Cops drive Fords because Ford has a long history (since the 1950s) of building durable, high-performance, purpose-built police vehicles with features like tough suspensions, powerful engines (including hybrids for efficiency), and easy upfitting for equipment, leading to long-term contracts and trust with law enforcement, especially the popular Police Interceptor Utility (Explorer) and Interceptor Sedan (Taurus), meeting specific needs for safety, performance, and reliability.
Perhaps the most common police vehicle on American roads today is the Ford Police Interceptor Utility, which is based on the Ford Explorer SUV. After the Crown Vic and Taurus were retired, the Explorer SUV quickly filled the void and is now ubiquitous in city and state police departments alike.
The Ford Police Interceptor and Ford Police Responder are intended to compete with the Chevrolet 9C1 and the Dodge Charger Pursuit and Durango Pursuit. As of 2025, the only Ford Police Interceptor in production is the Ford Police Interceptor Utility, a variant of the Ford Explorer.
The most significant difference in the 2025 lineup is the focus on "Police Engine Idle" technology within the standard Hybrid powertrain. Engine-Off Idling: Unlike consumer hybrids designed solely for MPG while driving, the Police Interceptor Hybrid is designed to support the vehicle while it is parked.
Ford has built a great reputation for this line of SUVs, with the Explorer name being synonymous with reliability, versatility, and performance. With high customer satisfaction reports, the Explorer is a vehicle that has something to offer every driver.
A "crowd killer car" is a popular, often derogatory, nickname for the Ford Mustang, stemming from internet videos and memes of drivers losing control and crashing into spectators or curbs, especially when leaving car meets. The reputation arises from its powerful rear-wheel-drive setup, accessible to inexperienced drivers who may lack the skill to handle its torque, leading to spins and accidents when trying to show off.
Used Ford Explorers can sometimes develop issues. Among the most frequently reported problems are transmission issues in older models and occasional engine misfires. Infotainment and electronic glitches have also been noted in some years, particularly around 2017 and 2018.
Among the most trusted models for law enforcement agencies, the Ford Explorer Police Interceptor, Chevy Tahoe PPV, Ford Expedition SSV, and Dodge Durango Pursuit stand out for their specialized features and capabilities.
Ford Explorer Model Years to Avoid
Specific model years we'd avoid include 2004, 2008, 2011, 2016, and 2020 (23 recalls), which all have very low owner-satisfaction scores.
The purpose of interceptors is to provide a way to modularize cross-cutting concerns, such as logging, auditing, security, performance monitoring, and transaction management.
0–60 mph: 2.5 seconds
With a limited top speed of 253 mph, the Dubai Police Bugatti Veyron is recognized as the police car with the highest top speed in the world. The Veyron has an 8.0-liter W16 engine with no less than four turbochargers.
DUNTON, UK, Oct. 1, 2021 – Ford's new 5.0-tonne Transit has been deployed as a Protected Personnel Carrier with police forces across the country, having won a national tender to supply 400 vehicles over the next four years.
The 2025 Ford Police Interceptor Utility is equipped with heavy-duty powertrains that include: A 3.3L Hybrid V6 engine (standard) An optional 3.0L EcoBoost® V6 for maximum performance. All-wheel drive (AWD) standard for better handling in high-speed chases or adverse weather.
Here are the 10 most stolen vehicles of 2023 by make and model:
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After the discontinuation of the Chevrolet Caprice in 1996, the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor replaced it, becoming iconic as a police car due to its prevalence in fleets across North America.
Report: Ford Paused Explorer Production Over Magnet Shortage. Tariffs dominate the news for car shoppers, but a trade war has many fronts. The U.S. and China have each made strategic moves in their burgeoning trade war that have nothing to do with tariffs but could interrupt your car shopping.
These model years of the Ford F-150 are ones you should avoid if you're buying a used truck:
Which Ford SUVs are the most dependable? The Escape Hybrid tops reliability among SUVs, earning high scores in iSeeCars rankings for hybrid small SUVs and reliability. The Explorer continues to be a go-to family SUV, especially after its 2025 refresh, showing consistent reliability for modern use.
Australian police use a diverse fleet, moving from traditional sedans (like the now-retired Ford Falcon/Holden Commodore) to modern SUVs (Kia Sorento, Toyota RAV4), performance cars (Kia Stinger, BMW M3, Subaru WRX) for Highway Patrol, and heavy-duty 4x4s (LandCruiser, Ford Ranger) for regional/remote duties, plus specialized vehicles like armoured BearCats and command units for tactical operations.
Dubai's police force does patrol in luxury cars, including Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and Bugattis, reflecting the city's opulence and attracting tourists. The Dubai Police's "supercar fleet" includes vehicles like the Bugatti Veyron, Lamborghini Aventador, Ferrari FF, Aston Martin One-77, and McLaren Artura.
There's no single "#1 coolest car" as "cool" is subjective, but top contenders often include iconic supercars like the Lamborghini Miura (first true supercar), legendary sports cars like the Porsche 911 (timeless design), and modern hypercars like the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+, while cultural icons like the Ford Mustang (from Bullitt) or the Lotus Esprit (James Bond) also rank high due to their screen presence.
2000s-era Explorers suffer from weak transmissions, rust, and other body and paint issues, and 2002 and 2004 models draw the most ire. From 2011 to 2019, Explorers drew complaints about electrical system issues.
Ford has faced numerous recalls over the years, affecting various models across their lineup. These recalls can be inconvenient for owners and may raise concerns about overall quality and reliability. The F-150, Ford's bestselling vehicle, has seen recalls for problems like unexpected downshifting and engine stalling.
The 2026 Ford Explorer stands out as a versatile and reliable family SUV, combining spacious seating, advanced safety features, modern technology, and practical performance to meet the needs of busy households.