This is an exciting year for Ford, and you’re going to want to get in on the action. Ford is getting new hybrids, new models, overhauls of existing models, and new top-tier trim levels. And these are award-winning and bestselling models we’re talking about here. As you peruse the options like a kid in a candy store, we’ll break it all down for you here in this preview guide for the new Ford lineup.
The Ford F-150 is thebestselling vehicle in the country. Yeah, you heard that right. Not bestselling truck, bestselling vehicle. Ford sold over 1 million of these trucks in 2018. So any news about the F-150 is big news. But this year the news is bigger than usual. That’s because Ford is adding a new F-150 Hybrid with a fully electric version of this full-size pickup truck. Ford is also invested in experimenting with more lightweight metals to compliment the weight reduction using aluminum that everyone thought was a mistake but turned out to be an improvement. We don’t have concrete numbers on the fuel economy of the F-150 Hybrid, but rest assured it’ll be a marked improvement over conventional engines, which helps when you want to save money on gas or reduce carbon emissions.
The Ranger went away earlier this decade but made a comeback in 2019. Now in its sophomore year, the reinvented Ranger is still turning heads because of its 1,860-pound payload and 7,500-pound towing capacities. Those are the best in the mid-size truck class. You can step into a new 2020 model starting at just $24,500, and SuperCab or SuperCrew configurations are available. If you tow and haul but not enough to justify a full-size, the Ford Ranger might just be your ticket.
Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
The iconic Ford Mustang just got its best trim level yet. We’re talking about the Shelby GT500, a street-legal speedster than can go from zero to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds. That’s because of a best-in-class 760 horsepower engine putting out 625 pound-feet of torque. In terms of raw power and speed, this is the best Mustang ever made. And that’s saying something.
The all-new Ford Bronco returns for the 2020 model year. But this Bronco is different. The namesake now rests on blocky SUV similar in size to the Ranger pickup. And the similarities don’t end there because the Bronco and Ranger are built on the same platform. We won’t see this model until the spring, but it appears poised to directly compete with the likes of the Jeep Wrangler and features both short and long wheelbase configurations for two or four doors and comes with a top and doors that can be removed. The Bronco should have plenty that appeals to off-roaders.
Finally, there’s the Ford Explorer, which received an overhaul this year. This three-row midsize SUV benefits from improved driving dynamics, three different powertrains, and an update look both inside and out. We like everything we’re seeing here, and this was a welcome update on what used to be a model that was showing its age.