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Ford offers a range of hybrid products, including the Escape and Explorer hybrid crossovers. But the Blue Oval does not yet offer a hybrid version of its full-size hybrid SUV. But because it does offer a hybrid version of the F-150 that the Explorer shares its chassis with, a hybrid full-size SUV from Ford might be on the horizon.

Ford’s hybrid crossovers

White car in front of a modern building, a promo photo of the first Ford Explorer Platinum crossover trim with a hybrid powerplant.
2021 Ford Explorer Platinum | Ford

What is a crossover? A capable vehicle, often as tall as an SUV, that shares its unibody construction technique with cars. Its this construction technique that differentiates it from true SUVs such as the Ford Expedition which shares a ladder frame with the F-150 pickup truck.

If you want a Ford hybrid crossover, you can choose an Escape or an Explorer. The Escape has seating for 5 and shares its 2.5-liter I4 hybrid powertrain with the Maverick compact pickup truck. The EPA estimates the Escape hybrid gets 44c city/37 highway mpg.

The latest Ford Explorer is a front engine, RWD crossover. The Ford Explorer’s hybrid powertrain features a 3.3-liter V6. It makes 318 horsepower and can tow up to 5,000 pounds, depending on how it’s configured. The EPA puts the Explorer’s fuel efficiency at 23 city/24 highway mpg.

Does Ford Make a Full-Size Hybrid SUV?

You cannot buy a full-size hybrid SUV at present. Ford’s full-size, full-frame SUV is the F-150-based Expedition. And while Ford offers the PowerStroke hybrid drivetrain in its F-150, it is not yet installing this option in any Expedition SUVs.

Green Ford Expedition SUV driving up a dirt road, mountains and trees visible in the background.
2022 Ford Expedition Timberline SUV | Ford

Ford launched its PowerBoost hybrid F-150 drivetrain for the 2021 model year. This powertrain features the beloved 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 as well as an electric motor/generator hooked up to a lithium-ion battery. The result makes 430 horsepower and 570 lb-ft of torque. A PowerBoost F-150 can even tow up to 12,700. It’s no wonder this hybrid powertrain is considered one of the F-150’s premium engine options.

The Ford Expedition, its Expedition MAX variant, and even the Lincoln Navigator already come with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine. It would be relatively easy for Ford to offer these full-size SUVs with the hybrid version of this engine.

In the 2WD F-150, bumping the engine from a regular EcoBoost up to a PowerBoost hybrid improves the fuel efficiency from 18 city/24 highway mpg (20 combined) to 25 city/25 highway mpg (25 combined).

Will Ford ever make a hybrid SUV?

The Ford Motor Company setting stricter and stricter fleetwide mileage goals, it is only a matter of time before it begins offering the F-150’s PowerBoost hybrid drivetrain in its Expedition, Expedition MAX, or Lincoln Navigator. Its hybrid crossovers, the Explorer and Escape are already selling well.

The blue Ford logo as it appears on a large sign above a dealership, the sky visible in the background.
Ford dealership sign | KAREN BLEIER/AFP via Getty Images

Ford will give its Expedition an extensive redesign in 2024, and we’re betting the SUV gets a hybrid engine option for that model year. There’s a slight chance Ford is about to unveil a hybrid 2023 Navigator or Expedition before the redesign, but the chances are slim.

There is also a slight chance Ford reserves the more powerful PowerBoost hybrid for certain trim levels of its full-frame SUV. This could look like the PowerBoost included in every Expedition MAX and Navigator L. Or it could be the PowerBoost becoming an upgrade option on the Lincoln Navigator.

Next, read about Toyota’s hybrid full-frame Sequoia or see a one year review of owning a F-150 PowerBoost in the video below:

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Staff Writer

Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari joined MotorBiscuit in 2021 and brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts.

Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. He has since incorporated his love of the written word with his admiration of classic cars. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.