What’s in Store at Ford for 2013?

The 2013 model season is an exciting one for the Ford Motor Company. Financially and creatively, Ford is in the midst of a renaissance, and the consumer is already reaping the benefits of that resurgence. This is especially true in the car markets, where the exciting options range from sedans to hatches to coupes. In that spirit, let's examine the top five car models that will cause a stir at Ford Canada dealers this year.

Ford Fusion

The Fusion has been a best-seller among mid-size sedans in America for several years, so it surprised many when Ford announced a total redesign. The new model will get a dramatic style overhaul, and consumers will have their choice of three conventional engines or a gas-electric or plug-in hybrid. The base engine will be a 2.5L four-cylinder that makes 170 horsepower. A turbocharged 2.0L makes 237 hp. The Fusion Hybrid uses the 2.0L along with a li-ion battery pack, which lets it outperform the Toyota Camry at 47 mph in the city.

Ford Focus

The biggest change with the 2013 edition of the Ford Focus is the ST, a performance model that many are affectionately referring to as the "hot hatch." The ST is the successor to the Focus SVT, which was available in the early 2000s and gave the best German and Japanese front-wheel-drive compacts a run for their money. The biggest upgrade that the ST brings is a 2.0L direct-injected turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates 252 hp, which is 92 hp more than the standard Focus model makes. The ST includes a 6-speed manual transmission, and Ford does not plan to offer an automatic version.

Ford Taurus

The Ford Taurus boasts a large trunk and a big, comfortable interior, and it is one of the most appealing interpretations of the classic full-size sedan on the market. For 2013, Ford is simply refreshing the exterior and adding an array of conveniences to all trim levels. The biggest change is under the hood, where the base engine will now be a 3.5L V6 that makes 290 hp. The EPA estimates the fuel performance at 19/29/23 city/highway/combined mpg. The standard equipment package is quite nice and includes 17-inch wheels, cruise control, air-conditioning, and a six-speaker audio system.

Ford Fiesta

In North America, there's been a great deal of focus — pun intended — on the 250-hp ST, but in Europe, the focus has been on the Fiesta, an even smaller hot hatch. The 2013 Fiesta ST, which will also be available in Canada, is a 3-door version of the ST concept car that turned heads at last year's L.A. auto show. Like the concept, the Fiesta ST has a 1.6L EcoBoost inline-four engine that makes 177 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque, and Ford has promised 60 mph in less than seven seconds.

Ford Mustang

The Ford Mustang needs no introduction. It is classic American musclecar, and while there is a new Mustang generation on the horizon, the current one is still a top muscle car and one of the best values on the sports car market. The Mustang is available as coupe and convertible and in six trim levels: V6, V6 Premium, GT, GT Premium, Boss 302, and the Shelby GT500. The basic 3.7L V6 makes 305 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, and the Shelby 350GT makes a whopping 662 hp and 613 lb-ft of torque.