Edge, Escape, Explorer: What's the difference?

Last updated June 27th, 2023

The SUV vehicle category is very popular with Americans. This vehicle takes the utility of a large car and blends it with performance capability. This is useful to many folks in the Fort Dodge, IA area and beyond. Because of this popularity, there are a wide variety of SUVs. They range from compact crossovers to full-size, three-row vehicles. Ford, a premier auto manufacturer, has three SUVs that exemplify the diversity of the SUV vehicle class. This article will examine the Ford Edge, Escape, and Explorer to help residents of the Webster City, IA, area determine which SUV size suits them.

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Edge, Escape, and Explorer: The Essentials

The Ford Escape is a compact crossover SUV, meaning it is smaller than the Edge or the Explorer. The Escape offers the space to fit five people comfortably while still being easy to park and maneuver on the road. The next size SUV, the Ford Edge, is a mid-size crossover. While it still seats five, the vehicle has more cargo space and room overall. The Explorer is the most prominent option of the three and the only one with three rows. While this lets you fit up to seven people in the car, the SUV is more significant overall and, therefore, more challenging to park.
Ford has been developing new hybrid technologies over the last few years. Their range of SUVs really shows this off: the Escape and Explorer are both available with a hybrid powertrain. Contact us if you have any questions about hybrid Ford vehicles! A hybrid car can help you save at the pump, so it's worth considering.

Edge, Escape, and Explorer: The Details

Each of these vehicles is available in a variety of trims. That means there are luxurious options to be had across Ford's SUV lineup and more budget-friendly picks. These vehicles offer considerable utility to Fort Dodge, IA, area residents.

Powertrain Options: Analyzing the Engine Choices in Ford Edge, Escape, and Explorer

Ford Escape

The Ford Escape has three different available powertrains. The first is a turbocharged 1.5L three-cylinder that manages to make 181 horsepower. The other gasoline-only option is a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder that gets 250 horsepower. Finally, the optional hybrid engine choices - one of which is a plug-in - see a 2.5L four-cylinder paired with two motors for 221 ponies. The Ford Escape is the way to go for matched fuel economy through hybrid availability.

Ford Edge

The Edge has two engine options: the base turbocharged four-cylinder outputs 250 horsepower, while the twin-turbo 2.7L V6 reaches an impressive 335! This last option, available on the high-level Edge ST trim, is exceptional for this vehicle class.

Ford Explorer

The Ford Explorer has a turbocharged 2.3L four-cylinder engine that makes 300 horsepower on the base model and mid-tier trims and a twin-turbocharged 3.0L V6 that gets 400 horses on the upper-tier trims. These powerful engines will allow you to roar down the road in the Explorer. The Explorer is the only one of the three with standard rear-wheel drive.

Towing Capacity: Evaluating the Strength and Capabilities of Ford Edge, Escape, and Explorer

When driving an SUV, what’s it worth if it’s incapable? Luckily, even Ford’s crossover SUVs are rated for towing. If adequately outfitted, the Edge and the Escape can tow up to 3,500 pounds. That's enough to bring the family boat or a pop-up camper on a weekend getaway!

If you’re looking for more extreme towing power in your Ford SUV, look no further than the Ford Explorer. The Explorer is even more powerful than the Ford Edge and Escape, with a maximum capacity of 5,600 pounds. You can comfortably care for what you and your family need with the Explorer.

Seating Capacity and Comfort: A Comparison of Ford Edge vs. Ford Escape vs. Ford Explorer

One of the most significant differences between the Ford Escape, Edge, and Explorer is the seating capacity. Unsurprisingly, three rows are more than two, and only the Explorer has three rows of seating. The option for second-row captain's chairs is between the first and third rows on the Explorer. However, there’s more to seating than just the raw number of rows and the presence of captain’s chairs.

Both the Ford Edge and Explorer have two rows of seating. Between the two-row Escape and Edge, the Edge has more legroom with its seating. As you’ll read below, the Edge is just a bigger vehicle. However, Ford’s thoughtful designers ensured nobody would be close to cramped in the backseat of the Ford Escape.

Size Matters: Examining the Dimensions and Cargo Space of Ford Edge, Escape, and Explorer

SUVs are fantastic vehicles; there’s no question about it. When it comes to trunk space, leg room, and more, they’re unparalleled. However, as they increase in size, it can make parking more of a pain. The perfect balance of size and space is different for every driver. With that in mind, we’ll look at the size and length of each of these Ford SUVs so you can better understand what works for you.

Ford Escape

The Ford Escape comes in the smallest size. The Ford Escape has many benefits to being the smallest of these three SUVs, easily fitting into tight spots and a breeze to parallel park. However, it still retains a reasonable trunk space while it’s at it. It’s got 34 cubic feet of space in the back, and with the rear seats folded, it’s got 68 cubic feet of cargo space. While more than enough for pretty much anything from the store, you may want to fold the seats down to utilize the area of the Ford Escape.

Ford Edge

The Ford Edge is between the Escape and the Explorer in size, adding about eight inches of length to the Escape and a few to the width. With this in mind, there is significantly more room for cargo. If the Escape doesn’t quite cut it for you in terms of storage, but you’re not looking for something much more significant, the Edge is the way to go. It’s got 39.2 cubic feet of cargo which increases to 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

Ford Explorer

The Ford Explorer is a true family SUV. Not only does it have three rows of seating, but there’s ample cargo space to boot. The Explorer is about 10 inches longer than the Edge and adds more to the width and height. However, due to the third row, cargo space is lost. It’s got 21 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row folded up. Even with the third row folded down, it is still less than the Ford Edge at 49.9 cubic feet. Remember, though, this is still plenty for almost all your daily needs.

Ford Edge, Ford Escape, and Ford Explorer: Interior Technology

If there’s one thing Ford does well, it’s adding top-of-the-line tech features to their vehicles. With Ford SUVs, you don’t have to get a luxury vehicle for luxury tech benefits. While these can be enhanced with different trim levels, the standard options are also great. For example, the standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are found on all three SUVs.

Ford Escape

The 2023 Ford Escape uses Sync 4 software to operate its 12.1-inch infotainment display. If that’s not enough for you, a 13.2-inch screen is available. A general heads-up collection comes with a 12-inch screen replacing the gauge cluster. This eases navigation and keeps you safe on the road, looking away less. A Bang and Olufsen sound system is also available with the Ford Escape.

Ford Edge

The latest Sync 4A software operates the 12.1-inch infotainment display on the 2023 Ford Edge. This includes a backup camera for safety while you back out. If that wasn’t enough, in-dash navigation is available as an optional feature to take your navigation to the next level, never taking your eyes off the road. That pairs well with the heads-up display and 12.3 screens for further enhanced navigation. There’s also available wireless phone charging. There’s an optional Bang and Olufsen sound system as well. Alexa and onboard WiFi can also be added to the Ford Edge, making it an overall high-tech machine in which you’ll feel cozy.

Ford Explorer

Voice-activated navigation is available on every model of the 2023 Ford Explorer. That integrates seamlessly with the standard 8.0-inch infotainment display that can be upgraded to a vertically oriented 10.1-inch display. There’s a similar range of technology options to those available in the Ford Escape and Ford Edge, including an available Bang and Olufsen sound system.

Ford Edge vs. Ford Escape vs. Ford Explorer: Comparison of Safety Features and Technologies

All these fantastic SUVs benefits from Ford’s CoPilot360, which includes various safety features like adaptive cruise control. Intelligent adaptive cruise control speeds or slows the vehicle according to what’s in front of you. Along the same lines, automated emergency braking is also included. There are too many driver assistance features to name them, so we recommend checking out Ford CoPilot360 if you’d like more information on these fantastic safety features.

Ford Edge vs. Ford Escape vs. Ford Explorer: What’s New Since 2022?

2022 Ford Explorer vs. 2023 Ford Explorer

While available on the 2022 Ford Explorer, it is exciting that the Ford Explorer still comes with real wood trim on some models. However, a new Red Jewel Metallic is now unavailable on the 2022 Ford Explorer. This relative lack of changes speaks to the quality of the 2022 Ford Explorer. It was so beloved there was little reason to change too much about the 2022 Ford Explorer for 2023.

However, the 2022 Ford Edge and 2022 Escape have been upgraded in new and exciting ways for 2023.

2022 Ford Edge vs. 2023 Ford Edge

There are upgrades to the 2022 Ford Edge, and the 2023 models look pretty sweet. Formerly exclusive interior features on some 2022 Ford Edge trims are now standard on all Ford Edge models for the 2023 model year. In addition, some trims have a sweet new grille. However, further updates are found on the Ford Escape.

2022 Ford Escape vs. 2023 Ford Edge

All 2023 Ford Escape models have been heavily upgraded since the 2022 Ford Escape. You can quickly tell the difference from the sidewalk between a 2022 Ford Escape and a 2023 Ford Escape. There’s a broader grille and a redesigned front bumper and hood too. There are a variety of new wheel options too. The trims have switched up, and there’s also updated Ford SYNC technology. The 2023 model year is truly a sight to behold for the Ford Escape.

Edge, Escape, and Explorer: Which One is Right for You?

The Ford SUV lineup offers something for everyone. That makes it difficult to choose between the Ford SUVs: the Escape, Edge, and Explorer. Boone, IA, area drivers who want a vehicle that's easy to drive but still offers good storage should check out the Escape. The Edge is for drivers with a little more to haul around or with a few kids who need to pile all their school bags and sports gear into the family car. Finally, the Explorer is by far the biggest of the bunch, offering lots of space and power.

Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota is a full-service family-friendly store. We know what Fort Dodge, IA, area families are looking for in a daily driver, and we would love to help you figure out exactly which SUV model is suitable for you and your loved ones.

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