests and trials of real life. I only have 800 miles now, so not a super true review of longevity. I will return in a couple years to give an update.

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  195000 miles and still alive. - 2004 Ford Freestar
  By Zach - December 6 - 9:32 pm

  I have a 4.2 l sel that is almost ready to roll 200k. I read the reviews on the transmission mine is original at 200k. I had the tranny flushed every 50k miles and done maintnance and here we are. The van has been exceptional. So if you take care of your car and do maintnance your car will take care of you. This van has a lot of negative reviews but has been great for me and my family. Im willing to bank i will get my freestar over 250k and will report back when I do. Outstanding vehicle.

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  . Sometimes high and wi hi Miles dont hurt these - 2001 Ford F-150
  By Bob - December 6 - 5:25 pm

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  Rays Review of the Red Raider - 2013 Ford F-150
  By ray jobin - December 6 - 2:41 pm

  Always research the vehicle you are prospectively purchasing.

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  2.7L Twin Turbo V6 has serious ooomph - 2015 Ford Edge
  By bherman999@comcast.net - December 6 - 1:29 pm

  Mechanical: 1) The 2.7L twin turbo V6 puts out some serious power at 315 HP and 350 FT LBS torque. The technology in the engine is shared with Fords Powerstroke Diesel in that the engine block is made from compacted graphite iron. It is quiet as a sewing machine but does make some nice sounds when you put the go-pedal down. 2) Two small turbochargers vs. one large one equate to virtually undetectable turbo lag. This is a very good thing. 3) The Sport has a very dialed in suspension for a stock vehicle. In all honesty this crossover thinks it is a sports car. Interior: 1) The suede/leather in our Sport is better quality than expected. Seats are very comfortable and interior is mostly devoid of the cheap plastic feel I abhor in many vehicles (think GM). Fit/Finish: 1) Our Edge is the black metallic. It looks great and I have gone over the car with a fine tooth comb and everything is spot on. I am a Toyota guy (Edge is my girlfriends driver) and do not suffer manufacturers that produce poor fit and finish. I am impressed with the Edge. Value/Competitors: 1) Thus far the Edge Sport has been worth every dime of its cost. My girlfriend originally wanted to look at the Nissan Murano and I started looking at other crossovers for her to consider as the Nissan CVT transmission has a far less than stellar reliability rating and resale value leaves a lot to be desired. Both of us agreed that the Edge Sport is better looking, way better performing and overall a better value than the competition. No GM vehicles were considered, several other manufacturers were. Summary: 2500 miles on the vehicle and thus far 100% happy.

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  Best Pickup Truck Out There F150 XLT Supercrew 4x4 - 2015 Ford F-150
  By NCcarBuyer - December 6 - 12:22 pm

  First of all: this is a great truck. Fords engineers did a sensational job of designing, detailing, specifying and overseeing construction of the 2015 F150 Supercrew 4x4. Bill Ford Jr. should be proud. He previously sent me a personal note of thanks back in 2009, when I ordered a 2010 King Ranch built custom for me. Nice guy. I get the feeling he takes great pride in his familys business. It shows in this truck, the latest incarnation of the 38-year run of Americas most popular vehicle: the F150. We didnt get the King Ranch this time (although I would have like to). We settled on what appears to be Fords "sweet spot" of F150s: the XLT level. Why: we got the 302A package, which includes a very nice assortment of goodies to make just about anyone smile: 8" productivity screen (Fords website is wrong: it says 4.2", but I just measured it), including Sirius & Synch, trailer hitch, power exterior mirror adjustment, auto-dimming rearview mirrors (thats wonderful), leather steering wheel, power adjusting pedals, tilt-telescoping steering wheel, rearview camera, under sear rear storage, remote start (which is nice on a snow/ice morning, or if youd like your dog to stay comfortable when you are inside a store), 10-way power&heated front seats with lumbar, reverse sonar, 110v/400W outlet on dash, power rear window, LED box lighting, 18" chrome wheels, chrome grille, OWL AT tires, chrome door handles, chrome front tow hooks, chrome step bars, chrome exhaust tip. Also included are: defrost in front and rear windshields, that activates when you remote start (just did this from a hotel room with snow and ice outside, so that was very convenient). Ours has the trailer tow package with built-in 7/4 pin wiring ports with flip covers, auxiliary transmission oil cooler, engine oil cooler, integrated trailer brake control on the dash, upgraded front stabilizer bar. Power equipment group is included: auto on/off headlamps with headlights that turn on when you turn on the windshield wipers, daytime running lamps (you must set lights to A for Automatic), drivers side entry combo lock on exterior, perimeter alarm, power locks and windows, remote lock integrated key transmitter, including power tailgate locking, boxlink (various cleats in the cargo bed for lashing loads down), fog lamps, . We also are adding the foldable pickup box box extender gate: cheap at $250. Turns your shortbed into a "Transformer" for longer cargo. And we have the Twin panel moonroof (very cool: about 75% of your roof becomes a "skyroof" and gives you all the benefits of a convertible without the negatives. Unprecedented luxury in a mid-range luxury truck). All that, and with $4,750 worth of rebates and incentives at the Mansfield, Ohio Graham AutoMall, and with a great trade-in value on our trade. This F150 XLT package in a very good value for a full-size comfortable truck that will make anyone smile, every time you drive it. I actually think I like it even more than my previous 2010 King Ranch (even thought leather isnt a factory option). And lets face it: if you really want leather, you can have your local dealer add that for about $1,200. But the 302A XLT with the skyroof is going to hit that sweet spot for many Americans looking for that particular level of value and luxury: a lot of bang for your buck. I think Ill probably be keeping this one a long time. Handling: make no mistake: this is a big truck. It appears that you are in a semi-tractor when you first sit in the cab. Kind of intimidating and exciting at the same time, realizing that you are going to be driving this beast. The handling is very responsive, with the little bit of body roll, but not as much as you might think with this full sized vehicle. Power: outstanding. I really wanted the 2.7L V6 ecoboost, but the dealer couldnt find one with the dual sunroof. So I have the 3.5LV6 ecoboost, which can lay you back in your seat if you have the guts to put your foot down. But be careful, youll be going way too fast in only a second or two. No reason for the V8, unless youre going to be hauling horse trailers or houseboats. Luxury: unprecedented in a mid-range model of a full-sized truck. That optional Twin Moon Roof should have been called a "SkyRoof" because about 75% of your roof is glass. Its like driving in a penthouse apartment with a huge skylight. Even though you cant order an XLT with leather, you could always add that through your dealer for about another $1,200 if you really want to do that. Controls are sophisticated but easy to understand and operate. Havent yet tried the Synch, but Ive been told its not hard. Fabric seats are okay in appearance and very comfortable. I think Ford could probably have their interior cabin team do some thinking about this fabric and make it even more interesting, but it is what it is: fabric. So buy leather if you want it. Mileage: we got about 20mpg on the highway with our 3.5LV6 ecoboost.

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  great trucks!!! - 2002 Ford F-150
  By Morales - December 4 - 8:51 pm

  Best truck ever owned! With 246000 still runs great! I use it daily and I take it on a monthly 8 hour round trip drive to Drill and never had a single problem, I got lucky with mine since I bought it for 2 grand. I love driving stick shift and the 4.6combination makes its great! I currently get about 22 on highway and 15 in town. My dad really like my pick up that he bought one for himself and my brother. All of our fords have well over 240000 and we trust them dearly. About a month ago I bought my second f150 for my wife while Im gone for 6 months, she had 92 Chevy Silverado but we started having trust issues with it since it overheated. I have had Chevy, dodge and Ford trucks from half tons to 1 tons and this model f150 has been the most reliable and trustworthy truck I have ever owned.

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  FORD EXPLORER IS THE BEST SUV FOR THE $$$ - 2014 Ford Explorer
  By Ernest - December 2 - 6:19 pm

  All these whiners on the reviews probably dont own one. I pulled the trigger and bought me one. I will agree to those that say that the modern control layout may be confusing at first, but after regular use its a breeze. (If you cant figure how to use touchscreen devices, well, stick to low tech layouts) Steering controls are easy and simple to use unless you have sausages for fingers. And for heavens sake its a mid size vehicle...If you know your passangers are behemoths, get a van or large vehicle. 3rd row seats are tight for adults but my 5 feet tall kids fit perfectly. MPG are not too bad considering the size of the vehicle. 20/26 avg give or take city/hwy.