News & Reviews- Make: Ford

Although Ford's C-Max isn't a household name like Toyota's Prius, it should be. The compact family hauler is big on space, nice to drive and filled with top-tier features, while like the Prius it's only available as a hybrid electric vehicle or advanced plug-in hybrid, the latter dubbed C-Max Energi.

This last point is only true here in North America however, because in other markets the C-Max can be had in conventional gasoline as well as diesel power, one of which is likely how the all-new model will debut in Paris early next month.

The C-Max is based on the popular Ford Focus, which is available as a five-door hatchback and four-door sedan here in North America, or in hatch and five-door wagon form in Europe. Unlike the Focus, the C-Max has a taller ride height for more of a crossover/mini-minivan (MPV) feel, while Ford of Europe extends the range further with a longer seven-passenger Grand C-Max version.

According to Ford, the model set to debut in Paris Read Full Story

Am I getting older or is there some other reason why I get just as excited about driving an innovative plug-in electric vehicle as I do when slipping behind the wheel of something ultimately sporty like the new Fiesta ST?

Don't answer that. As I recently passed the 50 yard line (a little over a year ago) I'm well aware of my aging body and even more fragile mind, yet while my reflexes might not be quite as quick as they used to be I still enjoy the occasional romp down a backcountry road in a performance car. All said there's something equally intriguing about silently going about my day's business without spending much more than a nickel on fuel, and then popping down to my local city hall to juice it up with electrons for free. I don't know how long such freebie plug-in programs will continue, but I for one will take full advantage of local politicians and their do-good green agendas as long as I have cars as efficient as Ford's new C-Max Energi to drive around in.

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There's a reason why automakers give we journalists vehicles in different states of trim. If you hadn't already guessed, it's because the little badge on their backsides can make them look and feel very different from one another. The 2014 Ford Focus, for instance, comes in two different body styles, sedan and hatchback, while the latter gets three radically different grille designs depending on whether you choose SE or Titanium trim, the ultra-green Focus Electric, or performance-oriented Focus ST. But even when choosing between the base SE and near-premium Titanium, exterior trim, interior detailing and the quality of materials differ.

Rare for the mainstream compact class, the Focus Titanium not only features a luxurious soft-touch dash top, but also soft-touch door uppers. Normally it's one or the other, not both. The Focus SE follows the status quo instead, with Ford opting to upgrade its refinement levels by making the dash top soft to the touch and its door panels out Read Full Story

What a difference a stylish new design can make to the sales success of any car. Such is the case with Ford's popular new Fusion, completely redesigned in 2012 for the 2013 model year, and physically identical for the 2014 model year.

Pulling inspiration from the beautiful and extremely expensive Aston Martin Rapide four-door super coupe, the Fusion's long, lean, elegant lines allow Joe and Jane average a little dignified air. And why not? After all, Ford once owned Aston and paid dearly for it in the form of annual and overall losses, therefore recouping some of the Fusion's development costs by lowering its design budget is only reasonable.

After initially reviewing a 2013 Fusion SE with its 1.6-litre Ecoboost four-cylinder last year, I had the pleasure of testing two 2014 iterations, the first also an SE model with the brand's 2.0-litre Ti-VCT GTDI Ecoboost four-cylinder, and the second the subject of this review, a regular non-plug-in Fusion Hybrid, boasting a 2.0-litre Read Full Story

Following its ground-up redesign for the 2013 model year, Ford's Fusion Hybrid has received only a few relatively minor changes over the past couple of years. Key amongst these changes was the introduction for the 2014 model year of a new entry-level Hybrid S trim level that jettisoned the Hybrid SE's power seats, rear seat HVAC ducts, rear seat armrest and cupholders, rear floor mats, compass, exterior temperature indicator, keyless-entry pad, satellite radio, and heated side mirrors with approach lights. It also restricts the options list, meaning you can't get the MyFord Touch infotainment system or any of the company's sophisticated driver assistance equipment with the S trim. 2014 also saw the introduction of available inflatable rear seatbelts (optional on all models), a heated steering wheel (optional on SE and Titanium models), and ventilated front seats (optional on Titanium models).

For 2015 a rearview camera has been made standard across the range, and the available Read Full Story