Click Here to View Our New Ford F-150 Inventory in IA!!

Smooth and quiet, the Ford F-150 is comfortable on bumpy streets around town, over rugged terrain at construction sites, around farms and over utility roads, and on the open highway. Its steering is nicely weighted and requires little correction on the highway making it nice for long cross-country tows. The cabs are comfortable, whether ordered with leather or cloth.  A new FX appearance package is for 2012 F-150 FX2 and FX4 models that includes 20-inch wheels and lots of flat-black trim inside and out. The FX Luxury package adds cooling to the heatable front seats.  Other noteworthy changes include electric shift-on-the-fly four-wheel drive for 2012 F-150 XL up to Lariat models, while 2012 F-150 Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum offer a 4×4 auto mode that requires no driver action and hill start assist. All 2012 F-150 4WD models can now be flat-towed behind another vehicle, like a motorhome or larger construction truck. And a new locking rear differential for 2012 is offered on more axle ratios and 2WD models than the old limited-slip was.  The base 3.7-liter V6 generates 302 hp and 278 lb-ft of torque.  Next up is a 5.0-liter V8 with 360 hp and 380 lb-ft.  The available twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 is rated at 365 hp and 420 lb-ft.  The final engine (standard on the Raptor) is a 6.2-liter V8 making 411 hp and 434 lb-ft of torque.   Every engine comes paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. Buyers have a choice between two- and four-wheel drive on all versions of the F-150 except the Raptor, which has four-wheel drive as standard equipment.

Interior Features of the ’12 Ford F-150

Safety features that come standard include antilock brakes, AdvanceTrac RSC electronic stability control, trailer sway control, frontal airbags, front side airbags, and side curtain airbags. Safety-related options include an integrated trailer brake controller, rear-view camera, MyKey, and reverse park sensors.  The front bench is still split three ways: The center section flips down to reveal a console with storage and cup holders. The console is flat, so you can put a clipboard on top of it and it won’t slide off until you stop, start or change direction quickly. Captain’s chairs on FX and Lariat models, especially with power adjustment and the optional adjustable pedals (the switch is often hidden on the steering column), provide good driver positioning for virtually everyone.  All models use the same basic dash layout, with tachometer to left (no marked redline), speedometer to right, and oil pressure, coolant temperature, fuel and transmission fluid temperature lined up between. On lower-level models the gauges are more traditional white-on-black and, on higher-line models, silver faces with dark numbers that light up green.

Exterior Features of the ’12 Ford F-150

The angular lines of the Ford F-150 mean it’s easier to clean, easier to park, and gives maximum inside volume for outside space. Some bulge to the hood and large grille openings imply power, as does the higher altitude of 4WD models; many models have big graphics to ensure everyone knows what it is. The F-150 is easily recognized by substantial blue ovals, stepped front window ledge, and the tall bed. The front door edge that allows a lower glass line at the front is stylish but also very useful; it allows a better view of front quarters near the truck and means you can have a good-sized mirror that doesn’t limit forward vision because you look over it rather than around it. The view rearward can be aided by extendable towing mirrors, a rear camera, and a power sliding rear window.   Pillars between the doors (called B-pillars) and the rear hand-hold on the pillar may yield an awkward blind spot for some drivers, but everyone should appreciate the windshield pillars (A-pillars) shaped to help preserve forward vision. Relatively square shoulders on the hood make it easy to see the edges of the truck, a bonus for tight parking lots, plow operators, and squeezing between trees or rocks en route to outdoor recreation.

Driving Impressions of the ’12 Ford F-150

The Ford F-150 is among the heavier trucks in its class, contributing to a solid feel and none of that empty metal box bang-and-clang that characterized pickups of old. There’s an impression of substance and tight construction regardless of the road surface or the model. What stands out most driving the F-150 is the relative refinement. Ford attributes much of this to the Quiet Steel laminate used in some body panels.  The F-150 has a fully boxed frame, which is quite stiff and resistant to both bending and twist. The front suspension is a dual ball-joint design while the rear suspension has long leaf springs and outboard shocks. Electric-assist steering is used on all F-150 except those with the 6.2 V8. It makes for lighter effort at low speeds, better weighting at road speeds, never loses assist in extensive maneuvering as when backing a trailer, and is programmed to reduce fatigue from crowned roads or crosswinds. It should simplify engine service, requires no service of its own, and can aid highway fuel economy.

Model Lineup

The 2012 Ford F-150 comes in more than four-dozen configurations, so it’s easier to find which setups you can not get: No luxury trim Regular Cab, no ultra-lux SuperCab, and no long-bed SuperCrew. Everything else is split amongst four wheelbases, three cab sizes, three bed lengths (one of which is available in two styles), four engines, nine trim levels, and rear- or four-wheel drive.

Regular Cabs are offered in standard bed (about 6.5 feet) and long bed (about 8 feet) XL, STX, or XLT grades. SuperCab trucks add higher FX and Lariat trim to choices plus SVT’s Raptor, and a short-bed option (about 5.5 feet). A long-bed SuperCab is available only with the heavy-duty package. The SuperCrew F-150, available with either the short bed or standard bed, drops the STX grade and adds King Ranch and Platinum derivatives while Harley-Davidson is SuperCrew short bed only.

The F-150 XL is a standard bed, Regular Cab two-wheel drive. It comes with 3.7-liter V6, 17-inch steel wheels, black bumper/grille/mirrors, and vinyl upholstery and floor covering. XL includes air conditioning, split front bench (and rear on four-door cabs), locking tailgate, tilt steering wheel, stability control, capless fuel filler and a stereo radio. 4×4 models get standard electric-shift-on-the-fly 4WD.

F-150 STX adds body-color bumpers over a black grille, CD player, and cloth seats with driver lumbar. More equipment is available, including 18-inch wheels, Sirius radio, SYNC, cruise control, fog lamps and power mirrors.

F-150 XLT adds chrome for bumpers and trim, power mirrors, remote keyless entry, automatic headlamps, carpeting, cruise control, power windows and locks, and better cloth upholstery. All manner of options are available on the XLT, including three wheel diameters, tailgate step, cargo management and towing equipment.

F-150 FX4 and FX2 come with a 5-liter V8, black grille and body-colored bumpers, trim and mirrors. Standard are fog lamps, a locking differential, towing package, 18-inch wheels, sporty cloth split bench seat (power driver on four-doors), Sirius radio, and electric-shift 4WD on FX4. Options include infotainment and 17-inch (for more severe off-road use) 20-inch wheels and the FX appearance pack that includes 20s and lots of blacked-out pieces.

F-150 Lariat is the mainstream luxury F-150 and hence is four-door only with V8 or turbo V6 engines. Chrome trim and bumpers highlight monotone paint, and the Lariat adds heated mirrors with signal repeaters and auto-dimming on the driver’s and inside, dual-zone climate control, heated power leather seats with driver memory, leather wheel with redundant audio controls, tow package, SYNC, trip computer, and power adjustable pedals. Options include 20-inch wheels, heated/cooled front seats, Sony sound and navigation, trailer brake controller, rear camera and park sensors, and moonroof.

F-150 King Ranch is like a Lariat with a different attitude. It adds two-tone paint and KR badges, unique wheels, mesh chrome grille, Chaparral leather heated and cooled power captain’s chairs with driver memory, running boards, and power folding, heated, signal outside mirrors with chrome caps. Options are essentially limited to engines, a locking differential, alternative axle ratios, 20-inch wheels, Sony sound and navigation systems, moonroof, chrome tube running boards and remote start.

F-150 Platinum SuperCrew gets a unique satin chrome grille, body-color bumpers and wheel lip moldings, 20-inch wheels, power-deploy/retract running boards, satin chrome tailgate trim, tuxedo-stitched leather power captain’s chairs, wood grain and brushed aluminum trim, rain-sensing wipers, power folding/heated mirrors, and unique console. Options are limited but you can get 17-inch wheels and all-terrain tires for luxury on the farm.

A special F-150 Harley-Davidson edition comes with 6.2-liter V8 only and decked out in colors and heavy chrome trim befitting the brand it’s named after.

Ford’s SVT division offers the Raptor SuperCab and Raptor SuperCrew intended for serious off-road use. It comes only with the 411-hp 6.2-liter V8. Unique long-travel high-performance suspension, wheels and tires, and aggressive bodywork set it apart from any other F-150. A front camera is offered for seeing close-in obstacles or drops obscured by the hood.

The F-150 option list is comprehensive and, although simplified in recent years, can still resemble the tax code to the uninitiated; there are, for example, many option codes for running boards and trailer towing mirrors. Most options are dependent on the model and other options, and many features are standard on more expensive models or go that way with engine upgrades. In addition, prices of options often vary by trim level.

Mechanical options include engine upgrades, alternate axle ratios, limited-slip or locking differentials, larger tires and upgraded wheels, skid plates, towing mirrors, trailer brake controller, 36-gallon long-bed fuel tank, tailgate step, heavy-duty payload package, and Ford Works systems like an in-dash computer. An engine block heater is available to fleet buyers and standard on Alaska and northern plains-state trucks. Other upgrades include captain’s chairs bucket seats with center console, power sliding rear window, rear-view camera (with or without navigation) reverse parking sensors, tri-coat or two-tone paint, moonroof, Sirius radio, sound systems, remote start, and navigation.

Conclusions

The Ford F-150 delivers a strong combination of style, interior comfort, performance, ride and hauling ability. The new engine lineup moves Ford from follower to leader in power and alternatives. With multiple choices in trim, drivetrains and body styles, there’s an F-150 for every type of pickup owner. Click here to see more of the 2012 Ford F-150.

Click Here to View Our New Ford Fiesta Inventory in IA!!

The Ford Fiesta is among the best of an impressive choice of recently redesigned subcompacts. Completely redesigned for 2011, Fiesta carries over with no significant changes for 2012. Some believe the second year of production is the sweet spot: All the bugs have been worked out yet the design is still new enough to offer the latest advances in safety engineering and fuel efficiency. If that’s true, the 2012 Ford Fiesta is in the sweet spot.  Every 2012 Ford Fiesta is powered by a 1.6-liter inline-4 that generates 120 horsepower and 112 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard and a six-speed automatic is optional.  Fiesta is available with a 6 speed transmission that works like an automatic but gets the fuel economy of a manual transmission. This twin clutch, automated manual is the best of both worlds for people who like driving but live in the big city: there’s no clutch pedal to have to work repeatedly yet the driver can engage in authentic manual transmission gear changes. There’s also the traditionally better fuel economy of a manual gearbox.

Driving Impressions of the ’12 Ford Fiesta

It’s quite comfortable in its intended environs. Flitting around town, from the parking garage at work to dinner at the neighborhood bistro, the new Fiesta delivers everything as promised. Of course, those environs are where cell phone signal strength commonly is at its best and most constant, so the audio streaming in through SYNC is crisp, clear and full. It’s tidy size lets if slip easily through narrow gaps in city traffic.  Likewise, it’ll be quite competent for running over to the mall to pick up some kitschy frames for the latest classic cartoon cell addition to the collection.

Interior Features of the ’12 Ford Fiesta

The dominant feature of the dashboard is not the instrument panel, with its analog speedometer, tachometer and fuel gauge, but the center of the dashboard. Ford says the array of infotainment controls housed in a brushed metallic pod and topped by a deeply hooded data screen was intended to evoke thoughts of a PDA or a smart phone; one also might think of the Starship Enterprise or something along those lines. This infotainment system is a centerpiece of the Fiesta’s market strategy. The Fiesta’s voice activated SYNC system uses its Bluetooth capability to link up with a smart phone to access certain internet streaming services, including FM like sites and podcast providers.   Good thought is apparent in most of the ergonomics of the multimedia control panel, with easy to read and finger sized buttons and knobs.  Safety equipment that comes standard includes seven airbags, with dual stage frontal, front seat side impact, side curtain and driver knee, antilock brakes, electronic stability control, tire pressure monitoring system, and child safety seat anchors (LATCH).

Exterior Features of the ’12 Ford Fiesta

The geometrical exercises that frame the LED driving lights on the uplevel models conflict with the otherwise, flowing round shapes of the front fascia and the double creased fender arches. Eyed head on, the stance is solid, with the front tires visible outside of the leading edges of the fenders.  The posterior of the sedan is econo car generic and wouldn’t look out of place on any number of Pacific rim import brands. The chrome strip topping the license plate recess gives the trunk lid a touch of class. The black valance panel across the bottom of the rear bumper helpfully reduces the visual mass. The hatchback’s vertically arrayed taillights brace the liftgate, which is hinged far enough forward that opening demands minimal space behind the car. The spoiler perches atop the rear window like an eyelid. The lip running the full width of the liftgate ties into the upper side character line and gives some heft to the lower portion of the liftgate, contrasting well with a black lower valance slightly more prominent than the sedan’s.

Model Lineup

The 2012 Ford Fiesta comes as four door sedan or five door hatchback, all with the same 120 hp 1.6-liter four cylinder engine. The standard transmission is a 5 speed manual; optional is the 6 speed twin clutch, electrically shifted, automated manual.

Fiesta S sedan comes standard with air conditioning, cloth upholstery, a new driver’s-seat armrest, 60/40 split fold down rear seatback, four speaker, 40 watt AM/FM stereo, power door locks and outside mirrors with new spotter mirror, carpeted front floor mats,rear seat heat ducts, and cloth door panel trim. Steel wheels with a eight spoke hubcap wear 185/65R15 tires. Options include a convenience package combining a CD/MP3 player with remote keyless entry and auto lock doors. Fiesta SE  comes with the Fiesta S convenience package content plus upgraded upholstery, metallic painted interior trim accents, power windows, trip computer, and 195/60R15 tires, still on steel wheels. Option packages include SYNC entertainment center with six speakers and 80 watts, redundant audio controls on the steering wheel and USB equipped center console, and a sport appearance group that includes painted aluminum wheels, cruise control, LED running lamps and deck lid spoiler. Or bundle the two packages together for significant savings.

Fiesta SEL has everything that is standard and optional on the S and the SE, plus rear seat floor mats, seven color ambient lighting, a second, rear seat auxiliary power point, auto dim rearview mirror, SIRIUS satellite radio, and leather wrapped steering wheel. Fiesta SEL comes with 195/50R16 tires on painted aluminum wheels. An option group adds chrome external trim, heated front seats, perimeter alarm and keyless door unlock/push button start/stop.

The Fiesta hatchback has two trim levels, SE and SES. Standard equipment on the SE hatchback tracks the SE sedan’s, as does the available package combining SYNC with a stereo upgrade. Also available is the sport appearance group  and a package combining both packages, both cost less because the hatchback comes standard with a spoiler. Fiesta SES is equipped similarly to SEL and offers the same upgrade package, described above, for the same price.

The 2012 Fiesta SES hatchback offers a new premium sport appearance package with polished alloy wheels, blacked-out trim, and on manual-transmission models a numerically higher final drive ratio. Also new is a two-tone leather option, available in black-and-red or black-and-white, on the 2012 Fiesta SEL sedan and 2012 Fiesta SES hatchback. Single-tone leather is available in plum, cashmere, and black.

Options include a power sunroof, keyless entry keypad, illuminated interior accessories, cargo organizer, and various appearance items.

The Super Fuel Economy Package, or SFE, for the Fiesta SE hatchback and sedan comprises cruise control, partial grille blockers, side air deflectors, underbody shields and 195/60R15 T-rated (low rolling resistance) tires. It is available only with the automatic transmission.

Conclusions

The Ford Fiesta is a fresh entry in an increasingly popular and important market, the small, fuel efficient runabout. The 2012 Ford Fiesta is sure to catch people’s eyes.  Click here for more information on the 2012 Ford Fiesta.