Ford Probe
Everyone made fun of the name, but the Probe was Ford’s futuristic ‘90s coupe that actually handled better than you thought. It was built with Mazda DNA, and it looked good, drove good, and wasn’t thirsty.
Ford Contour SVT
The Contour was dull, but the SVT variant was on another level. That was Ford sneaking a sports sedan into your driveway at an affordable price. And this was before Americans loved compact performance sedans.
Ford Maverick (1970s)
Before Ford reused the name for today’s trendy hybrid truck, the original Maverick was the budget-friendly muscle-lite alternative. It was cheap, cheerful, and fun to tinker with. It didn’t have Mustang-level power, but it had plenty of personality at a price your wallet could love.
Ford Five Hundred
You probably don’t remember the Ford Five Hundred. It was roomy, safe, and comfortable. But it got lost in the sea of bland early 2000s sedans. Underneath, it had Volvo bones, making it sturdier than it looked. It was a sneaky good family car that just never got its shine.
Ford Pinto
We know the Pinto has a bad rep. But strip away the bad press, and it was Ford’s attempt at a cheap, efficient subcompact for the ‘70s. Millions were sold and for good reason; it was affordable, simple, and easy to fix.
Ford Fiesta ST
The Fiesta ST is the most fun you can have in a small hatch without spending crazy money. It’s turbocharged, tossable, and grins at every corner. Too bad Americans ignored it, because overseas it’s a rockstar. If you know, you know.
Ford LTD II
Lost in the disco fog of the late ‘70s, the LTD II was overshadowed by flashier cars. But it delivered comfort, space, and big car swagger at a bargain. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was dependable, and that deserves respect.
Ford Taurus SHO (First Gen)
Take an uninteresting Taurus, attach Yamaha’s insane V6, and suddenly you have a family sedan that can humiliate sports cars. The SHO had bland looks, but an incredible performance; it was the definition of sleeper. Many people didn’t know what it could do, which is what makes it one of Ford’s most overlooked creations.
Ford Escort ZX2
The Escort was basic. But the ZX2 coupe had some attitude. Affordable, quick, and surprisingly durable, it was the college kid’s dream car in the late ‘90s. It deserved more credit, even though it wasn’t flashy.
Ford Aspire
Everyone mocked the Aspire for being small and slow, but if you were broke in the ‘90s, this little thing was your savior. It was dirt cheap, fuel-efficient, and durable enough to survive a college kid’s abuse.
Ford Flex
The Flex was that box on wheels that everybody loved in secret. It had three rows of seating, a flat roof, and more swagger than most of the SUVs out there. Add the twin-turbo EcoBoost, and you have a sleeper family hauler that deserves more love.
Ford Granada
The Granada was not glamorous, but it performed well. The car had a decent ride, was a decent size, and was stylish enough to not embarrass you at the supermarket. Ford tagged it as "European-inspired," which was a reach, but the truth is it was sturdy and affordable, and that’s enough.
Ford Thunderbird (’80s Aero Bird)
The Thunderbird of the early ‘80s was a failure; then Ford completely changed the game in 1983. Suddenly, everything was all swoopy lines and aerodynamic styling. It was no longer an American muscle car legend, but it was smooth, stylish, and seriously underrated.
Ford Crown Victoria
This was the cop car that doubled as your grandpa’s favorite cruiser. But under the “fleet vehicle” disguise, the Crown Vic was reliable and shockingly comfortable. You could drive it cross-country without complaint. Honestly, it deserved more mainstream love than it got.
Ford Fusion Sport
While the regular Fusion was bland, the Fusion Sport was spicy. It had a twin-turbo V6, 325 horsepower, and looked totally unassuming. Most people did not know it existed, which makes it even cooler.
Ford Tempo
The Tempo was beige. But sometimes beige is exactly what people need. Affordable, reliable, and surprisingly safe, it hauled families through the ‘80s and ‘90s without complaint. It’s not collectible, but it deserves a nod for being the workhorse of suburbia.
Ford Mustang II
The Mustang II kept the Mustang alive during the gas crisis. It was smaller and more fuel-efficient than the original. It was also stylish enough for Ford to sell a lot of units and save the Mustang nameplate. If it weren't for the Mustang II, there would be no modern Mustang.
Ford C-Max
Ford had a Prius rival and nobody noticed. The C-Max was a hybrid wagon with good mileage, lots of room, and decent driving dynamics. It quietly disappeared, but it deserved better.
Ford Ranger (‘90s Compact)
Before trucks got huge, the ‘90s Ranger was the perfect size. Small, tough, and cheap to run. You could beat on it all day, fix it yourself, and still drive it to school Monday morning. It was many people’s first truck, and it’s totally underrated.
Ford Explorer Sport Trac
The Explorer Sport Trac was half SUV and half pickup. It gave you Explorer comfort with a handy truck bed out back. It was not the prettiest vehicle on the block, but it was handy.
Ford Aerostar
The Aerostar was the van that looked like a rolling wedge. Reliable and easy to maintain, it was Ford’s first minivan, and it actually did the job well. It was the background vehicle of every ‘90s family photo, and it deserves more credit than it gets.
Ford Torino
The Torino had muscle-car vibes without the Mustang fame. Sleek lines, V8 power, and a “Starsky and Hutch” cameo gave it pop culture cred. It was not flashy enough to be a legend, but in the ‘70s it was a cool, affordable alternative.
Ford EcoSport
The EcoSport wasn’t great, but it wasn’t as bad as the internet made it out to be. Small, easy to park, and good on gas, it worked for city drivers who didn’t need a giant SUV. Practical doesn’t always get respect, but it should.
Ford Excursion
The Excursion was massive, like “takes up two parking spaces” massive. But if you had a big family or needed to tow a boat and haul a soccer team, it was a lifesaver. It guzzled gas, but it did its job better than almost anything else.
Ford Focus ST
The Focus usually gets labeled “basic,” but the ST flipped that script with its turbocharged fun, sharp handling, and a six-speed manual. It was a hot hatch that could make your daily commute feel like a track day. A true driver’s car that never got the spotlight it deserved.
Ford Courier
Before compact pickups were cool, Ford had the Courier. It was small, affordable, and easy to drive; it was basically the perfect truck for someone who didn’t need a full-size hauler. Today, it feels like a forgotten ancestor of the Maverick.
Ford Windstar
The Windstar wasn’t pretty, but it got families everywhere they needed to go in the ‘90s. Sliding doors, comfy seats, and solid reliability made it a quiet hero for busy parents. It may not have been cool, but it was very dependable.
Ford Galaxie 500
The Galaxie 500 was stylish, comfortable, and had serious V8 options. Not quite Mustang-famous, but in the ‘60s, it was the family car with flair. Whether you were cruising Main Street or hitting the highway, the Galaxie delivered.
Ford Freestyle
Most people don’t remember the Freestyle. It was a crossover before crossovers were cool. Three rows, decent space, and all-wheel drive, it was basically a family wagon in disguise. Nobody paid attention at the time, but looking back, it feels like Ford was ahead of the curve.
Ford EXP
Most people don’t remember, but the EXP was basically an Escort that decided to run off by itself as a two-seater. It was neither fast nor flashy, but it was quirky, different, and it showed that Ford was at least trying to do something different. That alone makes it worth remembering.
Ford Fairmont
The Fairmont was the ultimate “plain but dependable” car. Affordable and easy to work on, it quietly moved families through the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. It also provided the bones for the Fox-body Mustang. Without the Fairmont, the Mustang might’ve had a very different story.
Ford Edge Sport
The Edge Sport was significantly different from the standard Edge. It had sport-tuned suspension, larger wheels, and optional V6 power, making it actually enjoyable for a family crossover. It didn’t get much love, but it made soccer runs much more fun.
Ford Taurus X
The Taurus X is another forgotten crossover. Safe and practical to the core, it was a minivan without the “minivan” label. It wasn’t cool enough for buyers back then, but it definitely deserves credit for being ahead of its time.
Ford Freestar
The Freestar is yet another minivan that gets made fun of. It was roomy, spacious, and able to withstand the chaos of family life. Style was not its strong suit, but it did its job. And hauling children, pets, and groceries without complaint deserves respect.
Ford Falcon
The Falcon was the affordable little car that kept Ford competitive before the Mustang stole the show. With its wide variety of body styles, the Falcon was the understated cornerstone of Ford’s ‘60s success. The Mustang wouldn’t have existed without it.
