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Consumer Reports Cars
Consumer Reports Cars (blogs.consumerreports.org) has great Ford Motor Company news, photos, videos and more
Yesterday
Join the Consumer Reports family sedans chat Friday
Consumer Reports Family Sedan Chat Friday, November 20th, Consumer Reports experts will be online to discuss the latest road test group—family sedans—here in the Cars blog at 1 p.m. ET. As seen in the December 2009 edition of Consumer Reports magazine, we tested several all-new and update...
Tuesday, Nov 17
New rollover protection criteria lead to fewer IIHS Top Safety Picks for 2010
2010 IIHS Top Safety Picks Large cars Buick LaCrosse Ford Taurus Lincoln MKS Volvo S80 Midsize SUVs Dodge Journey Subaru Tribeca Volvo XC60 Volvo XC90 Small SUVs Honda Element Jeep Patriot with optional side air bags Subaru Forester Volkswagen Tiguan
Monday, Nov 16
2010 Subaru Legacy performs better in IIHS bumper test
The Legacy is only the fifth car to get an acceptable rating in the bumper test. The others are the Ford Focus, Mazda6, Scion xB, and Smart ForTwo. All but two of 17 midsized cars rated Marginal or Poor for bumper protection. No car has yet earned a good rating. (Read: “IIHS midsized sedan bumper t...
Friday, Nov 13
Top-selling cars in 2009 yields some surprises
But the big news is the Ford Fusion. The Fusion was freshened for the 2010 model year and has achieved a number of accolades. The Fusion hybrid is the highest scoring domestic family sedan in Consumer Reports testing. Most versions of the Fusion have above average predicted reliability in ou...
NHTSA launches investigation of Jeep Grand Cherokee fires
After reports that the Jeep Grand Cherokees may be three to four times as likely to catch fire in a rear-impact collision than other midsized SUVs, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has agreed to open an investigation.
Tuesday, Nov 10
2009 SEMA Show: Our favorite modified Chevrolet Camaros
Chevrolet showed five Camaro concept vehicles at SEMA, including a twin-turbo, 3.6-liter direct-injection V6 model built for comedian/car collector Jay Leno. With 425-hp on tap, Chevy says Leno’s Camaro delivers the power of a Camaro SS with the fuel economy of a V6. The engine is matched...
New Ford Ranger, Ka not coming to U.S.
That’s the news from Ford CEO Alan Mulally, in an interview with Automotive News. (He also said Americans would not be interested in a vehicle as small as the European Ka, a model sized beneath the upcoming Fiesta, sharing its platform with the Fiat 500, Chrysler will sell here.).
Monday, Nov 9
Making car power windows safer
NHTSA’s research finds that 1,943 people are injured each year and six deaths occur from power windows closing on passengers. They estimate that the cost would be approximately $6 per window to add the feature. The technology is standard on most European vehicles, but it is on less than hal...
Tuesday, Nov 3
2009 SEMA Show: Hot rodders turning green
Tucked away at the back of the giant South Hall, traditionally the home of truck accessories, off-roading equipment, and at least one 10-foot tall Ford Expedition, the new kids in the hall provide an interesting contrast to SEMA’s more traditional roots as the organization develops it...
2009 Annual Auto Reliability Survey: 10 best and worst models
Honda Insight* Lexus SC* Toyota Venza (4-cyl.)* Mercedes-Benz GLK* Toyota Yaris Hatchback Toyota FJ Cruiser Honda Fit* Toyota Prius Scion xD Toyota 4Runner (V6) Least reliable vehicles, listed in order of Ratings score starting with the worst score. Volkswagen Touareg* Jaguar XF* Che...
Thursday, Oct 29
Auto X Prize Finalist: West Philadelphia Hybrid X team
Called the West Philly Hybrid X EVX Focus, the Mainstream entry is a Ford Focus converted to hybrid-electric power, using a 60-horsepower electric motor coupled to a 1,300 cc, 80-hp Harley-Davidson motorcycle engine. The electric motor is powered by a 10.2 kWh lithium-iron phosphate ba...
Wednesday, Oct 28
2009 Annual Auto Reliability Survey: Best and worst models by car maker
Ford Best: Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan (4-cyl.) Worst: Ford F-250 (turbodiesel, 4WD)* Hyundai/Kia Best: Hyundai Tucson Worst: Kia Sedona Volkswagen Best: Volkswagen Golf (Rabbit) Worst: Volkswagen Touareg* Volvo Best: Volvo S40 (FWD)* Worst: Volvo XC90 (V8)*
Tuesday, Oct 27
Opinion: Consumer Reports 2009 Annual Car Reliability Survey – Who’s up and who’s down
Hyundai and Kia continue to make reliable cars. The Hyundai Elantra and Tucson, and the Kia Sportage get top marks. Only Kia’s Sedona minivan and Sorento SUV score below average. Volkswagen and Audi are also staging a nice reliability recovery. The Volkswagen Rabbit (Golf) and the new CC ear...
Thursday, Oct 22
Just In: Lexus HS 250h
Now there’s a third option: the hybrid-only Lexus HS 250h. Based on the Prius and the sold-overseas Toyota Avensis, the HS uses the Camry Hybrid’s 2.4-liter four-cylinder drivetrain. The HS appears to be aimed at Prius-shopping professionals who want something “nicer” that still gets ex...
The Business of Plugging In: Hybrids or battery-only electric cars?
Whatever you've heard about the electric car, it is plug-in hybrids that will lead the way. That's the emerging consensus from the wide-ranging “The Business of Plugging In” conference in Detroit this week. As automotive, technology, and policy experts share their perspectives at thi...
Tuesday, Oct 13
Ford recalls 4.5 million vehicles over fire hazard
The problem affects the vehicles listed below. 1995-2003 Ford Windstar 2000-2003 Ford Excursion diesel 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 Ford Super Duty diesel 1992-2003 Ford Econoline 1995-2002 Ford Explorers and Mercury Mountaineer 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 Ford Ranger 1994 Ford F53 motor...
Thursday, Oct 8
From the logbook: 2010 Buick LaCrosse CXS
“Lots of features for the money--a good step forward for GM.” Our initial thoughts show that, in general, we’re pretty impressed with the LaCrosse. We’ll see how it does against the redesigned Ford Taurus and other large sedans soon.
Wednesday, Oct 7
2011 Chevrolet Caprice - Pontiac G8 lives on as police car
Turning the Pontiac G8 into a Chevrolet is made easier by the fact that the Holden is already sold in the Middle East as a Chevy, so necessary trim, fascias and the like are readily available. Adding to its appeal to law enforcement, General Motors says the long-wheelbase Caprice PPV will ha...
Just In: 2010 Lincoln MKS
For 2010, Ford’s big Lincoln MKS news is the availability of their EcoBoost turbocharged 3.5-liter V6. This engine comes mated only to the MKS’s optional all-wheel drive. That makes some sense, given that the 355-hp would likely overwhelm the front wheels alone. According to EPA numbers, t...
Jeep Grand Cherokees - Potential fire hazard may trigger recall
The petition filing indirectly raises an interesting question of whether the U.S. government now faces a conflict of interest as a vehicle regulator and an owner with a 10 percent stake in Chrysler, plus the majority stakeholder in General Motors. (Read: "Buzzword: Government Motors.")
Tuesday, Oct 6
First impression: Suzuki Kizashi
The marketing rationale follows the assumption that the potential Kizashi buyer wouldn’t want a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord--that was their parents’ car. And that the “Euro-inspired” handling, compact size, “interior design” and optional AWD will also appeal to a new generation of b...
Monday, Oct 5
Just In: 2010 Subaru Legacy 3.6R Limited and Ford Fusion SEL AWD
All-wheel-drive’s added weight usually comes with a fuel economy and acceleration penalty, so we’ll see how the Fusion AWD compares to its front-wheel-drive equivalent. And we’ll see if Subaru has some worthy competition in the all-wheel drive family sedan market. Look for a road test o...
Friday, Oct 2
Life after cash for clunkers: September auto sales
Chrysler: Still struggling post bankruptcy, Chrysler saw a 42-percent decrease over last September and down 40 percent for the calendar year so far. GM: Low inventory levels after the clunker program pushed General Motors to a decrease of 45 percent over last year and 36 percent decreas...
Choosing words wisely in the distracted driving discussion
This lack of feedback on driving behavior makes driving harder as there is little way to know how to get better. Some vehicles, like the Volvo XC60 we tested, warn you when you’re following too close. This is done fairly unobtrusively, and other passengers wouldn’t see it. Also consider the s...
Wednesday, Sep 30
Preview: 2011 Ford Super Duty pickup
The Super Duty line also uses a new wide-ratio six-speed automatic transmission, mated to either engine. Ford claims this gives the diesel best-in-class fuel economy, but when we tested a 2008 version, we found it got only 10 mpg overall, the worst of three diesel-powered ¾-ton domestic...
Friday, Sep 25
Sneak peek: 2011 Kia Sorento
The Sorento will have two engine choices—a 2.4-liter four-cylinder producing 172 hp and a 3.5-liter V6 producing 273 hp. Both engines are matched to a six-speed automatic transmission and are available in either front- or all-wheel drive.
Personal Picks: Sporty and muscle cars part 4
Here, we complete the staff's personal insights into the October-issue sporty car test group that included the Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger, Ford Mustang, Hyundai Genesis Coupe, Subaru WRX, and Nissan 370Z. (Links go to model overview pages where online subscribers can find th...
Wednesday, Sep 23
Ford builds Transit Connect passenger vans to avoid "chicken tax"
The Ford Transit Connect is converted from passenger to cargo vehicle when it arrives in the United States, thanks to the "chicken tax," according to the Wall Street Journal. The so-called chicken tax is a 25-percent levy on imported commercial trucks and vans levied by President Lyndon...
Tuesday, May 5
Car sales continue to drop in April
Chrysler fared the worst of the Detroit 3, with a 48 percent drop in sales. General Motors was down 34 percent from last year and Ford was down 31 percent. Asian manufacturers didn’t fare much better with Toyota down 42 percent and Honda 25 percent. Mitsubishi had a 55 percent decrease over las...
Thursday, Apr 30
Ford Fusion – The best car you don’t know about
For some odd reason, when people are chatting about new cars, they rarely mention the Ford Fusion. For a really good car that’s been around for a while, the Fusion seems to get less name recognition than Archibald Leach, better known as Cary Grant. That’s a shame. The Fusion is not only one of th...
Monday, Apr 27
Job-loss protection: Ford Advantage Plan and the best deals
Like General Motors and Hyundai, Ford has sought to boost sales by quelling shopper fears by providing job-loss protection with the purchase of a new car. (Read about the Hyundai Assurance Plus and GM Total Confidence programs.) Here’s a look at Ford’s Best Deals:
Thursday, Apr 23
Job-loss protection: Hyundai Assurance Plus and the best deals
Model MSRP Invoice price Rebate expiration Bottom Line Price Potential savings below MSRP Hyundai Azera Limited $28,920 $26,856 4/30/2009 Get the Bottom Line Price 15%+ Hyundai Elantra 2.0 Auto GLS 15,120 14,690 4/30/2009 Get the Bottom Line Price 15%+ Hyundai Elantra 2.0 Auto SE 17,82...
Ford Sync adds directions, news, and emergency help
The system is rolling out on new models beginning this summer, and Ford says it will be available in all new Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles by 2011. A spokesperson said no fee structure has been determined beyond the three years of free service, because that’s the length of most leases....
Ford’s capless fuel fillers save aggravation
An axiom in the electric car community holds that Americans hate to pump gas. Even men. That includes me, though I’m only beginning to realize how much. My latest revelation came with the advent of Ford’s capless fuel filler in our test fleet, most recently appreciated on the Ford Escape and M...
Wednesday, Apr 15
2009 New York Auto Show: Behind the wheel with Ford Active Park Assist
Ford will soon roll out a self-parking system that promises to help the parallel-parking challenged sit back and let the car do the work. Much like the system introduced by Lexus a couple of years back, Ford’s Active Park Assist lets the driver sit back and watch the steering wheel spin back...
Tuesday, Apr 14
2009 New York Auto Show: Will the Ford Transit Connect with families?
It’ll be interesting to see whether buyers or aftermarket suppliers pursue adding a degree of personalization and more creature comforts to the Transit Connect. While Ford appears to be interested in seeing what develops, the carmaker seems unlikely to get creative with this people-h...
Thursday, Apr 9
2009 New York Auto Show: Around the block in a Ford Fiesta
Ford has created a lot of buzz around its upcoming Fiesta, a small “B-segment” car it plans to import from Europe in 2010. Ford has also staked the company’s future on sharing worldwide designs, and the Fiesta will be one of the first fruits of that effort.
Wednesday, Apr 8
2009 New York Auto Show: Memories and flexing muscle (cars)
Auto shows are a great place to see, touch, and feel the new goods. Even if you’re not in the market for a new car, attending a show is a fun day out. And if you are shopping for a new set of wheels, where else can you jump from, say, a Toyota Camry to a Honda Accord to a Ford Taurus to a Chevrolet Malibu i...
Monday, Apr 6
Weight reduction is key to Ford’s green car goals
While Ford has small diesels in Europe, Gioia said the company doesn’t see enough demand for them in the United States for now, because of comparatively high fuel prices. Read: “An early look at Ford's Fusion Hybrid,” "Ford's road map for electric and electrified cars," and visit our guid...
Friday, Apr 3
Ford’s road map for electric and electrified cars
Ford expects rising gasoline prices over the long term to drive a shift toward smaller, more-efficient cars. And adding hybrids and electric cars to the lineup will be a big part of that. —Eric Evarts Learn about driving green in the Consumer Reports special fuel economy section.
Tuesday, Mar 31
Volkswagen makes the Rabbit name disappear
Like Ford did when it rolled out the new Five Hundred sedan in 2005, VW reached into its own past to come up with the Rabbit moniker in 2006. And like Ford, VW has apparently determined that resurrecting a name that’s a few decades old won’t necessarily deliver a spike in sales.
Tuesday, Mar 3
Pricing: 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan
The Fusion Hybrid will start at $27,995 and the Milan Hybrid at $31,300. Both are EPA rated at 41 mpg city, 36 highway, besting government figures for the Toyota Camry Hybrid by 8 mpg city, and 2 mpg highway. For more information about the new Fusion and Milan hybrids, see our preview coverage.
Wednesday, Feb 25
Ford execs take voluntary pay cut
In a memo to employees, Ford Executive Chairman, William Clay Ford Jr. and Chief Executive Officer Alan R. Mulally (shown) announced they would be taking a voluntary 30-percent pay cut for two years, according to reports by The New York Times and Wall Street Journal. In addition, the board o...
Tuesday, Feb 17
2010 Ford Taurus SHO - Wrong car, wrong time
Admittedly, all the mechanical and electronic features elevate performance, comfort, and luxury. But this more Lincoln-like package also drives up the price to an un-Taurus-like $38,000 base price. —Eric Evarts See our 2010 Ford Taurus SHO coverage from the Chicago Auto Show.
Thursday, Jan 15
Quality is job 1. Or maybe number 6.
Things are different at Cobo this year. The industry is changing quickly as manufacturers fight for survival in a depressed economy, with competition more fierce than ever. This year’s Detroit show is more subdued, and less glitzy. Displays from major manufacturers look more like a car sh...
Monday, Jan 12
The "legacy" of entry level
I understand that Detroit has always had a price disadvantage in with these cars in that Japan car companies don’t pay for their workers’ health care costs. Fair point. Plus, Japan can sell its small cars all around the globe with minor changes. This also helps cut costs.
Sunday, Jan 11
2009 Detroit Auto Show: Why Chrysler’s press conference was a dud
Starting out, Jim Press, Chrysler’s Vice Chairman and President, talked about the current state of automotive sales by saying that “fuel prices spike – consumer confidence fell – and credit markets freeze [produced] a hat trick for an automotive nightmare.” As, a result, “U.S. auto sales...
