Shopping for the best pre-owned SUV for your family of four or five isn't as difficult as it sounds, especially with our help. We've researched which SUV is best suited for your life as a busy parent and have the answers you need before you visit us, your trusted used car dealer. Let's begin our list so you can get started today!
Chevy Blazer
The Chevy Blazer is great for drivers shopping for a family-friendly SUV. The 2019 Blazer was one of the first to launch, and the midsize SUV has found moderate success in the following years. Because the modern-day Blazer isn't as old as some other midsize SUVs, shopping for a used model is easy because you can start with the 2019 release and work your way up.
Are there any major differences between the 2019 Blazer and the newest ones? The 2019 through 2021 Blazer models come standard with a 2.5L I-4 engine for 193 hp and 188 lb-ft of torque. An optional turbocharged 2.0L I-4 engine grants a solid performance boost. The turbocharged engine and its 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque are standard with the 2022 Blazer onward. Both powertrains have a 9-speed automatic transmission for a smooth acceleration curve. Fuel efficiency ratings are superb for the Blazer regardless of engine and drivetrain—the Blazer comes standard with Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) and has optional All-Wheel Drive (AWD).
Cargo space plays a large role in creating a family-friendly SUV experience, and the Blazer does an excellent job. You can purchase a 2020, 2021, or 2022 Blazer or newer and expect at least 30.5 cu.ft. of cargo room always available. When your two or three kids are seated in the back, the Blazer has enough cargo space for the family. For example, this cargo space is ideal for storing family luggage for vacations. If the kids aren't along for the ride and you need to maximize your cargo space, folding the rear row gives you up to 64.2 cu.ft. of space.
The Blazer's multimedia connectivity support has improved over time. Models like the 2020 through 2022 Blazer have an 8-inch infotainment center with plenty of modern capabilities baked into the system, like a Wi-Fi hotspot for your family to connect their wireless devices to the internet and built-in Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto make driving as a parent easier, with an instant selection of everyone's favorite songs, accurate turn-by-turn directions, and more.
Ford Edge
The Ford Edge is a midsize SUV beginning with the 2007 model before its discontinuation following the 2024 release. There are plenty of Edge models to consider between its nearly two-decade-long production cycle. However, the 2021 model is a great place to start if you want an experience that'll age more gracefully and offer more updated features like the most recent midsize SUVs.
This doesn't mean models released before the 2021 Edge aren't worth your time, especially since other key areas may remain the same. For example, the 2020 and 2021 Edge have identical cargo space ratings and performance, but the 2021 Edge feels like a more modern vehicle thanks to its upgraded infotainment tech. The Ford Edge has more cargo room than the already impressive Chevy Blazer for those same model years, with Ford's midsize SUV handing you a minimum of 39.2 cu.ft. of space, improving to 73.4 cu.ft. when the back seats are folded down. You can't go wrong with a Ford Edge if your kids play sports or any after-school activities requiring your car's cargo room, whether it's science projects or football equipment—you name it.
Ford Edge models sporting the 8-inch infotainment center—like the 2020 Edge—use a SYNC 3 infotainment center. This is perfectly serviceable by today's standards. SYNC 3 systems, like those found in a handful of older Edge models, remain an excellent choice for budget-minded shoppers who still wish to drive their families around while using features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. However, there's room for improvement, and that's exactly what Ford did with the 2021 Edge.
The 2021 Edge provides families with Ford's SYNC 4 infotainment center. SYNC 4 remained a part of each succeeding Edge until its discontinuation. SYNC 4 has many benefits over SYNC 3, especially regarding how the Edge uses it. 2021 through 2024 Edge SUVs upgraded the touchscreen size to 12 inches and feature wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the ability to load multimedia apps that allow your family to watch your favorite shows and movies on the large screen when the car is parked, and a strong Wi-Fi hotspot supporting 10 simultaneous devices. SYNC 4 will always keep you up-to-date thanks to over-the-air updates installed overnight as the vehicle isn't used, saving you time and preventing your infotainment center from lacking modern critical security updates.
Ford Escape
The Ford Escape is a compact SUV released for the new millennium in the year 2000. Like many automotive manufacturers, Ford took part in the large popularity boom surrounding SUVs beginning in the mid-1990s and riding into the mid-2000s —the Escape was one product released as a result. Fans and critics alike have enjoyed their time with the Escape over the past 25 years, and it points to no sign of slowing down, whereas its larger but younger sibling—the Edge—was discontinued. However, the Escape isn't a midsize SUV—it has a smaller cabin and exterior footprint and is very cost-effective. This makes it perfect for parents shopping for an affordable SUV with all the bells and whistles.
Saving money is a focal point of the Escape. Saving money on your vehicle and subsequent fuel pump visits is an invaluable tool for parents, especially when saving for college funds may be what you're after. Our recommendation is to begin your search with the 2020 model. The 2020 Escape's powertrains resemble the newest model with very slight differences, with a 1.5L EcoBoost turbocharged I-3 engine standard that outputs 181 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque, though 2023 models onward increased the output to 199 lb-ft of torque.
The 2020 Escape also has the same base towing capacity as the newest model: 2,000 lbs, though it's improved to 3,500 lbs with the available 2.0L EcoBoost turbocharged I-4 engine, which the 2020 model matches the latest with its 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. The Escape's available HEV and PHEV powertrains differentiate it from the other SUVs you've read about today, with outstanding efficiency courtesy of its hybrid powertrains. This includes EPA-estimated ratings of 44 MPG in the city, 37 MPG on the highway, and 41 MPG combined with the 2020 Escape's HEV powertrain and FWD. The HEV and PHEV variants slightly affect cargo room, but families of four or five won't have any problems with either— the 2021 Escape has between 37.5 and 65.4 cu.ft. of cargo room and between 34.4 and 60.8 cu.ft. as the hybrid.
Driving with your family is expected with the Ford Escape, so Ford does an excellent job crafting a durable frame for its compact SUV. The results have been superb and, above all else, consistent. For example, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded its Top Safety Pick achievement to three consecutive Escape SUVs: the 2020, 2021, and 2022 models.
What's Missing in Your Driveway?
If you don't own any of the three SUVs we've listed today, then it's fair to say that you're sorely missing an excellent family vehicle in your driveway or garage. You work hard as a parent, so you should buy an SUV that meets your efforts and helps make traveling with the family safer, more comfortable, and affordable. Your family will be all set with reliable transportation with one of these SUVs, so head out and try one of them today.