Whether you count yourself among tried the true Ford loyalists or are more of a casual car-buyer open to whatever offering catches your eye, it’s worth noting that Ford seems to be enjoying the early days of (for lack of a better word) a Renaissance. While everyone is entitled to their own opinion, Ford’s lineup as a whole has felt somewhat uninspired for the better part the last decade (if not longer). That is, of course, with the exception of the ever-attention-worthy F-Series, and Ford’s investments in the headline-ready Raptor. That said, those two examples alone herald in a lot of exciting changes, guaranteeing anyone who’s searching for a Ford for sale is bound to find far more captivating options in the years to come.
Acknowledging the Mis-Steps
Since some might disagree with the position taken in this article, let’s address something upfront. We’re genuinely excited about everything Ford has in the works right now, and we’ll get to those highlights. But to put those highly-anticipated successes into perspective, let’s make a quick case for why they’re so exciting.
Ten years ago, global events, rising fuel costs and unprecedented amounts of eco-awareness led us into some uncharted territories. Prior to that, we had seen the slow demise of the traditional sedan (and in part, the poorly-aging minivan) as the de facto choice of families, making way for the growing predominance of the SUV. The pressure of the depression fueled the partial evolution of the classic oversized SUV into the modern crossover. This alone represented a paradigm shift in almost every automaker’s lineup, as it reshaped an entire segment and rendered the future of another as ‘questionable’ at best. Simply put, crossovers became the cash-cow recipient of R&D efforts from almost every automaker. In many cases, sedans gave way to compact fuel-friendly options as well as more utility-friendly hatchbacks, often positioned as the new choice of first-time buyers, young professionals and commuters alike.
And to target this demographic, automakers made use of a few different tactics. Most superficially notable were the introduction of ‘fun and funky’ exterior colors that played to bold color trends, capable of helping to distinguish themselves from offerings from less-inspired competitors. Done properly, this (of course) highlights any automaker’s success in creating more innovative vehicle styles. Granted, some automakers were more successful than others, but I digress. Third and finally, comes the incorporation of technologies and amenities to upgrade the overall experience for both driver and passengers, alike.
With those points in mind, let’s talk about Ford’s success with each over the past decade. First things first, the lineup as a whole was almost terminally outdated since day one. By the time of the Depression, offerings such as the Fiesta and Taurus were already tiptoeing into middle age, and the Focus already had an entire decade under its belt. While the Fusion and C-Max were certainly products of their time (introduced in 2006 and 2012, respectively) their designs still felt dated, at best.
Judging by today’s options, Ford has done their best to enhance their lackluster design philosophy with paint options. The Fiesta, for example, offers such distinguishing offers as the (soothing-if-not-bland) Bohai Bay Mint and (nauseatingly pea-soupish) Outrageous Metallic Green. The Focus mirrors the selections, including the typically uninspired soft metallics and obligatory attempts to make blue and red exciting. Bottom-line, not only has Ford relegated their car offerings to design oblivion, but their attempts at creating innovative paint options feel a bit substandard.
Then, of course, there is the inclusion of standard technologies. In this regard, it’s hard for any domestic automakers to hold a candle to GM, especially when compared to the Chevy lineup’s overwhelming success at incorporating technology across their entire lineup. From 4G LTE Wi-Fi to smartphone integration, navigation to driver-assistive features, Chevy has set a high bar. Despite their best efforts, it just seems that Ford wanted to do as little as possible to remain competitive in this regard.
Combined, these criticisms bring us to one of the most promising Ford headlines that we’ve heard in years.
Todays Fords For Sale – Wiping the Slate Clean
Earlier this year, it was announced that Ford would be going back to the drawing board on their entire lineup of cars (with the exception of the iconic Mustang, of course). In fact, further developments in this direction indicate that the sedan lineup might be shaved down to as few as two offerings in total (the Mustang and Focus, respectively). Should that be the case, it’s hard to pretend that we’d have much to miss. And let’s be honest, if it allows Ford to focus their design and engineering energies on revising their lineup of crossovers to be more compelling, well, everybody wins.
Resurrecting the Classics
And if the crossover SUV is guilty of evolving into a sea of “me too” redundancy, designed with all the inspiration of a kitchen-sink mentality, well, Ford is making a bold (yet prudent) choice in the resurrection the classic Bronco for 2020. And that comes hand-in-hand with the equally-anticipated resurrection of the midsize Ranger, both of which will be built upon the same platform. While numbers have yet to be firmed up, it’s been proposed that both could sport a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, capable of up to 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Factor in 4WD capability, and a bold new design philosophy and it’s hard not to be excited about what’s to come.
The Raptor Leads
For anyone with an undisputed love of horsepower, off-road capability and unapologetically bold design, it’s hard not to be enamored with the time that we live in. Regardless of automaker affiliation, the recent onslaught of hi-po’d offerings is almost intoxicating, but it’s important to give credit where it’s due. And in that sense, the Raptor certainly popped the proverbial cherry of fearlessly making things badass again. A high-output 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine wrangles 450 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque, while a customized suspension and terrain management system make the Raptor ready for any environment you need to power through. For anyone tempted to pull that trigger, I can assure you, you will not be disappointed should you decide to buy a Raptor.
F-Series
And, of course, it goes without saying that Ford’s focus (no pun intended) on the F-Series has resulted in its undisputed standing as the best-selling vehicle of all time. Leading the charge in terms of competitive weight-reduction whilst offering best-in-class performance ratings means that the F-Series’ advantage over the likes of Chevy and RAM remains indisputable (outside of loyalist opinion). Six engine configurations including V6, V8, EcoBoost variants and the Power Stroke Diesel offer up something for everyone. And with the ever-expanding options in terms of trim levels and aesthetic enhancements, the lineup remains ever-enticing to those who want to create something of their own.
Are You Excited About Ford’s Planned Changes?
With plenty to come in the course of the next few years, it’s hard not to be excited about the number of topics worth discussing. What are your favorite Ford headlines looming on the horizon? We want to know.
