Best Cash-Back Finds: 5.16.08

There aren’t a lot of big offers this month, despite slow sales in April. Automakers are slowing their production so rows of new cars don’t sit on lots, leading to rebates. However, we have found a trio of new 2008s that are easy to recommend and offer a sizeable amount of cash back.

Many of our past picks still have significant rebates as well, including the 2008 Nissan Sentra, 2008 Hyundai Elantra and 2008 Ford Edge. Check Cars.com's Incentives page for more deals.

2008 Ford Focus sedan
MSRP: $14,755
Cash back: $1,500-$2,000
Percent off MSRP: 10.2% – 13.6%
Expires: 6/2/08
5-Year Ownership Costs

The 2009 Focus coupe was recently unveiled, and we saw minor changes to the exterior of the car. There weren’t any substantial changes to important parts, like the engine, transmission or interior. The Focus was redesigned for 2008 though, so you’re still getting a new design, and we don’t expect Ford to change much about the sedan for ’09. One change to the 2009 coupe that will stick out is a 4.6% price bump. That’s another reason to pick up a 2008 with $1,500 to $2,000 cash back. That’s a significant savings for a reasonably priced car. Plus, you can get Ford’s Sync entertainment system, too.

Recall Alert: 650,000 2005-06 Ford F-150s

Ford is recalling all of its 2005 and 2006 F-150 pickups equipped with the 5.4-liter V-8 engine due to a faulty brake hose. The hose can come loose from the intake manifold, causing a loss in power for braking. Drivers can still stop an affected truck by using the brakes, they’ll just need to apply more force to the pedal.

Ford said 11 minor accidents have been reported, but no injuries.

The recall will begin in June, and the brake hoses will be replaced free of charge. Lincoln Mark LT trucks from the 2005 and 2006 model years are also included in the recall. 

For more information, concerned owners can call Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

Ford recalls over 650,000 pickups for brake hose (Reuters)

Ch-Ch-Changes: 2009 Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner

The Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner were redesigned just last year for the 2008 model year. New exterior skins and a much improved interior made significant improvements on the aging models — we just hope it’s a stopgap before the import of Ford’s new Kuga SUV, which is just hitting European roads.

For 2009, Ford is diving into the compact SUVs’ engine bays and replacing the previous, paltry 153-hp, 2.3-liter base four-cylinder engine with a new 2.5-liter engine putting out 170 hp. The optional V-6 is also getting replaced, adding 40 more hp for a total of 240 hp. Both are obviously faster; Ford says they trim 1.7 seconds off the 0-60 times of the previous models.

Both models can also get a newly optional six-speed automatic transmission.

2009 Ford Focus Gets Refocused Design

Ford is selling a lot of the 2008 Focus compact sedan and coupe. Sales have been up throughout 2008, thanks in part to the car’s high gas mileage — 35 mpg highway with a manual transmission — and low price, which starts at $14,395.

Ford has gotten knocks for the new Focus’ looks, though, especially in the coupe version. So tonight during “American Idol” it will debut a revised version of the two-door model for the 2009 model year. We hope it won’t be rolled out in a horrible Idol-ized commercial, but we suspect it will be. The 2009s will go on sale later this summer. The sedan will most likely remain unchanged.

In grand terms, not much has changed, but the alterations are all positive. Most notable is the deletion of the chrome side vent on the 2008 model, which is an omission we loudly applaud. A revised front end with a larger, rounder lower bumper and darkened chrome bars now make up the grille. Fog lights are now standard across the lineup. For more info and photos, keep reading.

Cars.com Faceoff: 2008 Ford Focus, 2008 Honda Civic, 2009 Toyota Corolla

In honor of graduation season, Cars.com took three of the most popular compact sedans on the market and decided which one should get a big bow put on top. Even if you’re a Hoops McCann and no one gets you a car for your hard work, these three are sensible first-car choices for the newly employed, too. But which one takes the cake? See if the Honda Civic can stand up to the redesigned Ford Focus and all-new Toyota Corolla.

Cars.comparison: Graduation Gifts

2009 Ford Fusion to Get Boost in Power

The Ford Fusion has done well for Ford since it debuted as a 2006 model. Not only did it carve out a niche for the automaker in the midsize sedan market, it framed the new look for Ford with its bold three-bar grille.

However, the Fusion is showing its age and for 2009 it will get a slightly revised look and a new more powerful base engine. The 160-hp four-cylinder in the current S and SE trim levels will be replaced with a 170-hp four-cylinder and will be teamed with a six-speed automatic instead of the current five-speed. That likely means better fuel economy; the Fusion is currently rated at 20/29 mpg city/highway. Ford told dealers it would deliver “best in class” fuel economy, which is currently the 2009 Hyundai Sonata at 22/32 mpg.

A more powerful and fuel-efficient V-6 may also be in the works for the Fusion. Expect to learn more specific details when the 2009 is announced later this year.

Ford adds power to Fusion (Detroit News)

Another New Ford Fiesta Look

We’ve been following the progress of the new Ford Fiesta for months as it has been transformed from the Verve concept cars to the Fiesta production versions. We saw two-door and four-door hatchbacks in Geneva earlier this year and this week in China, Ford unveiled a more angular looking four-door hatchback which is scheduled to go on sale in Asia.

The U.S. is still expected to get a sedan version of the Fiesta to go on sale in 2010, with a design aimed at U.S. audiences. The very slight variation between the European and Asian design makes us hopeful that the U.S. version will be as aggressively styled as its overseas counterparts. Take a look at the new Fiesta below as well as the European four-door hatchback and let us know which one you like better.

More Fiesta News

Ford Explorer Settlement Pays Lawyers

The rich get rich and the poor get certificates. 

Consumers who owned 1999-01 Ford Explorers and charged that their SUV’s resale value dropped like a rock after the exploding-tire-rollover fiasco have finally gotten (a kind of) financial justice.

A California judge has approved a settlement of a class action lawsuit filed more then 2 years ago on behalf of 800,000 Explorer owners in California, Illinois, Texas and Connecticut.

Each will now be sent a certificate worth $500 — toward the purchase of a new Explorer.

New Ford Focus a Surprise Success

I’ll admit it: I did not think the redesigned Ford Focus would be a huge success. I mean, just look at it. There are some interesting angles, especially on the sedan, but come on, the coupe? It’s a dog. My old Escort had better lines.

Still, in our current economic surroundings the little economy car with a small price tag and high mpg is doing well. How well? The plant where it’s built in Wayne, Mich. is ramping up to produce 30% more Focus this year.

I reviewed the new Focus in November and thought the interior was well done. The Sync entertainment system is a genius idea actually implemented properly. Still, the Honda Civic is a far better choice, not to mention the other solid competition from Toyota, Hyundai and Mazda.

In any case, the Focus just passed the Chevy Cobalt in sales last month. Now there’s a car I’m even more shocked to see selling well — tepid economy or no.

Ford to build 30% more of its Focus small cars this year (USA Today)

Friday Fleet Notes: 4.11.08

This week's fleet notes takes on two competing hybrids, the Honda Civic Hybrid and the current champ, the Toyota Prius. In addition the Ford Focus makes an appearance, so if you're interested in how our staff felt about the Sync system, this might be a Friday fleet note you don't want to miss.

Toyota Prius

• Having driven a rental Prius in Denver a few months back, I was dreading the worst: an uncomfortable ride, a whiny engine at freeway speeds, a brake pedal that felt like a steel rod pressing up against the tires. Boy, was I surprised. This non-rental Prius could not have been more different. It was a much smoother ride. The engine, even at 70 mph, purred quietly. The brakes still felt a little funky, but I wasn’t in any doubt about their abilities and I still managed to get around 50 mpg. This experience gets the Prius off my hit list. — Patrick Olsen, Editor-in-Chief

Ford Pledges to Cut Emissions

Shareholders and activists applauded Ford's announcement Wednesday to cut its global-warming gas emissions from all of its vehicles by 30%. They set a target date of 2020 to achieve that goal.

This plan closely follows the new fleetwide fuel economy increase passed by Congress that requires automakers to average 35 mpg in their fleets by the same date. In effect, Ford has simply outlined how they plan to hit the government's target.

On the other hand, Ford has minor history of back-tracking on lofty environmental pledges.

In 2000, the company announced it would raise the fuel economy of its SUVs by 25%. It recanted that promise three years later. In 2005 it swore it would be churning out 250,000 hybrid vehicles by 2010. Right now, they sell about 21,000 Mariner and Escape hybrids annually.

Ford Vows to Reduce Auto Emissions 30% (Detroit Free Press)

Ford's New Features Increase Visibility, Decrease Blind Spots

Tuesday, we reported that Chrysler will introduce a Blind Spot Detection System on its 2009 minivans. It seems this week is official Blind Spot Detection Week, as today Ford also announced two new features for its 2009 lineup to combat blind spots.

Ford’s Blind Spot Monitoring System will hit the market in early 2009 using radar to track vehicles lingering in a driver’s blind spot; this is a first for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles. Like other systems — which have traditionally been available on luxury cars — Ford’s will alert drivers when a vehicle trips the radar, via an audible tone inside the cabin and an illuminating icon on the side-view mirror.

In conjunction with that, a Cross Traffic Alert feature will sense rearward crossing traffic when reversing out of a parking space. Ford says the system can detect an approaching vehicle up to 65 feet away on either side of the vehicle’s rear bumper.

Also to assist with blind spots is a new side-view mirror with an integrated blind-spot mirror. Much like those gas-stop stick-on mirrors, there’s a second, small mirror in the side-view mirror’s corner that gives drivers an extra perspective of the road. Ford says its blind spot mirror will be standard equipment on many Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles models, but no specific models have been named yet.

Related
Chrysler Dishes Out New Features for 2009 Models (KickingTires)

Ford Extends Certified Used-Car Plan

Ford must be feeling confident these days. Last week, the automaker began an extensive program to enhance the warranty plans for its used vehicles. According to The Detroit News, Ford extended its powertrain warranty from six years or 75,000 miles from the original date of sale to six years or 100,000 miles. It has also added a three month or 3,000 mile comprehensive warranty for all certified pre-owned vehicles and a 24-hour roadside assistance program.

Outwardly, Ford is promoting its improved reliability as one reason for the move, but economic factors may also be at work.

With the uncertain economy, frugal car-buyers looking for a used-car bargain are becoming increasingly popular. While Ford's new-car sales have fallen 8.9% from last year, used-car sales are up 10%. Surveys by J.D. Power and Associates and Wachovia confirm that used-car sales are rising for the rest of the industry as well.

Ford Enhances Used-Car Plan (Detroit News)

Ford Incentives Up, Include Specialty Models

April has begun, and Ford has updated its incentives for the rest of the month. There are some very interesting deals to be had. We’ll break down all the models soon enough, but the most interesting tidbit of information for car enthusiasts is that both the Ford Mustang Bullitt and the upcoming Ford F-150 Chip Foose Edition are getting cash back just like their plain-jane brethren. 

The 2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt is already on sale, and the Bullitt package costs an additional $3,310 on top of the cost of a regular Ford Mustang GT. Rebates range from $1,000 to $1,500, with an additional $1,000 offered in some regions if you go with Ford Credit to purchase the vehicle.*

Depending on where you live, that means you could pay just a $810 premium to have the special edition, which adds horsepower and suspension tweaks.

The 2008 Ford F-150 Chip Foose Edition isn’t on sale yet, but the roughly $55,000 sport truck will come to market over the next few months with between $3,000 and $3,500 cash back (plus that potential $1,000 in financing cash) on the intricately detailed hood.

Other rebates are more pedestrian, but still noteworthy:

Ford F-450 Saves the Environment

Our friend Mike Levine over at PickupTruck.com has penned one of the best stories we’ve ever seen on how and why large pickups like the Ford F-450 exist and who uses them for what. We’d guess most owners aren’t helping out wildlife conservatories every day, but it’s interesting to see that when an environmental group needed help, it also needed a truck this big with its capabilities. 

Levine used the F-450’s 5,720-pound payload rating to haul two cubic yards — or 4,500 pounds — of donated topsoil 40 miles. No half-ton or three-quarter-ton trucks could handle that task.

The story illustrates one of those points we routinely try to make to people who think there’s no need for vehicles like this to exist. Those folks genuinely believe these are being used for commuting, but there are many legitimate uses for such trucks. Heck, even if every home built was completely green, builders would need something to get the supplies to the site.

Nature's New Friend Road Test: 2008 Ford F-450 Super Duty (PickupTruck.Com)

Ford Not Targeting Families With Flex Ads

Ford’s answer to the minivan will not be directly marketed to families, according to a story by Automotive News. The company’s new head of marketing, Jim Farley — previously of the trendiest of trend-setting brands, Scion — has revamped the marketing plan of this very important new model to focus on trendsetters instead of just the family market.

As an early example of this plan, Ford had a famous street artist decorate the white roof of the Flex in various urban themes at the recent New York auto show. Ford wants to get far away from the minivan stigma with the Flex, especially since it’s discontinued its own failed minivan, the Freestar.

It seems to me Ford should play up the minivan stigma to the hilt with the Flex.

What Would Make the Perfect Winter Police Car?

Chicago’s new police superintendent is discussing converting the city’s fleet of Ford Crown Victoria police cars to four-wheel-drive Chevy Tahoes. The thinking is that the Tahoes would be better able to handle winter weather than the rear-wheel-drive Crown Vics.

Chicago’s budget probably can’t afford a new fleet of Tahoes, but after too many months of winter weather this past season, we here at the Cars.com offices wonder if it’s not such a bad idea to get rid of the ancient RWD Crown Vics. The story linked below says the Crown Vics and Tahoe get the same mileage, about 11 mpg. That must be for special models equipped for police use, though, because city mileage for the Crown Vic is 17 mpg and the Tahoe is 14 mpg. Maybe Chicago can get some Tahoe Hybrids to keep its green-focused mayor happy.

What would your choice for a winter police car be? And what the heck do they use in Alaska?

Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis pushes upgrading cops' equipment (Chicago Tribune)

First Drive: Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid

In connection with the New York International Auto Show, in a city where Ford Escape Hybrid taxicabs are an increasingly common sight, Ford offered me a test drive in an experimental plug-in version of its compact SUV.

The philosophy behind this vehicle is similar to that of the Toyota Prius plug-in, on which I reported from Detroit: to increase the battery capacity and to charge that battery in the home with a common extension cord before hitting the road. This supplements the normal hybrid with power that's comparatively cheap and potentially cleaner than gasoline, and that comes from North American sources such as coal, natural gas, nuclear, and, in regrettably rare cases, renewable energy like hydroelectric and solar. All current hybrids generate their own electricity with their gas engines and through recapturing the energy of motion during braking, which improves efficiency over that of a larger gas engine alone but doesn't meet the full potential of electric power.

2008 New York Auto Show: Ford Transit Connect Taxi Concept

• Looks like: A new take on the NYC classic
• Defining characteristics: It’s not a Crown Victoria
• Ridiculous features: No hybrid powertrain
• Chance of being mass-produced: Pretty high. The Crown Vic is aging and gas prices are soaring

Last month, Ford announced that it would begin importing its Transit Connect commercial van to the U.S. by 2010. Today in New York City, the company is showing one of the ways the van could be utilized on a mass scale.

The Transit Connect Taxi has more than 75 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rear-cab seats that fit three passengers. The van also features a small, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that gets 19 mpg in city driving which the company claims is 30% higher than the Crown Vic. We’re not sure if that’s a great enough improvement, and we would rather see the hybrid system from the Escape Hybrid that gets 30 mpg in the city. More photos below.

Man Paints His Car Like Police Cruiser, Doesn't Get in Trouble

You'd think it would be illegal to paint your car like a police cruiser, right? I mean, authorities in Arkansas made it illegal to honk your horn in front of an establishment that serves sandwiches or ice-cold beverages after 9 p.m., and you're telling me no one in Nevada thought to say, "Gee, let's not let people make their own police cars?"

Apparently not, because Las Vegas resident Jessie Vigil spent last summer transforming his 2007 Ford Mustang into a cop-mobile. He took the black and white paint job and added an emergency bar to the roof and the word "Police" to the side.

To be fair, Vigil did not intend to mimic a police car, but rather was duplicating a car-character from the movie "Transformers" for his 7-year-old son, Thomas (on the side of the vehicle, instead of saying "To Protect and Serve" it says "To Punish and Enslave").

Vigil spoke with law enforcement before undertaking the redesign, and discovered that, yes, indeed, he was in the clear.

Vegas Man Paints Car Like Police Cruiser (Associated Press)

Recall Alert: Ford Recalls 80,000 Trucks

In the spectrum of recalls, there are potential fires on one end and minor fixes on the other. Today’s recall alert falls more on the minor-fix end than the is-something-burning one: Ford is recalling 100,000 2008 F-Series trucks in the U.S. and Canada to fix a weld between the driver’s seat back and a bracket, which has reportedly been cracking. Those cracks make the truck non-compliant with federal regulations for seat-back strength.

Ford will notify owners of the trucks — about 80,000 in the U.S. — later this month.

Ford recalls about 100,000 2008 F-Series trucks (Detroit Free Press)

Cars.com Reviews the 2008 Ford Fusion

In its third year on the market, the 2008 Ford Fusion still satisfies expert reviewer Kelsey Mays. While it may not be top dog in the family sedan segment, he says its low sticker price makes it a bargain for its category. Good handling and neat, "athletic" design go a long way toward helping the Fusion earn Kelsey's recommendation. Read his full review on Cars.com.

2008 Ford Fusion Expert Review (Cars.com)

Ford Fiesta Coming Back to U.S. in 2010

The Ford Fiesta has a long — if not exactly storied — history in the U.S. Its small, boxy shape was a hallmark of disastrous 1970’s-era car design, and its long-standing execution problems mean it’s not a car many consumers feel nostalgic about. In a century of car manufacturing, it wasn’t one of Ford’s high points.

That hasn’t stopped the company from busting out the old Fiesta name and slapping it on its Verve concept, which debuted at the Frankfurt auto show last fall. The Fiesta is officially Ford’s long-rumored small car, set to hit U.S. shores in 2010. We were amped about the Verve — so much so that we called its looks “stunning” — and we still are, but we can’t help but think it’s a mistake for Ford to brand the production model “Fiesta.” Without context, Verve is just a better name for a car. With context, Fiesta reminds us of the clunky ‘70s go-carts, a piece of Ford’s long history the company might do well to ignore.

U.S. will get little Ford Fiesta in 2010 (Detroit News)

Microsoft Auto Wants to One-Up OnStar

As its plan for Dr. Evil-like world domination advances, Microsoft is hoping to entrench itself in the automotive world as a first-tier provider of entertainment and information systems in its partnership with Ford.

The software is called Microsoft Auto, and the technology company has plans that go well beyond voice-activation for your MP3 player, as the Microsoft-powered Sync system already does. Microsoft wants to take the concept behind Sync and OnStar and fuse it into an all-purpose program that does everything except drive the car itself.

Staying with completely voice-activated controls, the program will provide real-time traffic updates and instant directions that can be adjusted for the most fuel-efficient, most scenic or quickest route, among other things. For instance, if you want to find a certain kind of restaurant, get around a traffic jam or download music, Microsoft plans to integrate all this technology into one seamless system. In addition, the software would allow vehicles to communicate with each other on the road, which would theoretically help avoid accidents.

Recall Alert: 4.6 Million Ford Vehicles

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has re-issued a recall for 4.6 million Ford vehicles due to a cruise-control issue that has caused at least 550 vehicles to catch fire, including 60 since August. According to NHTSA, the fire can occur regardless of whether cruise control is activated or whether the key is even in the ignition. Cars with the problem can be fixed immediately; trucks will merely have the switch, which is currently on back order, disconnected until it can be replaced. NHTSA is urging those who didn’t heed the first recall notice to head to a dealer for a drive-through repair as soon as possible.

While this is an old recall, it’s yet to be totally solved. NHTSA estimates that of the 9.6 million vehicles initially recalled, only about 5 million have been repaired, meaning millions of vehicles that could potentially catch fire are still on the road. Ford will yet again notify owners of the fix, probably while hoping this recall is remedied as quickly as possible.

NHTSA Warns Ford, Lincoln and Mercury Owners of Fire Hazards ... (NHTSA)

Ford Prices Flex

One of the more curious new vehicles in Ford’s 2009 lineup is the Flex, which will attempt to merge the utility of a minivan with the style and customizability of a Scion. Sort of. For that, as Ford has just announced according to Automotive News, buyers will pay $28,995. That brings the Flex in just above the Taurus X, Ford’s other major crossover effort, which some people think may drop out over time.

That’s just the Flex’s low end, though. A variety of trims will be available, all the way up to the AWD Flex Limited, which will carry a tag of $37,255 before packages and options. (When we find additional trim pricing, we'll be sure to update.) Will people adopt a new vehicle at $30,000? Or will they long for the days of the Freestar’s oh-so-functional sliding doors?

Ford prices the Flex at $28,995 (Automotive News)

Ford Recalls 434,593 Mustangs

Ford has issued a recall for 434,593 Mustangs from the 2005-08 model years after tests by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showed there could be increased risk of neck injury during airbag deployment. According to NHTSA's recall report, the risk of injury is greater for small females in the front passenger seat who are unbelted, sitting with their seat in the full-forward position.

To fix the problem, Ford dealerships will reprogram a restraint control module free of charge. Recalls are expected to begin Feb. 28. Consumers can call 866-436-7332 or email www.ownerconnection.com.

Ch-Ch-Changes: 2009 Ford E-Series

Competes with: Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana

Looks like: Ford needed to get rid of some chrome

Drivetrain: 225-hp, 4.6-liter V-8; 235-hp, 6.0-liter diesel V-8; 255-hp, 5.4-liter V-8; or 305-hp, 6.8-liter V-10 with four- or five-speed automatic; rear-wheel drive

Hits dealerships: August 2008

Ford has announced changes to its full-size E-Series van, and they're mostly centered on the interior. The dash and instrument panel have been revised, there's more storage space, and a navigation system with a 6.5-inch touch-screen is newly available. The automaker's new Work Solutions system is also available.

Ford Work Solutions gives owners more resources at their fingertips thanks to a built-in computer system that can have wireless internet, the ability to track equipment that's onboard the van at any given moment, and a special lock system to prevent tools from being stolen.

The E-Series also gains new safety features, like an available backup camera that projects an image of what's behind the van on the navigation screen. You can get the camera even if you don't opt for the navigation system. In that case, a smaller image is displayed in the rearview mirror. Ford's AdvanceTrac electronic stability system with Roll Stability Control is now standard on all E-Series wagons and recreational vans and optional on gas-powered commercial vans.

2009 Ford Flex In-Depth Gallery

One upcoming model we’ve heard a lot of questions about is Ford’s new Flex crossover that’s coming out this summer. This faux-minivan has been hanging around the auto show circuit for almost a year, and we’ve covered it extensively in the past during those shows. We recently discovered Ford’s official page for the 2009 Flex and were a bit stunned at the amount of all-new photos on it.

The photos show off different color combinations, inside and out, including the different roof colors. We also get some up-close shots of important stuff like seating layouts and cupholders. We’ve dutifully put a gallery together for you below, and you can check out Ford’s official site here. A bit of a warning though: If you go to “Configure Your Own Flex,” the prices listed are NOT official; they’re for survey purposes. Ford will track the use of this site and perhaps alter the asking price of the vehicle and options.

Ford Technology Lets Workers, Bosses Keep Track

If you're a contractor, there’s likely nothing more annoying than arriving at a job without a tool you need. If you're a boss, there’s likely nothing more annoying than not knowing where your employees are. To help remedy that, Ford is rolling out new technologies, called Ford Work Solutions, that are designed for business owners who use their trucks or vans as important tools in their own right. Work Solutions will be available in fall 2008 on the 2009 F-150, F-Series Super Duty trucks and E-series vans. We recently got a hands-on demonstration of the new offerings at the Chicago Auto Show (see video), and also talked with a local construction company to see whether these features would work in the real world.

Best Cash-Back Finds: 2.15.08

President’s Day is Monday and you’ve probably seen a lot of commercials about big car sales. Automakers had a pretty dismal January for car sales across the board and they’re looking to pick things up in February. Besides our full list of incentives you can find here, many are offering short-term incentives for just the weekend. Here are some of the best we’ve found in terms of quality, safety and value. Yes, there are three minivans.

2008 Kia Sedona

MSRP: $20,695
Cash back: $1,500
Percent off MSRP: 7.2%   
Expires: 3/3/08
5-Year Ownership Costs

Kia’s minivan has been an underachiever for some time, but still is one of only three minivans to earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick award. The interior isn’t the best in the class but the base price and long warranty are mighty alluring. Add up to $1,500 cash back depending on where you live and the Sedona seems mighty sensible.

2008 Geneva Motor Show: Ford Kuga

• Competes with: Honda CR-V, Saturn Vue
• Looks like: Ford’s found a good replacement for the Escape
• Drivetrain: 2.0-liter turbo-diesel with six-speed automatic
• Hits Dealerships: 2008 for Europe, not planned for the U.S.

What you see here is a really good-looking compact SUV from Ford. It will go on sale in Europe this year, but there are no plans for it to come to the U.S. That’s really, really too bad because the Ford Kuga looks like it could replace the current Escape in Ford’s line-up pretty easily and with some style.

Don’t believe us? The Kuga is almost identical to the Escape’s length and weight and comes in either front- or all-wheel drive. What’s really different of course is that the Kuga will go on sale with just one engine, a diesel. The 2.0-liter turbo-diesel will put out just 136 hp but a whopping 236 lb.-ft of torque which should propel it just fine. Mileage using metric conversion would be roughly 37 mpg combined city and highway.

Ford would have to tackle the diesel issue before adapting it for American consumers but we see no reason why they shouldn’t try. Perhaps they could bring it over at the same time as the new Fiesta in 2010. The company has previously said that it will leverage its global products in its latest turn-around strategy for the U.S. and we don't think they'll stop at the Fiesta. Check out the photos below and tell us if you think this should be the next Escape.

2008 Geneva Motor Show: New Ford Fiesta Heading to America

• Competes with: Toyota Yaris, Hyundai Accent
• Looks like: A futuristic minicar
• Drivetrain: 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine (1.4- and 1.6-liter turbo-diesel engines for world markets) with five-speed manual or four-speed automatic
• Hits dealerships: 2008 for Europe, 2010 for North America

If you think the all-new Ford Fiesta looks like the Verve concepts we’ve been seeing over the past year at various auto shows, you’re right. This production car takes those concept car cues and turns them into reality. Don’t take our word for it, just check out the interior, which closely resembles the concept car.

Ford says this is the first car that will truly be a global performer, going on sale in Europe, Asia and North America. Yes, Ford will start producing the Fiesta — it will not be called Verve anywhere it’s sold — in North America for sale in the U.S. in 2010. Ford officials confirmed that with Cars.com today.

Engine choices in Europe will include two small, efficient diesel power plants and two gasoline engines. We expect the largest of the two gasoline engines to make it to the U.S. — a 1.6-liter four-cylinder producing roughly 115 hp.

The Fiesta’s crazy center console has an auxiliary jack, USB port and a 12-volt outlet. Bluetooth will also be available. Since the new Sync system isn’t offered in Europe, it’s not included in this release. Again, though, we’d expect it to be an available upgrade in a U.S. Fiesta.

Other features include a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, ambient lighting and Ford’s new capless fuel intake. Ford hasn’t released full specs — like official dimensions — but says it retains the same footprint as the current Fiesta. We could also see a sedan version in the future. Our only complaint is that we have to wait two more years for it. More photos below.

Recall Alert: 2006-08 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator

Ford announced today it is recalling nearly 124,000 2007-08 Ford Explorers and Lincoln Navigators for faulty door handles, and 57,000 2006-07 Navigator and Ford Expedition SUVs, plus Ford E-150, E-250 and E-350 vans, for faulty fuel pumps.

The first recall impacts the most consumers and involves a spring system inside the door handles of the SUVs. The springs could break and prevent the handles from springing back to a closed position. Because of the defect, the latches could open during a side-impact crash.

The other recall deals with a faulty fuel hose in the 5.4-liter V-8 engine that can crack and leak fuel and possibly lead to a fire.

No injuries or accidents have been reported due to either problem, but dealers will replace all parts for both recalls at no cost. Letters will go out to owners over the next two months. Contact Ford at 800-392-3673 for more information.

Ford Recalling 180,000 SUVs and Vans (CNNMoney)

Through Ian's Lens: 2008 Chicago Auto Show Muscle Cars

So I started off this year's Chicago Auto Show with one goal in mind for this feature: Photograph the 2008 Dodge Challenger. That goal? It was achieved with smashing success. Dodge even put three different-colored models on the floor for us to crawl around in. After fighting off crowds of onlookers and pushing my way to the front of the pack of gawkers, I decided it was time to give the domestic car companies their due by producing a Through Ian's Lens post that highlights my three favorite modern muscle cars. So without boring you with more jibber jabber about design lines and aesthetic mumbo jumbo, here are the 2008 Dodge Challenger, the 2008 Ford Mustang GT500 KR, and the Chevrolet Camaro "Bumble Bee" concept. A full set of photos is below.

2008 Chicago Auto Show: Ford Transit Connect

• Competes with: GMC Savana, Dodge Sprinter
• Looks like: An airport shuttle
• Drivetrain: 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with automatic transmission
• Hits dealerships: Mid-2009

Business owners will have a fuel-efficient gasoline-powered option for delivery vans in 2009. The Ford Transit Connect has been on the scene in Europe for years, and the recent success of Dodge’s Sprinter in the states makes Ford’s Transit Connect a little more understandable.

Ford is saying the Transit Connect will get an estimated 19/24 mpg city/highway, but official power numbers won’t be available until closer to its on-sale date in mid-2009. At the Chicago Auto Show we’ll hear lots of stories of Chi-town businesses that rely on delivery vans for their livelihood, including a catering company and a wine shop.

Interior cargo room is substantial at 143 cubic feet — Dodge’s Sprinter has 127 cubic feet — and there will be numerous options on interior configurations. We’ll learn more about the Transit Connect this week, but for now check out more photos below. 

Toys for Trucks: Ford's New Trucks Get High Tech

Ford announced today that the 2009 F-Series and E-Series, as well as its upcoming Transit Connect work vans, will offer a host of job-friendly features the automaker calls Work Solutions. Among them are an onboard computer with internet access and wireless printing, a scanner that can inventory your on-board tools, a telematics system to keep tabs on other vehicles in a small-business fleet, and a steel cable to secure items in the bed.

The onboard computer is packaged to fit in the same area as a navigation system. It includes a 6.5-inch screen plus a wireless mouse, stylus and keyboard. With subscription-based Sprint broadband, Ford says you can access spreadsheets and word processing documents from your home computer, make changes and print them from a portable printer. Naturally, the computer also has a navigation system.

The telematics system, called Crew Chief, tracks real-time locations, unauthorized usage and various mechanical diagnostics for other vehicles in a small-business fleet. (No word on whether owners can program their teenagers’ Mustangs to receive the same tracking.)

Ford’s Tool Link has bed-mounted scanners that catalog tools in the bed with stick-on electronic tags. To ward off theft of those tools, Ford’s Cable Lock system comes with an eight-foot steel cable that retracts into a box at the rear of the bed. It works like a bike lock — run it through the handles of your equipment and lock it in place.

Ford spokesman Alan Hall said the features will be available a la carte, though pricing wouldn’t be available until closer to their fall launch. Hall said Ford will make the features “very affordable,” much like it did with Sync, which is a $395 option. We’re guessing the onboard computer will be the priciest and Cable Lock the cheapest, but we’ll report more when we know more.

2008 Chicago Auto Show: 2009 Ford Edge Sport

• Competes with: Nissan Murano, Jeep Grand Cherokee
• Looks like: A surprisingly understated, custom SUV
  
• Drivetrain: 265 hp V-6 with six-speed automatic transmission
• Hits dealerships: Fall 2008

Ford is adding a fourth trim level to its popular Edge crossover. The Edge Sport delivers something the plain-old SE, SEL and Limited models don’t, accessories. The Edge Sport is exactly the same when it comes to the engine and other mechanical bits as other Edges, but it adds custom body-cladding, a revised lower grille and foglights, and revised tailpipes and taillights. Only four colors will be available, the Sport Blue seen here, Ebony, Brilliant Silver and Redfire.

The interior also gets some interesting changes, with each Sport getting dark gray leather seats with suede-like inserts and stitching. The center console is covered in a new metallic material.

Of course, no custom look would be complete without some big wheels. The Edge Sport comes with 20-inch painted wheels standard. Yep, you can go bigger: 22s are the upgrade, and Ford says it’s the first time they’ve been offered on a crossover. We don’t doubt it. 

Ford says the Edge Sport is to address the customizer crowd. We’re not sure that group of automotive DIY’ers wants or needs a leg-up from the manufacturer, but the Sport is surprisingly understated for something aimed at the bling crowd. More images below.

Ford to Buck its Own Trend, Raise Incentives

At a meeting earlier this month, Ford told many of its dealers that it would raise incentives to help move key vehicles in certain markets. The company wants to keep demand strong for vehicles like its iconic F-150 — even while a redesigned model is coming in the fall — and in so doing hold onto its declining market share. Ford’s market share has been shrinking steadily over the past decade and now stands at around 15.8%.

This goes against Ford’s own business plan as of late, which has been to focus on becoming a more profitable automobile manufacturer even if that means fewer incentives. This January, Ford spent $3,182 per unit in incentives, which is down $659 from a year ago.

All the same, with these new incentives in play, it probably wouldn’t hurt prospective car-buyers to take a look at their local Ford dealer. We’ll keep track of the new deals when they’re announced.

Ford Plans to Pump Up Incentives