2019 Ford EcoSport
U.S. News Overall Score: 6.8/10 | $19,995
One of Ford’s newest vehicles is also one of its worst. The EcoSport made its debut for the 2018 model year, and it became immediately apparent that both the “Eco” and “Sport” parts of its name are something of a misnomer, resulting in a spot near the bottom of our subcompact SUV rankings.
The EcoSport’s base engine is sluggish and not all that efficient, though an upgrade is available. Handling is also on the disappointing side, especially for this class, which is full of deft and agile competitors. On the upside, the EcoSport provides plenty of cargo space, and buyers can upgrade to an easy-to-use infotainment system.
2019 Ford Taurus
U.S. News Overall Score: 7.4/10 | $27,800
The Ford Taurus is the old guard of the large car segment in more ways than one. It’s a familiar name that has been around for a while, and it’s long overdue for a redesign that is unlikely to come, given that Ford is losing faith in its sedans and small cars. The Taurus lands near the bottom of our large car rankings primarily because it is years behind most of its competition in terms of efficiency, design, and technology.
However, the Taurus has a low price for the class, plenty of trunk space, and a smooth and comfortable ride. Most models get a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 288 horsepower, but a twin-turbocharged version is available in the SHO trim, boosting output to 365 horsepower.
2019 Ford Fusion Energi
U.S. News Overall Score: 7.8/10 | $36,595
In theory, the Ford Fusion should provide a solid platform for electrification, but the Fusion Energi falls short of expectations, landing near the bottom of our midsize car rankings. This plug-in hybrid is slow to accelerate, and its electric-only range falls short of the competition, despite an increase for this model year.
On the upside, the Fusion Energi has an upscale and comfortable interior. You’ll get access to the popular SYNC 3 infotainment system, and the 2019 model gets a bunch of new standard active safety features. If you like the looks of the Fusion, there’s more good news: you have other (and better) options in the form of the gas-only and hybrid Fusion models, which we’ll discuss on upcoming slides.
2019 Ford Explorer
U.S. News Overall Score: 7.8/10 | $32,365
While some Ford vehicles earn high praise for interior quality, the Explorer isn’t among them. In fact, the Explorer’s mid-class placement in our midsize SUV rankings is due mostly to so-so cabin design and materials. There are plenty of positive attributes on offer, though, such as the cavernous interior that offers tons of room for seven passengers and lots of cargo.
The Explorer can be equipped with a choice of three different powertrains. If you plan to shop for an Explorer, figure some upgrades into your budget. The base model is pretty sparsely equipped, but moving up a trim level or two will get you some pretty nice features, like the SYNC 3 infotainment system.
2019 Ford Flex
U.S. News Overall Score: 7.9/10 | $30,575
The Flex may catch your attention if you’re looking for a midsize SUV with three rows, but frankly, this isn’t Ford’s best effort. The Flex finishes near the bottom of our midsize SUV rankings because most rivals are nicer inside, have more efficient engines, and have been updated more recently.
There are some strong attributes here, though, such as the user-friendly SYNC 3 infotainment system that is becoming a recurring theme throughout this slideshow. The Flex’s extra-boxy shape also helps maximize available cargo space. If you’re a fan of Ford’s 365-horsepower twin-turbocharged V6 engine, you’re in luck, because that’s available here, too.
2018 Ford C-Max Hybrid
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.0/10 | $24,120
The Ford C-Max Hybrid competes in our wagon rankings, where it fails to make a strong impression against more well-rounded rivals. In general, consumers expect more cargo space from a wagon and better fuel economy from a hybrid than the C-Max Hybrid provides.
There are reasons to consider this Ford, however. It’s much more spacious inside than it looks, and more upscale than you might expect. The C-Max Hybrid also provides potent acceleration and agile handling, making it a little more fun to drive than many of its contemporaries.
2019 Ford Fiesta
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.1/10 | $14,260
The Fiesta isn’t the best subcompact car on the market, but it’s certainly one of the most fun. This little Ford is available as a sedan and a hatchback, though the top-tier ST trim comes only as a hatch. You can order the Fiesta with efficiency or performance in mind, though in either case you’ll be rewarded with agile handling and tight steering.
Its main drawbacks are a tight rear row and small cargo area, even by the relaxed standards for space that are customary in this class. The base Fiesta is sparsely equipped, but it doesn’t cost much extra to upgrade the tech and safety features.
2019 Ford Edge
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.2/10 | $29,995
For 2019, the Ford Edge gets a much-needed styling refresh and a new transmission, but still can’t climb out of the bottom half of our midsize SUV rankings. Performance is a mixed bag. The Edge can be equipped with powerful engines, but its handling is on the sloppy side, especially around corners.
The cabin is spacious and comfortable, with easy-to-use infotainment technology, though that technology looks and feels dated. However, you’ll find a lot of standard active safety and driver assistance features, even in the base model. The Edge isn’t a bad example of a Ford, it’s just that many of its competitors are better.
2019 Ford Fusion
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.2/10 | $22,840
Despite solid competition in our midsize car rankings, the mainstream, gas-powered version of the Ford Fusion does decently well in the class. The Fusion has strong performance, an attractive design that has been refreshed for this year, and a comfortable and functional cabin.
Buyers get the choice of four powertrains, which is a lot for this class. All-wheel drive is another available upgrade that is worth consideration. The Fusion offers plenty of space in both rows, and the generously-sized trunk can swallow plenty of cargo. Look for a model with the optional SYNC 3 infotainment system, which has one of the most user-friendly interfaces in the class.
2019 Ford Ranger
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.3/10 | $24,000
The all-new Ranger, a compact pickup truck, quickly lands in the upper-half of Ford’s best vehicles and near the top of our rankings for its class. The Ranger features a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine rated for 270 horsepower, so it shows plenty of promise right out of the gate, and has excellent towing and hauling capabilities for the class.
Interior fit and finish leave something to be desired, but the tech features are plentiful and easy to use. The Ranger is a smart choice for a small truck and helps usher in the renewed interest in this category.
2019 Ford Escape
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.4/10 | $24,105
The Ford Escape takes the second spot in our compact SUV rankings because it is very well-rounded with few drawbacks. The Escape is offered with a choice of peppy engines, though these lead to below-average fuel economy ratings for the class.
The Escape handles well, so it’s one of the more interesting vehicles to drive in this segment. It’s also a good choice for buyers who need good towing capacity. Furthermore, the Escape features a comfortable interior with plenty of features. In short, if you’re looking for a compact SUV, this Ford should be on your shopping list.
2019 Ford Fusion Hybrid
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.5/10 | $25,390
The Ford Fusion Hybrid has a slightly higher overall score than the regular gas-powered Fusion, so it sits higher in our midsize car rankings. The Fusion Hybrid improves on the Fusion’s efficiency while still remaining relatively affordable. Its 188-horsepower hybrid powertrain sometimes feels sluggish at highway speeds, but you’ll be comfortable for most day-to-day driving situations.
The Fusion Hybrid also has agile handling and a smooth ride. The cabin is really nice, too, centered around the easy-to-use SYNC 3 infotainment system. Seating is spacious and comfortable. Overall, this is one of the best hybrids on the market with few compromises.
2018 Ford Focus
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.7/10 | $17,950
The Ford Focus is a great option for a compact car, with a well-earned second-place spot in our rankings. This is a competitive class, but the Focus holds its own thanks to an affordable base price, a bunch of peppy and fun powertrain options, agile handling, and a better predicted reliability rating than many of its competitors. The choice of sedan and hatchback body styles offers extra customization and more functionality.
Lower Focus trims concentrate on providing a solid value, though the top-tier ST and RS hatchback models are genuinely impressive performance cars. In short, the Ford Focus is good because it can be almost anything you want out of a compact car.
2019 Ford F-150
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.8/10 | $28,155
If you have ever considered buying a full-size pickup truck, you’ve probably taken a look at the Ford F-150. The F-150 is one of the best models in its class, occupying the second spot in our full-size truck rankings just behind the Ram 1500 and tied with the Chevrolet Silverado. It’s also one of the best-selling vehicles in the United States and around the world.
The F-150 is offered with a range of engines that provide the best towing and hauling ratings in the class, reasonable efficiency, and a pleasant driving experience. For fantastic off-road capability, check out the performance-oriented Raptor model. Inside every F-150, you’ll find comfortable seating and user-friendly technology features.
2019 Ford Mustang
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.9/10 | $26,395
The Mustang currently holds second place in our sports car rankings. It’s a well-rounded car that can be configured as an affordable and efficient daily driver or a potent track-ready toy, with plenty of options in between. With standard rear-wheel drive, the Mustang boasts athletic handling to complement its potent acceleration, without sacrificing ride quality.
The Mustang has classic yet modern styling and tons of standard and optional features. In fact, its only real drawback is that the rear seats will be a tight squeeze for most passengers, but that’s par for the course with a sports car.
2019 Ford Expedition
U.S. News Overall Score: 9.2/10 | $52,130
The Ford Expedition is one of the brand’s best vehicles and the top contender in our large SUV rankings. This spacious SUV can seat up to eight passengers across three generous and comfortable rows, and there’s an available long-wheelbase version that opens up even more cargo space.
The twin-turbocharged V6 engine provides competitive fuel economy estimates, yet the Expedition also has a good towing capacity for the class. If there’s a serious drawback with the Expedition, it’s that it is quite expensive even by the lofty standards of the large SUV segment, yet most buyers will still want to upgrade some of the tech features.
More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report
Learn more about Ford by reading our full reviews for each of the models mentioned here. You’ll learn how these Ford vehicles compare to their rivals and whether any of these models might be right for you.
If you’re ready to buy your next new vehicle, use our Best Price Program to save the most money on your new car purchase. We partner with local dealers to get you guaranteed, pre-negotiated savings. Users of the program save on average more than $3,000 off the sticker price of a new model.
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Best Ford Cars, Trucks, and SUVs
- 2019 Ford EcoSport - U.S. News Overall Score: 6.8/10
- 2019 Ford Taurus - U.S. News Overall Score: 7.4/10
- 2019 Ford Fusion Energi - U.S. News Overall Score: 7.8/10
- 2019 Ford Explorer - U.S. News Overall Score: 7.8/10
- 2019 Ford Flex - U.S. News Overall Score: 7.9/10
- 2018 Ford C-Max Hybrid - U.S. News Overall Score: 8.0/10
- 2019 Ford Fiesta - U.S. News Overall Score: 8.1/10
- 2019 Ford Edge - U.S. News Overall Score: 8.2/10
- 2019 Ford Fusion - U.S. News Overall Score: 8.2/10
- 2019 Ford Ranger - U.S. News Overall Score: 8.3/10
- 2019 Ford Escape - U.S. News Overall Score: 8.4/10
- 2019 Ford Fusion Hybrid - U.S. News Overall Score: 8.5/10
- 2018 Ford Focus - U.S. News Overall Score: 8.7/10
- 2019 Ford F-150 - U.S. News Overall Score: 8.8/10
- 2019 Ford Mustang - U.S. News Overall Score: 8.9/10
- 2019 Ford Expedition - U.S. News Overall Score: 9.2/10
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What Are the Stars of the Ford Stable?
Ford’s current lineup is a great example of what can happen when an auto manufacturer is determined to compete in practically every segment. You get some good vehicles and some that are mediocre, with most falling somewhere in the middle. In some cases, they even compete against each other. Consumers get a lot of choices, which is good, but it also takes some effort to figure out which models are truly deserving of attention.
You may have heard the news that Ford plans to pare down the product line in the coming years, shedding low-selling sedans and unprofitable small cars, so there’s no better time to take a look through the offerings, particularly if you plan to shop for a new vehicle in the coming months.
This ranking of Ford’s current vehicles is based on the U.S. News scoring methodology, which awards points in the categories that matter most to new vehicle buyers, and assigns an overall score to each vehicle.
Keep reading to see Ford’s greatest hits of the 2018 and 2019 model years, from the lowest U.S. News overall score to the highest.