Evaluate The Automotive Manufacturing Company Ford On Family Suvs
Let’s talk about Ford and their family SUVs. You know, the big boxes on wheels that haul kids, groceries, and the occasional existential crisis. It’s a wild world out there, a...
Let’s talk about Ford and their family SUVs. You know, the big boxes on wheels that haul kids, groceries, and the occasional existential crisis. It’s a wild world out there, and Ford has been playing in it for over a century. Let’s see if they’re still the cool parents on the block.
The OG of Rugged
Ford practically invented the SUV with the Bronco back in the 1960s. But that was a rough-and-tumble beast, not a family wagon. Today, they’ve got the Explorer, the Edge, and the monster Expedition. It’s like a lineup of oversized sneakers—each one for a different kind of family chaos.
Here’s a quirky fact: the Explorer once had a TV antenna built into the windshield. Yeah, for actual rabbit ears. You could watch cartoons while stuck in traffic, but good luck getting a signal now.
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The Family Hauler that Thinks it’s a Sports Car
The Ford Explorer ST is a family SUV with a 400-horsepower engine. That’s more muscle than a muscle car from the 90s. Imagine dropping the kids at soccer practice, then dusting a Mustang at a stoplight. It’s both ridiculous and glorious.
But here’s the catch: it also has a Wi-Fi hotspot and a massage seat for the driver. So you can soothe your lower back while your teenager downloads memes in the back. Priorities, right?
The Minivan Disguise
Ford doesn’t make minivans. They pretend the Explorer or the Edge is just as good. Spoiler: they’re not always. The sliding doors on a minivan are a genius invention that Ford refuses to copy. Instead, you get big swinging doors that ding other cars in parking lots.
Fun detail: the Ford Flex (remember that boxy wonder?) had optional refrigerator drawers. Yes, a fridge for your juice boxes. It was discontinued in 2019, but the dream lives on in used car lots everywhere.
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The Big, Bloated Expedition
The Ford Expedition is basically a house on wheels. It’s over 18 feet long, which is longer than a Chevy Suburban from the 80s. You can fit nine people, a dog, and a week’s worth of camping gear. Parking it, however, requires the spatial awareness of a pilot.
Quirky fact: the Expedition has a power-sliding third-row seat that folds flat at the push of a button. It’s like a Transformer for parents. But if the battery dies, you’re stuck with a manual crank that feels like a medieval torture device.
Fuel Economy? Ha!
Let’s be real: Ford family SUVs drink gas like a frat boy at a kegger. The Expedition gets about 17 mpg combined. The Explorer ST? Maybe 18 if you drive like a grandma. But here’s the twist: Ford is going electric soon.
The Ford Explorer EV is coming to Europe, but the U.S. gets the Mustang Mach-E—which is technically an SUV crossover. It’s fast, quiet, and doesn’t burn dinosaur juice. But can it fit a hockey team? Not really. That’s the trade-off.
The Elephant in the Room: Reliability
Ford SUVs are fun, but they’re not always reliable. The Explorer has had recalls for seats that spontaneously recline. Yes, your nap could turn into a lay-flat bed without warning. It’s a feature, not a bug, according to Ford’s lawyer.
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On the flip side, the Ford Edge is surprisingly durable. It’s built in Ontario, Canada, which means it’s tough enough to survive a frozen pothole apocalypse. It also has a giant panoramic sunroof—perfect for stargazing or melting your kids’ iPads in July.
The Tech Overload
Ford loves screens. The new 2025 Explorer has a vertical tablet that looks like a Tesla stole a candy bar. It controls everything: heat, radio, and even the rear wiper. Want to adjust the volume? Prepare to poke at glass while doing 70 mph. It’s digital chaos.
But there’s a cool party trick: the “G.O.A.T. Mode” (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) on the Bronco Sport. Yes, it’s a family SUV with a goat-themed off-road mode. You can pretend you’re on safari while driving to Costco.
The Bottom Line
Ford family SUVs are big, brash, and a little bit bonkers. They’re not perfect—they’re thirsty, tech-heavy, and sometimes forget to keep seats upright. But they’re also fast, roomy, and full of weird charm. If you want a minivan without admitting it, Ford has your back.
So, should you buy one? Only if you can laugh at a gas bill that rivals a mortgage. And maybe invest in a good massage chair. Happy hauling!
