Five Fantastic Family-Friendly Fords

Congrats, you’re starting a family. Time to trade in that bachelor-style car for something boring and practical, or is it? The days of the boring minivan are long over (thankfully), and now is the time for the far superior SUV. The perfect family vehicle that doesn’t sacrifice looks or performance for family comfort and safety. You don’t have to just take our word for it; stop by Loganville Ford (your local Ford SUV dealer) and see for yourself the future of family transportation.

SUVs are not just the new minivan. They are also the new sedan; there, we said it. That’s not to say that there still isn’t a place for the beloved sedan. It just means that the SUV has a lot to offer, especially for families. Sport utility vehicles offer more cargo space, spacious and comfortable cabins, plus an array of sizes that make finding the right one easy. SUVs come in everything from compact to full-size, meaning all of the space or family closeness you desire.

But now, on to the bigger problem: with so many great options out there, how do you choose just one? Well, we have made it easy by rounding up the top SUV contenders in Ford’s current lineup. Taking into consideration safety, convenience, cargo, price, and entertainment, these Ford SUVs have pulled ahead of the pack.

First Up, the Ford Bronco

The Ford Bronco has quite a history and is somewhat of a mascot for the sport utility vehicle segment. Considered by many as the first true SUV, the Ford Bronco is a standout. This is especially true with the latest restyling that has taken the Bronco into a fun retro direction. The original Broncos oozed style and charm, and excitedly, Ford has decided to endow the new models with the same radiating flair.

Of course, when considering a family SUV, looks aren’t top of the charts when deciding what will be right for you and your family. One important aspect is interior comfort, which the Bronco isn’t lacking. With the option of either two doors or four doors, the Bronco can be customized to fit your needs. Those with younger kids would probably do best with the four door option, offering enough room in the back for two car seats or three individuals thanks to the center seat.

Easy clean vinyl upholstery doubles as child-resistant and weather resistant if you choose to take the Bronco out and see what it can do in the great wide somewhere. Families with older kids would enjoy the adventurous nature of the Bronco. With both hard top and soft top options and removable doors, the Bronco is sure to provide hours of weekend fun for the whole family.

Wi-Fi hotspot capabilities, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, will ensure everyone can stay connected. Plenty of charging ports mean less fighting amongst everyone, especially for long drives. Plus, if there is fighting between the little ones, you can play everyone’s favorite tunes with the premium sound system.

Most important, of course, is the safety of the Bronco. The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety has given the Ford Bronco an overall good rating for the model years 21-23. You don’t have to feel like you are compromising safety to sport a fun and adventurous off-road SUV.

On the Subject of the Bronco, Here’s the Ford Bronco Sport

You definitely won’t lose any street cred when driving in the Ford Bronco Sport. Smaller than the four door Bronco but still dripping with style, the Bronco Sport does well to hold its own against its big brother. Despite being smaller, the Sport still offers plenty of seating with a configurable back seat. Choose between extra cargo or extra companions.

The Bronco Sport is easier to maneuver thanks to its size but can still handle the off-road lifestyle. The Sport is four-wheel drive and has a maximum towing capacity of 2,2000 pounds, making it easy to tug along outdoor sporting equipment for a weekend getaway. Some of the more capable trims also offer a lifted suspension for easier off-road fun.

Since the Bronco Sport is smaller than the Bronco, it comes in at a smaller price tag. Plus, it has a bit better gas mileage as well. The Sport is a great SUV for families who like to be active but aren’t on the trails religiously. For on the road driving, the Sport excels, with glowing safety ratings from both the IIHS and the NHTSA. In fact, the Sport is a top safety pick of the IIHS, meaning you can feel confident with the little ones in the car.

Despite being compact, the interior is roomy and comfortable. A slew of infotainment features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto accompanies the cozy cabin. Rubberized upholstery is super easy to keep clean, and unique storage innovations are the perfect solution for all the gear that goes with toting a family.

Find Your Families Adventure with the Ford Explorer

If you have a large family, or a small family with a lot of stuff, the Ford Explorer is for you. This three-row beast has plenty of room for everyone and everything. Thanks to the third row, the Explorer has seating for up to seven passengers. When you need more cargo space than passenger space, simply push a button, and the third row folds down, opening up the cargo hold for more storage. The second row also folds down to really let you take advantage of the space.

Another fantastic feature of the Ford Explorer is that it also has a hybrid drivetrain option. It’s easier to save time and money at the pump when you have the harmonious pairing of a Ford hybrid system inside your SUV. If you don’t choose to go hybrid, that’s ok too because, on the flip side, there is a turbo engine that will provide better fuel efficiency without sacrificing power. The Explorer is available with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and comes standard with a smooth and buttery 10-speed transmission.

The Explorer has been a top safety pick of the IIHS for several years running and has received a five-star rating overall from the NHTSA. It’s decked out with safety features, as all Fords tend to be. A rear-view camera, adaptive cruise control, and auto high beams are just the start of everything working behind the scenes to keep you and your loved ones safe.

Travel Made Simple With the Ford Escape

The Ford Escape is the perfect SUV for the family on the go. Labeled as a compact SUV, it does not offer as much cargo space as some of the others in Ford’s lineup; however, it still has a spacious cargo hold. Plus, for the family who is constantly running errands, commuting, or just enjoying each other’s company, cargo space is not a top priority.
One of the things that sets the Escape apart is its numerous powertrain options. Several of the options are hybrids, allowing for more flexibility when it comes to powering up, fueling up, and the like. Later models even offer a plug-in hybrid option which extends its battery capabilities.

The Escape seats five comfortably, with ample legroom for front and rear passengers. If extra cargo space is needed, the rear seat folds down. A 60/40 folding configuration provides more flexibility for how you use the cabin space as well. If you max out the passenger space, you can feel confident that everyone will be safe with the many safety features included. The Escape has received positive safety ratings from both the NHTSA and the IIHS and has also been named a top safety pick multiple times.

All of this comes in at a great price tag, leaving you more money to spend on the family or, better yet, yourself! After all, who deserves a day off more than you! Of course, spending time cruising around in such a comfortable and relaxing SUV may feel like time off anyways.

Step Into the Future With the Ford Mustang Mach-E

If you want an SUV that will make everyone else at school drop off drool, then the Ford Mustang Mach-E is the SUV for you. This may not be one of the first SUVs to spring to mind when considering a family SUV, but we say, why not? Technically some label this as a crossover, but let’s just call it a compact SUV and settle the debate now.

With that being said, the Mach-E is a pretty cool, fully electric show-stopper. Thanks to its battery and motor-powered center, the Mach-E eliminates any need for gas stations other than the customary bathroom break or candy stop. Plus, with at-home charging options, it’s easy to charge ahead for a full day of driving without having to stop at all.

Because the Mach-E is all-electric, the front is opened up for storage, or better yet, a frunk. The frunk is washable, so you can use it for a whole host of things like leaking coolers and sandy shoes. Plus, extra storage in the rear allows for groceries, luggage, sports equipment, you name it. An assortment of infotainment tech, like a premium sound system and wireless charging, means you don’t sacrifice convenience either.

If this wasn’t all enough to convince you that the Mach-E is a family SUV, its safety ratings will. Since its inception in 2021, it has been excelling in safety. In fact, the IIHS has named it a top safety pick since the beginning. Although the Mustang may not be a traditional pick, it should still be in the running. Afterall, just like SUVs, families come in many different styles!

The F In Ford Stands For Family

Though technically, the F in Ford does not stand for family, oftentimes, it feels like it should. From first-time car buyers to family transport, Ford has dreamt up a car, truck, or SUV to fit everybody. With a reputation of reliability, quality, and fun, it’s hard not to find a Ford to fit every situation. So, when you are considering your next family vehicle, make sure to consider one of the tried and true SUV options listed here because when it comes to family, it should be a Ford.
An orange 2023 Ford Bronco Sport is shown from the rear after leaving a Ford SUV dealer.
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