Embark on a complete Ford SUV comparison and find your next dependable ride at Lake Keowee Ford. For this year, the Ford SUV lineup includes the Escape, Edge, Explorer, Expedition, Expedition Platinum MAX, Bronco Sport, Bronco, and Mustang Mach-E. Each Ford SUV is a distinct vehicle that offers something unique.
The Escape is the most agile and efficient model. The Edge is a larger, more premium alternative. The Explorer is a three-row icon with massive capabilities. The Expedition takes it further and makes it bigger. The Expedition Platinum MAX is the biggest Ford SUV available. The Bronco is an all-terrain monster. The Bronco Sport brings the big Bronco SUV’s spirit into a more agile package. And finally, the Mustang Mach-E combines the sportiness of a Mustang with the efficient, practical, and eco-friendly driving of an all-electric SUV.
Discover which model is right for you with our Ford SUV comparison guide below, and visit our Ford dealership to take your favorite model on a test drive.
Before we set forth on our in-depth Ford SUV comparison, let’s perform a quick overview of each model:
2024 Ford Escape | 2024 Ford Bronco Sport | 2024 Ford Bronco | 2024 Ford Edge | 2023 Ford Explorer | 2024 Ford Expedition | 2024 Ford Expedition Platinum MAX | 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E | |
Engine: | – 2.5-Liter Hybrid Four-Cylinder – 2.5-Liter Plug-In Hybrid Four-Cylinder – 1.5-Liter Ecoboost Three-Cylinder – 2.0-Liter EcoBoost Four-Cylinder |
– 1.5-Liter Ecoboost Three-Cylinder – 2.0-Liter EcoBoost Four-Cylinder |
– 2.3-Liter EcoBoost Four-Cylinder – 2.7-Liter EcoBoost V-6 – 3.0-Liter EcoBoost V-6 |
– 2.0-Liter EcoBoost Four-Cylinder – 2.7-Liter EcoBoost V-6 |
– 2.3-Liter EcoBoost Four-Cylinder – 3.0-Liter EcoBoost V-6 – 3.3-Liter Hybrid V-6 |
– 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 | – 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 | – N/A – Electric Vehicle |
Horsepower: | 163 to 250 | 181 to 250 | 275 to 418 | 250 to 335 | 300 to 400 | 380 to 440 | 380 to 440 | 266 to 480 |
Torque: | 155 to 280 lb-ft | 190 to 277 lb-ft | 315 to 440 lb-ft | 280 to 380 lb-ft | 310 to 415 lb-ft | 470 to 510 lb-ft | 470 to 510 lb-ft | 317 to 634 lb-ft |
Maximum Towing Capacity: | 3,500 lbs1 | 2,200 lbs1 | 4,500 lbs1 | 3,500 lbs1 | 5,600 lbs1 | 9,300 lbs1 | 9,000 lbs1 | Not Rated |
Maximum EPA-Estimated MPG (City/Highway/Combined): | 42/36/392 or 101 MPGe2 | 2024 Model Not Rated – 25/28/262 for 2023 Model | 2024 Model Not Rated – 20/21/202 for 2023 Model | 21/28/232 | 27/28/272 | 17/23/192 | 16/23/192 | N/A – Range of up to 312 Miles3 |
Exterior Length: | 180.1 in | 172.7 in | 173.1 to 198.9 in | 188.8 in | 198.8 in | 210 in | 221.9 in | 185.6 in |
Exterior Width (Without Mirrors): | 74.1 in | 74.3 in | 75.9 to 85.7 in | 75.9 in | 78.9 in | 79.9 in | 79.9 in | 74.1 in |
Exterior Ground Clearance: | N/A | Up to 8.8 in | Up to 13.1 in | N/A | Up to 8.7 in | Up to 10.6 in | Up to 10.6 in | N/A |
Maximum Cargo Capacity: | 65.4 cu ft | 65.2 cu ft | 83 cu ft | 73.4 cu ft | 87.8 cu ft | 104.6 cu ft | 121.5 cu ft | 59.7 cu ft (Interior) + 4.7 cu ft (Front Trunk) |
Passenger Capacity: | Five | Five | Up to Five | Five | Up to Seven | Up to Eight | Up to Eight | Five |
Passenger Volume: | 104 cu ft | 105.7 cu ft | Up to 108.2 cu ft | 113.9 cu ft | 152.7 cu ft | 171.9 cu ft | 172 cu ft | N/A |
Now that you know the key differences between each new Ford SUV, let’s break down the details to help you make an informed Ford SUV comparison.
In order from smallest to largest, the Ford SUV comparison goes as follows:
So, if you want an agile SUV that’s destined to make your city drives and tight parking jobs easier than ever, an Escape or Bronco Sport will be the best Ford SUV for the job.
However, if you aim to bring eight occupants and massive cargo on a long-distance road trip, the Expedition Platinum MAX is the best choice. You also have options like the Edge and Explorer to balance medium agility with ample spaciousness, though drivers tend to compare the Ford Edge vs. Ford Escape more often than the Ford Edge vs. Ford Explorer.
This is because the Edge and Escape parallel each other’s priority of on-road smoothness and fun. The Explorer is a more rugged three-row SUV that has carved its own niche as an upscale all-terrain companion.
Meanwhile, the Edge and Escape are two-row SUVs that are designed to be paved-terrain masters. Differences in the Ford SUV comparison include the Escape getting better MPG ratings and the Edge offering a lot more room. Regardless, we think that the Escape is a better choice for drivers with small families and a lifestyle that mainly takes place in the city; the Edge is a more spacious, premium, and powerful model for those who want an edge over other drivers.
Expedition and Expedition Platinum MAX models have near-identical passenger volumes, specs, and features, but the Expedition Platinum MAX is the largest Ford SUV due to its extended cargo area.
The Mustang Mach-E slots in between the Escape and Edge but is uniquely positioned as a sportier, gas-free SUV. The Bronco, though, has some major size-based variances in the Ford SUV comparison.
While its smallest model, the two-door, four-seat Bronco, is smaller than the Escape, the four-door, five-seat Bronco can expand to a size larger than the Explorer.
Specifically, the two-door Bronco is 173.7 inches long, the four-door Bronco is 189.4 inches long, and the Bronco Everglades is 198.9 inches long (0.1 inches longer than the Explorer). The Bronco Raptor measures 85.7 inches wide without mirrors due to its massive tires and offset stance, which is wider than even the Expedition Platinum MAX.
You’re looking to compare Ford SUV models like the Ford Explorer vs. Ford Expedition because you want an SUV that suits your agility and space needs and also provides a powerful and fun driving experience. The Ford SUV comparison sees every member of the family offer the power and performance you crave.
The fastest model, though, does not use any gasoline to make its power: The Mustang Mach-E. Its least-powerful configuration makes 266 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, which is already more than the most powerful Ford Escape and Bronco Sport configurations. Its most powerful configuration brings 480 horsepower and 634 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in just 3.5 seconds.
The most powerful gasoline Ford SUV, and second most powerful Ford SUV overall, awaits within our Ford Expedition inventory. While the standard configuration for the Expedition and Expedition Platinum MAX will make 380 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, an available H.O Tune lets your new Ford Expedition make 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque.
From there, the Ford SUV comparison sees the Bronco score third-highest for power (thanks to its available Raptor trim with 418 horsepower), followed by the Explorer in fourth place with its available 400-horsepower output in the Explorer ST trim.
The Edge also has an ST trim, which ranks it in fifth place with 335 horsepower. The Bronco Sport and Escape have the same maximum horsepower output, but the Escape can make three more pound-feet of torque than the Bronco Sport.
As for towing specs, the hierarchy is as follows:
Before we move on, we’ll explain why the bigger Expedition Platinum MAX has a smaller towing capacity than the Expedition. This, rather simply, is a matter of the Expedition Platinum MAX SUV’s size, making the Expedition SUV’s curb weight heavier but without adding power. This added weight will lower the vehicle’s towing capacity.
A powerful SUV is great, but before even making your Ford SUV comparison, you probably had a desire for a vehicle that’s both powerful and efficient. Luckily for you, the entire Ford SUV lineup fits that definition.
For pure-gasoline models, efficiency is ruled by the Escape (which can also be a hybrid) with up to an EPA-estimated 27/34 MPG (City/Highway)2 when powered by the 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine. The Ford Bronco Sport for sale shares a platform with the Escape, but its off-road enhancements put it into second place for gas-engine efficiency: up to an EPA-estimated 25/28 MPG (City/Highway).2
Sharing third place, both the Ford Explorer (also available as a hybrid) and Edge can deliver an EPA-estimated 21/28 MPG (City/Highway)2 with gas engines.
Next up, our rugged Ford Bronco inventory can get you a surprisingly efficient EPA-estimated 20/22 MPG (City/Highway),2 while a Ford Expedition from our dealership can deliver an EPA-estimated 17/23 MPG (City/Highway).2 Choosing an Expedition Platinum MAX will return up to an EPA-estimated 16/23 MPG (City/Highway).2
A full Ford SUV comparison will reveal two hybrid SUVs waiting for your command: The Ford Escape and Ford Explorer for sale. The Explorer has an available 3.3-liter hybrid V-6, which makes 318 horsepower while delivering up to an EPA-estimated 27/28 MPG (City/Highway)2 So, if you want an extra hit of power and six more city MPGs2 in your Ford Explorer, ask our team about buying or leasing a Ford Explorer Hybrid.
The new Ford Escape for sale, meanwhile, is available with two hybrid options: a 2.5-liter hybrid four-cylinder and a plug-in hybrid version of the same engine. The Escape is also the only Ford SUV with an optional plug-in hybrid powertrain.
Give it hybrid power, and the Ford Escape can deliver an EPA-estimated 42/36 MPG (City/Highway)2 while making 192 combined horsepower. When equipped with plug-in hybrid power, the Ford Escape rules the Ford SUV comparison with an EPA-estimated 101 MPGe2 and 210 combined horsepower.
While comparisons like the Ford Ecosport vs. Ford Mustang Mach-E used to apply, as the EcoSport got some of the best gasoline MPGs in the Ford SUV lineup, the Ecosport was discontinued in 2022.
An electric Ford SUV comparison would only involve the Mustang Mach-E, but we can compare it to the other all-electric Ford vehicle, the Ford F-150 Lightning.
As seen in our Ford SUV comparison overview chart, the Mustang Mach-E delivers up to an EPA-estimated 312 miles of range.3 Even its lowest-range configuration delivers an EPA-estimated 224 miles of range.3 In the F-150 Lightning truck, you’ll find up to an EPA-estimated 320 miles of range,3 or an EPA-estimated 240 miles3 in the lowest-range configuration.
But, keep in mind that the F-150 Lightning has a slower 0-60 mph time and a less agile body for your city drives.
To compare features, interior comfort, and other aspects of the Ford SUV lineup, swing by our Ford dealership today. You can feel the sportiness of our new Ford Edge inventory, see in-depth differences between the best off-road Ford SUVs by comparing the Ford Bronco vs. Ford Bronco Sport, and find a team of Ford vehicle experts ready to share their passion with you when you visit us.
1Max towing varies based on cargo, vehicle configuration, accessories and number of passengers.
2EPA-estimated city/hwy mpg for the model indicated. See fueleconomy.gov for fuel economy of other engine/transmission combinations. Actual mileage will vary. On plug-in hybrid models and electric models, fuel economy is stated in MPGe. MPGe is the EPA equivalent measure of gasoline fuel efficiency for electric mode operation.
3Based on full charge. Actual range varies with conditions such as external environment, vehicle use, driving behaviors, vehicle maintenance, lithium-ion battery age and state of health.