Explore the 2024 Ford Maverick: Compact and Capable

Shopping for a family vehicle means prioritizing differently than any other buyer. Cargo space, third-row access, safety technology, towing capacity, and fuel economy all carry more weight when you have kids, gear, and schedules to manage. The best Ford for families looks different depending on family size and lifestyle, but the 2026 Ford SUV lineup covers every need from compact to full-size. Here is how the Ford SUV lineup stacks up for families in the Salisbury area. Space and Seating: Matching the Vehicle to the Family The right amount of space is the first question for any family SUV purchase. The 2026 Ford Escape provides five-passenger seating with a sliding second row, 65.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats folded, and a practical footprint for families who want maneuverability in addition to utility. For families who need a third row, the 2026 Ford Explorer seats up to seven passengers and offers up to 85.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front row. How does a family decide between the Escape and Explorer in the Ford SUV lineup? The two-row Escape is the right choice for smaller families or those who prioritize fuel economy and a lower purchase price. The Explorer fits families who regularly carry more than five people or need the additional cargo room that comes with a longer wheelbase. For larger families or those who tow, the 2026 Ford Expedition seats up to eight and offers a MAX body style with up to 123.1 cubic feet of cargo space, the most in the Ford SUV lineup. Powertrain Options for Every Family Budget The best Ford for families includes powertrain options that match different budget and fuel efficiency priorities. The Escape offers a hybrid rated at 39 mpg combined and a plug-in hybrid with 37 miles of electric-only range, making it one of the most efficient options in the family SUV segment. The Explorer uses a standard turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder producing 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, with an available turbocharged V6 on upper trims. The Expedition runs a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 producing 400 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque, capable of towing up to 9,600 pounds, which covers boats, campers, and cargo trailers. For families who need off-road capability without committing to the full Bronco, the Bronco Sport provides a capable compact SUV option with standard four-wheel drive and terrain management. Does the Ford SUV lineup cover hybrid and electric options for families? The Escape Hybrid and Escape PHEV bring strong efficiency, and the Mustang Mach-E provides a fully electric alternative for families ready to make the switch. Safety Technology Across the Lineup Every family vehicle purchase involves safety, and the Ford SUV lineup delivers consistent driver-assistance technology across its models. Ford Co-Pilot360 technology includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, and rear cross-traffic alert on models across the lineup. The Explorer and Expedition add available BlueCruise hands-free highway driving assistance, which reduces fatigue on longer family road trips. The Expedition's 24-inch panoramic digital display provides one of the most comprehensive driver information setups in the full-size SUV segment. Is advanced safety technology standard or only on higher trims of the Ford SUV lineup? While some features are standard and others available, Ford has consistently expanded the list of standard safety content across the Explorer and Expedition with each model year. Visiting Cloninger Ford of Salisbury Finding the best Ford for families starts with understanding which model fits the family's actual daily needs. Cloninger Ford of Salisbury carries the full 2026 Ford SUV lineup, including the Escape, Bronco Sport, Explorer, and Expedition. The team at Cloninger Ford can walk Salisbury area families through the complete Ford SUV lineup, compare configurations side by side, and help identify the right trim and powertrain for the budget. Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Ford for Families Which Ford SUV has the most cargo space? The 2026 Ford Expedition MAX offers up to 123.1 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats folded, the most in the Ford SUV lineup. The standard Expedition offers up to 108.5 cubic feet, and the Explorer provides up to 85.8 cubic feet behind the first row with all rear seats folded. Does Ford offer a hybrid family SUV? Yes. The 2026 Ford Escape Hybrid is rated at 39 mpg combined, and the Escape Plug-In Hybrid offers 37 miles of electric-only range. The Mustang Mach-E provides a fully electric option for families. How much can the Ford Expedition tow? The 2026 Ford Expedition tows up to 9,600 pounds when properly equipped, making it the strongest towing option in the Ford SUV lineup for families who pull boats, campers, or large trailers. Where can I find Ford SUVs for sale in Salisbury, NC? Cloninger Ford in Salisbury, NC carries the full 2026 Ford SUV lineup. Stop by the showroom or browse inventory online to find the best Ford for families that fits your needs and budget.

Few comparisons in the SUV segment generate as much debate as the Ford Bronco vs Jeep Wrangler. Both are purpose-built off-roaders with removable doors and roofs, open-air driving experiences, and serious trail capability. For Salisbury area drivers looking for the best off-road SUV, the decision comes down to more than raw specs. It comes down to how the vehicle is engineered, what it offers at each price point, and what ownership actually looks like over time. Engines, Power, and the Manual Option The 2026 Bronco starts at $40,795 and offers three turbocharged engine options. The standard 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder produces 300 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. The available 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 steps up to 330 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Raptor model uses a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 producing 418 horsepower. One of the Bronco's most distinctive features is its available 7-speed manual transmission with a dedicated crawler gear, a segment-exclusive setup that gives off-road purists the level of control they want on technical trails. The 2026 Wrangler starts at $36,035 and also offers a manual transmission with its base 3.6-liter V6 producing 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. An optional 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder produces 270 horsepower with 295 lb-ft of torque. For buyers who want maximum performance, the Rubicon 392 uses a 6.4-liter V8 producing 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque at a significant price premium. Is the Ford Bronco vs Jeep Wrangler engine comparison close at comparable price points? For most buyers comparing similarly priced trims, the Bronco's turbocharged engines deliver a meaningful torque advantage. The available 2.7-liter V6 produces 415 lb-ft versus 260 lb-ft from the Wrangler's base V6 without requiring a jump into the Wrangler's top-tier 392 trim. Off-Road Capability: Ground Clearance and Trail Systems Both vehicles are serious off-road machines, but the Bronco's engineering takes a more systematic approach to trail performance. The Bronco offers up to 11.6 inches of ground clearance with the available Sasquatch Package, which also adds electronic-locking front and rear axles, 35-inch rugged-terrain tires, and an upgraded suspension. The Raptor pushes ground clearance to 13.1 inches. The Wrangler offers approximately 9.7 inches of ground clearance on standard builds, rising to around 12.9 inches on Xtreme 35-equipped builds. The Bronco's G.O.A.T. Modes (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) system offers up to seven selectable terrain modes on Badlands and higher trims, including Rock Crawl, Baja, and Off-Road, each optimizing throttle, transmission, and stability systems for specific terrain. Trail Control, Trail Turn Assist, and available Trail 1-Pedal Drive give Bronco drivers tools specifically designed for technical off-road situations. Does the Bronco qualify as the best off-road SUV in its class? Ford's engineering gives it a legitimate claim, particularly in the Badlands trim and above. Daily Usability and Interior Both vehicles are designed for real-world use beyond the trail, but the Bronco's interior accommodates daily driving with fewer compromises. The standard 12-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is among the largest in the segment. Marine-grade vinyl seats and rubberized floors with drain plugs make cleanup after trail days straightforward. What makes the Bronco easier to live with day to day compared to the Wrangler? The Bronco's acoustically treated cabin reduces road noise, and the SYNC 4 system with over-the-air updates keeps technology current without dealership visits. The Wrangler's cabin is similarly trail-ready with removable doors, a fold-flat windshield, and decades of owner customization culture behind it. Both vehicles tow up to 3,500 pounds on most configurations. The team at Cloninger Ford of Salisbury can walk you through Bronco trim levels, package options, and configurations to find the right build for how you plan to use it. Ownership and the Ford Advantage For Salisbury drivers deciding between the Ford Bronco vs Jeep Wrangler, the Bronco carries the backing of Ford, part of America's best-selling vehicle brand for 49 consecutive years. Ford's 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty matches Jeep's coverage, and the Bronco's Off-Roadeo experience, exclusive to new Bronco buyers and lessees, provides real guided off-road training with your actual vehicle at no cost. Stop by Cloninger Ford of Salisbury and experience the 2026 Bronco lineup for yourself. Frequently Asked Questions About the Ford Bronco vs Jeep Wrangler Which has better ground clearance, the Bronco or Wrangler? The 2026 Bronco reaches up to 11.6 inches with the Sasquatch Package, and up to 13.1 inches on the Raptor. The Wrangler offers approximately 9.7 inches standard, rising to around 12.9 inches on Xtreme 35-equipped builds. Does the Ford Bronco come with a manual transmission? Yes. The Bronco is available with a segment-exclusive 7-speed manual transmission with a dedicated crawler gear, standard on the Base, Big Bend, Badlands, and Heritage Edition trims. What is the best off-road SUV for daily driving? Both the Bronco and Wrangler are engineered for off-road use with comfortable on-road manners. The Bronco's standard 12-inch touchscreen, available HOSS suspension systems, and up to seven G.O.A.T. Modes give it a slight edge in combining daily usability with trail capability. Where can I test drive a Ford Bronco in Salisbury, NC? Cloninger Ford in Salisbury, NC carries the full 2026 Bronco lineup including the Big Bend and Outer Banks configurations. Visit the showroom or browse inventory online.

Most trucks have always had a single outlet tucked somewhere in the cab, good for charging a phone or running a small light. Ford Pro Power Onboard is something entirely different. Built directly into the F-150's architecture, it turns your truck into a functioning mobile generator capable of powering tools, appliances, and job site equipment from the bed or cab without a separate generator in tow. For drivers in Rowan County who work on job sites, head outdoors on weekends, or want a truck that does more than haul, this feature changes the equation. more Three Output Levels for Three Different Needs Ford Pro Power Onboard comes in three configurations, and the right one depends on what you actually need to run. The 2.0 kW system is available on gas-engine F-150 models equipped with the 2.7L EcoBoost V6, the 3.5L EcoBoost V6, or the 5.0L V8. It delivers power through two 120V/20A outlets in the truck bed, enough to run a reciprocating saw, hammer drill, jigsaw, or sander, and the truck's cabin outlets provide 400 watts for smaller devices on the instrument panel and center console regardless of which tier you choose. The 2.4 kW system is standard on F-150s equipped with the 3.5L PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6 and adds the capacity to run a microwave alongside the tools the 2.0 kW handles. What makes this tier stand out is runtime: at its maximum load, the 2.4 kW system runs for up to 85 hours on a full tank of gas, making it a serious asset for extended remote work or multi-day camp trips. The 7.2 kW system is the top tier, available as an option on PowerBoost Hybrid models and the F-150 Platinum Plus. It delivers 7,200 watts through four 120V/20A outlets and one 240V/30A outlet. For reference, a typical portable generator produces around 3,500-4,000 watts. The 7.2 kW system can simultaneously power a plasma cutter, TIG welder, chop saw, air compressor, angle grinder, and work light, and it does so for up to 32 hours at maximum load on a full tank of gas. That is a full working day and then some, without refueling or swapping equipment. What Does This Mean in Practice? Is this feature practical only for contractors? Not at all. The Ford truck power outlet system covers a wide range of situations. On a job site without utility power run yet, a single F-150 with the 7.2 kW system can power an entire framing crew's tool setup. At a campsite, it runs lights, a portable heater, a cooler, and speakers from the same truck that hauled the trailer there. During a tailgate, it powers a television, a blender, and sound equipment. Ford also designed the system to operate while the truck is moving, so devices can charge or run on the way to the job site or trail. The truck can be locked while idling in generator mode, providing overnight security when the system is running unattended. Monitoring is handled through the 12-inch center touchscreen or the FordPass app, both of which display real-time wattage draw and alert you if total load approaches the system's limit. The Ford truck power outlet system manages load automatically, and if a circuit is tripped, it can be reset directly from the truck bed's outlet panel on the 7.2 kW system. Find the Right F-150 Configuration in Salisbury Choosing between the three output tiers comes down to how you use your truck day to day. Drivers in Salisbury, Kannapolis, and Lexington who need basic job site capability or a weekend power source will likely find the 2.0 kW system sufficient. Those running a crew or working in remote locations will benefit from the PowerBoost Hybrid and its 2.4 kW or 7.2 kW output. The team at Cloninger Ford on Jake Alexander Boulevard can walk you through which F-150 configurations include Ford Pro Power Onboard and help you match the right output level to the work you do. It is one of the most practical capabilities on any truck in the segment, and Cloninger Ford has the inventory to put you in the right one. Frequently Asked Questions About Ford Pro Power Onboard What are the output levels for Ford Pro Power Onboard on the F-150? The F-150 offers 2.0 kW, 2.4 kW, and 7.2 kW configurations. The 2.0 kW is available on select gas engines, the 2.4 kW is standard on the PowerBoost Hybrid, and the 7.2 kW is optional on PowerBoost models and standard on the Platinum Plus. How long can the Ford Pro Power Onboard system run on a full tank? At maximum load, the 2.4 kW system runs up to 85 hours and the 7.2 kW system runs up to 32 hours on a full tank of gas. At lighter loads, runtime extends further. What does the Ford truck power outlet system actually power? Depending on the tier, the Ford truck power outlet can run circular saws, drills, compressors, microwaves, welders, televisions, and camping appliances. The 7.2 kW system can run a plasma cutter, TIG welder, chop saw, and air compressor simultaneously. Can I use Ford Pro Power Onboard while driving? Yes. The system operates while the truck is in motion, allowing tools and devices to charge or run on the way to a job site or campground.