What Are the Different Sizes of SUV?

At Kings Ford, we have customers coming in every day who are confused about what type of SUV to buy. With so many options on the market these days, who could blame them? SUVs range in size from mini to mammoth, including subcompact crossovers, compact crossovers, midsize crossovers, full-size crossovers, compact SUVs, midsize SUVs, and finally full-size SUVs. The best SUV for you depends on your lifestyle. Here’s a brief look at the evolution of the SUV and some questions to ask yourself before shopping around.

From the Assembly Line to Today’s SUVs

On a typical commute to work, it’s not unlikely to see dozens to hundreds of different auto makes, models, and body types riding beside you. Back when the automobile industry was first developing, there were tons of prototypes using various power sources and built for a range of purposes. As auto conglomerates grew and took over the market, the auto-making business began to coalesce into more uniform operations, culminating in Ford’s assembly line.

The assembly line meant a greater number of identical vehicles could be produced, leading to standardization and streamlined processes. In the twenty-first century, new makers have entered the market, bringing more diverse styles with their own distinctive characteristics. There is arguably no vehicle more representative of the modern age than the ever-popular SUV. Descending from a long line of family vehicles, the SUV is the epitome of comfort and convenience.

But, people always ask what is the best SUV? After a bit of deeper inspection, it’s clear that Ford offers the best lineup of SUVs.

Ford SUVs, a Masterpiece in the Making

Today’s Ford SUVs represent the culmination of a 100-year process that refined driving technology, evolving it from science to art. When someone hears the name Ford, the first things to come to mind are ingenuity and hard work––the will to get things done. Henry Ford was a humble farm boy who was struck by inspiration when he saw a road engine (one of the modern car’s early ancestors). His initial engineering experiments were pragmatic in nature, following in the footsteps of those who had come before him. By utilizing steam as a power source, Ford developed his firstv tractor for farm use, followed by a steam car.

However, Ford was not exactly enthralled by the use of steam power. He noticed early on that having a boiler in a vehicle makes for a potentially deadly proposition. To solve this issue, Ford went on to develop his first true gas-powered automobile, which was built on four bicycle wheels called the quadricycle. Before starting up his own company, Ford spent about a year working for the Detroit Automobile Company. The rest is history.

Ford became known for its innovative factory assembly lines responsible for the creation of the Model-T, one of the first truly mass-produced vehicles. However, the Ford Company was never one to rest on its laurels. Through the course of time, Ford has maintained momentum towards the perfection of the family automobile. While Ford’s initial Model-T could comfortably seat four, considerable changes have come in terms of size, passenger space, and of course, technology.

Because SUVs are so popular, there are lots of questions to consider when choosing the right fit. You may be wondering:

What Is the Best SUV?

This question is paramount in your next vehicle search. You can rank SUVs by many statistics and parameters. SUVs are typically divided into sizes for comparison with lots of overlap between similar competitors from different brands. Ford SUVs offer several features that stand out from the pack, making them the envy of other car manufacturers.

Ford SUVs feature EcoBoost engines, which provide a smooth ride and superior gas mileage. These engines utilize a patented direct-injection, turbocharged technology, often paired with automatic start-stop technology for maximum efficiency. Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing automatically regulates the intake and exhaust valves while the vehicle is running. Direct fuel injection shoots the exact amount of gas required into the engine, reducing waste, so you don’t have to visit the pump as often. Ford’s whole engine system is turbocharged, with the coupled turbine and compressor pressurizing the intake air to create immediate force in the engine and unparalleled performance.

Ford vehicles also feature safety technology that’s hard to beat, even when reviewing more expensive competitors. The Ford Co-Pilot360 is a multifaceted system that incorporates multiple safety features into one cohesive unit. The name refers to the fact that this system provides 360-degree protection. Consider yourself as safe as if you had a keen passenger riding along with you, watching your back at every turn.

The Ford Co-Pilot360 system includes blind spot information and lane-keeping technology to ensure that you are protected during some of the most dangerous maneuvers done on the road: changing lanes and facing other drivers who may accidentally drift into your lane. Even at seemingly safe low-speed situations, Ford SUVs help you stay safe and avoid complacency.

A rearview camera helps to prevent costly accidents and protect you against limited visibility as you back up your large vehicle. The rearview camera system is anchored by automatic emergency braking, which can detect pedestrians and apply the breaks automatically to avoid any vehicles ahead or unsuspecting walkers. Ford SUVs are ahead of the curve in providing a range of features that are the most effective in keeping you safe.

What Are the Different Sizes of SUV?

As the family vehicle evolved from the trusted station wagon to the basic minivan and, eventually, the modern SUV, the consumer mindset has seen a shift. The station wagon and minivan had fewer sizes to choose from, and models were fairly standard. In today’s modern world, drivers have endless options available at their fingertips, and most are all about customization.

Now, a range of SUV sizes starting at various price-points are available. The wide array of sizes begins with sub-compact or extra small SUVs. Its small size doesn’t offer more than two rows of seating and contains minimal cargo space, with the added benefit of maneuverability that you’d find in a sedan. Ford’s subcompact offering is the EcoSport. Its sleek and well-designed layout maximizes the space it has for both storage and passengers. The next step up from the subcompact is the small or compact SUV. For Ford, this is covered by the Escape. The Ford Escape Packs a punch, offering many luxury features, including a head-up display and selectable drive modes. You can opt to have hybrid technology, further increasing its efficiency for the environmentally conscious driver.

Next comes midsize SUVs. Shedding their compact size for increased passenger and cargo areas, Ford’s midsize SUV is the Edge. It comfortably fits five and has 4 model choices, ranging from the economical SE all the way up to the high-end ST-Line and the Titanium. This SUV comes directly from the Ford Performance team and showcases 335 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque from a 2.7-liter V6 turbocharged EcoBoost Engine. The ST-Line even has a “push to launch” feature that puts the car into Sport mode for high-performance driving.

On the larger end of the spectrum, you’ll find the mid-sized Explorer. This is one of the more commonly seen SUVs out there because of its sleek design. You will often see the Explorer in use by local police forces for their increased size of the old interceptors and their high performance. This SUV comes with auto high-beams headlamps and smart technology as well as generous cargo and passenger space.

Finally, Ford’s largest SUV class includes the impressive Expedition. This hulk of an SUV stands out with a sleek design and a mammoth figure. It has best-in-class legroom across three rows of seating and a massive amount of cargo space. The Expedition’s engine offers amazing performance despite its large size, meaning you never have to compromise form or function.

2022 Ford EcoSport – Subcompact Sophistication

If you’re looking for a great crossover SUV that won’t threaten to take over your life, then the subcompact EcoSport is a fantastic choice. This is Ford’s smallest overall option, but you still get all of the functionality that you expect from an SUV. It has a wheelbase just over 99 inches long and measures about 161 inches in total length and about 70 inches in width, plus an impressive engine and fun performance.

Inside the EcoSport, you get plenty of room for whatever you need, though it has the smallest interior dimensions in Ford’s SUV lineup. This is a two-row model with seating for up to five people and about 91 cu.ft. of total passenger room inside. For your cargo, you get nearly 21 cu.ft. of space behind the rear seats and up to 50 cu.ft. of total cargo volume inside the EcoSport behind the front row of seats.

2022 Ford Bronco Sport – Subcompact Adventurer

For something similar in size to the EcoSport, but with an adventurous spirit that’s perfect for taking off-road, consider the Bronco Sport. This is one of Ford’s latest options, and it gives you the incredible trail-ready performance of the Bronco in a smaller package. It’s a bit larger overall than the EcoSport, but not by a huge margin: it has a 105-inch wheelbase and measures 172 inches in length and about 74 inches in width.

Inside the Ford Bronco Sport, you get two rows of seating with more than 105 cu. ft. of total passenger space available. For everything you need on the trail, you get about 32 cu.ft. of rear cargo volume and more than 65 cu.ft. of total cargo space available behind the front seats. With standard 4×4 and a couple of different engine options, the Bronco Sport is powerful, sporty, and the perfect companion for hiking, camping, or a weekend off-road.

2022 Ford Escape – Compact and Reliable

If you’re looking for an SUV that’s larger than the EcoSport, but still small enough to fit into a modest lifestyle, then the Escape is a great choice. This is a compact option, so it’s still quite small for an SUV, but it gives you more room inside to enjoy. In terms of overall size, it has a wheelbase of just over 106 inches and measures about 181 inches in total length and 74 inches in width, making it bigger than the Bronco Sport too.

This is still a two-row model with seating for five passengers, but you and your guests will have more room to stretch out in and enjoy: it has 104 cu.ft. of total passenger volume inside. When it comes to loading up with the things you need to take with you, the Escape gives you about 37 cu.ft. of cargo space behind the rear seats and more than 65 cu.ft. of total cargo volume behind the front seats. The Escape has hybrid and plug-in hybrid models available, which have a bit less space inside due to some differences in design, so keep that in mind.

2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E – Compact and Electric

Not only is the Mustang Mach-E an innovative and exciting new all-electric option from Ford, but it’s also a fantastic choice for a compact SUV. Somewhat similar in size to the Escape, you get a driving experience that surpasses most other vehicles on the road, with up to 634 lb-ft of instant torque and up to 480 hp that is incredibly exhilarating. In terms of size, the Mustang Mach-E has a 117-inch wheelbase and measures just over 185 inches in total length and about 74 inches in width.

As a compact model, the Mustang Mach-E has two rows of seating for up to five people and plenty of room inside for your passengers and cargo alike. Your friends and family will have about 101 cu.ft. of total volume to stretch out in, quite similar to the Escape. For your cargo, you get nearly 60 cu.ft. of space behind the front seats and about 30 cu.ft. of cargo volume behind the back seats. With up to 314 miles of estimated range from a full charge, the Ford Mustang Mach-E is redefining everything we expect from a compact SUV.

2022 Ford Bronco – Midsize Adventurer

If you’re looking for a midsize SUV, then Ford has you covered with three different options, the newest of which is the remarkable return of the Ford Bronco. This is the definitive off-road SUV with incredible performance and capability that puts trail-ready models from other brands to shame. There are two-door and four-door options available, and the spacious four-door version features a 116-inch wheelbase; it measures nearly 200 inches in total length and about 80 inches in width.

This is an incredibly capable off-road SUV with numerous engines on offer, a standard 4×4 design, and a High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension (HOSS) system that eats up any trail. Although this is a midsize model, it still has two rows of seating for up to five passengers, with more than 103 cu.ft of total passenger volume in hard-top models. In terms of storage, you can get over 35 cu.ft. of cargo volume in the rear of the Bronco, with more than 77 cu.ft. of total cargo space in most hard-top models. This is an amazing midsize option designed to go anywhere and let you take everything you need with you.

2022 Ford Edge – Midsize Dependability

If you’re not interested in going off-road but still want a fantastic two-row midsize option, then the Ford Edge is a perfect choice. Although Ford offers numerous trims, every Edge comes with all-wheel drive standard, with an available twin-turbocharged V6 engine for incredible performance. While it’s a midsize model similar to the Bronco, it’s a bit smaller in overall size with a 112-inch wheelbase, a total length of about 188 inches, and a width of about 76 inches.

Inside the Ford Edge, you get plenty of room for your friends and for the stuff you need to bring along with you. This is still a two-row model with seating for up to five passengers, designed with nearly 114 cu.ft. of passenger volume. You get almost 40 cu.ft. of cargo space behind the rear seats and more than 73 cu.ft. of total cargo space behind the front row.

2022 Ford Explorer – Midsize and Three Rows

This is something a bit unusual: a midsize SUV that has seating beyond the two rows that you typically find in other models. If you’re looking for something that is about the same size as other midsize models but you need more seats, then this is a great pick. It has a wheelbase of just over 119 inches and measures nearly 199 inches in length and almost 79 inches in width.

With the third row of seating, you get room for up to seven passengers and more than 152 cu.ft. of total passenger volume inside. Legroom can be a bit cramped in the third row, so it’s ideal for kids or shorter passengers, making it a great choice for growing families. With more than 18 cu.ft. of cargo volume behind the third row, nearly 48 cu.ft. of cargo space behind the second row, and more than 87 cu.ft. of total cargo volume behind the front seats, you can load up with everything you need too.

2022 Ford Expedition – Full-Size for Families

The largest offering in Ford’s SUV lineup is the Expedition, which is a three-row full-size model perfect for big families and groups of friends. There are two options here: the Expedition and the Expedition Max, which are both great options, but they do differ a bit in size. The standard Expedition has a 122-inch wheelbase and is 210 inches long. If you choose the Expedition Max, then it has a 131-inch wheelbase and is nearly 222 inches long; both are about 80 inches wide.

Both models have three rows of seating for up to eight passengers; they give you about 172 cu.ft. of total passenger volume inside. With the Expedition, you get about 20 cu.ft. of cargo space behind the third row of seats, over 63 cu.ft. behind the second row, and more than 104 cu.ft. of total cargo volume. The larger Expedition Max gives you up to 36 cu.ft. of cargo volume in the rear, with nearly 80 cu.ft. of space available behind the second row and more than 121 cu.ft. of total cargo volume behind the front row.

Plenty of Options to Get the Perfect Size

SUVs are popular because they truly come in all different sizes and can meet the needs of almost any driver. Need something small, fuel-efficient, and easy to maneuver? There is an SUV for that. Need something that can fit all your kids, their friends, and you can tow with? There is an SUV option that will handle it. If you want to find the best SUV, just make sure you try out all the different sizes until you find the one that is just right.