Car Buyer Labs

Car Buying Advice, Tips, and Reviews

A black 2021 Ford F-150 Limited is towing a boat on a highway.

Why Ford is the Best-Value Auto Brand

New car shopping may come at a premium compared to shopping used, but you also get to enjoy the latest offerings from top auto brands like Ford. Explore the latest premieres like the return of the Ford Bronco, the most powerful edition of the Ford F-150 yet, and the brand-new Mustang Mach-E – Ford’s first electric SUV (yes, you read that correctly). Your local Ford dealer has the most advanced Ford vehicles yet, but are they worth the premium of shopping new?

If you’re going to search for a factory-fresh, zero-mileage vehicle, be sure to explore the best-value vehicles of the year, ones that are priced well but are also built to last. Sure, there are plenty of new cars to look at, but here are 3 Ford products that should also be on your shopping list. These brand-new 2021 additions to the Ford lineup combine high quality and affordable prices, and for that reason, they may be the best buys of the year.

2021 Ford F-150

Just about any Ford aficionado would point you toward this vehicle. In fact, Ford’s most popular truck is the best-selling vehicle in America. You can trust that Ford put their best into this tough-towing vehicle that might as well be the Ford mascot. In fact, the 2021 edition is the toughest version yet, offering unsurpassed towing and payload capacity while still selling for less than some competing Chevy and Dodge trucks.

New in 2021 is a whopping six available powertrains, including an ultra-high-performance PowerBoost V-6 hybrid that produces 430 horsepower. Ford’s first-ever hybrid truck combines gas and electric power for nearly unbeatable driving range. Other options include the tough-towing diesel powertrain that can output 440 lb-ft of torque. When properly equipped, the 2021 Ford F-150 can tow up to 14,000 pounds – a best-in-class rating – and haul a maximum of 3,325 pounds of payload. For even more versatility, you can upgrade to the Tremor edition, which outfits the new F-150 for ultimate off-roading and on rough terrain.

Even commercial drivers get a great deal out of an F-150, as its impressive capabilities, coupled with its low pricing, allows it to compete with other commercial-grade trucks. A fleet of F-150s can handle tasks that previously required heavy-duty trucks at a fraction of the price. Just how much can you save? The new F-150’s low starting price of $28,940 makes this one of the most affordable trucks of the year.

Its low MSRP is particularly surprising, given that the new Ford F-150 is also one of the most capable trucks of 2021. While we can’t necessarily name the new F-150 the absolute best truck for every driver (one of Ford’s larger Super Duty trucks will still be required if you plan on serious towing), it certainly deserves attention for giving drivers so much power for such a low price. That’s the definition of great value.

A blue 2021 Ford Bronco 4-door from a local Ford dealer is climbing over rocks.

2021 Ford Bronco

Old-school Bronco enthusiasts who lauded the return of this ultra-versatile Ford offering would be pleased to learn that the revamped, restyled, but still-classic 2021 Bronco is already making waves. It’s also earning quite a bit of critical acclaim. That’s because it’s not only more capable than ever, it’s also thoroughly modernized to offer all of the technologies and design elements that modern drivers have come to expect.

Where do you start with the new Bronco’s off-road features? Removable doors and roof panels, a turbocharged V-6 engine that can power through tough terrain, torque aplenty (up to 400 lb-ft), mud-terrain tires, standard four-wheel drive, electronic locking differentials that quickly adjust to uneven terrain – there’s so much to cover. Thanks to the Bronco’s durable design, down to its supremely engineered chassis, you can put this off-roader through some serious abuse. That’s what it’s designed for, after all. Most importantly, this durable construction enables you to enjoy the best of the great outdoors in your Bronco, totally carefree, without worrying about making regular trips to the repair shop.

The 2021 Bronco’s gorgeous exterior styling varies based on the trim you select and includes a number of stunning options, such as massive 35-inch tires on Beadlock wheels. Tech features, including an off-road performance app that you can use to reflect on your drives, an ample 12-inch infotainment screen, and waterproof interior surfaces, combine the best of modern design and simple adventurism. It’s the most rigorous offering from Ford that also happens to feel sharp inside and out. Former Jeep enthusiasts may find themselves converting to Ford as this long-awaited vehicle is back and better than ever.

Someone is about to plug in a yellow 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E.

2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E

The Ford-What-Now? This new vehicle is slowly gaining acclaim, but it may still be fairly obscure to the average American car buyer. Its smooth appearance may be that of a large sedan, but it’s actually a compact SUV designed to look so aerodynamic and crisp that it falls somewhere between the two builds.

Thankfully, it retains the best of each. Start with its outstanding driving performance. The 2021 Mustang Mach-E zooms from 0 to 60 in an unbelievable 3.5 seconds, and its top trim can produce up to 480 horsepower and over 630 lb-ft of torque. It’s no wonder Ford borrowed the name of its most popular performance car when they named this compact SUV.

As for its SUV-like qualities, you get incredible efficiency thanks to the Mustang Mach-E’s purely electric engine. On one charge, you get a jaw-dropping driving range of up to 300 miles, a measure with which virtually no other electric vehicle can compete. A comfortable interior centered around a generous 15.5-inch infotainment screen, up to 60 cubic feet of interior cargo space, and ample driver-assist features round out the 2021 Mach-E’s most notable perks.

Starting at $42,895, the new Mustang Mach-E may seem on the higher end of compact SUVs, but the Mach-E offers much more than other cars, including sharp acceleration, nearly unbeatable efficiency, and zero emissions. That’s the difference between price and value – getting more for your money. But that starting price is not necessarily what you will be paying – did we mention that you’re eligible for a several thousand dollar tax credit if you switch to Ford’s electric SUV?

The Perfect Value

Still not sure that a Ford is a good value? Then it’s time to take a trip to our dealership to see these exciting new models for yourself. We are sure that after you have experienced everything that the F-150, Bronco, and Mustang Mach-E can offer, you will agree with us that these are three of the best options on the market. While there are many vehicles that are less expensive, there no vehicles that offer more for the price – and that is the definition of the value that Ford brings to the table.

Ultimately, a Ford is the perfect vehicle model for buyers seeking to get the most for their hard-earned money. More importantly than a low price, you get great value and excellent quality for the money. A Ford may not be for everyone, but if you’re car shopping with good value on your mind – as any wise shopper should – consider the above Ford offerings; one of them may put an end to your car hunt.