Car Buyer Labs

Car Buying Advice, Tips, and Reviews

A white 2019 Ford Fusion, popular among Ford models, driving down a city street with blurred buildings in the background.

Finding A Ford That is Right For You

When it comes to purchasing a new vehicle, there are a lot of different factors that the average customer needs to consider before they head on out into the automotive marketplace. The first and most important thing to do is to set a price range, as that will do a lot to narrow down your selections right off the bat. The next thing that you should do if you’re interested in purchasing a vehicle is to figure out what exactly you will need it for. Think to yourself, “what kind of needs do I need my vehicle to fulfill”? Perhaps you have a long commute to and from work and would require a vehicle that is more fuel-efficient. Or, perhaps you need the kind of towing capabilities that only a large truck can provide. Maybe you drive up North and would require a vehicle that handles conditions such as snow, ice, and sleet. With so many different factors to consider, narrowing down your choices can really become a tough decision, especially with the sheer amount of options that are available. Fortunately, there exists a brand with world-class reliability that offers a vehicle that fits for just about every different need. That brand is Ford. They have been around since 1903, and have been refining their models since, resulting in one of the most diverse and accessible lineups on the market today. Here, we’ll take a look at some different Ford models, to compare their different cars, trucks, and SUV’s.

Cars

The Ford Fiesta

Introduced in 1976, this is Ford’s subcompact option, and is a very reliable and efficient vehicle. As of May 2019, Ford will be discontinuing the Fiesta due to the manufacturer moving towards a more truck and SUV-centric business plan. You must act quickly if you want a new Fiesta! Available as either a sedan or hatchback, it comes equipped with a 1.6 L engine capable of 120 horsepower and has either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission. This is a very practical and affordable vehicle and is great for anyone who will be doing a lot of driving, as it averages 27/35 (city/highway) mpg. For those who are looking for a little bit more power, there is also a Fiesta ST model, which comes equipped with a turbocharger, bringing the horsepower up to 197.

The Ford Fusion

This is one of Ford’s most diverse vehicles, offering many models with different features, all based on the same mid-sized passenger sedan layout. There are five total trim layouts, which range from very basic to borderline-luxury. It comes as with a 1.5 L engine standard. However, there is also a hybrid model, as well as an AWD sport model, which possess a 2.7 L twin-turbo V6 engine that puts out 325 horsepower.

The Ford Mustang

This is a true American-classic, and one of Ford’s longest running models. It has gone through many different changes throughout its lifetime, yet it has still managed to maintain the essence of a true muscle car. Currently, the Mustang comes standard with a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that puts out 310 horsepower. There is also an 8-cylinder engine option that puts out 526 horsepower. The 2020 GT500 model can put the Mustang at 760 horsepower, though these are going to be rather costly, starting around $74,000.

A blue 2020 Ford Mustang is driving on a city street on a sunny day.

The Ford Focus

This is another Ford car that the manufacturer has sadly decided to phase-out due to focusing more on trucks and SUV’s. You can still find some new ones left around, as well a number of pre-owned options. The Focus is a compact model, but not quite as small as the Fiesta. It comes in both a sedan and a hatchback and offers decent fuel economy and responsiveness. It even includes a high-performance RS model, which offers a 350 horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine driven by a six-speed manual transmission, on top of an AWD drivetrain. This makes it a year-round daily driver that can also turn some heads at a racetrack.

Trucks

The Ford F-150

This is not only Ford’s best-selling vehicle, but also the best-selling vehicle in general in North America. The F-150 is a light full-sized pickup truck and has a number of different trim packages and body styles which make it a truly customizable truck. Whether you need it for work-related purposes, hauling, or simply enjoy an amazingly responsive truck, there is an F-150 option available that will check all of your boxes. It comes standard with a 3.3L V6 that puts out 290 horsepower, however, it can be upgraded to 395 horsepower at a cost. It also includes a special edition, called the Ford Raptor, which is a truly unique and enthralling pickup truck with many performance upgrades and 450 HP.

The Ford Ranger

This is a truck that Ford has had out of commission for quite a few years but made a comeback for the 2019 lineup. The Ranger is Ford’s midsize pickup truck and offers a model for people who are not quite looking for something as large as the F-150. It provides a happy medium of size and power and is a bit more affordable than the F-150 as well. While it may be smaller, it still offers quite a bit of towing power at 7,500 lbs.  It could definitely make some people think twice about its larger brother.

A grey 2019 Ford Ranger is parked near a lake with mountains in the background, with two men taking kayaks out of the bed,

The Ford Super Duty

Ford’s powerhouse pickup is truly deserving of the term “heavy-duty.” The Super Duty is one of the most powerful pickup trucks on the market, capable of towing over 32,000 lbs when properly equipped. It is also surprisingly customizable, ensuring you can have as luxurious or as basic of a driving experience as you desire. It comes in a range of options from the F-250 XL all the way to an F-450 Limited.

SUV’s

The Ford Escape

This is Ford’s compact SUV, and was primarily designed by Ford of Europe. It comes standard with a 2.5L engine, but also has a 1.5L EcoBoost engine, as well as a turbocharged 2L engine. Its size makes it able to fit in smaller places without sacrificing cargo or seating, and its AWD drivetrain allows it to be driven in tougher conditions, giving the best of both worlds.

The Ford Explorer: The Explorer is a midsize SUV that offers decent mileage, as well as ample cargo space. With five different trim packages to choose from, you can customize the Explorer to your liking. There are a number of different engine options to choose from, including a 400 horsepower option that can push the Explorer up to 143 mph in the 2020 model.

The Ford Expedition

Rounding out the SUV list is the Expedition, Ford’s full-size SUV option. The Expedition is BIG. It offers 3rd-row seating, which can seat eight people, while still managing to have a decent amount of cargo space left over. The rear seats can be pushed in to increase the total amount of cargo space to 104.6 cu.ft. It offers best-in-class towing at 9,300 lbs. It is great for people who need enough power to tow while also having enough space for a family, for example, those who need to haul a camper on a family vacation. It has four different trim models, with varying degrees of technology and luxury options available.

Which Ford model sounds like a good fit for you?