The Most Successful and Least Popular Fords in History

Very few businesses have been around as long as Ford Motor Company (1903) or are as successful for as long. Given the nature of longevity, paired with changes in technology, consumer tastes, and envelope-pushing design, any organization is bound to create some truly iconic products. Those same factors, however, can also lead to some pretty notable exceptions, as well.

That said, here is a look at some of the most successful and least popular Ford models of the last five years or so. We realize this is subjective, and some readers may have doubts about the vehicles on our most popular list, while others may defend the ones on our least popular list. Still, this is a good jumping-off point for anyone shopping the current Ford lineup. Note this list is limited to Ford brand vehicles.

Most Popular and Successful Ford Models

Even if you're not a "car guy," odds are you've heard about these vehicles, and you've probably seen more than a few of them on the road. Here are some of the biggest Ford success stories of the past five years.

Ford Bronco

Ford brought the Bronco back in 2021 after a 25-year absence, and the bet paid off in a big way. Sales climbed every year that followed, and Bronco just posted its best year ever, closing the gap with the long-dominant Jeep Wrangler. The Bronco has also earned strong marks from buyers, including a growing share of female owners, a sign the model is winning over drivers well beyond the traditional off-road crowd. Between the two-door, four-door, and rugged Raptor variants, the Bronco proved Ford could reenter a heritage segment and immediately compete for the top spot.

Ford Maverick

Few new vehicles have surprised the industry the way the Maverick has. Launched for the 2022 model year as a small, affordable, standard-hybrid pickup, demand outpaced Ford's production almost immediately. The automaker had to pause orders more than once just to catch up, and sales kept climbing anyway, growing from just over 13,000 units in its partial first year to well over 150,000 units in recent years. Buyers loved the sub-$30,000 starting price, the strong fuel economy from the hybrid powertrain, and the fact that there was nothing else quite like it on the market. The Maverick brought a lot of new, younger buyers into the Ford brand for the first time.

Ford F-150

It wouldn't be a Ford success list without the F-150. The best-selling vehicle in America for over four decades running, the F-150 continues to be the backbone of Ford's truck lineup. Even as the industry has shifted and changed around it, the standard gas and hybrid F-150 models have remained a dependable, high-volume seller and a favorite for both work and family use.

Ford Mustang

The Mustang entered its seventh generation in 2024, and true to form, Ford kept the formula that has worked since 1964: rear-wheel drive, a choice of a punchy EcoBoost four-cylinder or a naturally aspirated V8, and a design that still turns heads. While the muscle car market has shrunk overall, the Mustang remains the last of its kind still in production in America, and it continues to be a strong seller and a halo model for the brand.

Least Popular Ford Models and Missteps of the Last Five Years

Not every recent move has been a win. The vehicles and decisions on this list are here for a variety of reasons, from shifting consumer demand to strategic bets that didn't pan out the way Ford hoped.

Ford F-150 Lightning

The F-150 Lightning launched in 2022 to plenty of excitement as Ford's first electric full-size truck, and it quickly became the best-selling electric pickup in the country. But demand never grew as fast as Ford expected. The automaker cut planned 2024 production roughly in half, then scaled the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center back to a single shift as EV sales growth slowed industry-wide. It's a reminder that even a well-reviewed, genuinely capable vehicle can struggle when it's launched ahead of where the broader market is ready to go.

Ford Edge

The Edge had a long, steady run as Ford's midsize two-row SUV, dating back to 2007. But as three-row SUVs like the Explorer and rugged off-roaders like the Bronco pulled buyers away from the two-row midsize segment, Edge sales cooled. Ford ended North American Edge production after the 2024 model year to free up the Oakville, Ontario plant for other products. The decision was met with real disappointment from a loyal fan base who felt the Edge still had plenty of life left in it, and Ford has yet to confirm a direct replacement for U.S. shoppers.

Every Ford Model Builds Toward Future Success

Overall, Ford's recent history shows the same pattern that's defined the company for over a century. For every Edge, there's a Bronco. For every early EV stumble, there's a Maverick that gets it exactly right on the first try. Ford's progress continues to be a model of reaching for future success by not being afraid to try something new, even when it doesn't always land.

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7-15-2026

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