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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  Awesome car - except - 2013 Ford Taurus
  By atldriver1 - January 9 - 10:44 am

  Have been very pleased with this vehicle except for 2 items: The projector low beam headlight is designed so that it is very difficult to see at night. (Appears Ford attempted to design a way to not blind oncoming drivers...their design limits the drivers vision as if the top 1/2 of the beam had been cut off.) Secondly, when you roll down the back windows, one or both, there is a VERY loud wind vibration noise. The result is that you MUST also roll down one of the front windows or roll the back windows up. The sound is intolerable otherwise. Otherwise, I love the car.

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  Update to an earlier review - 2003 Ford F-150
  By smoo4arp - January 8 - 7:47 pm

  During the polar vortex-initiated temperature drop, we had to take someone who desperately needed protection from the cold (since he was about 7 and a half miles away from work and he was going to have to drive through ice-specifically the nasty black stuff.) With a far from top flight battery and less than a quarter of a tank of gas, it sailed through taking our friend to work and getting us back home and all the features worked from the air bags to the radio, overhead, and odometer displays-it was a sight to see. The Chrysler van we could have had to settle for was having problems in 50 degree rain, but this truck just works, even in the 0s. (Granted, it was sunny, but cmon now.)

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  Traded up to Titanium 2.0 - 2014 Ford Escape
  By terra4m - January 6 - 2:19 am

  I purchased a 2013 Escape SE 4wd w/ the 1.6L engine and loved the vehicle. I wished I had gone with more features, so I traded it on a 2014 Escape Titanium 4wd with the 2.0L engine and all the goodies. I love this vehicle! Ive owned a lot of cars, from most all manufacturers, including high-end cars, and this new Titanium is my favorite all-around vehicle. I get very good gas mileage, its very comfortable, and the NVH, fit and finish are on par with the luxury brands. Sync w/ MyFordTouch is terrific, and intuitive. I can also use the manual controls easily if I dont want to use the voice or touch controls. Ford has really done a great job with their new vehicles.

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  Very reliable - 2002 Ford Expedition
  By gp8283 - January 4 - 6:14 pm

  I have a 5.4L XLT that just passed 160K. Hardly any problems at all except for the air suspension needed to be worked on. Engine, transmission, and suspension are solid and runs great considering the mileage. Very roomy and can fit lots of people.

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  I love my Focus - 2007 Ford Focus
  By cseaman - January 1 - 5:18 pm

  I had a Escort wagon with 120,000 then I got a 2001 Focus wagon it had some problems. I was hit drivers side and the car came through for me I survived! Built Ford Tuff! So I searched and bought a 2007 left over wagon. I wish Ford did not stop making the wagons as I can fit two teenagers, and 3 dogs in it. It is the best car for the buck and mileage!

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  High style. Zippy and Fun to Drive - 2013 Ford Escape
  By albyg - December 29 - 10:52 am

  I recently bought a 2013 Escape SEL with 13,900 miles on it. We have only had it for a week, so I dont have a lot of experience with it yet. But, the time I have had driving it has been rewarding. Compared to the archaic, Jeep Cherokee Limited which it replaced, it is a little larger, yet drives like a sports car. The 1.6 liter EcoBoost is powerful and responsive. The handling of this little SUV is really nice, the steering is quick and extremely responsive while the suspension provides a firm, nimble ride. The brakes are very good, although touchy - requiring a light, controlled foot. Our average gas mileage, for mixed city-highway is 26MPG, but includes 2 70 mile trips.

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  Owners Manual - 2014 Ford Fusion
  By james8506 - December 24 - 9:25 am

  I purchased the S model Fusion. My complaint has nothing to do with the car itself. Its the owners manual. Over half the manual is dedicated to SYNK. In order to even use SYNK you have to purchase a plan separately which I do not need. Therefore, for me, the manual is of little use. I had to go to a separate web page to learn how to use what does come with my particular car. Ford should have included more detail on what functions are standard (without having to buy other stuff for it to work) for the display and how they work with buttons on the steering wheel. On one Edmonds page it says I have tire pressure notification. Well, I dont see that in the manual so I dont know.

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  2006 Ford F150 XLT 5.4L Review - 2006 Ford F-150
  By maxxtruck9906 - December 20 - 6:24 pm

  This truck is one of the best on the market. I sold it at 135,000 miles, and it was still running strong with no issues. I highly recommend this truck! Reliable, TUFF, and family friendly.

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  Excellent Small SUV - 2006 Ford Freestyle
  By roy_in_ca - December 19 - 9:53 am

  Fun to drive. Holds six people very well. Had problem with throttle body that Ford repaired. Car has 90K miles and is still handling very well. No issues, as others have said, with brakes. I am happy with this car, and have owned it six years. Only problem is with ventilation system in that passengers in the rear seating area do not get cool in the summer heat (I live where it very often gets over 100 F.)

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  I still miss this car over a decade later - 1991 Ford Escort
  By pylon_johnson - December 18 - 2:43 pm

  I bought my 1991 Escort in 1996 with only 26K miles on it...and kept it until 2002, when I traded it in with 112K on it. Why am I reviewing a car I traded-in 11 years ago? Because from a reliablity standpoint, its the best I ever owned...and I have owned many much more expensive vehicles since then. In the 6 years I owned it, there wer no major repairs, and very few minor ones. Only 2 issues I ever had with it...the automatic seatbelt motor had to be replaced (dumb design on early 90s vehicles), and it tended to burn through headlight bulbs. Other than that, it ran like a top, was fun to drive, and great on gas! Still ran great the day I traded it in, and looking back wish I kept it