Ford SUVs: Throughout History and To Your Driveway

Sport Utility Vehicles are becoming more and more the norm on American roads, whereas just a generation ago, they were not nearly as commonplace. There is a very good reason for that. The SUV has so many possible sizes and configurations that the modern vehicle buyer has a plethora of options. Between makes, models, sizes, trim levels and packages, you have literally thousands of SUV options. Among those many options are Ford SUVs.

Ford has been in the automobile market for well over a century. In the United States, the name Henry Ford is synonymous with the advent of the American automobile. However, Ford did not introduce their first SUV until the 1966 Ford Bronco. At that point, the SUV had been around, in some capacity, since before WWII. It would take another half-century before the SUV would claim the spot as the largest automotive market in the world.
Ford SUVs are a large part of that market, and we don’t just mean in terms of vehicle size. In the years since the Ford Bronco’s introduction, Ford has released nearly two dozen SUV models, not including trim levels and special editions. Take a look below at three of the most popular models. When you are done, head over to King’s Ford and get a look at the newest generations of these popular SUV models for yourself.

Ford Explorer

The quintessential Ford SUV, the Ford Explorer, has been around since 1991. Since then, it has sold more than 7 million vehicles, making it one of the most popular SUVs of all time. If you take a look at the 2019 Ford Explorer, you can see why this SUV is so popular.

The 2019 Ford Explorer comes in five trim levels – base, XLT, Limited, Sport and Platinum. The base model comes with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, which gets 290 horsepower and 255 lb-ft of torque. This SUV can tow up to 5,000 pounds, if necessary.
It comes with a load of available features, useful for infotainment and safety. Among these are a Rear View Camera, second-row bucket seats, 21 cubic feet of rear cargo space and 12 premium speakers. And these short few items are just some of the hundreds of available features the 2019 Ford Explorer has to offer. Depending on the trim level and packages you select, you can customize this SUV in any one of hundreds of configurations.

If you are looking for utility, comfort, entertainment or safety, the 2019 Ford Explorer has it all. And best of all, it has everything you need wrapped up in one popular package.

Ford Expedition

If the Ford Explorer is just not quite big enough for you, the Ford Expedition should be more than enough space. This massive SUV debuted in 1997 and is the largest of the Ford SUV line. And it got a little bit larger for 2019.

The 2019 Ford Expedition comes with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that gets 375 horsepower and 770 lb-ft of torque, all paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Even with all of that muscle under the hood, it still gets an impressive 24 miles per gallon on the highway. That is pretty good for a vehicle of that sheer size and weight.

It comes with a standard length of 210 inches. However, for 2019, the Ford Expedition also comes in a new format, the Ford Expedition max. This version extends the length, which in turn, extends the overall size of the interior. With the regular size Expedition, the interior is 105 cubic feet of space. With the 2019 Ford Expedition Max, the interior volume extends to 121.5 cubic feet, which is as much as you will find in any full sized SUV.
Much like the Explorer, the 2019 Ford Expedition comes loaded with features. What better way to enjoy all of that space than with all the entertainment features a modern SUV can offer? This model comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you can integrate your smartphone into its infotainment system, instantly having access to your own music playlists or favorite podcasts. It also has four USB ports and an available entertainment system into the back headrests of the front set. You can easily have all of the comforts of home in a SUV that is nearly the size of your house.

Ford Escape

The 2019 Ford Expedition may be too much vehicle for some people. If you are looking for a cozier fit, look no further than the 2019 Ford Escape. This crossover SUV has all the style and cargo space of a typical SUV, but it maintains the handling and agility of a car.

The 2019 Ford Escape comes with three different engine options, all depending on the trim level you choose. The base model gets a 2.5 liter inline-4 cylinder engine with 168 horsepower. The 1.5 liter inline-4 cylinder gets a little more horsepower at 179, but gets the best gas mileage of the three, at 30 miles per gallon on the highway. The most powerful is the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 cylinder, which reaches 245 horsepower. All three come paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While admittedly not as powerful as the engines on the Explorer or Expedition, they don’t really need to be. They are perfectly suited for getting around town with adequate speed, muscle, and fuel efficiency.

As with other Ford SUV models, the 2019 Ford Escape gets plenty of technical treats. It comes standard with a rearview camera and a 4.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Available features include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio and a ton of safety features. Some of these include Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Collision Traffic Alert, Active Park Assist and Lane Keep Assist. These safety features will keep even the most astute drivers from having mishaps that could injure your Escape, or far worse, your passengers.

King’s Ford

Note that these are only three of the SUVs Ford has produced in its long, storied history. Many more have been released and discontinued. Some other current Ford SUVs include the Everest, the Flex and the Kuga. Those are also fine SUVs and worth a second look. And because Ford is well known and highly regarded for its ability to create long-lasting vehicles, many former Ford SUVs can still be found as used or certified pre-owned in great working condition.

However, if you are looking into Ford SUVs and wondering what exactly makes them among the most popular in the world, we invite you to come down to King’s Ford and check out these amazing models in person. Our friendly and knowledgeable sales staff will be happy to show you the ins and outs of each sport utility vehicle we have on our lot. From under the hood to the spacious interiors and the state-of-the-art technology, our sales staff can walk you everything you could possibly need to know about these Ford SUVs.

If you can’t make it down immediately, check these vehicles out in our online showroom. It is open all day, every day, and features information, specs and pricing for all of our vehicles. But, do yourself a favor and come down and see these beautiful SUVs in person. You won’t be disappointed.