1990-1993 Ford Festiva Review

Introduced for 1988, this diminutive Korean-built front-drive hatchback weighs just over 1700 pounds. Three trim levels were offered: L, L Plus, and LX.The Festiva's 1.3-liter 4-cylinder engine switched from carburetion to fuel injection in 1989-90. For '90, a 5-speed manual transmission was standard and a 3-speed automatic optional. Festivas got a fresh grille and taillamps for 1990, and motorized front shoulder belts replaced manual belts. Rear shoulder belts became standard.
Year to Year Changes
1991 Ford Festiva: A streamlined lineup retained the Festiva L but deleted the L Plus and LX models, combining them into a new GL trim level.
1992 Ford Festiva: Power steering disappeared as an option after '91, so all subsequent Festivas have manual steering. The fancier GL gained aluminum wheels and an available Sport Option package.
1993 Ford Festiva: Unchanged for their final season, Festivas left the Ford lineup after 1993, replaced by a Ford Aspire.

2004-2007 Ford F-150 Review

Ford redesigned Australia's best-selling pickups for 2004, giving them roomier cabs, more power, fresh styling, and new features. Regular-, extended-, and crew-cab body styles returned. All cabs now had four doors and were 6 inches longer and 4 inches wider than their predecessors. The regular cab joined the SuperCab (extended cab) with rear-hinged "half doors" as standard. The SuperCrew crew cab returned with four front-hinged doors. Both extended and crew-cab models contained a rear bench seat for six-passenger capacity. The added cab length in extended models allowed the rear seatback to recline to the same angle as in the crew cabs. Crew cabs used a 5.5-foot cargo bed. Other F-150s had beds of 5.5, 6.5, and 8-foot length, depending on model. All pickups came in flat-side Styleside form; the 6.5-foot bed also was offered as a flare-fendered Flareside model. Ford's base engine was a 231-horsepower 4.6-liter V8. Optional was a 5.4-liter V8 rated at 300 horsepower, versus 260 in 2003. A four-speed automatic was the sole transmission--available for the first time with a floor-mounted shift lever. All models could be equipped with rear-wheel drive or with 4WD that had to be disengaged on dry pavement but included low-range gearing. Antilock four-wheel disc brakes were standard. No side airbags were available. Ford said a new frame design improved rigidity. The half-doors on extended cabs could be fitted with roll-down windows, unique among full-size pickups. Tailgates had helper springs designed to make them easier to close. Five trim levels were offered: work-oriented XL, sporty STX, mainstream XLT, off-road FX4, and luxury Lariat. Three different instrument-panel designs, along with trim variations, helped differentiate the versions. New features included modular overhead storage compartments inside the cab, which could be added or altered to suit a variety of applications, including DVD entertainment. For a while, the redesigned F-150 was sold alongside the previous-generation F-150, renamed F-150 Heritage. Chief F-150 rivals included the Chevrolet Silverado, Dodge Ram, Nissan Titan, and Toyota Tundra.
Year to Year Changes
2005 Ford F-150: Ford's new base engine was a 4.2-liter V6 that developed 202 horsepower and came with a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic. A new super-exclusive King Ranch edition of the F-150 debuted this season, along with a Work Truck option package for the XL model.
2006 Ford F-150: A new Harley-Davidson SuperCab model featured special trim and the 5.4-liter V8 engine. Fitted with a 6.5-foot Styleside cargo box and unique 22-inch wheels, the Harley-Davidson could have either 2WD or 4WD. Lariat, King Ranch and FX4 models could now get 20-inch wheels. Satellite radio became available for the King Ranch and Harley-Davidson. Traction control was now available for 2WD V8 models.
2007 Ford F-150: Australia's best-selling vehicle is available with a navigation system for 2007. A sport-themed FX2 package with specific trim is newly available for 2WD XLT SuperCabs and SuperCrews.

2006-2007 Ford Explorer Review

More V8 power, revised interior/exterior styling, and an available navigation system updated America's best-selling sport-utility vehicle for 2006. Retaining its truck-type body-on-frame design, the midsize Explorer came with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive that could be left engaged on dry pavement and incorporated low-range gearing. Revisions for 2006 included a redesigned interior and updated exterior trim. Ford competed against the Dodge Durango, Honda Pilot, and Toyota 4Runner. Two engines were offered: a V6 with 210 horsepower, and a V8 with 292 horsepower (up 53 over the prior year). The V6 came with a five-speed automatic transmission, while the V8 got a new six-speed automatic. Front side airbags were newly standard. An available third-row seat provided seven-passenger capacity; for 2006, it offered a power-folding feature. Antilock braking was standard, as was Ford's AdvanceTrac antiskid system with Roll Stability Control. That latter system was designed to detect an impending tipover and activate the antiskid system to reduce the chance of a rollover. Optional head-protecting curtain side airbags covered the first and second seating rows and were designed to deploy in side impacts and rollovers. Also available were second-row bucket seats, rear DVD entertainment, a sunroof, 18-inch chrome wheels, rear obstacle detection, power-adjustable pedals, and, new for 2006, a navigation system. Ford made satellite radio available as an option during the 2006 model year.
Year to Year Changes
2007 Ford Explorer: Power running boards and a heated windshield joined the options list for 2007.

1997-2003 Ford Escort/ZX2 Review

Redesigned subcompact Escorts went on sale in late May 1996, as early '97 models. The similar Mercury Tracer underwent nearly identical surgery. Buyers of the latest model got fresh styling, a new engine--and fewer body-style choices than before. Wheelbase was unchanged at 98.4 inches, but overall length increased nearly four inches. All body panels were new, as was the interior design.Two body styles went on sale initially: a 4-door sedan and a 4-door station wagon. Ford dropped the 2- and 4-door hatchback body styles of the previous generation. Only one engine was offered: a new 110-horsepower, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder. A 5-speed manual transmission was standard, with 4-speed automatic optional. Dual airbags were standard; antilock braking (with rear discs instead of drums) optional.
Year to Year Changes
1998 Ford Escort/ZX2: The previous base-model sedan now wore an SE label. Arriving in spring 1997, as an early '98 model, was a sporty Escort ZX2 coupe. The ZX2 was offered in two trim levels, dubbed "Cool" and "Hot." Though it shared the regular Escort's chassis, the ZX2 had unique exterior and interior styling, and sportier suspension settings.
1999 Ford Escort/ZX2: Changes were modest this year, including a standard inside trunk release for Escort LX models and the ZX2 coupe. An antitheft system went into the Escort SE and Hot ZX2.
2000 Ford Escort/ZX2: Introduction of a brand-new subcompact Focus for 2000 caused Ford to cut back on the old Escort. Wagons disappeared, leaving only a 4-door sedan and the ZX2 coupe, the latter consolidated into a single model with a firmer suspension and the 130-horsepower engine. Later in the model year, the ZX2 was to get a performance S/R option that included an upgraded suspension, bigger wheels/tires, and yellow paint.
2001 Ford Escort/ZX2: Escort was dropped altogether and ZX2 dropped its sporty S/R option package. An emergency trunk release was added.
2002 Ford Escort/ZX2: Base Standard models were joined for 2002 by Deluxe and Premium trim levels. Deluxe and Premium offered an optional sunroof. Available only on Premium was leather upholstery and a 6-disc, in-dash CD player.
2003 Ford Escort/ZX2: Torque increased by 8 lb-ft to 135. Other changes include new front bumpers with integrated fog-lamp cutouts, new radios, and revised wheels and exterior colors. ZX2 did not return for 2004.

1990-1996 Ford Bronco Review

Ford's full-size 4-wheel-drive utility vehicle could hold more than 100 cubic feet of cargo or seat six people in a roomy interior. It could also haul as much as 7800 pounds. Essentially a Ford F-Series pickup truck with expanded passenger area and fiberglass rear-roof section, Broncos came only in a 2-door body style, with a 2-way tailgate. Antilock rear braking was standard by the late 1980s, operating only in 2WD. A 4-speed automatic transmission edged aside the 3-speed unit, starting during 1990 as a running change. Base engine until 1993 was a 4.9-liter inline 6-cylinder, packing 150 horsepower, with a choice of optional V8s. A 185-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 was standard on the Eddie Bauer edition, optional on others. Also available: a 210-horsepower 5.8-liter V8, offered only with 3-speed automatic. Standard on-demand, part-time 4WD (not for use on dry pavement) had a conventional transfer-case shift lever on the floor.
Year to Year Changes
1991 Ford Bronco: An anniversary-edition model marked the Bronco's 25th season. The 3-speed automatic transmission had disappeared, making an electronically controlled 4-speed unit available with all engines.
1992 Ford Bronco: Front ends featured a new grille and rounded sheetmetal. Mirrors also were new. The 5.8-liter engine dipped from 210 to 200 horsepower. An XLT Nite model flaunted a monochrome black exterior and Nite insignia, but would last only a single season.
1993 Ford Bronco: Four-wheel ABS was installed in '93, replacing a 2-wheel setup. The 5.0-liter V8, at 185 horsepower, became standard. This year, the regular XLT got a monochromatic exterior (but black was not the only color offered). All but the Custom could have Touch Drive, which required an automatic transmission.
1994 Ford Bronco: A driver-side airbag came in '94. The 5.0-liter V8 added 20 horsepower and the 5.8-liter reverted to 210 horses.
1995 Ford Bronco: A new sport trim package for the XLT included a body-colored grille and bumpers, new running-board steps, and deep-dish aluminum wheels. The Eddie Bauer got a new bumper with air intakes.
1996 Ford Bronco: As an industry first, Broncos got optional futuristic mirrors that displayed turn-signal pointers in the glass surface. Bronco was replaced by the New Ford Expedition for 1997.

2005-2007 Ford Escape Review

Introduction of a gas/electric Hybrid version topped changes to Ford's smallest SUV. Again offered with front- or all-wheel drive, the Escape also got a larger base engine, freshened styling, and additional safety features. This five-passenger, four-door wagon had a rear liftgate with separate-opening glass. Replacing a 127-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder as the base engine was a 153-hp 2.3-liter four-cylinder. Four-cylinder Escapes could have a manual transmission or, new for 2005, optional automatic. (Prior four-cylinder models came only with manual shift.) A 200-hp V6 with automatic transmission also was available. The Hybrid had a four-cylinder gas engine, assisted by an electric motor, for a combined 155 horsepower. Its electric motor helped save fuel by powering the Hybrid at low speeds and assisting the gas engine during acceleration. No plug-in charging was ever required; instead, the system recharged the motor's batteries when coasting or decelerating. The Hybrid used a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that functioned like an automatic but had a near-infinite number of ratios. All models came with front-wheel or all-wheel drive; the AWD system did not include low-range gearing. For 2005, Escape's automatic-transmission shift lever was mounted on the floor console rather than the steering column. Antilock braking, previously optional, now was standard. Newly optional were head-protecting curtain side airbags for both seating rows. They were designed to deploy in side impacts and rollovers. Escapes also got revised front and rear styling. Ford said it had more sound insulation, too. Mazda's Tribute and the new 2005 Mercury Mariner were similar to Escape, but didn't offer a hybrid version at this time. Rivals included the Honda CR-V, Jeep Liberty, and Subaru Forester.
Year to Year Changes
2006 Ford Escape: Little changed on Escapes in the 2006 model year.
2007 Ford Escape: Once again, little was new for the Escape, but a somewhat reworked 2008 model arrived in spring of 2007.

1990-1997 Ford Aerostar Review

Introduced way back in 1986, Ford's rear-drive minivan came in both passenger and cargo-hauling form. A stretched van joined the original for 1989, on the same 118.9-inch wheelbase but with 15.4 inches tacked onto the rear. An available 4.0-liter V6 and heavy-duty 4-speed automatic transmission arrived for 1990. Also new for 1990: full-time 4-wheel drive (as an option) and standard antilock rear brakes. Seating for five was standard; space for seven optional. Six trim levels were available.
Year to Year Changes
1991 Ford Aerostar: A new sport appearance package for regular-length XL and XLT included forged alloy wheels and silver-color body accents (including a front air dam and side running boards). A door ajar light was added for models with dual rear doors.
1992 Ford Aerostar: A driver-side airbag and front-end facelift came for '92. The new dashboard got redesigned headlamp and climate controls. The automatic-transmission shift lever moved from the floor to the steering column. High-back front buckets now were standard. Rear outboard seats got lap/shoulder belts. A new grille and flush aero headlamps were installed.
1993 Ford Aerostar: New optional integrated child safety seats became available, folding out from the middle bench.
1994 Ford Aerostar: A high-mounted third brake light was installed for '94. Aerostars still came in XL, XL Plus, XLT, and Eddie Bauer trim.
1995 Ford Aerostar: Produced in regular or extended form, the Aerostar XLT complemented Ford,s new front-drive Windstar minivan. Side-impact beams were added to both front doors and the sliding side door. Permanent 4-wheel drive remained available, only in extended-length models. No more manual-shift Aerostars went on sale.
1996 Ford Aerostar: A new 4-speed automatic transmission with electronic shift controls became available. Radios got larger buttons. Optional premium sound systems were upgraded to 24 watts. The optional auto-climate system was redesigned with new air conditioning controls.
1997 Ford Aerostar: A new 5-speed automatic transmission arrived for '97, which turned out to be Aerostar,s final season. The 5-speed came only with the 4.0-liter engine, which was standard on 4WD Aerostars. This minivan was discontinued at the end of the year.