2012 & 2011 Ford SUV Reviews & Ratings

America auto manufacturer Ford can be pointed to as one of the pioneering brands of the SUV (sport utility vehicle) as we know it today. With the release of the Ford Explorer in the early 1990s, America started a love affair with the SUV that has yet to diminish, though we are seeing a trend in smaller, crossover SUVs. For the 2012 model year, the Ford Explorer is still present, as are other Ford SUV favorites, the Ford Escape and the Ford Expedition.

The Ford Explorer has always been known as being family-friendly, reliable, stylish, and roomy. Though it faced some trouble in the early part of the Millennium due to a Firestone tire controversy, it still continues to be one of America's favorite SUVs, despite the fact that its numbers have been somewhat diminished since that time. The 2012 Ford Explorer has a slightly lower starting MSRP than the previous model year at $28,280 and was completely redesigned in last year's 2011 model. The full-size crossover Explorer comes in three trim levels: Base, XLT, and Limited, with the most luxurious Limited trim having a starting MSRP of $28,280. The Explorer features a unibody chassis instead of a bulky truck-based one and, therefore, receives a smoother, more carlike driving experience- though it did lose some towing capacity. The Explorer comes with a new "EcoBoost" 4-cylinder engine option that allows it to achieve best-in-class fuel economy. This does come at a higher price, however. The 2012 Explorer competes with such vehicles as the Dodge Durango, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the Ford Flex. It holds up to seven passengers.

Since the Ford Flex's introduction in 2008, it has been one of America's best-selling small SUVs due to the fact that it has the practicality, size, and driving feel of a midsize car and the 4WD capability and styling of a larger, more traditional SUV. One of the 2012 Ford Flex variants comes with a forward-thinking hybrid engine that gets great fuel economy ratings and has a starting MSRP of $30,570. It also comes in a Hybrid Limited trim, which has a starting price of about $3k higher. The traditional, gasoline-powered Ford Flex comes in XLS, XLT and Limited trim levels and has a starting price of $21,440. The Escape competes with such vehicles as the Chevrolet Equinox and the Subaru Forrester.

Last in the 2012 Ford SUV lineup is the full-size Ford Expedition SUV, which can seat up to eight or nine adults, depending on configuration. The Expedition has a starting price of $36,530 and is offered in standard and EL lengths, with the EL providing almost fifteen additional inches to overall length and twice the cargo space of the standard Expedition. It also comes in four trim levels: the base XL, the XLT, the Limited, and the luxurious and comfortable King Ranch. The Expedition is a great choice for large families that need a lot of cargo space and/or towing capacity. It competes with most directly with the Toyota Sequoia.