Ford

2010 Ford Edge SE Front-Wheel Drive

What it Is: The Ford Edge is a two-row five-passenger crossover utility vehicle.
Who it's For: Families who need big cargo space but no more than two LATCH points.
What's Hot: Attractive styling, good fuel economy, lots of cargo space.
What's Not: Only five passengers when some similarly price vehicles offer seven.
How It Got Its Score: While the Edge offers good cargo capacity, its base price is on the high side compared to many other five-passenger utility vehicles.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 7.9

2010 Ford Edge SEL All-Wheel Drive

What it Is: The Ford Edge is a two-row five-passenger crossover utility vehicle.
Who it's For: Families who need big cargo space but no more than two LATCH points.
What's Hot: Attractive styling, good fuel economy, all-wheel drive.
What's Not: Only five passengers when some similarly price vehicles offer seven.
How It Got Its Score: While the Edge offers good cargo capacity, its base price is on the high side compared to many other five-passenger utility vehicles.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 7.7

2010 Ford Escape Hybrid All-Wheel Drive

What it Is: A hybrid all-wheel drive five-passenger crossover.
Who it's For: Those who need crossover room, but are willing to pay extra for better fuel economy.
What's Hot: Hybrid drivetrain gives the Escape best-in-class fuel economy.
What's Not: Base price of more than $31,000 is hard to justify.
How It Got Its Score: While the Escape Hybrid's utility and fuel economy are both very good, its price is far more expensive than many other vehicles.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 7.9

2010 Ford Escape Hybrid Front-Wheel Drive

What it Is: A hybrid front-wheel drive five-passenger crossover.
Who it's For: Those who need crossover room and are willing to pay extra for better fuel economy.
What's Hot: Hybrid drivetrain gives the Escape best-in-class fuel economy.
What's Not: Base price of nearly $30,000 is hard to justify.
How It Got Its Score: While the Escape Hybrid's utility and fuel economy are both very good, its price is far more expensive than many other vehicles.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 7.9

2010 Ford Escape XLS All-Wheel Drive

What it Is: A compact two-row five-passenger crossover.
Who it's For: Families on a budget who need cargo space and no more than two LATCH points.
What's Hot: Low base price, fuel efficient four-cylinder.
What's Not: Aging vehicle compared to many competitors.
How It Got Its Score: The Ford Escape has a low price and good fuel economy, but its slightly lower NHTSA rollover score and lack of standard brake assist hurt its score compared to other compact crossovers.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 7.9

2010 Ford Escape XLS Front-Wheel Drive

What it Is: A compact two-row five-passenger crossover.
Who it's For: Families on a budget who need cargo space and no more than two LATCH points.
What's Hot: Low base price, fuel efficient four-cylinder.
What's Not: Aging vehicle compared to many competitors.
How It Got Its Score: The Ford Escape has a low price and good fuel economy, but its slightly lower NHTSA rollover score and lack of standard brake assist hurt its score compared to other compact crossovers.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 8.1

2010 Ford Escape XLT All-Wheel Drive V-6

What it Is: A compact two-row five-passenger crossover.
Who it's For: Families on a budget who need cargo space and no more than two LATCH points.
What's Hot: Low base price for a V-6 compact crossover.
What's Not: Aging vehicle compared to many competitors.
How It Got Its Score: The Ford Escape has a low price and decent fuel economy, but its slightly lower NHTSA rollover score and lack of standard brake assist hurt its score compared to other compact crossovers.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 7.8

2010 Ford Escape XLT Front-Wheel Drive V-6

What it Is: A compact two-row five-passenger crossover.
Who it's For: Families on a budget who need cargo space and no more than two LATCH points.
What's Hot: Low base price.
What's Not: Aging vehicle compared to many competitors.
How It Got Its Score: The Ford Escape has a low price and good fuel economy, but its slightly lower NHTSA rollover score and lack of standard brake assist hurt its score compared to other compact crossovers.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 7.8

2010 Ford Expedition EL XLT Four-Wheel Drive

What it Is: A full-size, eight-passenger, four-wheel drive, extended-wheelbase sport utility vehicle.
Who it's For: Families who need lots of passenger space, off-road capability and no more than two LATCH points.
What's Hot: Cavernous cargo room.
What's Not: Poor fuel economy, bulky.
Family Friendly Options: Headrest-mounted DVD screens, Bluetooth, SYNC, navigation.
How It Got Its Score: The 2010 Ford Expedition EL is a long-wheelbase version of the Expedition, offering up huge volumes of cargo space behind the third row of seats. It scores slightly higher than rear-drive models because of better NHTSA roll scores.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 8.4

2010 Ford Expedition EL XLT Rear-Wheel Drive

What it Is: A full-size, eight-passenger, extended-wheelbase sport utility vehicle.
Who it's For: Families who need lots of passenger space, and no more than two LATCH points.
What's Hot: Cavernous cargo room.
What's Not: Fuel economy is pretty poor.
Family Friendly Options: Headrest-mounted DVD screens, Bluetooth, SYNC, navigation.
How It Got Its Score: The 2010 Ford Expedition EL is a long-wheelbase version of the Expedition, offering up huge volumes of cargo space behind the third row of seats. However, fuel economy is poor, and it's also pricey.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 8.3

2010 Ford Expedition XLT Four-Wheel Drive

What it Is: A full-size, eight-passenger, four-wheel drive sport utility vehicle.
Who it's For: Families who need lots of passenger space, off-road capability, and no more than two LATCH points.
What's Hot: Available power folding third row.
What's Not: Fuel economy is pretty poor.
Family Friendly Options: Headrest-mounted DVD screens, Bluetooth, SYNC, navigation.
How It Got Its Score: The 2010 Ford Expedition is one of the last big SUVs available. With four-wheel drive it's capable off road, and its huge interior is great for hauling passenger or lots of cargo, just not at the same time. Fuel economy is also poor.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 8.1

2010 Ford Expedition XLT Rear-Wheel Drive

What it Is: A full-size, eight-passenger sport utility vehicle.
Who it's For: Families who need lots of passenger space, and no more than two LATCH points.
What's Hot: Available power folding third row.
What's Not: Fuel economy is pretty poor.
Family Friendly Options: Headrest-mounted DVD screens, Bluetooth, SYNC, navigation.
How It Got Its Score: The 2010 Ford Expedition is one of the last big SUVs available. Its huge interior space is great for hauling passengers, but its cargo space suffers when the third row is in place. It's also pricey, and fuel economy is on the low side.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 8.2

2010 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer V-8

What it Is: A mid-sized, V-8 powered, three-row four-wheel drive sport utility.
Who it's For: Families who need no more than two LATCH points and plenty of cargo room behind the second row.
What's Hot: Available power folding third row seat.
What's Not: Poor fuel economy, expensive.
Family Friendly Options: Bluetooth, SYNC, navigation, back-up camera.
How It Got Its Score: The Ford Explorer V-8 offers more power than the V-6, and fuel economy is slightly better, too. However, cargo space isn't as generous, and the base price is steep.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 7.5

2010 Ford Explorer XLT Four-Wheel Drive

What it Is: A mid-sized, four-wheel drive sport utility with an available third row seat.
Who it's For: Families who need no more than two LATCH points and plenty of cargo room behind the second row.
What's Hot: Available power folding third row seat in Eddie Bauer and Limited models.
What's Not: Poor fuel economy.
Family Friendly Options: Bluetooth, SYNC, navigation, back-up camera.
How It Got Its Score: The Ford Explorer's fuel economy is on the low side these days, thanks to an older, inefficient engine. It strong crash test ratings and generous cargo space help make up for it.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 7.7

2010 Ford Explorer XLT Rear-Wheel Drive

What it Is: A mid-sized sport utility with an available third row seat.
Who it's For: Families who need no more than two LATCH points and plenty of cargo room behind the second row.
What's Hot: Available power folding third row seat in Eddie Bauer and Limited models.
What's Not: Poor fuel economy.
Family Friendly Options: Bluetooth, SYNC, navigation, back-up camera.
How It Got Its Score: The Ford Explorer's score is mostly due to its poor fuel economy, which trails many of its competitors. The strong crash test ratings and generous cargo space help make up for it.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 7.8

2010 Ford Flex SE

What it Is: A six- or seven-passenger crossover utility vehicle.
Who it's For: Families who need the extra space of a minivan, but don't want sliding doors.
What's Hot: Attractive styling inside and out, excellent cargo and passenger space.
What's Not: Not quite as roomy as some competitors.
How It Got Its Score: The Ford Flex offers generous cargo and passenger space, but is still a little smaller inside than some of its competitors, especially those from GM.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 8.5

2010 Ford Flex SEL All-Wheel Drive

What it Is: A six- or seven-passenger crossover utility vehicle.
Who it's For: Families who need the extra space of a minivan, but don't want sliding doors.
What's Hot: Attractive styling inside and out, excellent cargo and passenger space.
What's Not: Not quite as roomy as some competitors.
How It Got Its Score: The Ford Flex offers generous cargo and passenger space, but is still a little smaller inside than some of its competitors, especially those from GM.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 8.3

2010 Ford Flex SEL EcoBoost

What it Is: A six- or seven-passenger crossover utility vehicle.
Who it's For: Families who need the extra space of a minivan, but don't want sliding doors.
What's Hot: More power from EcoBoost engine, but with virtually no fuel economy penalty.
What's Not: Not quite as roomy as some competitors.
How It Got Its Score: The Ford Flex EcoBoost offers plenty of power for added towing, but the added cost of the more powerful engine drags down the Family Friendliness score.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 8.1

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

What it Is: A midsize sedan with a fuel-efficient hybrid engine.
Who it's For: Families who need no more than two LATCH positions, and not much cargo space.
What's Hot: Hybrid engine is very fuel efficient, and the price is reasonable.
What's Not: Battery pack significantly reduces trunk space.
How It Got Its Score: Like most sedan-based hybrids, the Fusion Hybrid scores very high on fuel economy, but takes a penalty in utility because of its small trunk.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 7.7

2010 Ford Fusion S

What it Is: A midsize sedan with a four-cylinder engine.
Who it's For: Families who need no more than two LATCH points.
What's Hot: Very fuel efficient four-cylinder engine and a comfortable interior.
What's Not: The Fusion's big chrome grille isn't to everyone's liking.
How It Got Its Score: The Fusion S scores well among midsize sedans on our Family Friendliness scale thanks to its size, fuel efficiency and low base price.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 8.1