KBB.com Honors Trio of Ford Models for Long-Term Value

BEVERLY, MASS. (02/14/2013)(readMedia)-- Though today's car buyers have a number of tools at their disposal to find the lowest prices in their area, Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com asserts that getting the best deal on a vehicle means looking far beyond the initial sticker price. In its recently announced 5-Year Cost to Own Awards, the auto-research site determined the models with the best long-term value in 22 segments, and three Ford models were estimated to cost less than their competitors: the 2013 Ford Explorer, Mustang and Mustang GT.

For its 2013 5-Year Cost to Own Awards, KBB.com assessed how much each vehicle will cost its owner in the first five years, factoring in not only purchase price and depreciation, but also daily, monthly and periodic costs like fuel expenses, insurance and maintenance expenses. In the Full-Size SUV/Crossover category, the Ford Explorer had the lowest estimated five-year cost of ownership at $48,959, while the Ford Mustang led the Sports Car segment with a projected cost of $39,992. Additionally, the Mustang's GT variant was deemed the best value in the High-Performance Car category, predicted to run its owners $52,896.

"The Explorer and Mustang are two of Ford's most recognizable nameplates, and because buyers know that those models are going to be on the road for a long time to come, they're worth more when it's time to trade them in," said Steve Leary, dealer principal of Thomas Ford, a Beverly, MA Ford dealership. "Not only that, but Ford has outfitted both vehicles with innovative drivetrains that save on gas without missing a beat when it comes to performance."

KBB.com lauded the Explorer's available 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, which pumps out 365 horsepower while still managing to return 22 mpg on the highway in the seven-passenger SUV. For those that want to place an extra emphasis on fuel economy, there is also an optional 2.0-liter EcoBoost powerplant that nets a best-in-class 28 mpg on the highway.

With a standard 305-horsepower V6 that achieves up to 31 mpg on the highway, the Ford Mustang earned equal praise from the editors at KBB.com for its balance of power and fuel efficiency. Though fuel economy likely isn't the first thing on the mind of Mustang GT buyers, Ford was able to engineer an eight-horsepower increase for the 2013 model without affecting the vehicle's EPA rating, bringing total output to 420 horsepower in the 5.0-liter V8 engine.

"Buyers may be less likely to consider fuel efficiency when looking at performance-focused vehicles like SUVs and sports cars, but the Explorer and Mustang prove that gas mileage has a big effect on value regardless of the segment," noted Leary. "Ford has more vehicles that meet or surpass 40 mpg than any other automaker, so its other cars tend to steal the headlines, but the fuel economies of the Explorer and Mustang are just as impressive, considering their capabilities."

About Thomas Ford:

Thomas Ford, located in Beverly, has been a fixture in the North Shore of Massachusetts for more than 40 years. They base their success on their dedicated sales and Ford service departments' commitment to customer satisfaction. It's never been a better time to be a Ford owner, and Thomas Ford encourages you to stop by their dealership to discover why. For more information, call them at 978-922-0059, visit their website at www.thomasford.com, like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ThomasFordAuto or stop by their dealership at 211 Rantoul Street in Beverly, Massachusetts.