2011 Ford Flex,Reviews

Besides that, the 2011 Ford Flex only sees a few minor changes in colors and feature content.Outside of the new trim level, an optional power-folding third-row seat feature debuts on Limited trim models, and HD radio is now included with the navigation system.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2011 Ford Flex is a seven-passenger crossover wagon; optional second-row captain's chairs reduce seating capacity to six. It is available in SE, SEL, Limited and Titanium trim levels.

The SEL adds 18-inch wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, driver power lumbar adjustment, a six-way power passenger seat, wood interior trim, the Sync electronics interface system (optional on SE, includes Bluetooth and iPod control), an in-dash six-CD changer and satellite radio. The new Titanium package adds on top of the Limited's features 20-inch chrome wheels, unique interior and exterior styling accents, microfiber suede seat inserts and perforated leather trim for the steering wheel.

Options on every Flex include second-row reclining and sliding captain's chairs and contrasting roof colors. The Limited can be had with 20-inch wheels, power-folding third row seats and a refrigerated second-row center console.

The 2011 Ford Flex comes standard with a 3.5-liter V6 producing 262 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive are standard with this engine and all-wheel drive is optional. EPA fuel economy estimates are 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 16/22/18 with all-wheel drive.

Safety

The 2011 Ford Flex comes standard with antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and rear parking sensors. The Ford Flex's interior quality is top-notch, with abundant soft-touch materials and an attractive, upscale design. With the rear seats lowered, the Flex can hold 83 cubic feet of stuff.

Besides that, the 2011 Ford Flex only sees a few minor changes in colors and feature content.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

2011 Ford Fiesta,Reviews

The 2011 Ford Fiesta is an all-new subcompact available in hatchback and sedan body styles.

Unlike much of its competition, the Ford Fiesta is available in both sedan and hatchback body styles. There are some distinctive Fiesta alternatives in this competitive segment. The Fiesta sedan, meanwhile, has a bit less rear seat room than the Chevy Aveo, Hyundai Accent and Nissan Versa.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2011 Ford Fiesta comes with four doors in both sedan and hatchback form. The SE hatchback is equipped similarly to the SE sedan but adds a rear spoiler and wiper. All 2011 Ford Fiestas are powered by a 1.6-liter inline-4 that generates 120 horsepower and 112 pound-feet of torque. Disappointingly, there is no manual-shift feature.

Ford estimates the Fiesta's fuel economy at 30 mpg city/40 mpg highway for the automatic and 29/38 for the manual.

Safety

Standard safety features include stability and traction control, antilock disc brakes, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags. Ford's Sync system (standard in top trims) allows voice control over the audio system and your cell phone, and it also provides features such as voice-prompted turn-by-turn navigation (it works respectably well) and emergency assist. At 12.8 cubic feet, the sedan's trunk capacity is class-competitive. The Fiesta hatchback offers a bit less than that with its rear seat up. Unfortunately, the seats don't fold completely flat, and the Fiesta's 26 cubes of maximum cargo capacity pale in comparison to the Honda Fit's 57 cubes and the Kia Soul's 53 cubes.

Driving Impressions

We can say without hesitation that the 2011 Ford Fiesta provides the most rewarding drive in its class.

Model Lineup
The Fiesta is offered as a sedan or hatchback, both with four doors. Heated leather seats, anyone? The Fiesta sets new standards for available equipment in the small-car segment across three trim levels: S, SE and the equivalent SEL sedan and SES hatchback. The SE option list is extensive, including 6-speaker SIRIUS sound, Ford's Sync connectivity suite (now including many voice-activated smart phone applications), heated mirrors and seats, a power moon roof, cruise control and a rear spoiler. At the SES/SEL level, the Fiesta can be as well outfitted as many entry-level luxury cars. Options for SES/SEL buyers include leather seating, heated front seats and push-button starting, meaning that short of such luxuries as air-conditioned seats and power rear window shades, the little Fiesta packs most of the big-car experience into a compact package.

This proven engine is mated to a conventional 5-speed manual transmission or an optional 6-speed automatic.

As an entry-level car, the Fiesta remains a front-wheel-drive commuter at all times; there are no all-wheel-drive or higher-powered variants. All Fiestas sip 87-octane gasoline, at 30 mpg city/40 mpg highway. On the Road
From behind the wheel, the Fiesta is one part compact commuter and two parts big car. Ford clearly spent time refining it, and the standard electronic power steering is an upscale touch.

2011 Ford F-450,Reviews

Exhibit A? The large pickup truck market. Despite the fact that Toyota and Nissan never followed up their light-duty trucks with three-quarter or one-ton models, just the threat of such entries spurred Ford, General Motors and Dodge to significantly up their games. If you discount oddball brutes like the International CXT, the Ford F-450 defines the upper limit of pickup trucks in nearly every way. The 2011 Ford F-450 is only available as a crew cab with an eight-foot bed, four-wheel drive, dual-rear-wheel axle and Ford's all-new 6.7-liter PowerStroke diesel V8.

Since the mid-1990s, Ford has slowly separated the styling of the Super Duty from the light-duty 2011 Ford F-450, and the latest iteration takes that practice to a new extreme. One look at that massive grille and it's obvious this is no truck for poseurs. From its base XL trim with black painted grille to our chromed Lariat tester, the F-450 is beyond imposing, with its vertically stacked headlight clusters, cab-mounted auxiliary lights and extended wheel arches. Despite being nearly new, the latest Super Duty models continue to retain the cut-down side glass near the mirrors and Tonka truck blockiness we've seen on every iteration for the last decade.

The switch to enable the tow-haul mode is integrated into the column-mounted shift lever and the automatic trailer brake control and auxiliary switches are located at the base of the center stack. The new settings up the output of the diesel from the 390 horsepower and 735 pound-feet of our test truck to an even 400 hp and 800 lb-ft, giving bragging rights back to Dearborn. Ford will apply the software upgrade to all existing Super Duty trucks when they come in to the dealership for service. In the last couple of months, we have had other opportunities to drive similar diesel-powered F-350s with trailers of 10,000-12,000 pounds back-to-back with comparable GM trucks. Like, five turns lock-to-lock slow.

But for a truck designed to tow large trailers, slow steering is helpful in preventing the driver from inducing any sway while cruising down the road. It's not unusual for these heavy-duty diesel trucks to accumulate half-a-million miles or more before being put out to pasture.