Small Cars
Winner: Ford (Details Below)
Ford makes two small cars, the Focus and Fiesta. Dodge has recently ended production of its small car offering, the Dart. The 2016 models of the Ford small cars both scored higher than the Dart in U.S. News & World Report rankings.
The Fiesta is the smallest of Ford’s offerings, and the 2016 model comes in at No. 3 on the U.S. News rankings of best subcompact cars with a score of 8.2 out of 10. It has agile handling, an upscale interior for its price, and great fuel economy.
Ford’s 2016 Focus ties with the Hyundai Elantra for No. 7 on the U.S. News list of best small cars and holds the same ranking on the list of best compact cars. The Focus is noted for its sporty handling, upscale interior, and a low starting price.
The Dodge Dart was recently discontinued, but when it was new it received a 7.7 out of 10 rating from U.S. News and was ranked No. 27 in our best small car rankings. Its weak base engine and uncomfortable seats hurt its rating, although it received an excellent 9.4 out of 10 safety rating.
Midsize Cars
Winner: Ford (Details Below)
Dodge does not sell a midsize car so Ford is the winner in this category by default. Their Fusion comes in gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle varieties. In U.S. News & World Report rankings, the hybrid and gasoline powered sedans score better than the PHEV model.
On the whole, each Fusion model is noted for its good handling, roomy interior, and upscale cabin design. The gasoline powered Fusion has a number of strong engine options. However, that is the one area where the PHEV Energi model falls behind the lot.
Full-Size Cars
Winner: Dodge (Details Below)
The Dodge Charger scores much higher than the Ford Taurus in U.S. News & World Report rankings. It comes in at No. 9 in the large car rankings, earning a score of 8.3 out of 10. The Charger earns praise for its athletic handling, muscular engines, and low starting price.
The 2016 Ford Taurus comes in last place in our large car rankings, scoring a 7.6 out of 10. The Taurus doesn’t handle as well as its competitors, and fuel economy is subpar. On the flip side, it scores an impressive 9.7 out of 10 in the safety category.
Sports Cars
Winner: Ford (Details Below)
The iconic Ford Mustang tops the Dodge Challenger on the U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of best sports cars. The Mustang wasn’t changed much for 2017, mostly due to its 2015 redesign and tech upgrades for 2016. It still boasts a number of powerful engines, a smooth ride, dynamic handling, and a high-end interior.
Dodge’s Challenger comes in two positions below the No. 3 ranked Mustang, losing points for its inferior safety and performance scores. Unlike the Mustang, the Challenger has generous second row leg room and abundant trunk space.
Compact SUV
Winner: Ford (Details Below)
Dodge doesn’t compete in the compact SUV arena, yet, so Ford is the winner by default in this category. The Ford Escape sits as the No. 5 ranked compact SUV behind offerings from Honda, Hyundai, Kia, and Mazda. It is easy to drive and has high safety scores but its base engine has poor fuel economy.
Midsize SUV
Winner: Ford (Details Below)
Ford’s Edge outranks Dodge’s Durango and Journey in U.S. News & World Report’s rankings. The recently redesigned Ford model offers sedan-like handling and two rows of seating. Reviewers like its spacious interior and applaud its engine options. Ford’s other midsize SUVs, the Flex and Explorer, are ranked in the lower half of the ratings.
The Durango and Journey come in at No. 18 and No. 12, respectively, on the U.S. News list of best midsize SUVs. The Journey has a low base price, but the last-place Durango can get pricey in its higher grades. Critics appreciate the Durango’s strong engine but feel the Journey is underpowered. Both models score an 8.5 out of 10 in the safety category.
Large SUV
Winner: Ford (Details Below)
Ford’s Expedition is No. 2 on U.S. News & World Report’s large SUV rankings. It is beaten only by the Chevrolet Tahoe and comes equipped with a powerful engine. Its smooth ride and spacious seating in all rows earn high marks. Dodge does not make a large SUV.
Trucks
Winner: Ford (Details Below)
Dodge no longer makes trucks, so Ford wins this category by default. Ford’s trucks are not only highly rated but also among the most popular trucks on the market. A United Auto Workers spokesperson recently confirmed the return of Ford’s compact truck, the Ranger.
Reliability
Winner: Tie (Details Below)
When it comes to reliability, Ford and Dodge both have some winners and losers. Ford’s Focus, Expedition, Explorer, and Fiesta all have below average predicted reliability ratings as determined by J.D. Power & Associates. Their Edge, Escape, and F-150 fare better. In similar fashion, Dodge’s Durango, Challenger, and Charger score better than the Dart and Journey.
Safety
Winner: Ford (Details Below)
Ford vehicles generally have higher safety ratings than Dodge vehicles. The Ford Mustang scores a perfect 10 out of 10 in U.S. News & World Report ratings. The Expedition, Edge, Escape, Taurus, Fusion, and Focus are close behind all scoring 9.4 or above.
Dodge vehicles score well in the safety category, though not as well as Ford’s. The discontinued Dart scores highest at 9.4 out of 10 and the Charger comes in just behind at 9.1. The Durango and Journey come in at 8.5 while the Challenger fares slightly worse.
The Winner Is …
Ford (Details Below)
With more variety in their product lineup and a set of overall scores that are higher, Ford wins this battle of the brands. However, nearly all of Ford’s products have recently had a redesign, while Dodge’s model line is still waiting for one.
If you’re looking for an SUV, you’ll want to take a look at what Ford dealerships have on their lots. If a sports car is more your speed, the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger offer two vastly different takes on a classic American speedster.
More Tools From U.S. News & World Report
To explore what other brands offer, visit our new car rankings to see how Dodge and Ford stack up to the competition. Then, when you’re ready to buy, use our Best Price Program to get the best deal on your new car purchase.
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Will Ford Have the Edge in This Challenge?
Dodge and Ford have been around nearly as long as the automobile itself. Deeply rooted in Detroit, the American automakers have come a long way since the days when the Dodge Model 30 competed against Ford’s Model T. How do the companies stack up against each other now?
Both manufacturers offer a number of cars and SUVs, but Ford has the larger selection by far. Dodge does not sell a truck (Ram became its own brand) and Ford no longer manufactures a minivan. Dodge is moving forward with a 2017 Grand Caravan before eventually phasing it out of their lineup.
This slideshow will compare the latest model year vehicles each automaker has brought to market as well as each brand’s consistency in achieving high marks in categories important to the consumer, like safety and reliability.
Before you settle on your next vehicle, consider cross-shopping what competitors like Toyota, Hyundai, and Honda offer. You may be surprised with what you find.