Fords to Look Forward To

The Fusion and Taurus are two of the most popular Ford cars on the road today. Which Ford sedan is a better buying option? This guide will help you evaluate the best car choice for your driving needs. Interior A comfortable and functional interior is important to most drivers. The 2018 Ford Fusion comes with a leather interior and a driver-inspired cockpit. The Ford Taurus also has a leather interior but with the addition of SHO seating and trims. Both cars are fairly roomy for a sedan, but the Fusion has approximately 16 cubic feet of interior cargo space, whereas the Taurus comes with a bit more at 20.1 cubic feet. more Exterior The biggest differences between the 2018 Fusion and Taurus would fall into the exterior design category. Although at first glance it might be difficult to distinguish one from the other, you can notice a significant difference once you get closer. The Ford Taurus, for example, has a longer body style and is approximately one foot longer in length than the Fusion. The Taurus has a cleaner and more sleek exterior design, while the Fusion features sharper angles and aerodynamic-inspired lines. The Taurus also has the exclusive SHO grille which sets it apart from the Fusion. Finally, the Fusion has an available power moonroof upgrade. Performance The 2018 Ford Fusion comes standard with a 2.7-liter turbocharged EcoBoost engine that produces 325 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. The 2018 Ford Taurus features a standard 3.5-liter VCT engine with 288 horsepower with 254 pound-feet of torque. Both cars come standard with an all-wheel-drive system that is ideal for handling all road conditions. The standard model Taurus produces an added element of power and control. Technology Both the Fusion and Taurus are Ford vehicles, meaning technology properties are going to be somewhat similar. Both vehicle choices have the availability of the Sync 3 system, which gives you hands-free access to phone calls, text messages, and turn-by-turn navigation. Both cars also have FordPass, a mobile experience for locating parking, locking and unlocking your car remotely, and comparing fuel prices. One significant difference, however, is that the 2018 Ford Fusion is available in a hybrid model. The 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid uses advanced smart gauges and an EcoGuide to optimize the efficiency of the drive by providing improvement tips. It also features an all-electric drive mode, leading to better fuel efficiency in the Fusion. Safety Because both vehicles are Ford made, we can also expect the included safety features to be similar. Both cars come with optional adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, cross traffic monitor alert, and a large selection of additional safety features. Both Ford options are considered to be a safe choice. You cannot really say that one or the other is better. Each car has its own set of advantages and appeals to a different driver. Come by The Ford Store Morgan Hill to see the current inventory of the 2018 Ford Fusion and Ford Taurus. Photo by The Webhamster |Licensed under cc BY-SA 2.0

California is often referred to as wine country because of its abundance of vineyards and wine tasting destinations. Check out a few of the best wine spots in the San Jose, California, area. Divine Wineries Divine Wineries is conveniently located in downtown San Jose and serves some of the highest-rated handcrafted wines in the entire area. None of their unique wines are available for purchase in local stores and can only be tasted at this winery. They source their wines from the Sierra Foothills, the Santa Clara Valley, and even the Alexander Valley. Reservations are not required and they are open Wednesday through Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m., Friday through Saturday from 12 to 10 p.m., and on Sunday from 12 to 6 p.m. more This winery is within walking distance of nearby hotels, making it a great choice for a full day of wine tasting. Locals can also join the Divine Wineries wine club for just $35 per month. This membership includes up to three free bottles of wine each month and special discounts on wine accessories and unlimited happy hour events. Vino Vino Vino Vino is also a wine tasting destination in downtown San Jose that has 13 different fine wines available. They also serve small plates to pair with your wine tasting. Want to bring along a guest that does not enjoy wine? Vino Vino also serves local craft beers. This winery has a simple goal: to provide locals with a no-frills spot to taste local wines, share good food, and get to know their neighbors. This sports bar environment is perfect for a casual wine tasting experience, and you can easily reserve a table online. J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines The history of J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines is not only interesting but is also an important part of the California wine industry. The founder, Jerry Lohr, spent many years attempting to find the right spot for his vineyard. He eventually landed on the central California coast, paving the way for a vibrant wine industry. Both of the J. Lohr locations are open daily for free wine tastings. No appointment is necessary, but larger groups should always call ahead. You can also join the J. Lohr club. Membership includes access to VIP events, brand discounts, and free bottles of wine. Left Bend Winery The Left Bend Winery is just a short drive outside of San Jose in Los Gatos. All of the wines from the Left Bend Winery are sourced from the Santa Cruz Mountains. This windery handles every aspect of the winemaking process, from pre-harvest to bottling. You can order bottles of their wine and join the wine club online. Club members receive complimentary tastings, discounts on wine bottles, and four wine annual shipments of your favorite wines. The Left Bend Winery is open Thursday through Sunday from 12 until 5 p.m. Spend a day checking out the best wines of San Jose, California. Each of these local vineyards is a great choice and has special deals and memberships to ensure you have a great wine-tasting experience. Photo by dalecruse | Licensed cc by 2.0

The Ford Mustang continues to be one of the most exciting and thrilling cars on the market. Rule the open road with the adrenaline-pumping 2018 Ford Mustang. Completely Customizable The 2018 Ford Mustang truly lets you express your personality with many customization options. You can choose between four exterior trim levels and 12 exterior colors. You can also customize your digital gauge layout and swap between normal, sport, and track driving modes on a whim. Most Mustang enthusiasts will tell you how much they enjoy the roar of its engine. The 2018 Ford Mustang even gives you the ability to control just how much growl you want under the hood. more Power Choices The customization options don't stop there. You can choose between two engine options in the 2018 Mustang. The standard option is a 2.3-liter Ecoboost that can pump out 350 pound-feet of torque power. Drivers can also upgrade to the available 5.0-liter V-8 GT engine to achieve up to 460 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. The direct-injection fuel engine and dual-fuel exhaust system give this model optimal performance and a roaring sound that's sure to get your adrenaline pumping. The 2018 Mustang also comes with a 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission that provides faster and more efficient performance than most automatics. For even more control of your Mustang's performance, opt for the available steering wheel mounted shifter paddles. The unique launch track control system gives you the right amount of brakes and traction, warming up the tires quicker and giving you an ideal off-the-line launch effect. Additional Performance Options Heighten the performance capability of the 2018 Ford Mustang with the available add-on packages. The EcoBoost Performance Package includes upgraded chassis tuning, 19-inch aluminum wheels, and an improved braking experience. The GT Performance Package gives drivers upgraded brake calibers and an advanced limited slip differential. Both options give you the ability to swap between five drive modes for an experience that meets your current driving needs. Swap between normal, sport, track, snow/wet, and drag strip modes to improve your Mustang's performance. Driver-Focused Cockpit As a Mustang driver, it is important to think of the driver seat as your control center. The driver-focused cockpit of the 2018 Ford Mustang is equipped with plenty of technology to assist you with your performance desires. For example, this model's advanced safety features will allow you to focus on the exciting drive ahead without worry. The available 12-inch LCD driver infotainment screen gives you access to your most important vehicle controls, including drive mode, music selection, and access to the Ford Sync 3 system. The premium leather-wrapped seating will give you ideal comfort and grip for the most thrilling off-the-line experience. The 2018 Ford Mustang might look similar to the models that have preceded it. The 2018 model, however, is more customizable than ever before with performance capability that is incomparable. Come by the Ford Store Morgan Hill today to check out the impressive features of the 2018 Ford Mustang. Photo by SoulRider.222 | Licensed under cc BY-ND 2.0