2009 Ford F-150 Flareside

The new 2009 Ford F-150 Flareside full-sized pickup truck is spinning heads like Regan in the Exorcist. It's a sharp-looking, tough and ready truck that wants to play even after a hard day's work. Where the Styleside F-150s have more cargo space, the Flaresides have more flash and visual appeal. Ford has an approach to truck making that can actually be a bit perplexing, but in a good way. There are over 75 different permutations that you can build your new Ford F-150 from.

The fresh boxed frame of the 2009 Flareside sits on a stiffer platform than did its predecessor. The suspension system is noticeably firmer and handles better, especially when towing and hauling. Also, electronic trailer sway control has been added to all F-150s for 2009 as a standard feature. Quick cornering with little lean and responsive steering make for an impressive driving experience. It's quick too. 0 to 60 times were measured in just about 8 seconds. Now, remember, this is a full-sized pickup truck we are discussing here. That's pretty fast.

There are three engines and 2 transmissions to select from as well: the 4.2L V6, 4.6L V8 and 5.4L V8. The 5.4L cranks out 365 lb-ft of torque and 310hp. It is one of the heavier trucks in its class though - and you can feel the weight. That also has a bit to do with the fact that the 2009 F-150 is the lowest rated in its class for fuel economy. It rates at 14/19 mpg city/highway. However, the others are certainly not very far ahead of those numbers.

The Ford F-150 does a very nice job towing heavy loads - better than most of its competitors. With wide leaf springs and electronic stability control (as well as the aforementioned trailer sway control), the Flareside pulls like a locomotive and hardly even acts like it is trying. The highest rating for all trims concerning towing is a whopping 11,300 pounds while the base trim is rated for 5400.

MSRPs for the 2009 Ford F-150 Flareside pickup range from the mid-20s to the high-30s. Like the company says: "There is a Ford F-150 for every application." Anything that you have in mind concerning the features of your new truck can be delivered to you. One note of interest is the navigation systems. People absolutely love them. They are simplistic and feature-filled. The screen may be a little small, but otherwise they are selling like hotcakes. The Ford F-150 for 2009 remains as one of the most popular trucks on the planet - like it does every year. There are a lot of solid reasons behind those sales numbers. Explore Ford trucks further today!

Ford Explorer 2008

Price Range: $26,490 - $36,195

The Ford Explorer 2008 ’s five-door SUV styling is clean and uncluttered, while the interior is one of the finest Ford’s put in a truck yet. Although engine performance is mediocre, the midsize 2008 Ford Explorer deserves consideration from anyone shopping for a traditional SUV with substantial towing and hauling capabilities. But for those who just need a family cruiser, newer seven-passenger crossovers provide more space, superior driving dynamics and slightly better gas mileage.

Performance

Two underhood options are available on the 2008 Ford Explorer: a “revised 4.0-liter V6 engine” that Kelley Blue Book says makes “210 horsepower” and “254 lb.-ft. of torque,” while those in need of more power can turn to a “4.6-liter V8 engine with 292 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque,” according to Edmunds. Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com show that neither engine is particularly impressive in terms of acceleration, with ForbesAutos describing the V-6 as “barely adequate.” Edmunds calls the engine performance on the Ford Explorer “mediocre” and says that the engines are “weak” when “compared to competing SUVs,” thanks in part to the fact that “a 4WD Explorer equipped with the V8 takes a mediocre 9 seconds to reach 60 mph.”

What’s New for 2008

Side curtain airbags are now standard on all Explorers, as is a capless fuel filling system (though availability is delayed until midyear on the latter). Also available on the Explorer for 2008 is Ford’s new Sync system, the hands-free electronics integration technology co-developed with Microsoft. The optional navigation system includes voice activation this year. Kings of bling will be pleased to hear that they can option the Explorer with 20-inch wheels later in the ‘08 model year.

SHORT STINT: 2009 Ford F-150 XLT

The new Ford F-150 is Lexus-like quiet at freeway speeds.

In fleet: Nov. 21-Dec. 4
As-tested price: $37,065
Drivetrain: 5.4-liter V8; 4WD, six-speed automatic
Output: 310 hp @ 5,000 rpm, 365 lb-ft @ 3,500 rpm
Curb weight: 5,493 lb
Fuel economy (EPA/AW): 16/13.3 mpg
Options: XLT chrome package including all-terrain tires, chrome step bar, 18-inch chrome wheels ($1,420); XLT convenience package including power adjustable pedals, power signal heated mirrors, fog lamps, power driver's seat ($495); rearview camera ($450); SYNC ($395); trailer tow package ($350); tailgate step ($350); premium cloth captain's chairs ($300); six-disc CD changer ($300); power-sliding rear window ($250); reverse sensing system ($245); trailer-brake control ($230); driver's group ($225); satellite radio ($195); electronic shift-on-the-fly ($160); rubber floor mats ($95); XLT SYNC, Chrome and Tow package discount (-$1,000)

OUR TAKE: It's hard to beat a good 4WD extended-cab, full-size pickup for most of your everyday needs. But it gets even better if your needs include any hauling or towing or you're driving through snow. The Ford's big bed, with the flexibility of the standard bed extender, makes the space highly functional; the backup camera eases hitching up the trailer (not to mention avoiding hitting anything while backing up in this big boy), and the 4WD proves priceless when the snow starts to fly and added traction is needed. At $37,000, this XLT is the real meat of the F-150 market, with all the bells and whistles but none of the superfluous stuff like leather seats.

While we should all question whether we really need all of that capability in an everyday vehicle that we got a depressing 13.3 mpg in real-world city/suburban driving, it's nice to know that in America, you still have that choice. What you do with that choice, now that you've been to the school of $4-per-gallon gasoline, is up to you. Sales show most folks seem to be erring on the side of caution.

For those still in the truck market, however, this is a fine piece. It is arguably the quietest truck we've ever driven--close to Lexus-quiet on the highway. Even doing 70 mph on the interstate, there's barely a hint of wind noise, and what is heard in the cabin is mostly tire noise.

The interior design is terrific for any type of vehicle, let alone what you would expect in a pickup. The layout is pleasing to look at and the controls are intuitive, plus the materials look and feel good.

It handles superbly on the road, too. The steering is quick and direct, with a nice, solid feel. There's no mushiness, no sloppiness, just a feeling of being in complete control--hardly the stuff of pickup trucks past.

Driving over rough roads, there's the barest hint of truckiness, and that's the way it's supposed to be. Above all else, this is a tool, a heavy-duty utensil. That Ford made it so comfortable, so quiet, so capable of being so many different things, is a plus.

Ford Fusion for 2010: Frugally fashionable

The Sport version of the 2010 Ford Fusion is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 and has a more responsive suspension.

Remember the Taurus? It was a good car at the right time and it made Ford a bunch of money--until they turned it into a jelly bean and then started concentrating too much on trucks. Well, when the history of this current economic conundrum is written, the car that got Ford through it all may well be the 2010 Fusion (with help from the functionally identical Mercury Milan).

This humble sedan is all the more significant given that Ford started work on it years before the economy imploded and gas hit $4 a gallon. Cars were what people needed--not ungainly sport-utility vehicles and trucks that never towed or hauled anything anyway--simple, functional cars with four doors and a trunk. That is the mid-sized sedan you get with the new Fusion, built to take on the other simple, functional cars in the segment, like heavy hitters Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.

Ford takes them on with new, more efficient engines, six-speed transmissions for all models, front- and all-wheel-drive and even a new hybrid that'll suck the bark off any tree you want to hug.

Sheetmetal is new from the A-pillar forward and it gives the car a sharper, more modern curbside appeal. It's certainly more attractive than the volume leaders in the segment.

Under that new sheetmetal is your choice of three gasoline engines and a hybrid electric powertrain. Our favorite was, strangely enough, the 2.5-liter 175-hp four. It felt the most appropriate for the car and is the only Fusion to come with a manual transmission, a nice six-speed gearbox. The 240-hp 3.0 V6 and 263-hp 3.5 V6 come with six-speed automatic transmissions only.

The big news here is the hybrid drivetrain, which debuted in the 2009 Escape and Mariner. In the Fusion it'll sticker at $27,270. The 2.5-liter gasoline four--mated to a continuously variable transmission--is the same block as the regular Fusion but with new pistons, cams, timing and electronics. It also operates on the Atkinson Cycle, which is not a diet plan but a means of increasing fuel economy by delaying the intake valve closing and essentially lengthening the stroke. You give up low end torque but when you have a big electric motor in the powertrain that makes all its torque from zero rpm, who cares?

The 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid adopts the powertrain used in the Escape hybrid.

A colorful readout on the dash of the hybrid model shows you when you're in EV mode and using only the 208 D-cell-sized nickel-metal-hydride batteries for power. The best way to do that seemed to be to accelerate briskly then back off and go easy on the throttle. Doing that and meticulously watching the dash gauge returned 39.6 mpg in 14 miles of city driving--and was only slightly maddening.

There is a sport model available, too, powered by the 3.5-liter V6 with six-speed automatic. It gets a more responsive suspension and sporty looking wheels. Before you scoff, we actually got our fastest slalom time in that model.

Yes, Ford had us all running around autocrossing these things, we suspect to demonstrate that they understeered slightly less than the Camrys they also had lined up for us. The lesson we came away with was that you probably don't want to autocross a stock mid-sized sedan from any carmaker. As we said, the most fun to drive was the four-banger with the manual and we could've lowered our time considerably given enough laps in that baby.

The four-cylinder with the manual was also our choice for driving around canyon roads. And it's the least expensive.

We seem to be returning to simpler, more conscientious times. As it did many times in the past, Ford has the right car ready.


SPECS
On Sale: Late March/Early April

Base Price: $23,975 plus destination

Drivetrain: 2.5-liter, 175-hp, 172-lb-ft I4; fwd, six-speed manual

Curb Weight: 3,285 pounds

0-60 mph: 9.5 seconds

Fuel Economy: n/a