Buying Your First Car? Explore Ford’s First-Time Buyer Program

Your vehicle used to leave the dealership with essentially all the features it would ever have. Not anymore. Today’s Ford vehicles can receive software updates, connect multiple devices, offer built-in navigation and entertainment, and, on compatible models, enable hands-free driving on designated highways. Drivers are taking notice. Ford reported more than 1.7 million active paid software subscriptions across its business through September 2026, up more than 40% year over year. Ford and Lincoln customers have also logged nearly 14 million cumulative hours of hands-free highway driving with BlueCruise. But the more useful question isn’t how many people are signing up. It’s what these features can do for you. BlueCruise Can Make Long Freeway Drives Easier For Southern California drivers, this may be the easiest benefit to understand. On compatible, properly equipped vehicles, BlueCruise allows hands-free driving on designated divided highways while the system helps control steering, braking and acceleration. A driver-facing camera monitors eye gaze and head position, so you still have to watch the road and be prepared to take control. It is driver-assist technology, not autonomous driving. Depending on the vehicle and version, BlueCruise can also offer features such as Lane Change Assist and In-Lane Repositioning. Think about a long stretch of the 405, 5 or 101. You’re still responsible for driving, but taking your hands off the wheel where the system allows it can reduce some of the workload of sustained highway travel. Ford offers different BlueCruise access options depending on the vehicle, including included periods, recurring plans and, on some models, a one-time purchase. Availability and terms vary by model year and equipment. Many Useful Features Don’t Require a Paid Plan Before “connected vehicle” starts sounding like shorthand for “another monthly bill,” there’s an important distinction. Several useful Ford app features are available without purchasing an additional service. With a compatible vehicle and an activated modem, owners may be able to use the Ford app to remotely start or stop the vehicle, lock and unlock the doors, and check information such as mileage, fuel level, and tire pressure. The app is also where owners can see which complimentary trials and optional paid services are available for their specific vehicle. That last part matters. There isn’t one menu of digital features that applies to every Ford. Availability varies by model, model year, trim, and equipment. Your Ford Can Have Its Own Wi-Fi, Navigation and Apps On select models, the Ford Connectivity Package brings several services together. It can include an unlimited 5G Wi-Fi hotspot for up to 10 devices, built-in navigation with real-time traffic information and automatic rerouting, voice assistance, audio streaming and access to entertainment apps. Some video, gaming and conferencing functions are available only while the vehicle is parked. That can be useful in very different ways. A family can keep multiple devices connected on a trip. Navigation can respond to traffic or construction without relying entirely on a phone. Passengers can stream entertainment, and a driver waiting in a parked vehicle can use compatible apps directly through the vehicle. On eligible vehicles, Ford currently includes the Connectivity Package for one year with activation before a paid plan is needed to continue it. Pricing and included periods can vary by vehicle. Your Vehicle Can Change After You Buy It One of the more significant changes may also be one of the least visible. Ford can deliver eligible software updates over the air, allowing some vehicles to receive refinements, updated functionality and new experiences without a dealership visit. Ford says it continued using over-the-air updates in 2026 to bring newer capabilities to some earlier-model-year vehicles. In other words, the technology in your vehicle doesn’t necessarily have to remain frozen at the day you bought it. Lincoln Builds the Technology Into the Luxury Experience Lincoln uses many of these technologies differently, integrating them more deeply into the ownership experience. For 2026, the Aviator, Nautilus and Navigator include four years of complimentary Lincoln Connected Services, with features that can include navigation, Wi-Fi, streaming and other connected functions. Those three models also include four years of BlueCruise service. In the 2026 Navigator, for example, the Lincoln Digital Experience integrates Google Maps, Google Assistant and compatible apps, while BlueCruise is standard across the lineup with four years included. For Lincoln buyers, the technology is less about adding gadgets and more about making navigation, entertainment and highway driving feel more seamless. So, Are These Features Worth Paying For? It depends on how you drive and which features you’ll actually use. A driver who spends hours each week on the freeway may see real value in BlueCruise. A family with several connected devices may get more use from in-vehicle Wi-Fi. Someone who primarily drives short distances around town may decide the complimentary app functions already cover what they need. Many eligible services include an initial trial or included period, which gives owners a chance to decide whether they’re useful before paying to continue them. That’s a much better way to look at this technology than assuming every available feature belongs on every vehicle. See What Your Ford or Lincoln Can Do If you’re shopping for a new Ford or Lincoln, technology is becoming another part of choosing the right vehicle, alongside performance, comfort, space and capability. And if you already own one, you may have complimentary features, trials or services available that you haven’t explored. The team at South Bay Ford Lincoln in Hawthorne can help you understand what’s available on a particular vehicle, from BlueCruise and built-in connectivity to Ford and Lincoln app features. Because the smartest technology isn’t necessarily the newest feature. It’s the one you’ll actually use.

You don't need to spend every weekend crawling over rocks to appreciate a Ford Bronco. For many Los Angeles drivers, the appeal goes well beyond off-road adventures. It can handle the weekday commute, carry friends and gear for a weekend away, and then shed its roof and doors when Southern California weather makes staying enclosed seem unnecessary. Choosing one, however, can be complicated. The 2026 lineup includes seven models, three available engines, and a long list of packages that can change both the vehicle's look and capabilities. Every version comes with four-wheel drive, but they aren't all designed for the same buyer. The current lineup brings several noteworthy updates, including the return of Wildtrak, a new 60th Anniversary Package and additional customization options. So, which one belongs in your driveway? Start with how you plan to use it. What's New for 2026? One of the biggest changes is the return of Wildtrak, but this time it isn't a standalone model. The new Wildtrak Package is available exclusively on four-door Badlands models. It combines the 330-horsepower 2.7L EcoBoost® V6 and 10-speed automatic transmission with the Sasquatch® Off-Road Package, HOSS 3.0 suspension with FOX™ internal bypass dampers and the Black Appearance Package. Ford has also expanded painted-roof choices on select models, giving buyers more ways to personalize the exterior. Another major addition marks six decades of Bronco history. The 60th Anniversary Package starts with the Outer Banks and adds the Sasquatch Package, along with heritage-inspired details such as Wimbledon White and Vermilion Red accents, unique badging, and design cues inspired by the original 1966 model. Buyers can choose the standard 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder or the available 2.7L EcoBoost V6. The Stroppe Edition also changes for 2026. Previously offered with two doors, it's now a four-door model, adding passenger and cargo flexibility to its Baja-inspired formula. Two Doors or Four? Start With Your Daily Life Before comparing specialized equipment, consider something more basic: how many doors do you want? Base and Badlands are available in two- and four-door configurations. The remaining models are four-door only. A two-door has the shorter, classic proportions many people associate with the name and seats four. It may appeal to someone who prioritizes maneuverability and a more traditional open-air 4x4 experience. The four-door seats five and offers considerably more room for everyday use. Depending on roof configuration and model, it can provide up to 38.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 83 cubic feet with the seats folded. The two-door provides 20.6 cubic feet behind its rear seats and up to 52.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. For drivers who regularly carry kids, friends, dogs, beach equipment, or luggage, that difference can matter far more than an off-road specification they'll rarely use. Removable doors and roof options preserve the open-air experience in both body styles. Which Model Matches the Way You Drive? With seven choices, it helps to think of the lineup by personality rather than simply moving from the least expensive version to the most expensive. Base: The Essentials The Base is the straightforward starting point, with a 300-horsepower 2.3L EcoBoost I-4, standard four-wheel drive, five G.O.A.T. Modes®, and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. If the iconic design, open-air experience, and core 4x4 capability are what attracted you in the first place, the Base may be all you need. Big Bend: The Everyday All-Rounder The four-door Big Bend builds on the essentials with added comfort and customization options. Available packages can move it toward more serious trail use without requiring a jump to one of the specialized models. For many Los Angeles shoppers looking for a distinctive daily driver that can also get out of town on weekends, this is a logical place to start. Outer Banks: Comfort and Style Outer Banks shifts the emphasis toward appearance and comfort, while still retaining the fundamentals that distinguish the vehicle from a conventional crossover. An available 330-horsepower 2.7L EcoBoost V6 adds another performance option. It's also the foundation for the new 60th Anniversary Package. If most of your miles will be on the 405 and PCH rather than climbing over boulders, Outer Banks deserves a close look. Badlands: Serious Trail Capability Badlands moves much farther into specialized off-road territory. Standard equipment includes HOSS 2.0 suspension with Bilstein® position-sensitive dampers, a front stabilizer bar disconnect, steel bash plates and seven selectable drive modes. Badlands can also be equipped with the returning Wildtrak Package, which adds another level of off-road performance. If you plan to spend time exploring desert and mountain trails, those upgrades have a purpose beyond appearance. Heritage Edition: Retro Personality Heritage Edition blends modern engineering with styling inspired by the vehicle's early years. Its distinctive touches include an Oxford White-painted hard top, heritage graphics and plaid cloth seats. This one makes sense for a buyer who wants personality and nostalgia to be a major part of the purchase decision. Stroppe Edition: Baja-Inspired Performance Named for legendary racer and builder Bill Stroppe, this version draws on desert-racing heritage. Its 330-horsepower 2.7L EcoBoost V6 is paired with HOSS 3.0 suspension featuring FOX internal-bypass dampers and seven G.O.A.T. Modes. The move to four doors in 2026 makes that specialized hardware easier to live with when you're also carrying passengers or gear. Raptor: When Maximum Performance Is the Point Raptor sits at the extreme end of the family. Its 3.0L EcoBoost V6 produces 418 horsepower, and its suspension, 37-inch tires, and other hardware are engineered for demanding, high-performance off-road driving. It's an impressive machine, but it's also far more capable than many buyers need. If you prioritize commuting, open-air weekends, and occasional trail excursions, another model may make more sense. How Much Off-Road Hardware Do You Really Need? Here's where shopping for this SUV can become easier than the long options list makes it seem. Every model already includes four-wheel drive and selectable G.O.A.T. Modes, which adjust vehicle settings for different driving conditions. You don't have to choose one of the most specialized versions to get genuine all-terrain ability. Available equipment can take things considerably further, with upgrades such as electronic-locking differentials, 35-inch tires and more sophisticated suspension systems. A driver whose adventures mean campgrounds, fire roads and trips to the mountains has different needs from someone planning rock-crawling excursions or high-speed desert runs. Knowing where you fall on that spectrum can keep you from paying for equipment you may rarely use or help you identify upgrades that really are worthwhile. What Is It Like as an Everyday Los Angeles Vehicle? A Bronco is intentionally different from a conventional crossover. Its character includes an upright design, removable doors and roof, 4x4 hardware, and trail-focused engineering. That's also why a test drive matters. If this will be your primary vehicle, consider how it feels to do the ordinary things: navigating traffic, parking, carrying passengers, loading groceries, and making your normal commute. Then consider what it can add when the workweek ends. On a warm Southern California weekend, opening the roof or removing the doors delivers an experience most SUVs simply can't match. And when the destination shifts from pavement to dirt, the same vehicle is designed to keep going. That combination is a large part of the enduring appeal. Find the Right 2026 Ford Bronco at South Bay Ford There isn't one version that's best for everyone. The smart choice comes down to finding the right balance of everyday usability, style and trail capability to suit your plans. At South Bay Ford in Hawthorne, CA, you can explore available new Ford inventory. Experience the differences in size, comfort, and driving character firsthand. For shoppers in Hawthorne, Torrance, and throughout the greater Los Angeles area, a test drive can help answer the question that specifications alone can't: which one feels right behind the wheel?

For many vehicle shoppers, what goes into an SUV matters. So does where it comes from. That makes the latest recognition for two familiar Ford SUVs especially noteworthy. The 2026 Ford Expedition and Ford Explorer were both named among Cars.com’s most American-made vehicles of the year, ranking in the top 15 of the 86 vehicles that qualified for the 2026 American-Made Index. The recognition goes beyond where the assembly plant is located. Cars.com looks at several factors tied to U.S. vehicle production, giving shoppers a broader view of what “American-made” can mean. What Goes into the American-Made Index? Cars.com reviewed nearly 400 model-year 2026 vehicles before determining which qualified for its annual index. The ranking considers five primary factors: Final assembly location U.S. and Canadian parts content Country of origin for available engines Country of origin for available transmissions U.S. manufacturing workforce A vehicle does not earn a place on the list simply because final assembly occurs in the United States. Parts sourcing, powertrain production and manufacturing employment also contribute to the result. For shoppers interested in supporting U.S. manufacturing, the index provides more context than a single “made in” label. Ford Expedition: Built in Kentucky Ford assembles the Expedition at its Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, Kentucky, alongside the Ford Super Duty and Lincoln Navigator. According to Ford, the plant employs about 8,900 people, including more than 8,300 hourly employees. The Expedition’s place on the American-Made Index adds another point of interest to a full-size SUV already designed around capability and space. With three rows of seating, generous cargo room, and available towing capability, the Expedition is built for families whose everyday driving may include everything from school and work to road trips and weekends away. For shoppers comparing full-size SUVs, its U.S. manufacturing story adds another dimension to the decision. Ford Explorer: Built in Chicago The Ford Explorer also ranked among the top 15 vehicles on the 2026 American-Made Index. Ford builds the U.S.-market Explorer at its Chicago Assembly Plant, which opened in 1924. Ford reports that the plant employs about 4,600 people and currently produces the Explorer, Police Interceptor Utility, and Lincoln Aviator. For generations, the Explorer name has been closely associated with family travel and everyday versatility. Today’s three-row Explorer continues that legacy in a midsize SUV that is comfortable for commuting, carpools, errands and longer trips. Its inclusion on the American-Made Index links that familiar Ford nameplate to a long-running U.S. manufacturing operation. Ford’s U.S. Manufacturing Story Is Bigger Than Two SUVs The Expedition and Explorer are part of Ford’s much broader manufacturing presence in the United States. Ford reports that it assembled more than 2 million vehicles in the U.S. in 2025, more than any other automaker. The company also says it employs approximately 56,300 hourly manufacturing workers nationwide. The Ford Mustang also earned a place on Cars.com’s 2026 American-Made Index, adding another recognizable nameplate to the list. For shoppers, those numbers help put the Expedition and Explorer’s recognition into perspective. These two SUVs are not isolated examples. They are part of a manufacturing network spanning multiple U.S. plants and supporting tens of thousands of workers. Two Ford SUVs, Two Different Ways to Travel The Explorer and Expedition serve different needs, but both bring three-row versatility to the Ford SUV lineup. The Explorer offers a midsize footprint that works well for families who want passenger space without moving into a full-size SUV. The Expedition steps up in size, cargo room, and available towing capacity for drivers who need more room and muscle. Now both have another distinction: recognition among the most American-made vehicles of 2026. Visit South Bay Ford in Hawthorne, CA, to compare the Ford Explorer and Ford Expedition in person, explore their features and cabin space, and find the SUV that fits the way you drive.