Road & Travel Magazine

Auto Advice & Tips
Auto Buyer's Guides
Car Care Maintenance
Climate Change News
Auto Awards Archive
Insurance & Accidents
Legends & Leaders
New Car Reviews
Planet Driven
Road Humor
Road Trips
RV & Camping
Safety & Security
Teens & Tots Tips
Tire Buying Tips
Used Car Buying
Vehicle Model Guide


Travel Channel
Adventure Travel
Advice & Tips
Airline Rules
Bed & Breakfasts
Cruises & Tours
Destination Reviews
Earth Tones
Family Travel Tips
Health Trip
Hotels & Resorts
Luxury Travel
Pet Travel
RV & Camping
Safety & Security
Spa Reviews
Train Vacations
World Travel Directory

Bookmark and Share

2009 Vehicle Model Guide

2009 FORD New Car Model Guide

FordThe car fleet from Ford for 2009 consists of four distinct models. Flagship nameplate is the Taurus sedan, while a slightly smaller variation goes by the tag of Fusion. Sporty Mustang returns in coupe and convertible variations, as Carroll Shelby and the Ford Special Vehicle Team forge a contemporary successor to that '60s-era Mustang muscle car — Shelby GT500. And Ford's subcompact series Focus shows a sporty new coupe version plus the sedan with new deluxe features.

2009 Ford TaurusTaurus
The Taurus badge goes to Ford's top sedan, which has the body of a mid-size model but the cabin of a big car with high-riding seats for five plus loads of luxury gear. Taurus offers front-wheel-drive (FWD) or all-wheel-drive (AWD) traction modes. All versions stock a 3.5-liter V6 engine, which produces 263 hp with a six-speed electronically controlled automatic transaxle. Trims consist of the new base edition SE joining a deluxe SEL and top-flight Limited. Seat-mounted side air bags and Ford's Safety Canopy curtain-style side air bags apply, while the AdvanceTrac electronic anti-skid device is now standard.

2009 Ford FusionFusion
Ford's mid-size sedan fits between the smaller Focus and larger Taurus. Styling is keen, particularly at the prow with Fusion's bold three-bar grille and projector-beam headlamps. In the five-seat cabin, Fusion adds more standard equipment like an ambient light kit with seven different color selections. Fusion offers two engine choices — a 2.3-liter four-cylinder or 3.0-liter V6. The four-pack makes 160 hp and ties to a five-speed automatic. The V6 with 221 hp uses a six-speed automatic. For added safety, curtain-style air bags and anti-lock brakes are standard for Fusion 2009, with the AdvanceTrac anti-skid equipment available.

2009 Ford FocusFocus
Ford's subcompacts split as a four-door sedan or two-door coupe. The design of the coupe is new for 2009 with keen body styling, a five-seat cabin with surprising roominess, and a four-cylinder powertrain with more strength yet improved fuel economy numbers. The 2.0-liter four makes 143 hp and runs up to 35 mpg. The sedan adds a new SEL model with upscale features like alloy wheels and a leather-lined cabin with Ford Sync, the voice-activated controller for in-car communications and entertainment system. The sedan's 2.0-liter in-line-four brings 140 hp through a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic.

2009 Ford MustangMustang
Ford's pony car, riding on a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) chassis, is a sporty two-door hardtop coupe or convertible. Ford builds the sportster in two trims. Mustang V6 stocks a 4.0-liter plant pumping 210 hp while Mustang GT pulls from a 4.6-liter aluminum V8 that reaches 300 hp. But special editions apply, like Warriors in Pink Mustang supporting the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, or the Mustang Bullitt with engine and suspension modified by FRT (Ford Racing Technology). New gear for 2009 includes optional high intensity discharge (HID) headlamps and 18-inch wheels on the V6 coupe.

2009 Ford Shelby MustangShelby Mustang
Mustang's performance models go by the name of Shelby Mustangs, after racing legend Carroll Shelby. The 2009 Shelby GT500 stocks a big 5.4-liter iron-block V8 engine force-fed an air-and-fuel mixture via a Roots-type supercharger pumping 8.5 pounds per square inch of boost. It delivers 500 hp plus mountainous torque of 480 lb-ft. Also on tap is a TR6060 Tremec six-speed manual transmission, SVT-tuned front and rear suspension components and four-piston Brembo front brake calipers for the 14-inch ventilated discs. The 2009 GT500 appears as a coupe or convertible.

Detailed Ford pricing and ownership information.

For more information, visit Ford cars.