How Do I Choose the Right Ford SUV for My Family in Virginia?

Picking a family SUV is a big decision, and we completely understand how overwhelming it can feel. With so many Ford SUVs on the market, it helps to break things down by what actually matters most to your day-to-day life. Whether you’re driving through the Blue Ridge Mountains, commuting through Roanoke, or loading up for a beach trip to Virginia’s coast, we’re here to help you find the Ford SUV that fits your family like a glove.

Ford SUVs are ideal for family adventures, offering the space, advanced safety features, and versatility needed for comfortable travel, outdoor activities, and memorable trips together.

At Magic City Auto Group, we’ve helped thousands of Virginia families match up with the right vehicle. Here’s what we recommend thinking about as you shop.

Start With Your Family’s Size and Lifestyle

The first thing we always ask families is simple — how many people do you need to seat on a regular basis? Ford’s SUV lineup covers everything from compact two-row models to full-size three-row options, so there really is something for every household.

If you have a smaller family or just need a reliable daily driver, a two-row SUV like the Ford Escape or Ford Bronco Sport is a great starting point. Both offer comfortable seating for five passengers, solid cargo space, and excellent fuel efficiency for running errands around Lexington, Covington, or Bedford. The Ford Escape provides a spacious interior with up to 37.5 cu.ft. of trunk space with all seats up and expands to 65.4 cu.ft. with the rear seats folded down, making it easy to carry groceries, sports gear, or luggage. The Escape Plug-in Hybrid is noted for its fuel efficiency and cargo space, making it suitable for families of four to five. The Ford Bronco Sport is designed with easy-to-clean interiors, making it practical for active families, and is suitable for families with urban commuting and weekend outdoor activities. Both the Ford Escape and Ford Bronco Sport provide advanced safety features, ensuring that families stay safe on the road.

For growing families who need that extra row of seating, the Ford Explorer has been a go-to choice for decades. It seats up to seven, comes packed with the latest safety technology, and handles Virginia’s varied road conditions with confidence. The 2024 Ford Explorer has been recognized as Ford's safest family SUV, earning the IIHS 2024 Top Safety Pick+ award, and boasts impressive crash test ratings. The Ford Explorer offers advanced safety features like Adaptive Cruise Control and BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross Traffic Alert, and is built tough and smart to protect families on the road. With its robust design, extensive amenities, and spacious cargo capacity, the Ford Explorer offers practicality and peace of mind for large families and family adventures.

And if you need even more room, the powerful Ford Expedition offers best-in-class space for passengers and cargo alike. The Expedition provides seating for up to eight people, making it ideal for large families. It offers 20.9 cu.ft. of trunk space with all seats up, 63.6 cu.ft. with the third row folded, and an impressive 104.6 cu.ft. with all rear seats folded, giving it the most cargo space among Ford SUVs. The Ford Expedition is a top pick for long road trips, providing plenty of entertainment options, including a Dual-Headrest Rear Seat Entertainment System and a 22-speaker B&O® Sound System by Bang & Olufsen® for an immersive audio-visual experience.

Think About How You’ll Use It Day to Day

Virginia families tend to have pretty active lifestyles, and we think your SUV should keep up with all of it. Ask yourself a few questions: Are you mostly driving on highways and paved roads? Do you enjoy weekend adventures on trails or gravel roads? Do you need to tow a boat, camper, or trailer?

For everyday driving and commuting, the Ford Escape and Ford Explorer both deliver a smooth, comfortable ride with great fuel economy. The Escape is especially easy to maneuver in city traffic and tight parking lots, making it a favorite for families in and around Roanoke.

If your family loves the outdoors, the Ford Bronco Sport and the full-size Ford Bronco are built for adventure. The Bronco Sport pairs trail-ready capability with everyday comfort, while the Bronco takes off-road performance to the next level with features like the Terrain Management System and available G.O.A.T. Modes that handle everything from mud to sand to rock crawling.

Need serious towing power? The powerful Ford Expedition can tow up to 9,300 pounds when properly equipped, which is more than enough for most family boats and travel trailers.

Safety Features That Give You Peace of Mind

We know safety is a top priority for every parent, and Ford takes that seriously across its entire SUV lineup. Every Ford SUV comes standard with Ford Co-Pilot360 technology, which includes features like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. These driver-assist tools work together to help protect your family on every drive, whether you’re navigating busy intersections or cruising down Interstate 81.

The Explorer and Expedition take things a step further with available Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+, which adds adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, evasive steering assist, and voice-activated navigation. The Ford Explorer, in particular, has earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, highlighting its advanced safety features and strong commitment to family safety. For families who spend a lot of time on Virginia’s highways, these features can make long drives significantly less stressful.

Fuel Efficiency and Powertrain Options

Gas prices matter, and we always encourage families to think about fuel costs over the life of the vehicle. Ford offers a range of powertrain options across its SUV lineup to help you save at the pump without sacrificing performance.

The Ford Escape stands out here with its available hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. The hybrid version delivers impressive fuel economy, and the plug-in hybrid lets you drive on electric power alone for shorter trips — like the daily school drop-off or a quick grocery run. If you're interested in going fully electric, the Ford Mustang Mach-E combines SUV versatility with zero tailpipe emissions and instant torque that makes merging onto the highway feel effortless.

For families who prefer a traditional gas engine, the EcoBoost turbocharged engines found in models like the Explorer and Bronco Sport deliver a strong balance of power and efficiency.

Family-Friendly Features for Every Stage of Life

When it comes to choosing the best Ford SUV for your family, it’s all about finding the right blend of comfort, convenience, and capability—no matter what stage of life you’re in. Ford’s SUV lineup is packed with family-friendly features designed to make every drive easier, safer, and more enjoyable, whether you’re shuttling kids to school, heading out for a weekend adventure, or simply running errands around town.

For families who love the outdoors, the Ford Bronco Sport stands out with its 4WD/AWD capability and ample cargo space—perfect for packing up sports equipment or camping gear. If you’re looking for a compact SUV that’s easy to maneuver but still offers plenty of room, the Ford Escape delivers with smart storage solutions and impressive fuel efficiency, making it a great choice for daily commutes and spontaneous road trips alike.

Growing families often gravitate toward the Ford Explorer, which offers three rows of seating and thoughtful touches like a rear window defroster and heated steering wheel to keep everyone comfortable in Virginia’s changing weather. The Ford Edge brings a touch of luxury to family life, featuring a premium wrapped steering wheel, universal garage door opener, and advanced technology to keep you connected on the go.

For those who need maximum space and versatility, the Ford Expedition is hard to beat. With seating for up to eight passengers and a powerful engine, it’s ideal for large families or anyone who frequently travels with a crowd. Features like heated rear seats, remote start, and LED fog lamps add extra comfort and convenience, while the available premium sound system ensures every journey is entertaining.

Safety is always a top priority, and Ford SUVs deliver with advanced features like adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, and the comprehensive Ford Co-Pilot360 suite. These technologies work together to help you navigate busy parking lots, long highway drives, and everything in between with confidence. For added peace of mind, options like automatic emergency braking and rear air keep your family protected and comfortable.

To truly appreciate these family-friendly features, schedule a test drive at your local dealership and explore the new Ford SUV lineup in person. Dealerships like Ted Britt Ford offer a featured vehicles grid list and an experienced sales team ready to help you compare vehicles, explore different trim and engine configurations, and find the right Ford SUV for your needs. Whether you’re interested in the Ford Explorer with its quad bucket seats or the Ford Edge with a cooled driver seat, there’s a model that fits your lifestyle.

Don’t forget to take advantage of tools like the Ford app to stay connected with your vehicle and plan your next family adventure. With options ranging from the rugged Ford Bronco to the versatile Ford Escape, Ford SUVs are designed to grow with your family and make every drive a little easier. Visit your local dealership today to discover the best Ford SUV options and see why so many Virginia families trust Ford for their journeys.

Budget and Financing Made Simple

We believe every family in Virginia deserves a great SUV at a price that works for their budget. Ford SUVs range from the affordable Escape, which offers a lot of value in a compact package, all the way up to the fully loaded Expedition for families who want maximum space and luxury features.

Our finance team works with a wide range of lenders to find competitive rates and flexible payment plans. If you're looking to get the most value, we also carry a great selection of quality pre-owned Ford SUVs that have been thoroughly inspected and are ready for the road.

Already driving a vehicle you'd like to put toward your next purchase? We make it easy to get a trade-in value so you can see exactly where you stand before you visit.

Find Your Perfect Ford SUV at Magic City Auto Group

Choosing the right Ford SUV for your family doesn’t have to be complicated. To find vehicles and vehicles nearby type, use our website’s search feature by entering your zip code or sharing your location. When you visit us at Magic City Auto Group, we’ll take the time to understand what your family needs and walk you through every option until you feel completely confident in your choice. With four convenient locations across Roanoke, Lexington, Covington, and Bedford, we’re never far away.

Ready to get started? Browse our new Ford inventory online or contact us to schedule a test drive today. Please note that images or descriptions may not represent actual vehicle, and the actual vehicle may vary in options, colors, trim, and body style. We can’t wait to help your family find the perfect ride.