Ford: What's New for 2010?

2010 Ford Edge: For 2010 the Ford Edge's appearance has been upgraded to project a more refined experience, and you'll find evidence in the Limited Interior Appearance package, which includes leather-upholstered seats with contrasting stitching, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a shift knob with contrasting stitching, a brushed-aluminum center stack, and special floor mats with an "Edge" logo. The Edge Sport also comes with 20-inch wheels as standard equipment.

There are substantive improvements as well, notably a new calibration of the 265-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 with its six-speed automatic transmission that improves the fuel-efficiency of the front-wheel-drive Edge to an EPA-rated 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway (an increase of 1 mpg for both city and highway figures), while improving the all-wheel-drive Edge to 17 mpg city/23 mpg highway (an increase of 2 mpg city and 1 mpg highway). Stability control with anti-rollover software is also standard equipment.

2010 Ford Escape/2010 Ford Escape Hybrid: The long-serving Escape remains a unique combination of SUV and crossover, tough like a truck yet maneuverable like a car. For 2010 it continues to be available with either a 171-hp inline-4 or a 240-hp 3.0-liter V6, while standard equipment includes stability control with anti-rollover technology as well as curtain-type airbags. For 2010, newly available options include a blind-spot warning, rearview camera, active parallel-parking assist and Sync.

The 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid continues largely as before, with its hybrid powertrain and 2.5-liter inline-4 engine helping to deliver 34 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. A new Limited trim level for the hybrid includes a heated driver seat, keyless entry and a power moonroof, as well as chrome interior and exterior accents plus cast-aluminum 16-inch wheels.

2010 Ford Expedition: Ford's full-size SUV based on the F-150 truck platform continues to offer unadulterated SUV attributes for real utility. The Expedition with its 310-hp 5.4-liter V8 can tow up to 9,200 pounds. Trailer-sway programming for the stability control is now standard. Voice-activated Sync electronics is optional, while this truck is just one of several Ford models that get a programmable ignition key to detune its performance for younger drivers.

2010 Ford Explorer/2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac: The all-purpose Explorer SUV continues as before with a choice between a 210-hp V6 or 292-hp V8 and no fewer than 18 different trim packages for the XLT, Eddie Bauer and Limited models.

Is the Explorer Sport Trac an Explorer with a pickup-style cargo bed or a Ranger pickup with a four-door cab? No one really knows, yet it continues to find its way to the right people every year. Sync is available for 2010, the Limited model gets chrome roof rails and cargo-bed sidesteps, and Blue Flame and White Platinum join the color palette.

2010 Ford E-Series Van: Yes, the full-size industrial-strength van is still with us, and Ford says its E-Series has been the top-selling commercial van over the last 28 years. It hasn't changed for 2010, but it still has front airbags, stability control with anti-rollover and anti-trailer sway programming, Sirius Satellite Radio and Sync. Ford's innovative Work Solutions setup for tracking work assignments in fleet use is also available.

2010 Ford F-150/2010 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson/2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor: The pickup truck defines America, which is why so many are sold in so many different configurations. As before, the 2010 F-150 comes in utility XL, sporty STX and off-road-ready XLT trims, and then the comfort and convenience list gets serious for the Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum models. The powertrain choices include a 16-valve 4.6-liter V8, a 24-valve 4.6-liter V8 and a 24-valve 5.4-liter V8.

For 2010, the F-150 4x2 with the 4.6-liter V8 now gets an EPA-rated 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway, mileage as good as the stripped-down F-150 SFE. The 2010 King Ranch and Platinum models get heated second-row seats, a power-operated rear sliding window with a defroster, and an eight-disc in-dash CD changer. Meanwhile, the F-150 also has Ford's new programmable ignition key to detune performance for new drivers.

The 2010 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson continues to be the F-50 for personal use, a high-style exercise with 22-inch polished forged-aluminum wheels and the usual H-D graphics. It's available with the 5.4-liter V8 and the price begins at $42,690.

The 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor brings Ford SVT back to the truck market with this remarkable desert-ready piece, as close as you can come to a street-legal Baja racer. Even better, you can drive it on the street without risking your sanity. It's an F-150 underneath, but special bodywork and wide 315/70R17 BFGoodrich All-Terrain TA KO tires give it a race-ready stance, while Fox Racing Shox control some 11.2 inches of front suspension travel and 12.1 inches of rear travel. Motivation comes from a 5.4-liter V8 making 320 hp and 390 pound-feet of torque.

2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty: The model year says 2011, but this truck is coming to market this year. Truck guys care deeply about the turbocharged 6.7-liter V8 diesel, and the fact that it's matched to a six-speed automatic transmission makes this combination even more compelling. A SOHC 6.2-liter V8 is also part of the powertrain lineup, and it'll run on E85 fuel. The Super Duty doesn't look so different until you take a seat inside, where a far more refined interior makes this a better work truck in which to spend the day, especially since storage space has increased 60 percent. As ever, towing and payload capacity has increased, while anti-trailer-sway programming helps with the stability control. At least 70 different configurations are possible.

2010 Ford Flex: Though it started off slowly in the marketplace, the Flex has finally been getting the respect it deserves as it combines many-passenger utility with luxury, style and real personality. Power still comes from a 3.5-liter V6 with a six-speed transmission, and now the twin-turbo, direct-injection EcoBoost V6 is available as well.

The Flex's stability control incorporates trailer-sway control with the optional towing package. A tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel is now standard, as is the power-operated 60/40-split second-row bench seat. The Flex also has Ford's active parking assist to help you parallel park. A navigation system is standard for the Limited, while Sync is standard for the SEL. Four new colors have been added for 2010: Ingot Silver, Red Candy, Steel Blue and Tuxedo Black.

2010 Ford Focus: It shouldn't be possible that there might be anything new for the long-serving Focus after a decade on the market, but there are some additions for 2010. Keyless entry is now standard on all models, as are power door locks and Ford's new programmable key to detune performance for new drivers. More important, ABS is now standard across all models, as is stability control. Sync with traffic and navigation information is now optional for the Focus SE and standard for the SES and SEL. There's also a new appearance package for the SE that includes 15-inch wheels, foglights and a spoiler on the trunk lid.

2010 Ford Fusion/2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid: The Fusion's performance in reliability and durability surveys has earned it new respect lately, and the market's swing toward inline-4 engines should also earn this Ford sedan new buyers. Engine choices include a 175-hp 2.5-liter inline-4, a 240-hp 3.0-liter V6 or a 263-hp 3.5-liter V6. Thanks to technology developed for the Fusion hybrid, electric power steering is now standard for the models equipped with the 2.5-liter inline-4 and 3.0-liter V6.

The Fusion also looks a little different for 2010 thanks to a redesigned front end with different grille and headlights, plus a new hood with a power dome. There are also a variety of 16- to 18-inch wheels. The interior has been substantially upgraded with soft dashboard materials and an improved metallic finish for the instrument panel. New options include a blind-spot warning system, a rearview camera, voice-activated navigation, a 12-speaker Sony audio system and Sync. The Fusion Sport also joins the model lineup, equipped with a 263-hp 3.5-liter V6, sport suspension, 18-inch tires and special bodywork trim.

The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid fights for a little more recognition of its proven goodness with wider availability after its formal introduction in the spring of 2009. This second-generation hybrid powertrain has proven remarkably easy to live with, combining the latest 2.5-liter inline-4 with an electric motor powered by a smaller, lighter nickel-metal hydride battery pack.

2010 Ford Mustang/2010 Ford Shelby GT500: The 2010 Ford Mustang is yet another 2010 vehicle that has been on the street for most of 2009, so the new car's updated pony car appearance has been a familiar sight on the street for most of the past year. This updated design is most notable for taller tires, ranging from 17 to 19 inches. The interior has been widely praised for embracing a more modern look in place of the previous car's strongly retro cues. It's all backed up by your choice of a 210-hp 4.0-liter V6 or a 315-hp 4.6-liter V8.

The 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 maintains its performance credentials with a 540-hp supercharged 5.4-liter V8, but it has a far more refined personality than ever before. SVT has retuned the chassis for greater drivability, and it works with 19-inch Goodyear F1 Supercar tires to deliver more grip instead of just more muscle. A cue-ball-style shift knob shows that the GT500 hasn't forgotten where it comes from, though.

2010 Ford Ranger: For 2010, the Ranger gets anti-rollover programming for its stability control plus side airbags. It's a truck, so it's not supposed to change. Get over it.

2010 Ford Taurus/2010 Ford Taurus SHO: The Taurus has been revitalized for 2010 with a widely admired new look that's more American and less European. Much of the basic package is familiar, yet everything has been usefully improved or refined. The 263-hp 3.5-liter V6 gives this large-size package some more serious motivation, and it works well through a six-speed automatic transmission. Oddly enough, the Taurus also handles better because its slack, American-style suspension calibration has been replaced by a long-travel Euro-style one. And finally a restyled interior makes a major visual impression, though it doesn't prove as spacious as you might think.

The 2010 Ford Taurus SHO is meant to be a hot-rod American sedan, something that's a little difficult to accept from a car so big. But the twin-turbo, direct-injection, 363-hp 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 manages to persuade you. Aside from the usual performance-style appearance package, the SHO also has such useful refinements as optional adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning and a rearview camera system. Even the seats are available with a massage feature.

2010 Ford Transit Connect: Work-related utility vehicles are changing just like the rest of the vehicle population, and this Euro-size trucklet is a great example. Though its car-based architecture and powertrain make it maneuverable and easy to drive, the tall four-door cabin affords both passenger access and loading flexibility. It comes with a 136-hp 2.0-liter inline-4, so it's not exactly quick, but you'll care far more about its 135 cubic feet of cargo capacity and 1,680-pound payload capacity. Ford's fleet-oriented Work Solutions software also makes the Transit Connect an even better fit for America.