New Cars for 2017: Ford
Escape: The Blue Oval’s small SUV journeys into 2017 with new front and rear fascias that make it look more like the larger Edge. Inside, there’s a subtle redo that moves the shifter, increases storage space, and brings the latest version of Ford’s Sync infotainment system. The base 2.5-liter four carries over unchanged, but the rest of the engines are new or revised. A turbocharged 179-hp 1.5-liter four-cylinder replaces last year’s 178-hp 1.6-liter four, and the 245-hp 2.0-liter turbo has five more horses and five more pound-feet of torque than before. See test ››
Fiesta: The hatch gets new front and rear styling while the sedan gets only the front-end refresh.
Focus: On the low end, the 123-hp 1.0-liter three-cylinder turbo engine can now be had with an auto. On the high end of the performance spectrum, the 350-hp Focus RS is for sale. See test ››
Fusion/Energi/hybrid: Now in the middle of its life cycle, Ford’s mid-size sedan receives nearly imperceptible nose and tail jobs plus a refreshed interior. The gas and hybrid powertrains carry over from last year with one exception: the Fusion Sport, which gets a 325-hp 2.7-liter twin-turbo V-6 with 350 pound-feet of torque and standard all-wheel drive. Unfortunately, there’s no manual transmission, but the Sport is likely capable of a five-second run to 60 mph. For those who want more luxury in their Fusion, there’s a new top-trim level called Platinum, which adds quilted leather that’s a dead ringer for the hides in Lincoln’s fancy Black Label vehicles.
F-150: The return of the Raptor is nigh. Available as the four-door SuperCrew or the smaller SuperCab, this dune-jumping, dirt-smashing, high-performance pickup is probably what Robby Gordon drives to the opera. A new 10-speed automatic connects to a heavily revised twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6, promising more than 410 horsepower and more than 450 pound-feet of torque. Lesser F-150s will get the 10-speed automatic but a different version of the redesigned twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 with 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet.
F-Series Super Duty: Ford’s heavy-duty mule, the one intended for work, work, and work, is thoroughly redone for 2017. An aluminum body, like that of the F-150, sits atop a stiffened steel frame with beefed-up axles and suspension components. The aluminum cab and box help reduce weight by a claimed 350 pounds. Adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-departure warning become available. Engine choices remain the same but boast more power. How much more? Ford won’t say, but we expect the standard 6.2-liter V-8 will make more than 385 horsepower and 425 pound-feet of torque. The optional turbo-diesel 6.7-liter V-8 ($8595) makes 440 horsepower and 925 lb-ft of torque. Both engines come with a six-speed automatic.
GT (shown above): Ford’s Le Mans class–winning supercar goes into production in late 2016. The company is still saying the twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 will make more than 600 horsepower. The almost-entirely carbon-fiber GT will also carry a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and race car–style pushrod suspension.
Minor trim changes: Edge, Explorer, Mustang, Taurus/SHO, Transit, Transit Connect
Unchanged: C-Max/Energi, Expedition/EL, Fiesta ST, Flex, Focus Electric/ST, Shelby Mustang GT350/GT350R
