Ford EcoBoost® Challenge Drive

We’re a car family. I say that because if there is a free weekend, you can probably find my husband test driving a car at some local dealership. Or, if he isn’t test driving, he is scouring the internet for cars: new cars, used cars, classic cars… he loves them all. Me? I’m more inclined to go for the pretty car. Talk to me about engines all you want, but I want something that drives well, has enough power when I step on the gas, and makes me look gooooood! Am I right?

We’ve had all kinds of cars over the years and we are in the process of replacing two cars. They need to go. Which means, we really need to get serious about what kinds of cars we want.

Ford invited me to test drive their EcoBoost® Cars during the Los Angeles leg of their 17-city EcoBoost® Challenge Tour. Test drive cars? I’m in.

 

It was a gorgeous day in Southern California, out at Santa Anita Racetrack. All the cars at the event had the Ford EcoBoost Engine. I could tell you all about it, but I bet you’d rather look at this fun graphic Ford sent me.

And now to the cars. The ones I really wanted to drive were the Mustang and the Edge.

I got in line to drive the Mustang first. The Mustang has a new 310 horsepower 2.3-liter EcoBoost® 14ı and Upgraded 435 horsepower 5.0L V8. Of course I chose the manual over the automatic (sad that more people don’t know how to drive a manual these days). I ended up in the yellow car - my daughter’s favorite color.

I drove the Mustang around the obstacle course, being able to speed up and take the curves. It handled really well and was an easy car to drive. The only problem I personally had with it was the fact that I’m kind of… ahem… vertically challenged. Okay… I’m short! I really felt like there was way too much “car” around me, which is odd because I drive an SUV, but I felt very small inside the car.

The next car I drove was the Edge. I really like this car and was lucky enough to actually get on the road with this one.

So, the Edge is completely new for 2015. The standard twin-scroll 2.0-liter EcoBoost® four cylinder has fuel economy without compromising power. For even more performance there is an available 315 HP 2.7-liter V6… the most advanced EcoBoost® yet!

There are some great features as well. There is an 180 Degree Camera, Blind Spot Monitoring System (BLIS), Lane Keep Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Control. It also is the first Ford to offer Enhanced Park Assist… the technology so the car can back into a parallel or perpendicular parking space. That’s pretty cool.

My opinion: it was super comfortable to drive, plenty of room for 3 kids to sit comfortably in the back, luxurious enough for the husband, and hey… it’s pretty. I like the red. In case you were wondering.

All in all, it was a great experience. If you are interested in trying the cars out yourself, check to see if there is a Ford EcoBoost® Challenge in your city.