Ford SUV Size Chart (2025/2026): Dimensions, Cargo Space & Specs Compared

Choosing the right SUV is a critical decision that hinges on matching a vehicle’s size and capabilities to a specific lifestyle. Whether the daily drive involves navigating tight city streets, embarking on cross-country family road trips, or conquering rugged off-road trails, Ford’s diverse 2025/2026 SUV lineup offers a tailored solution for nearly every need. The current roster features six core models, each with a distinct identity: the compact and adventurous Bronco Sport, the efficient and practical Escape, the all-electric Mustang Mach-E, the iconic off-road Bronco, the quintessential three-row Explorer, and the commanding full-size Expedition.

This comprehensive guide provides a data-driven comparison of every model, breaking down their dimensions, capacities, and performance specifications. From a quick-glance overview to a deep dive into each vehicle’s unique attributes, this analysis is designed to equip prospective buyers with the detailed information needed to make a confident and informed decision.

Ford SUV Lineup at a Glance: A Comprehensive Size & Spec Comparison

For those seeking a direct comparison, the following table provides a high-level overview of the entire Ford SUV lineup. This master chart serves as a quick reference guide, highlighting the key differentiators in size, space, power, and price across all models. It clearly illustrates the lineup’s stratification, allowing for an immediate understanding of the trade-offs between a vehicle’s footprint, its passenger and cargo utility, and its performance capabilities.

Ford SUV Key Specifications Comparison (2025/2026 Models)

Data compiled from official Ford sources and reputable automotive publications. Starting MSRPs are for base models and are subject to change.

Ford SUV Models by Size: From Smallest to Largest

To better understand the lineup’s progression, it is helpful to categorize the vehicles by their overall length. This narrative journey from compact to full-size provides a clear mental map of the available options, contextualizing each model’s place within the broader Ford family.

Compact & Agile (Under 181 inches)

• Ford Bronco Sport: As the smallest SUV in the current lineup, the Bronco Sport is an adventure-focused compact vehicle designed for those who desire genuine off-road capability in a city-friendly package. Its standard 4×4 system and G.O.A.T. Modes™ (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) set it apart from typical crossovers.
• Ford Escape: Slightly longer than the Bronco Sport, the Escape is a practical and efficient crossover focused on on-road comfort and versatility. With a range of powertrains, including highly economical hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants, it is a popular choice for commuters and small families.

Versatile Mid-Size (185-191 inches)

• Ford Mustang Mach-E: Occupying a unique space in the lineup, the Mach-E is an all-electric crossover that blends the performance DNA of the iconic Mustang with the practicality of an SUV. Its size is comparable to other mid-size models, but its mission is centered on style, technology, and zero-emissions driving.
• Ford Bronco: The legendary Bronco is a true body-on-frame off-roader. While its length places it squarely in the mid-size category, its rugged construction, removable body panels, and uncompromising focus on conquering tough terrain distinguish it from every other vehicle in its class.

Spacious 3-Row (Approx. 199 inches)

• Ford Explorer: As one of America’s most recognizable family vehicles, the Explorer represents the heart of the three-row SUV segment. It strikes a balance between daily drivability and the capacity to carry up to seven passengers, making it a versatile choice for growing families.

Commanding Full-Size (210+ inches)

• Ford Expedition & Expedition MAX: At the pinnacle of the lineup in terms of size and capability are the Expedition and its extended-length variant, the Expedition MAX. These full-size, truck-based SUVs are built for maximum passenger and cargo hauling and deliver class-leading towing capacity, making them the ultimate choice for large families and serious towing needs.

Detailed Breakdown of Each Ford SUV

A deeper analysis of each model reveals how its specific dimensions and specifications translate into real-world utility. The following sections provide a granular look at each vehicle, with standardized data tables to facilitate direct comparisons.

Ford Bronco Sport: The Rugged Compact Adventurer

The Bronco Sport is engineered as an “adventure specialist” in a compact form factor. While it shares a platform with the Escape, its design philosophy is entirely different, prioritizing off-road prowess with standard all-wheel drive and a sophisticated terrain management system.¹⁸ It is the ideal choice for buyers who want legitimate trail-readiness for weekend getaways without the larger footprint of the full-size Bronco.

The vehicle’s physical design is a direct manifestation of this mission. Its dimensions reveal a strategy focused on maximizing capability within a compact footprint. The relatively short overall length combined with a generous wheelbase results in short front and rear overhangs. This geometry, along with a tall, upright cabin and impressive ground clearance on select trims, is crucial for achieving the steep approach and departure angles necessary for navigating challenging terrain.

Furthermore, the boxy, upright shape, while less aerodynamic than its sleeker counterparts, is a key contributor to its surprisingly large maximum cargo volume, making it exceptionally practical for hauling camping gear and outdoor equipment.

2025 Bronco Sport Specifications

Ford Escape: The Efficient & Practical Crossover

The Ford Escape is positioned as a versatile daily driver and remains one of America’s best-selling compact SUVs. Its primary appeal lies in its wide array of powertrain choices, which include highly efficient full-hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) options. This makes it a compelling choice for commuters and small families who prioritize low running costs and fuel economy over maximum off-road capability.

A critical detail revealed in its specifications is how towing capacity is directly linked to the chosen powertrain. While the powerful 2.0L EcoBoost® engine, paired with the Class II Trailer Tow Package, can pull a respectable 3,500 pounds, the hybrid and PHEV models are limited to just 1,500 pounds. This is not an arbitrary limitation but a result of engineering priorities. The electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (eCVT) in the hybrid variants is optimized for seamless power delivery and maximum fuel efficiency, not for the high-stress loads of heavy towing.

In contrast, the conventional 8-speed automatic transmission paired with the 2.0L engine is designed to handle higher torque, making it the only suitable choice for buyers who need to tow small campers or boats. This distinction is a crucial factor in the purchasing decision.

2025 Escape Specifications

Ford Mustang Mach-E: The All-Electric Performance Crossover

The Mustang Mach-E is Ford’s pioneering all-electric SUV, engineered to deliver the performance heritage of the Mustang brand in a modern, zero-emissions package. It competes not only on traditional SUV metrics like space and utility but also on technology, driving dynamics, and style, challenging competitors like the Tesla Model Y.

The Mach-E’s design elegantly showcases the inherent packaging advantages of a dedicated electric vehicle platform. Despite having an overall length similar to the Bronco, its wheelbase is significantly longer at 117.5 inches. This “wheels at the corners” design, made possible by the flat “skateboard” battery platform, minimizes front and rear overhangs and eliminates the need for a central transmission tunnel.

The direct results are a remarkably spacious interior cabin with generous passenger volume and a low center of gravity that contributes to the sporty, composed handling praised by reviewers. The low ground clearance further prioritizes on-road performance and aerodynamic efficiency to maximize driving range.

2025 Mustang Mach-E Specifications

Ford Bronco: The Iconic Off-Road Champion

The Ford Bronco is a purpose-built, body-on-frame off-road vehicle designed to be a direct competitor to the Jeep Wrangler. Its core identity is defined by extreme terrain capability, facilitated by features like removable doors and roof panels, a sophisticated 4×4 system with multiple G.O.A.T. Modes, and a rugged suspension.

It is offered in both two-door and four-door configurations, with the primary differences being wheelbase, rear-seat access, and cargo capacity. The four-door model is the more practical choice for families, while the two-door offers enhanced agility on tight trails.

The Bronco’s specifications are a clear reflection of its “function over form” design ethos. The vast range in key dimensions—for example, ground clearance spanning from 8.3 inches on a base model to a towering 13.1 inches on the Raptor—is not arbitrary. This variation is the direct result of highly specialized, optional packages like the Sasquatch Package and dedicated performance trims like the Raptor.

These packages fundamentally alter the vehicle’s hardware, adding massive 35- or 37-inch tires, high-clearance suspension with specialized shock absorbers, and wider fender flares. This transforms the vehicle’s geometry, significantly increasing its height, width, and critical off-road angles. For a Bronco buyer, “size” is not a static number but an active choice based on their desired level of off-road dominance.

2025 Bronco Specifications (2-Door / 4-Door)

Ford Explorer: The Quintessential 3-Row Family SUV

The Ford Explorer is a cornerstone of the American SUV market, a popular three-row vehicle that blends daily comfort, advanced technology, and capable performance for growing families. For the 2025 model year, it receives a significant refresh with a redesigned exterior, a more premium interior with softer touchpoints, and an all-new Ford Digital Experience infotainment system.

The Explorer occupies a critical “sweet spot” within the Ford lineup. It is substantially larger and more capable than the two-row Escape, offering a standard third row and a robust 5,000-pound towing capacity.¹⁷ At the same time, it is more maneuverable and fuel-efficient than the massive, truck-based Expedition. This positioning makes it an ideal compromise. Its size is large enough to accommodate a third row, though that space is best suited for children or for occasional adult use on shorter trips.

Its unibody construction provides a comfortable, car-like ride, and its 5,000-pound towing limit is sufficient for many families’ recreational needs, such as pulling a small boat or a pop-up camper. It is designed for the family that sometimes needs seven seats and might tow a trailer, without requiring the full commitment to the size, fuel consumption, and cost of a full-size Expedition.

This balance is the core of its value proposition. For those interested in the engineering behind Ford’s vehicle platforms, understanding how parts are shared can be enlightening; for example, exploring what year Ford F150 parts are interchangeable provides a look into Ford’s platform strategies.

2025 Explorer Specifications

Ford Expedition & Expedition MAX: The Ultimate People and Cargo Haulers

The Ford Expedition is the brand’s flagship full-size SUV, engineered for maximum space, power, and utility. Built on a robust body-on-frame platform shared with the F-150 pickup truck, it is the definitive choice for large families and individuals with serious towing requirements. The Expedition is available in two lengths: the standard model and the extended-wheelbase Expedition MAX.

The MAX version is nearly a foot longer, with the additional space dedicated almost entirely to increasing cargo capacity behind the third row, making it the ultimate vehicle for road trips with a full complement of eight passengers and their luggage.

The Expedition’s immense capability is a direct result of its truck-based architecture. This body-on-frame construction provides the exceptional structural rigidity required to safely tow loads of up to 9,600 pounds, a figure that far surpasses any unibody SUV in the lineup. While this construction is inherently heavier and less space-efficient for its exterior footprint compared to a unibody design, it is the fundamental reason for its superior strength and durability under load.

This engineering choice is a key factor for buyers comparing it to the Explorer; while engine power may seem comparable, the underlying frame is what separates a 5,000-pound towing capacity from one that rivals a heavy-duty pickup. This is a great example of how understanding a vehicle’s frame, like in the, can explain its capabilities.

2025 Expedition / Expedition MAX Specifications

Key Comparisons for SUV Buyers

With a detailed understanding of each model, it is possible to address some of the most common and critical questions that buyers face when comparing options within the Ford SUV lineup.

Which Ford SUVs Have 3rd-Row Seating?

For the 2025 model year, the Ford Explorer and the Ford Expedition / Expedition MAX are the two models that offer a third row of seating.

While both provide the ability to carry more than five passengers, they serve different needs. The Explorer is a mid-size SUV with a third row that is functional and convenient, but best suited for children or for occasional use by adults on shorter journeys. The Expedition, as a full-size SUV, offers a significantly more spacious and comfortable third row with ample legroom and headroom for adults, making it the superior choice for families who regularly use all three rows. The Expedition MAX further enhances this by providing a vast cargo area even when the third row is occupied.

The following matrix directly compares the key metrics for family buyers considering these three-row options.

Explorer vs. Expedition: 3rd-Row & Cargo Specs

Ford SUV Towing Capacity Ranked

Towing capacity is a major differentiator across the Ford SUV lineup and is largely determined by a vehicle’s fundamental architecture. A visual comparison makes the distinctions clear.

(Chart Data) Maximum Towing Capacity by Ford SUV Model

• Escape (Hybrid/PHEV): 1,500 lbs
• Bronco Sport: 2,200 lbs
• Escape (2.0L EcoBoost): 3,500 lbs
• Bronco: 4,500 lbs
• Explorer: 5,000 lbs
• Expedition / MAX: 9,600 lbs

Data sourced from official Ford information and multiple automotive specification databases.

This ranking highlights several distinct tiers of capability. The 1,500-2,200 pound range of the hybrid Escape and Bronco Sport is suitable for light-duty tasks like pulling small utility trailers. The 3,500-5,000 pound capacity of the gas-powered Escape, Bronco, and Explorer can handle many recreational loads, including small boats, jet skis, and pop-up campers.

The Expedition’s massive 9,000+ pound rating places it in a different class entirely, capable of towing large travel trailers and boats, rivaling the capability of many pickup trucks. Matching the right powertrain and transmission to these tasks is crucial, and a deeper dive into Ford transmission identification numbers can provide further technical context.

Choosing the Right Ford SUV for Your Lifestyle

Synthesizing this data into actionable advice helps align each vehicle’s strengths with specific consumer needs.

• For the Urban Commuter & Efficiency Seeker: The clear choices are the Ford Escape Hybrid or Plug-In Hybrid. Their compact dimensions make parking and maneuvering in dense urban environments easy, while their electrified powertrains deliver outstanding fuel economy, minimizing trips to the gas station. For those ready to go fully electric, the stylish and tech-forward Mustang Mach-E offers an engaging driving experience with zero tailpipe emissions.
• For the Weekend Adventurer & Off-Road Enthusiast: The Ford Bronco Sport strikes an excellent balance between a comfortable daily driver and a capable trail machine. Its standard AWD and rugged design are perfect for reaching remote trailheads and campsites. For those who demand the highest level of off-road performance and are willing to embrace a more purpose-built vehicle, the Ford Bronco is the undisputed champion, offering unmatched capability and open-air freedom.
• For the Growing Family (5-7 People): The Ford Explorer is the ideal solution. It provides the three-row flexibility needed for school carpools and family vacations, along with a comfortable ride, modern technology, and enough towing capacity for most family’s recreational toys. Its size remains manageable for suburban life, making it a versatile all-rounder.
• For the Large Family & Heavy Hauler (7-8 People): The Ford Expedition is the definitive answer. If the third row will be regularly occupied by teenagers or adults, or if towing a large travel trailer or boat is a priority, the Expedition’s space, power, and truck-based strength are essential. The Expedition MAX takes this a step further, ensuring that even with all eight seats filled, there is still an enormous amount of cargo space for luggage and gear.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the smallest Ford SUV?

The smallest Ford SUV for the 2025 model year is the Ford Bronco Sport. It has an overall length of approximately 173 inches, making it agile and easy to park while still offering rugged capability.

What is the largest Ford SUV?

The largest Ford SUV is the Ford Expedition MAX. This extended-length, full-size SUV measures over 221 inches long and provides the most interior space in the lineup, with up to 123.1 cubic feet of cargo volume.

Which Ford SUV is the most fuel-efficient?

The most fuel-efficient Ford SUV is the Ford Escape, particularly its hybrid variants. The 2025 Ford Escape Hybrid achieves an EPA-estimated 42 MPG in the city, while the Escape Plug-In Hybrid offers both high efficiency and a significant all-electric driving range.

Which Ford SUVs have the best cargo space?

The Ford Expedition MAX offers the most cargo space of any Ford SUV, with 37.4 cubic feet behind the third row and a cavernous 123.1 cubic feet with all rear seats folded down. Among two-row SUVs, the Ford Bronco (4-door) provides a generous 77.6 cubic feet of maximum cargo space.

Which Ford SUV is best for towing?

The Ford Expedition is the best Ford SUV for towing. Thanks to its powerful 3.5L EcoBoost® engine and robust body-on-frame construction, it boasts a maximum towing capacity of up to 9,600 pounds when properly equipped.

Are Ford SUVs reliable?

Ford SUVs are generally considered to be reliable vehicles. Independent rating agencies provide valuable data on long-term dependability; for instance, J.D. Power has previously awarded the Ford Explorer a “Great” reliability rating of 87 out of 100.2 As with any vehicle, reliability can vary by specific model, powertrain, and model year. Prospective buyers should consult the latest ratings from trusted sources like(https://www.jdpower.com/cars/ford) or Consumer Reports for the most current information.