Introduced for the 1986 model year, this nameplate became one of Ford’s most important modern cars and a defining product of the brand’s front-wheel-drive era. The first-generation version arrived with a then-futuristic aerodynamic shape that stood apart from the boxier sedans of the 1980s, and it quickly became a sales success for Ford in the United States. Over time, the car evolved through multiple generations, moving from an influential midsize family sedan into a larger mainstream full-size sedan as market demands changed.
Across its run, the nameplate was used on a wide range of body styles and trim levels, but it is best remembered as Ford’s long-serving four-door sedan. Performance-minded versions such as the SHO helped give the car an enthusiast following, while later police and fleet applications extended its role beyond the typical family-car buyer. It also played a major part in Ford’s product lineup during the 1990s and 2000s, helping anchor the company’s passenger-car business as SUVs and trucks grew in popularity.
Ford retired the U.S. model after the 2019 model year, bringing an end to its American production run. Even so, it remains a significant nameplate in Ford history, remembered for its design influence, long market presence, and importance to the company’s turnaround during the 1980s.