2012 Ford E-350 XL

There are only minor changes to the 2012 Ford E-350. Interested buyers should note:

• The new alloy wheels.
• The new audio input jack standard on all models.

The 2012 Ford E-350 is a full-size wagon available in two body styles. The Super Duty seats up to 12 passengers, while the Super Duty Extended seats 15. Both options are available in two trim levels, the base XL or XLT. There is no way to miss the E-350 on the road. This wagon offers 16-inch steel wheels on the XL and alloy wheels on the XLT. The front end and grille of the E-350 are wide and solid with a snub nosed rectangular grille and square headlights. The hood area is on the short side and the windshield rises sharply from the body. There is some distinctive styling on the hood as well as on the fenders and sides and doors of the vehicle. The door configurations on the sides and rear of the wagon are broad and made to allow for easy entry and exit of people and cargo. This model is available in several attractive colors as well.

When it comes to the cabin of the 2012 Ford E-350, it’s pretty clear the interior designers went to the school of utilitarian design. The wagon isn’t all that attractive or plush on the inside. Hard plastic is the material of choice and the seats aren’t well padded, making long trips uncomfortable. Consumers can opt for the captain’s chairs in the second row for more comfort. This option decreases the leg room in the second row however. The result is trading in one problem for another. The cabin features third row seating additionally. On the bright side, the dash controls are large and well placed, making it much easier for the driver to operate such a large vehicle. Like the exterior of the vehicle, the interior is full of square, industrial shapes. In a nutshell, the 2012 Ford E-350 might not be the pretty girl in the room, but she can get the job done.

It’s not all function with the E-350 from Ford. This wagon is also equipped with an Mp3 player, complete with AM/FM stereo with six speakers. The E-350 has a decent options list. Buyers can add a navigation system, Bluetooth capabilities, and a DVD player for the rear of the cabin if they like.

The standard safety features for the E-350 are on the sparse side as well. Naturally, the sheer size and weight of this vehicle ensure the safety of the passengers to some point. The model is equipped with four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes and stability control. Traction control is a standard safety feature on this model as well. Side airbags didn’t make the cut for the standard feature position and the E-350 is not equipped with that feature.

Obviously, such a large heavy vehicle needs a powertrain with plenty of power to move it from point A to point B. The 2012 Ford E-350 is equipped with a 5.4-liter, V-8 engine paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain provides 255 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. Don’t expect to get away from the gas pumps on the cheap however. The V-8 powertrain is rated to get 12/16 mpg city/highway.

If the V-8 isn’t enough for you, Ford also offers the E-350 with an even larger powertrain. The 6.8-liter V-10 is paired with a larger five-speed automatic transmission. Offering 305 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque, this powertrain takes things to a whole new level. When the E-350 with this powertrain is properly equipped, the wagon can tow up to 10,000 lbs. Of course fuel economy isn’t even a thought. This monster eats up the gas and has a rating of 10/14 mpg city/highway. The E-350 wagon isn’t the vehicle to choose if fuel economy is important to you.

Behind the wheel, the two available powertrains provide the power needed to move the van. Driving the E-350 is pretty much what you would expect. This vehicle has an enormous turning radius and corners have to be taken at a reasonable pace. The ride is certainly less refined than in a car or even SUV for the most part. Drivers should be aware of the body roll of this vehicle.

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