“Highlighting cars, minivans and SUVs that provide the best combination of features, utility, safety and reliability,” the annual list of Best Cars for Families—put together by U.S. News & World Reports—draws on reviews and test drives from auto journalists across the country. It’s a unique approach that provides a particularly wide-ranging look at the most family-friendly vehicles in the U.S. auto industry and, this year, the list also showcases some particularly Ford-friendly appeal: With four different products winning their segments, Ford has more honorees than any other brand.

Among them:

• Ford Fusion—The Fusion took home honors as the Best Affordable Midsize Car for Families after being lauded “for its roomy interior, large trunk, good safety scores and family-friendly tech features.”
• Ford Fusion Hybrid—This high-efficiency Ford scored as the Best Hybrid Car for Families, thanks to attributes like a spacious cabin and effective technologies.
• Ford Taurus—The Best Affordable Full-size Car for Families was the Taurus, which boasts excellent crash-test ratings and available tech benefits like the MyKey system; MyKey allows owners to limit vehicle speed, audio volume and more to help teen drivers stay safe.
• Ford Edge—With more of Ford’s strong technology offerings, a high-value price and notable fuel-efficiency ratings, the Edge was named Best Two-Row Midsize SUV for Families.

Unsurprisingly, every member of this high-quality quartet also won its category in the U.S. News & World Reports Best Cars for the Money evaluations from earlier this year. And all are on sale now at local Ford dealerships throughout America.

Ford was the best-selling auto brand in the country in 2011, and as a recent study by U.S. News & World Reports shows, there’s a good reason for that kind of performance: Ford also won the most categories in the publication’s recent rankings of the “Best Cars for the Money 2012.”

“The award-winning vehicles have the best combination of praise from car reviewers, lower upfront costs and lower long-term ownership costs than their competition,” according to U.S. News & World Reports. “The winners aren’t just good cars or good values. They’re both.”

And for Ford, those winners were:

Ford Fiesta—The top choice in the Subcompact segment, as well as the highest-rated Hatchback, the Fiesta combines clean good looks, available high-tech features like Ford’s SYNC AppLink, an MSRP that starts at just $13,200, and EPA ratings that finish at 40 mpg highway. The Fiesta is offered in a sedan body style, too.

Ford Fusion—The Fusion beat out 18 other entries to take honors in the Affordable Midsize Car category, which is likely no surprise to the record 248,067 customers who purchased one in 2011. Further, the car’s high value proposition is about to get even higher, with the stunning all-new 2013 Fusion set to debut later this year.

Ford Taurus—The No. 1 Affordable Large Car was the Taurus, recognized for “its good performance, stylish design and excellent cabin electronics”—including its available SYNC in-car connectivity and infotainment system. The Taurus also is a Top Safety Pick of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Ford Fusion Hybrid—The Best Hybrid Car for the Money was the Fusion Hybrid, which, like its traditionally powered sibling, will get a complete overhaul for the 2013 model year. Not only will this next-gen version boast significantly higher fuel efficiency than the hybrid versions of rivals like the Toyota Camry or Hyundai Sonata, but it also will debut with a second hybrid powertrain with plug-in capabilities—and a higher miles per gallon equivalency rating than the Toyota Prius Plug-in or the Chevy Volt.

Ford Edge—Now capable of an eye-opening 30 mpg highway, the Edge bested all competition to be named the best Affordable Midsize SUV with Two Rows. The difference-maker? The Ford’s new 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine, which also enables 21 mpg city and 24 mpg combined, while still mustering a robust 240 hp and 270 lb.-ft. of torque.

How important is color to today’s auto buyers? According to research presented by Ford, up to 40 percent of all customers say they would walk right out of the dealership if they couldn’t find a vehicle in their preferred shade.

That’s why, according to Ford’s Susan Swek, group chief designer, Color & Material Design, “We don’t just choose a color and it winds up on a car. We study and understand how important color is to all kinds of our customers.”

It takes hundreds of hours of research to find the right color for each particular vehicle in each different marketplace around the globe, with inspiration drawn from art, nature, technology, architecture, high fashion and more. It’s a job made even more difficult because Ford’s color experts are generally working three years in advance, which requires them to carefully choose the colors of tomorrow from those that are popular today. Ford Kansas City said that same attention to detail even extends to deciding on the names of the colors.

“It’s important that the color name matches the personality of the vehicle,” said Swek. “Customers become emotionally connected to names. The name ‘Champagne’ is a lot different than the name ‘Sand,’ and all of that has to be carefully considered before a vehicle is ever presented to the public.”

But that approach continues to pay off for the automaker, as evidenced by the three latest Ford colors set to debut on some of Ford’s freshest new products:

• Ginger Ale—Named by the company for its “energy and refreshing qualities,” Ginger Ale has been selected to cover the all-new Ford Escape when it makes it public premiere at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show. This “classic gold neutral with slight green undertones” is typically found naturally in rocks, minerals and sandy beaches as well as jewelry, gems and textiles.
• Kodiak Brown—A deep brown with warm highlights that is a current favorite of the fashion industry, Kodiak Brown was named after Alaska’s Kodiak bear for its “richness and strong presence.”
• Frosted Glass—Also adopted from the world of haute couture, Frosted Glass will be the signature color of the Ford Focus Electric. The icy, light green shade helps create a feeling of tranquility that reminds people of the ambiance of a spa or tropical waters, according to Ford.

There’s more to come, too, including a striking new Ruby Red Tinted Clearcoat that debuted on the 2013 Ford Taurus during its reveal at the New York Auto Show earlier this year.

“Color is a simple way to allow people to add a personal touch to their lives,” said Swek. “It’s something that speaks to them and expresses a little bit of their personality.”

Backed by the kind of industry expertise you can only get from the National Auto Dealers Association (NADA), the comprehensive NADAguides to vehicle pricing and information have established themselves as a key resource for today’s shoppers. And now, according to Chattanooga Ford, it turns out that the Ford Taurus has established itself as a key member of the NADAguides 2011 “Must Consider List.”

It’s an annual roster of vehicles that are known for flying under most people’s radar while still offering the kind of value that simply can’t be overlooked.

According to the NADAguides team, the Taurus Limited earned its place on the list thanks to features like:

• “A handsome and quiet cabin”
• “Vast storage space”
• “A comfortable ride”
• “Industry-leading technology such as Ford SYNC”
• Top Safety Pick status from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)

Also notable at Ford Houston were the full-size Ford’s combination of athleticism and efficiency: The Taurus holsters a refined 3.6-liter Duratec V6, which routes 263 hp and 249 ft.-lb. of torque through the automaker’s new SelectShift six-speed automatic transmission. Ford Clovis said this advanced gearbox boasts race-inspired paddle shifters for manual-shifting functionality and still helps the Taurus achieve EPA ratings of up to 18 mpg city/28 mpg highway.

“The Ford Taurus has made leaps and bounds with its sporty new look, and the addition of advanced technology such as the Ford SYNC,” said Troy Snyder, director of product development for NADAguides. “It not only impresses the eye but its safety features are top notch. It has earned its place in the spotlight.”

The new Ford Taurus SHO sedan promises to be the sportiest model yet to wear the SHO badge. The new model not only features performance-inspired design, but the latest model also receives improved driving dynamics, larger brakes, torque vectoring control, and specially calibrated electric power-assisted steering for superior performance.

Powering the latest Taurus SHO is a fuel-efficient 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, delivering 365 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque, mated to a six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission. Drivers can select their own gears through steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

The abundance of power under the hood is tamed with the help of larger brakes, torque vectoring control – using slight braking to provide the effect of a limited-slip differential – and unique sport-tuned suspension.

“The Taurus SHO has always followed the original formula of stealthy sleeper, and the new model is no exception,” said Gordon Platto, chief designer. “We wanted to keep the subtle, understated, yet sporty elegance, but at the same time we knew it was time to even more fully differentiate the Super High Output model from other Taurus series models.”

When revamping the Taurus SHO, Ford received feedback from the loyal SHO enthusiast community. Input from enthusiasts and current SHO owners ultimately inspired the team at Ford to build a better product. Luckily, the new model builds on a platform that already satisfies customers.

“Initial Quality Study data from J.D. Power and Associates showed that the 2010 Taurus SHO gained phenomenal acceptance, as 92 percent of customers were satisfied with their vehicles,” said Amy Marentic, group marketing manager. “In addition, Taurus SHO delivered new customers to the Ford showroom at an incredible rate. Roughly half of 2010 SHO customers had not previously considered nor shopped Ford. We frequently see high-end sedans – 3- and 5-Series BMWs and Acura TLs – as trade-ins.”

The 2013 Ford Taurus SHO will be produced at Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant and will be available in the spring of next year.

Ford has taken the wraps off of the updated 2013 Ford Taurus. Ohio Ford said the Blue Ovals’s big sedan receives a number of updates, including a new new front fascia and LEDs around the taillamps. But the biggest update is under the hood, as Ford is adding some new powertrains.

According to Knoxville, TN Ford, for 2013, power from the Taurus’ 3.5-liter V6 engine gets bumped to 290 horsepower. Additionally, Marshalltown Ford said buyers can now opt for Ford’s new 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, which is good for 237 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. Although the EcoBoost delivers ample power, it’s also expected to yield about 31 miles per gallon on the highway.

The interior of the updated Taurus also gets some attention. There’s a new steering wheel and soft-touch materials that add a bit more sophistication. Naturally, buyers can also find Ford’s MyFord Touch infotainment system inside. Other technology additions include the new curve control system, which enhances braking control during cornering.

“We have significantly upgraded Ford’s flagship sedan through obsessive attention to detail,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s president of The Americas. “The new Taurus builds on the transformation we achieved in the 2010 model. Delivering so many upgrades so soon further underscores Ford’s leadership and commitment to delivering high-quality, fuel-efficient cars for our customers.”

After ringing up 51 percent more sales in 2010 than the year before, there are plenty of reasons to believe the all-new Ford Taurus offers a high-value package for today’s families—and here’s further proof: The editors of U.S. News & World Report have now named the Taurus the Best Family Sedan for the Money in its annual rankings of the industry’s top vehicles.

It’s a particularly impressive achievement, since the honors are based on an analysis of published reviews and test drives from some of the country’s top automotive media outlets, as well as the U.S. News’ own evaluation of the vehicles’ reliability and safety data.

Helping the Taurus achieve this honor were high marks for its:

• Sharp, stylish design
• Excellent cabin electronics, including Ford’s “widely praised” SYNC system
• Affordable price within the class
• Smooth, balanced ride
• Extensive range of standard and optional features, including available all-wheel drive

In addition, the family-friendly Ford also offers a unique solution for those families who feel the need for speed: The high-performance Taurus SHO. Packing a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 mated to Ford’s cutting-edge six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission with paddle shifters, along with all-wheel-drive, the Taurus SHO puts up 365 hp, 350 lb.-ft. of torque and up to 25 mpg highway.

The bottom line here? As U.S. News reports, “If you think the Ford Taurus is a crummy, dated, mid-size sedan suitable only for fleet use, you need to catch up. … Now the Taurus beats most other large cars when it comes to all-around performance and value,” cementing its place as the publication’s top-ranked affordable large car for 2011.

There are a lot of factors that go into deciding to buy a new car, and one of the most important has to do with what happens if you try to sell it a few years down the road. With some vehicles, low resale values can make that a very bumpy experience; with the Ford Taurus, on the other hand, you can expect smooth sailing. After all, recent research shows that the current Taurus, which was completely redesigned for the 2010 model year, has seen resale values increase by an average of 39 percent as compared with the 2009 Taurus.

That works out to a substantial $7,100 jump over the resale value of last year’s model—and a $2,500 advantage compared to the 2010 Toyota Avalon, which makes a Taurus from Olathe Ford Dealers an outstanding value.

In fact, according to Steve Ling, Ford’s manager of North American car marketing, “In the first half of 2010, Taurus retail sales were up 154 percent over the first half of 2009, while incentives were reduced by more than $1,600 per unit.”

The reason behind this sharp improvement is simple: The new Taurus has been comprehensively updated to provide enhanced design, quality and technology. The result has been huge overall improvements in customer satisfaction, as measured by both third parties and, more importantly, by customers. The Taurus’ list of accolades includes:

• Winning the International Car of the Year honors
• Receiving a Technology Breakthrough Award from Edmunds.com
• Being named a 2010 Best Redesigned Vehicle by Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com, which also honored the Taurus with its 2010 Best Resale Value award in the full-size car segment
• Topping its segment in the most recent AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Awards and Ideal Vehicle Awards (the latter for the Taurus SHO)
• Besting all rivals in the J.D. Power 2010 Initial Quality and APEAL (Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout) Studies

Proving Tennessee Used RVs customers agree with these kinds of kudos, July sales of the Taurus were up an amazing 186.7 percent, and its performance through the first seven month of the year is running 116.4 percent ahead of its pace from the same time in 2009.

Added Ling: “When you talk about quality, it’s not just ‘Things Gone Wrong’ but ‘Things Gone Right. That’s very important because Things Gone Right are what attract customers to the showroom.”

Which means an awful lot of thing must be going right with the new Taurus.

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The latest Ford Taurus has been a tremendous success for the Blue Oval. As a replacement for the lackluster Five Hundred sedan, the current Taurus has rekindled the  popularity of this once beloved nameplate. In fact, sales of the Taurus have jumped 116 percent through the first seven months of this year.

Aside from new sales, Ford also says that the Taurus has found success is second hand sales. Resale value for the 2010 model has jumped an impressive 39 percent compared to 2009 model. Ford also said that the 2010 Taurus’ resale value commands a $2,500 premium over the resale value of the competing Toyota Avalon.

“The successful product launch of the 2010 Ford Taurus coupled with the vehicle’s best-in-class quality, upscale design and state-of-the-art technology has resulted in a sharp improvement for the brand,” said Rose Peng, manager, Ford’s Global Lifecycle Analytics Department.

While the Ford Taurus has yet to match the sales volume achieved by sedans like the Toyota Camry or the Honda Accord, it has yielded impressive results since its introduction. This is perhaps no surprise considering that the latest generation has received a much-needed injection of style and technology.

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The Ford Crown Victoria’s days are numbered. No longer will the aging Crown Vic be Ford’s police interceptor as the automaker will launch an all-new Taurus-based Police Interceptor by 2012.

Officially scheduled to end production in September of next year, the Crown Victoria will be replaced by the all-new Ford Taurus to better compete with the Dodge Charger and the Chevrolet Caprice. Both GM and Chrysler are looking to expand their share of the police car market in the next couple years, so now is the perfect time for Ford to solidify its position as the dominate police car seller.

Although many details have yet to be revealed, the Ford Taurus Police Interceptor is expected to feature the new 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine as well as the all-wheel drive system from the Taurus SHO.

The Crown Victoria for law enforcement was introduced in the early 1980s. Due to its popularity as a police interceptor and its unwavering 75% market share, Ford hasn’t changed the car very much over the years. But with competition in the police car market heating up fast, the new Ford Taurus-based interceptor is intended to “arrest” the competition in its tracks. For its part, a CT Acura Dealer said there are no plans for an Acura police cruiser at this time.

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