Most Disappointing New Car at the 2018 NAIAS

Most disappointing new car at NAIAS: the 2018 Ford EcoSport. Ford dragged its feet on importing this small crossover from India (a first for the U.S. market). But the segment has become so hot that, like Chevrolet with the Trax, it decided it had to offer it. Ford claims to have thoroughly upgraded the EcoSport to make it suitable for… More →

Any interest in a compact van? (new Ford Transit Connect)

Over the years minivans have gotten larger and larger, to the point that they’re far from “mini.” If a more compact van were available, with more agile handling, better fuel economy, and a lower price, would people buy it? The Mazda5 hasn’t done especially well. But maybe the 2014 Ford Transit Connect, arriving later next year, will fare better. What… More →

Cases in Pricing Confusion: How much does Ford charge for the Fusion’s optional engines?

Ford offers the new 2013 Fusion with four different engines, a 175-horsepower 2.5-liter, a 178-horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter (1.6T), a 240-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo (2.0T), and a Hybrid. With the mid-grade SE, you also have the option of adding either a sporty Appearance Package or a Luxury Package. In choosing among the engines and packages, a buyer might want to know how… More →

2013 Midsize Sedan Price Analysis

For 2013 Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, and Nissan have all redesigned their midsize sedans. Toyota and Volkswagen did the same last year. Is any of them clearly a better value than the others? Maybe the new Accord? Honda claims to have added “thousands of dollars in new standard features” to the 2013. Or, as is often the case in highly competitive… More →

Is Ford cheating the specs for the new 2013 Escape?

Inputting the interior dimensions for the redesigned crossover, the combination of 43.1 inches of front legroom and 36.8 inches of rear legroom surprised me. I’ve been in the new Escape, and its rear seat is considerably tighter than most in the segment. Yet these specs from the brochure (and various popular car sites) suggest it should rank among the roomiest.… More →