When deciding which used or certified used Ford car is right for you, there are a couple of important things to consider early in the car-buying process: How many passengers will be in the vehicle regularly, and the desired miles per gallon. Smaller cars are going to offer less room inside the cabin, but they typically have higher fuel efficiency than the larger cars in Ford’s vehicle lineup. However, if you find yourself longing for more passenger room and fuel efficiency, then a hybrid model may suit your needs.
Ford has been synonymous with durability and quality since 1908, when the Model T was created. Over the years, many buyers have grown fond of Ford cars, and quite a few of the popular models have been in production for multiple generations. Many shoppers choose Ford when it is time to buy their next used car, and Ford Blue Advantage makes the choice even easier. Ford Blue Advantage is a certified used program that increases buyers’ confidence thanks to the intensive pre-purchase inspection and manufacturer warranty coverage.
There are numerous Ford cars available on the market today, and each one offers unique benefits that are well-suited for a variety of drivers. The Ford model lineup provides an extensive range of cars, from fuel-efficient commuter cars to powerful sports cars. (We cover Ford’s popular trucks and SUVs in separate articles.)
Choosing the car body style that will best fit your lifestyle is the first step in picking out the perfect used Ford car for you. Buyers in warmer climates might be drawn to the allure of a convertible, while other buyers might find the added utility of a hatchback is their top priority. Ford cars are available in four body styles, and each has its unique benefits.
Convertible – Convertibles offer a unique driving experience that no other body style can provide. Having the wind flow through your hair on a warm summer day is a unique and exhilarating sensation that many drivers don’t get to experience. Although convertibles provide a lot of fun for drivers, they are among the least practical car body styles due to the smaller trunk. Since the convertible top folds into the trunk, a Ford Mustang convertible has 11.4 cubic feet of trunk space compared to the Ford Mustang coupe with 13.5 cubic feet.
Coupe – A coupe is a 2-door car with a sloping roofline that is typically associated with sports cars. Coupes are smaller than sedans and emphasize styling and handling over interior space. If more than two passengers are in the car regularly, squeezing into the back seat may become a bit of a challenge. Also, coupes provide less headroom for back-seat passengers due to the sloped roof.
Hatchback – The hatchback is arguably the most practical of all car body styles due to its flexibility. When the back seat of a hatchback is folded, it provides a larger, more useable space than the trunk of a sedan. The Ford Fiesta hatchback offers up to 25.4 cubic feet of cargo volume compared to the Ford Fiesta sedan, which has 12.8 cubic feet.
Sedan – Sedans are 4-door cars that have three separate “boxes,” or sections. The front box houses the engine, the middle box is for passengers, and the rear box is for cargo. Having a lockable trunk separated from the passenger space allows for greater security since it will take more than a broken window for someone to gain access to the cargo. The folding back seats will need to be locked in the upright position to ensure maximum security.
Ford has offered many cars over the years and continues to push the performance boundaries with the Mustang. Ranging from highly efficient city cars to high-performance track cars, Ford has a vehicle that will check off all the boxes on your automotive checklist.
Ford C-Max – With a focus on fuel economy, the C-Max hatchback delivers strong fuel economy thanks to its hybrid powertrain. The C-Max could also be configured as a plug-in hybrid that can provide 20-miles of range from the 7.6-kWh battery. The C-Max is best suited as a city car since the city MPG rating is 50% better than the Fiesta, while the highway mpg difference is negligible.
Ford Fiesta – The Fiesta is Ford’s smallest car in the lineup and is available as a hatchback or sedan. Due to the small size of the Fiesta, it makes a great city car that can easily park in the tightest spots, especially when in the shorter hatchback body style. The Fiesta is a pretty tame car focused on practicality until you step up to the ST trim, which bumps the engine’s power output from 120 hp/112 lb-ft up to 197 hp/202 lb-ft.
Ford Focus – Think of the Focus as the larger and older sibling to the Fiesta. Both cars are available in sedan and hatchback body styles and have a similar design overall. The Focus sedan is 5.1 inches longer than the Fiesta sedan, and the Focus hatchback is 11.6 inches longer than the Fiesta hatchback. In addition to being bigger, the Focus also comes with considerably more power in the ST trim: 252 hp/270 lb-ft. Drivers looking for one of the hottest hatches on the market will want to consider the Focus RS, which delivers 350 hp/350 lb-ft from a 2.3-liter 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine that puts the power down via an all-wheel-drive (AWD) system.
Ford Fusion – If you’re looking for a sleek and stylish sedan, look no further than the Ford Fusion. The front end of the Fusion is strikingly similar to Aston Martin, which Ford owned at one time. Fusion models are available in three fuel types: gasoline, hybrid, or plug-in hybrid. In addition to various fuel types, Fusion models could also be equipped with front-wheel drive (FWD) or AWD.
Ford Mustang – One of Ford’s most iconic cars and a model that has been in production since the 1960s is the Mustang. The Ford Mustang is a sports car available as either a coupe or convertible. Choosing the Mustang coupe might be the best choice if the emphasis is on maximum performance since the car will be lighter and more rigid due to the fixed roof. Special edition Mustang Shelby models are available with increased power and handling capabilities that blur the lines between a track car and a road car.
Ford Taurus – The Ford Taurus was produced for a little over three decades and became a staple in the Ford car lineup. The length of the Taurus is almost a foot longer than the Fusion, which makes it Ford’s largest car available. Drives looking for a sporty sedan might find their match with the Taurus SHO. SHO stands for super high output, and the Taurus SHO delivers plenty of power thanks to its 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine that produces 365 hp/ 350 lb-ft, delivered through an AWD drivetrain.
Each fuel type has its advantages and disadvantages, and it’s important to consider how the vehicle will be used a majority of the time when deciding which fuel is the best choice. Gasoline has been used to power internal combustion engines for over 100 years, and it wasn’t until about a decade ago that electric motors started to be a viable option.
Gasoline – Gas is the most readily available fuel type and still the preferred fuel for high-performance cars. Gasoline is generally available in three grades of octane, which consist of 87, 89, and 93. Higher-octane gas can produce more power without the fear of damage from premature detonation in the engine. Be sure to factor in the cost of premium gas into the monthly transportation budget since it can cost upwards of 50 cents more per gallon.
Hybrid – A combination of electricity and gasoline generates power in a hybrid car. Hybrids benefit from increased fuel economy, and the boost in efficiency is especially noticeable during city driving. Highway mpg receives a noticeable improvement, but it isn’t nearly as extensive in comparison to city mpg gains.
Plug-in Hybrid – Further bridging the gap between gasoline and electric, plug-in hybrids can operate solely on the battery for a limited range. PHEVs generally offer 30-50 miles of electric range and can be recharged on-demand from an electrical outlet, unlike a hybrid vehicle that needs to be driven to recharge the battery. A PHEV can be a good choice for drivers who need to run errands around town or have a short commute to work. Such commutes can be done on battery power alone, saving time and money at the pump.
Electric – Quickly growing in popularity, electricity is a renewable energy source that costs pennies on the dollar compared to gasoline. Electric vehicles accelerate quite fast thanks to the instantaneous torque that is available from 0 rpm. The biggest drawback of an EV is the limited charging infrastructure and battery range that require longer stops to refuel when traveling long distances.
The final item of consideration is whether to buy a used Ford or a Ford certified pre-owned vehicle. While buying a used car may be less expensive than a certified pre-owned one, the lack of manufacturer warranty coverage is a downside for many buyers. Researching the maintenance necessary to keep a higher-mileage vehicle operating at peak performance should be on every used car buyer’s to-do list.
While Ford certified used cars might have a higher price, they come with a manufacturer warranty covering many vehicle systems. The Ford Blue Advantage program certifies cars with a Blue or Gold certification, depending on the vehicle’s condition. Both Ford certification levels include an extensive multi-point vehicle inspection, and vehicles must be under a certain age/mileage to qualify.
