In every respect, the 2020 Aviator is truly a luxury vehicle. Ford hasn’t missed much when it comes to pampering its occupants
Much like General Motors with its Cadillac division, Ford has decided to funnel a substantial portion of its resources into its flagship Lincoln line. Over the past few years, we’ve seen a kind of renaissance from this previously low-key marque. Lincoln has six models in its lineup, four of which are SUVs. Clearly, the powers…
Two SUVs – one ultra-modern and one a throwback – will be available to consumers in the coming year
Car manufacturers would start to roll out their new models right about now under normal circumstances, getting the word out to journalists about what they’re doing in the upcoming year. Traditionally, new car introductions, press briefings, test drives and interviews with the brass would be the preferred method of spreading the word. But with COVID-19,…
Things have definitely changed in the car industry over the past decade. Especially with domestic manufacturers. What was known as The Big Three – General Motors, Ford and Chrysler – pretty much owned the car industry in North America right up to the early 1980s and had an iron grip on most buyers’ affections. But that…
From subcompacts to minivans to performance cars, here's something for every buyer
Are you looking for a used car around five years old? Here are some suggestions from four manufacturers for the model year 2014. Ford Fiesta This model shows that Ford can do more than build hotrods and pickup trucks. With plenty of European input, the Fiesta was arguably the only North American subcompact on equal…
Comfortable, stable, accommodating and roomy, it’s the state of the art for full-size SUVs
With the explosion in compact SUV popularity, it’s almost unusual to see an actual full-size model – the ones that got this whole ball rolling, like the Chevrolet Suburban or its direct competitor, the Ford Expedition. Introduced in 1997, the Expedition borrows heavily from the F-150 pickup truck platform, utilizing many mechanical components and similar…
The 2019 model can be plugged in overnight and then travel up to 40 km on battery power
The federal government recently announced funding in this year’s budget for incentives of up to $5,000 for Canadian buyers of zero-emissions vehicles. That’s good, but why not extend the funding to hybrid cars? Given the current technology, a hybrid car makes much more sense than a fully electric one. And if the hybrid is a…
This spectacular-looking automobile drives like a sports coupe and even plows through snow with ease
Ford announced a while ago that it would cease production of all its conventional passenger sedans starting in 2020. As well as being a potential game-changer for the company, this is also a huge mistake. Yes, people are buying SUVs and sport cutes in unprecedented numbers, but things change. And right now, Ford has never…
Practicality and low fuel consumption make this SUV a good family choice
If you’re looking for a practical vehicle that has plenty of storage capacity, ample seating for four and is cheap on gas, the four-door Ford EcoSport may be the vehicle. There are four 2018 models offered: the S base, the SE, the SES and the Titanium, which I test-drove. The EcoSport also comes in front-wheel…
Owners tend to keep them forever, given their reliable and economic performance
Ford Fusion Hybrids of the 2010 vintage can be in short supply. Owners tend to keep them forever. Introduced in 2010, the Fusion Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder gas engine mated to a pair of electric motors and a constantly variable transmission. The engine featured Atkinson technology, which basically lowers the compression and…
My car looked like a Mustang but drove like a Taurus, lacking that rough-around-the-edges, tactile edginess that made the car so endearing in the first place
If you follow the automobile industry at all, you probably know that Ford will be discontinuing production of all its passenger sedans and focusing on SUVs and trucks within the next few years. Fiesta, Fusion, Focus, Taurus, etc., all gone. The single exception is the Mustang, which will carry on. And just last week I…
Early reviews were strong but over time, questions about quality have cropped up
Introduced in 1976 and built in Germany, the original Ford Fiesta was one of the company’s most successful models. Over the years, Ford sold some 12 million of the sub-compacts worldwide. It was discontinued in North America in the early 1980s, despite continuing to be offered elsewhere. In Europe, the Fiesta has consistently been one…
The Mustang EcoBoost convertible features a 2.3-litre four-cylinder that delivers power and better mileage
My friends were envious when they heard I was scheduled to review a 2018 Ford EcoBoost Turbo convertible. I was curious to see how the latest version of the pony car performed, even though at my age I prefer to drive more sedately than most younger Mustang drivers would tolerate. I was pleasantly surprised by…
The 2010 Ford Fusion, 2007 Honda Civic and 2004 Toyota Prius all have much to recommend them
One of the pleasant bonuses of owning a hybrid vehicle is that it will probably be reliable. Indeed, according to Consumer Reports, most hybrids are more dependable than their garden variety non-hybrid counterparts. The Toyota Prius and Camry hybrids, for example, generally top the list for most reliable cars, period, from this organization and elsewhere.…
Much like General Motors with its Cadillac division, Ford has decided to funnel a substantial portion of its resources into its flagship Lincoln line. Over the past few years, we’ve seen a kind of renaissance from this previously low-key marque. Lincoln has six models in its lineup, four of which are SUVs. Clearly, the powers…
