Ford AWD vs. 4WD Explained

Cargo numbers matter most when real life shows up: a stroller for the Metroparks, hockey bags for a Saturday game at Winterhurst or a Costco run on a snowy Tuesday. This guide compares Ford’s SUVs by cargo space and separates the room behind the rear seats from the maximum room with seats folded, so the numbers match how you actually load a vehicle. SUV Seating Maximum cargo Room behind seats Escape 5 Up to 65.4 cu ft (60.8 hybrid) Second row slides 5.9 in to trade legroom for space Bronco Sport 5 65 cu ft 32 cu ft Explorer Up to 7 85.8 cu ft 16.3 behind row three, 46 behind row two Expedition 7 or 8 108.5 cu ft (123.1 MAX) 22.9 behind row three, 69.9 behind row two (37.4 and 84.5 on MAX) Mustang Mach-E 5 Up to about 60 cu ft Ask our team for the exact figure Cargo figures are published ratings, and usable space varies with how you pack. Our team can show you the real space on any SUV on the lot. Escape and Bronco Sport: Compact and Practical The Bronco Sport lists 32 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 65 cubic feet with them folded. The Escape offers up to 65.4 cubic feet, with hybrid models at 60.8, and its sliding second row lets you favor passengers or cargo on any given day. Both seat five and fit weekly errands in Parma, Strongsville and Berea with room to spare. If you are weighing the two, our Escape vs. Bronco Sport guide covers the details. Explorer: Flexible for Families The Explorer shows why row-by-row numbers help. With the third row up, you have 16.3 cubic feet for groceries or backpacks. Fold the third row and you gain 46 cubic feet behind the second row, which fits a double stroller and a week of shopping. Fold both and you reach 85.8 cubic feet for a trip to the garden center or a move-in weekend at Cleveland State. Expedition: Maximum Room The Expedition keeps generous cargo space even with every seat in use, with 22.9 cubic feet behind the third row and 69.9 behind the second. Maximum space reaches 108.5 cubic feet. The longer Expedition MAX raises those figures to 37.4, 84.5 and 123.1 cubic feet, enough for luggage, a cooler and a full row of passengers on the drive to Pittsburgh or a weekend on Lake Erie. Mustang Mach-E: Electric With Space The Mach-E is a five-seat electric SUV with up to about 60 cubic feet of cargo space. It suits commuters who want electric driving along with practical room for gym bags and groceries. Browse our Shop EV Ford page to learn more. What the Numbers Mean for Daily Life Groceries and backpacks: any SUV on this list handles them Strollers and sports gear: look for 30 or more cubic feet behind the seats you use Road trips: consider the Explorer or Expedition for luggage plus passengers Big hauls: fold the seats and check the maximum number Shop Ford SUVs in Parma Browse our Escape, Bronco Sport, Explorer, Expedition and Mustang Mach-E inventory. Need help choosing? Read our Ford SUV three-row guide, then check new specials or contact us. FAQs Which Ford SUV has the most cargo space? The Expedition, with 108.5 cubic feet at maximum and 123.1 cubic feet on the Expedition MAX. It also leads with the third row up, at 22.9 cubic feet on the standard model and 37.4 on the MAX. What is the difference between behind-the-seat and maximum cargo? Behind-the-seat numbers measure space with the seats upright, which is how you drive most days. Maximum cargo measures space with the rear seats folded, so it shows the most you can carry. Which compact Ford SUV has more room? The Escape and Bronco Sport are close, each offering around 65 cubic feet at maximum. The Bronco Sport lists 32 cubic feet behind the rear seats, and the Escape’s sliding second row gives you flexibility to shift space between passengers and cargo. Will a stroller fit in an Explorer with the third row up? Often yes for a compact stroller, since there are 16.3 cubic feet behind row three. A larger stroller fits easily when you fold the third row, which opens 46 cubic feet. Bring yours to the lot and test it. Can I trade in my current SUV? Yes. Start with our value your trade page, and our team will factor the trade into your numbers on a new Ford.

The Ford Explorer and the Ford Expedition both have a third row. The Explorer seats up to seven, and the Expedition seats up to eight. Ford’s other SUVs, including the Escape, Bronco Sport and Bronco, seat five. Here is how the three-row options compare for families across Parma and the west side of Cleveland. SUV Seating Length Cargo behind row three Towing Explorer Up to 7 About 198.8 in 16.3 cu ft 5,000 lbs with the Class III Tow Package Expedition 7 or 8, depending on trim and second-row seats About 209.9 in 22.9 cu ft Up to 9,600 lbs in 4x4 Expedition MAX 7 or 8, depending on trim and second-row seats About 221.7 in 37.4 cu ft Up to 9,000 lbs in 4x4 Seating varies by trim, and our team can confirm the layout on any SUV on the lot. Explorer: The Everyday Three-Row The Explorer is the right-sized three-row SUV for many families in Parma, Seven Hills and Brook Park. At about 16.6 feet long, it fits school pickup lines, grocery lots and older driveways, and its second row folds to open a path to the third. Cargo space adapts to the day: 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 46 cubic feet behind the second row and 85.8 cubic feet with both rows folded. The 2.3L EcoBoost makes 300 horsepower, and the Explorer ST adds a 3.0L twin-turbo V6 with 400 horsepower. Trims run from the Active and ST-Line to the Platinum, Tremor and ST. Expedition: Room for Everyone The Expedition is Ford’s largest SUV, and its third row comes with real cargo space behind it. The standard Expedition offers 22.9 cubic feet behind row three, 69.9 behind row two and 108.5 at maximum. The longer MAX stretches those figures to 37.4, 84.5 and 123.1 cubic feet. A 3.5L EcoBoost V6 makes 400 horsepower, and the Tremor raises output to 440. With towing up to 9,600 pounds in 4x4, it suits a boat headed to Lake Erie or a camper bound for the Hocking Hills. Will It Fit in Your Garage? The Explorer measures about 16.6 feet long, the Expedition about 17.5 feet and the MAX about 18.5 feet. Many older homes in Parma, Seven Hills and Brooklyn have garages that suit the Explorer comfortably and make the MAX a tighter fit, so bring a tape measure and a photo of your garage and we will help you decide. Third-Row Tips for Cleveland Families Bring your child seats and bags to the lot and picture a real week, whether that means youth hockey at Winterhurst, a day at Crocker Park or a hike in the Rocky River Reservation. Check how the second row folds to open the walkway, and ask about all-wheel and four-wheel drive for lake-effect snow. Choosing Between Seven and Eight Seats Choose the Explorer when easier parking near the Cleveland Clinic and Crocker Park matters most. Choose the Expedition when six or more people ride often or you tow a boat or camper. Choose the MAX when you want a roomy third row and plenty of luggage space behind it. Smaller households can compare the Escape and Bronco Sport in our Escape vs. Bronco Sport guide, or see how the Explorer stacks up against the Escape in our Explorer vs. Escape guide. Shop Three-Row Fords in Parma Browse our Explorer inventory and Expedition inventory, then check new specials, explore financing or contact us. FAQs Which Ford SUVs have a third row? The Explorer and the Expedition. The Explorer seats up to seven, and the Expedition seats seven or eight depending on the trim and second-row seats. Our team can show you the layouts side by side on the lot. Does the Ford Bronco have a third row? The Bronco seats five, so the Explorer and Expedition are the Ford SUVs to compare for a third row. If you want the Bronco’s style with more room, the Explorer Tremor is a good place to start. Which has more room behind the third row? The Expedition. It offers 22.9 cubic feet behind row three, and the MAX offers 37.4 cubic feet. The Explorer offers 16.3 cubic feet, which still fits groceries and backpacks. Which three-row Ford tows more? The Expedition, rated up to 9,600 pounds in 4x4 and 9,000 pounds on the MAX. The Explorer is rated for 5,000 pounds with the Class III Tow Package. Ratings change with configuration, so our team can confirm the number for the SUV you choose. Is the third row comfortable for adults? Comfort depends on the passenger and the trip. The best way to judge is to climb into the third row during a test drive, so bring your family along.

Cleveland drivers rack up miles on I-480, I-71 and Brookpark Road, and fuel costs add up over a year of commuting. The 2026 Ford Escape gives you three ways to power the same compact SUV: gas, hybrid and plug-in hybrid. The right choice depends on how far you drive, where you charge and what you tow. Feature 1.5L EcoBoost 2.0L EcoBoost 2.5L hybrid Plug-in hybrid Horsepower 180 250 192 210 Towing 2,000 lbs 3,500 lbs 1,500 lbs 1,500 lbs Max cargo 65.4 cu ft 65.4 cu ft 60.8 cu ft 60.8 cu ft Specifications vary by trim and configuration, so our team can confirm the details on any Escape on the lot. How the Hybrid Works for Commuters The 2.5L hybrid recharges itself while you drive. It recovers energy when you brake and uses it to assist the engine, which is why it earns 42 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. City numbers beat highway numbers because stop-and-go driving gives the system more chances to recapture energy, so the lights on Ridge Road work in your favor. The hybrid makes 192 horsepower, offers 60.8 cubic feet of maximum cargo space and can be flat-towed behind a motorhome, a detail RV owners appreciate. The Plug-In Hybrid: Electric Miles Around Parma The plug-in hybrid adds a larger battery that you charge from a wall outlet, and it makes 210 horsepower. A short drive to Parmatown, the Metroparks or the office can run on electricity, and the gas engine takes over for road trips to Columbus or Pittsburgh. The plug-in hybrid trim carries a listed starting MSRP of $35,400, before destination, taxes and fees. If you park in a garage or driveway with an outlet, this version can turn most weekday miles into electric miles. The Gas Escape: Power, Towing and Room Gas Escapes come with two engines. The 1.5L EcoBoost makes 180 horsepower and tows 2,000 pounds, which suits a small utility trailer or a pair of kayaks. The 2.0L EcoBoost steps up to 250 horsepower and a 3,500-pound tow rating, enough for many small boats headed to the Portage Lakes or Lake Erie. Gas models also offer the most cargo space, up to 65.4 cubic feet, and every Escape has a second row that slides back up to 5.9 inches to trade cargo room for legroom. Cleveland Weather and Your Powertrain Lake-effect snow reaches Parma every winter, and cold air trims efficiency for every hybrid and electric vehicle, so expect somewhat lower mileage on frigid mornings. All-wheel drive is offered on the Escape, and a good set of winter tires matters more than any powertrain. Which Escape Fits Your Routine? Choose the hybrid if you commute every weekday and want steady savings with the habits you already have. Choose the plug-in hybrid if you can charge at home and make mostly short trips. Choose the 2.0L EcoBoost if a boat or trailer is part of your plans. Choose the 1.5L if you want a straightforward gas engine for everyday driving. Shop the Escape in Parma Browse our Escape inventory, compare it in our Escape vs. Bronco Sport guide, explore our Shop EV Ford page or contact us. FAQs How efficient is the Escape hybrid for a Cleveland commute? The 2.5L hybrid is rated at 42 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. It helps most in stop-and-go traffic, like rush hour on I-480, so commuters who drive every weekday see the biggest savings. Does the hybrid give up cargo space? A little. Hybrid and plug-in models list 60.8 cubic feet at maximum, compared with 65.4 on gas models. Either handles strollers, groceries and weekend gear, and our team can show you the space in person. Is the plug-in hybrid worth it? It fits best if you can charge at home and your daily drives are short, since you can run on electricity around Parma and keep the gas engine ready for longer trips. Tell our team about your routine and we will help you decide.