While new-car prices have skyrocketed over the last several years, only recently have automakers started to really consider affordability. Some, like Toyota, are bringing back lower-priced trims. Ford is going beyond that, preparing five new models that will start at under $40,000, including a new sedan.
The first to arrive will be a mid-size truck next year. Other models could include SUVs, vans, and a car, the last of which is a segment the Blue Oval has nearly abandoned. It still sells the Mustang, but icons like the Fiesta, Focus, Fusion, and Taurus are long dead.
Details about the new sedan are scarce. All we know is that last year, Ford CEO Jim Farley proclaimed that the automaker’s number one rule was “no boring products.” That’s a great creed to have, but we are interested to see how that translates into the sub-$40,000 sedan.
While the new car is still a few years away, here’s everything we know about Ford’s upcoming sub-$40,000 sedan.
What Will Ford Call It?
Ford $40,000 Sedan Rendering By Motor1
Photo by: Theophilus Chin | Motor1
The Ford Fusion is the first name that comes to mind. It seems hard to believe Ford would completely abandon it for something new, but that actually might be the case. When Ford announced the five new vehicles, it also said they would go on sale with fresh names.
Last year, Ford posted a job for a “Nomenclature Strategist.” It was looking for someone who could deliver “names that are not only memorable and meaningful, but aligned with our broader brand architecture and legally viable,” so the automaker should have the expertise to create something new if it wants. But the Fusion seems like an easy win.
What Will It Look Like?
Ford $40,000 Sedan Rendering By Motor1
Photo by: Theophilus Chin | Motor1
It’s unclear what direction Ford will take with the sedan’s design. There is a good chance the automaker will borrow styling cues from the Chinese-market Mondeo, which our rendering mimics, but it’s unclear what size sedan Ford will make. We expect it will be a mid-size offering.
Our sedan has slim lighting elements front and rear, a Taurus-like grille, and a fastback-like roof. Inside, the sedan could have at least two screens, with a possible third one for the passenger, if Ford infuses the model with some Chinese technology, but the automaker could offer something more restrained to keep the price down.
What Platform Will It Ride On?
Ford could build its new sedan on its existing C2 platform, but nothing is confirmed. This architecture already underpins an assortment of current Ford Motor Company models, including the Maverick and the Chinese-made Mondeo, which should provide the automaker opportunities to offer a new model in the United States without high development or manufacturing costs.
What Will Power It?
Ford hasn’t provided any specific powertrain details, but when the automaker announced its new vehicles, Ford Blue and Model E president Andrew Frick said the vehicles would be “multi-energy.” We expect the vehicles to accommodate combustion engines, hybrids, and fully electric powertrains.
Whether Ford will offer all three in its new sedan is unclear. Given the price point and current market, we expect the automaker to initially offer combustion and hybrid powertrains before a fully electric version arrives.
Engine sizes and outputs remain a mystery, but if the car rides on the C2 platform, it will likely feature small turbocharged four-cylinder combustion and hybrid engines.
How Much Will It Cost?
All Ford has said about pricing is that the five new vehicles, including the car, will start at under $40,000. Without knowing what size car Ford plans to produce, and who the automaker intends to compete with, it is hard to predict a starting price.
The mid-size Fusion, which left the market after the 2020 model year, started at under $25,000. If Ford plans to continue competing in this segment against models like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, that starting price will likely be closer to $30,000, leaving little room for anything larger if the automaker is concerned about price and affordability.
When Will It Debut?
Now that we are in the back half of the decade, time is running short if Ford wants to launch its new car by 2030. The first new sub-$40,000 vehicle from the automaker is a midsize electric truck arriving in 2027, and we expect the car to debut sometime after that.
