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New for 2015: Ford Trucks, SUVs, and Vans
2015 Ford Trucks, SUVs, and Vans Overview
For Ford, the F-150 light-duty pickup is the golden child, earning best-selling status for nearly 40 years and serving as the bread-and-butter backbone of the company's lineup. One would think any changes would be conservative in order to avoid possibly messing too much with a good thing. However, Ford has taken the bold step of launching a completely redesigned 2015 F-150 featuring the truck world's first use of aluminum body panels. And, in a segment where the need for improved fuel economy sometimes battles with the desire for a rumbling V-8, the F-150 adds another EcoBoost engine to its lineup, this time a 2.7-liter V-6. Factor in several other advancements, such as factory cargo ramps and a power tailgate, and you have what equates to a fire being started under the backsides of competitors.
Arriving with the F-150 is the redesigned Ford Edge, updated Expedition SUV, F-Series Super Duty pickup sporting a more powerful diesel engine, and an all-new full-size Transit van that will replace the E-Series. Returning for 2015 with only minor updates are the Ford Escape, Ford Explorer, Ford Flex, and Ford Transit Connect.
While there's little doubt that the redesigned F-150 will dominate the headlines, crossover shoppers will want to check what Ford's done to the 2015 Edge, available as a front-wheel-drive (FWD) or all-wheel-drive (AWD) model. Beyond a simple styling update, this reimagined Edge features several added safety features, efficient start/stop assist technology, more powerful standard 2.0-liter 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine, foot-activated liftgate first offered on the Ford Escape, passenger-side knee air bag built into the glovebox lid, and a top-of-the-line Titanium trim level. Also noteworthy is the debut of an available 2.7-liter V-6 EcoBoost engine (the 3.5-liter V-6 has been carried over), adaptive steering system engineered to require low effort and input at slow speeds, and amenities including cooled front and heated rear seats.
What's New:
Redesigned for 2015
Titanium trim level added
Re-engineered suspension improves ride and handling
Adaptive and speed-sensitive steering
More powerful base engine
Available 3.5-liter V-6 and turbocharged 2.7-liter V-6
Start/stop assist
Intelligent cruise control and forward-collision warning systems
180-degree front camera
Foot-activated liftgate
Front passenger knee air bag
Inflatable rear seat belts
Expanded passenger and cargo room
Compared to several other Ford trucks, vans and crossovers, things are relatively quiet for the 2015 Ford Escape. Aside from one new paint color, this is a direct carryover from last year.
Folks interested in the Escape have their choice of S, SE, and Titanium trim levels, and one of three 4-cylinder engines: 2.5-liter, 1.6-liter EcoBoost, and the 2.0-liter EcoBoost.
What's New:
Magnetic Metallic paint color
Contrary to what its mildly updated exterior may suggest, the Ford Expedition underwent a significant transformation in preparation for the 2015 model year. Perhaps most noteworthy was the decision to drop the 5.4-liter V-8 to make room for a standard 3.5-liter V-6 EcoBoost engine that produces 365 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque, output that's directed to the rear or all four wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission. Maximum towing capacity remains 9,200 lbs.
In addition to changes under the hood, the 2015 Ford Expedition offers advanced safety technologies including blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, revised suspension with three driver-selectable modes (comfort, normal, sport), 8-in. touch-screen infotainment system, and a top-of-the-line Platinum trim level highlighted by premium leather with color-coordinated accent stitching. XLT, Limited, and King Ranch variants will continue to be available, as well.
What's New:
Freshened styling
Standard 3.5-liter V-6 EcoBoost engine
Quieter interior
Platinum trim level
3-mode suspension
Electric power steering
Updated 8-in. touch-screen infotainment system
Added safety features
Premium audio system
Optional 22-in. alloy wheels
Long a favorite among growing families and anyone needing a spacious all-weather crossover, the Ford Explorer carries over into 2015 with a few updates, including newly standard 18-in. alloy wheels and three new paint colors. Ford has also spiced things up a bit by adding an Appearance package consisting of painted 20-in. alloy wheels, Black and Magnetic Metallic exterior trim, leather and suede upholstery, and a special set of floor mats.
What's New:
Appearance package
Bronze Fire Metallic Tinted Clearcoat, Caribou Metallic, and Magnetic Metallic paint colors
Standard 18-in. alloy wheels
Ford's boxy but spacious Flex crossover model enters the 2015 model year with a few subtle tweaks, including new body and roof colors, standard heated mirrors, available heated steering wheel, and standard push-button start on the mid-level Flex SEL. SE and Limited versions are also available.
In addition to a selection of trim levels, the 2015 Ford Flex provides buyers with a choice of FWD or AWD capability, naturally aspirated or turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 engine, and a multitude of safety and convenience options.
What's New:
New paint colors
Added standard features
Optional heated steering wheel
Ford's F-150 hasn't maintained its status as the country's best-selling truck for nearly four decades by resting on its laurels, a point made especially clear with the debut of the all-new 2015 F-150 light-duty pickup. This marks the first time a truck will feature lightweight aluminum body panels, as well as an exclusive remote-opening tailgate, parallel park-assist system available on Ford's cars and crossovers, and a clever cargo management system that includes a set of ramps that can be conveniently stored in the bed when not in use. There are also significant changes under the hood, where the 6.2-liter V-8 is no longer an option; remaining choices include a turbocharged and non-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6s, the 5.0-liter V-8, and a new 325-horsepower 2.7-liter V-6 EcoBoost. Other highlights that distinguish the 2015 F-150 from its predecessor include available LED headlights, intelligent cruise control and blind-spot monitoring systems, and a 360-degree exterior camera system.
What's New:
Completely redesigned
Aluminum body panels
Available 2.7-liter V-6 EcoBoost engine
Remote unlocking/locking/opening tailgate
Five trim levels
6.2-liter V-8 engine no longer available
Three cab styles
Stronger, lighter frame
Start/stop assist feature to conserve fuel
Available LED headlights
Optional 360-degree exterior camera
Park-assist system
Several added safety technologies
Updated tailgate step
Detachable ramps included in cargo management system
Though this year's big pickup truck news comes from the F-150's stable, the larger and brawnier 2015 Ford F-Series Super Duty isn't without its own noteworthy upgrades. Among them are an upgraded chassis, maximum tow capacity increased to 31,200 lbs., and an improved 6.7-liter, turbocharged diesel engine that produces 440 horsepower and 860 lb.-ft. of torque, up from 400 and 800, respectively. The 6.2-liter V-8 has been carried over.
As was the case previously, the Super Duty is available in trim levels ranging from basic XL to luxurious Platinum, rear-wheel-drive (RWD) and 4-wheel-drive (4WD) configurations, and three cab styles.
What's New:
More powerful diesel engine
31,200-lb. maximum tow capacity
Upgraded chassis components
After a decades-long run, the venerable yet increasingly antiquated E-Series van is being replaced by the new 2015 Ford Transit. Like its predecessor, the Transit features a RWD drivetrain and is offered in cargo and passenger van configurations, with the latter making room for up to 15 occupants. However, the similarities end there, as the 2015 Transit features one of two V-6 engines or a 3.2-liter 5-cylinder turbo-diesel, up to 487.3 cu.-ft. of cargo space, and modern touches like an available 6.5-in. touch-screen navigation system.
The Transit also deviates from the E-Series' script with its wide variety of configurations. Beyond the selection of trims levels--Van, XL, and XLT (passenger model)--are two wheelbase options, three roof heights, and single or dual rear wheels.
What's New:
All-new full-size cargo and passenger van models
Replaces E-Series
Multiple wheelbases, lengths, and roof heights
Up to 487.3 cu.-ft. of cargo space
Gas and diesel engine options
Up to 15-passenger capacity
Three trim levels
Available 6.5-in. touch-screen navigation system
Compressed natural gas-compatible V-6 engine
Redesigned for the 2014 model year, the FWD Ford Transit returns for 2015 with only minor changes, including the addition of a new paint color and the availability of a rear cargo cover.
Buyers have their choice of short or long wheelbase, three trim levels (XL, XLT, Titanium), and, in the case of the cargo van, a 169-horsepower, 2.5-liter 4-cylinder or 178-horsepower, 1.6-liter 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine.
What's New:
Magnetic Metallic paint color
Rear cargo cover for short-wheelbase wagon model
Additional Research:
