Ford Wins Big in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 “Best Cars for the Money” Awards

Ford is kicking off 2026 with a double victory in the U.S. News & World Report Best Cars for the Money awards. The F-150 and Expedition both took home top honors for delivering the industry’s best blend of quality and value in their respective classes.

The F-150 was recognized for its unmatched versatility and powertrain range, while the Expedition stood out with its spacious, tech-forward interior and commanding performance.

U.S. News selects winners by analyzing factors such as reliability, safety, and a comprehensive cost of ownership analysis, as well as U.S. News’ in-house experience and the collective opinion of the automotive press.

Winner Best Full-Size Truck for the Money: 2026 Ford F-150

The F-150 offers more variations than any other vehicle on sale, according to Alex Kwanten, managing editor of the Autos team at U.S. News & World Report.  

“There’s something for just about everyone. There are bare-bones Regular Cab work trucks, family-friendly Crew Cabs, hybrids, V8s and even the desert-bashing Raptor and Raptor R. The majority of these trucks are worker bees and daily drivers. Fortunately, the 2026 F-150 is talented at work and play, with class-leading payload and towing capacity, as well as a work- or family-friendly cabin with many available tech features.”

Winner Best Large SUV for the Money: 2026 Ford Expedition

Zach Doell, a vehicle testing editor for U.S. News Best Cars, reviewed the Expedition, pitting it against full-size SUVs, including Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, Nissan Armada and Toyota Sequoia.

“The Expedition is a well-rounded, body-on-frame SUV that can do just about anything you ask of it, whether that's pulling a 9,600-pound trailer, off-roading to your favorite campsite or shuttling around the peewee soccer team (and its gear).” 

Read the full article at US News.