A practical family vehicle is a necessary thing for many households. However, that does not mean that high-performance expectations have to be diminished. Since the SUV is so popular, it seems like a good time to discover what kind of performance can come from today’s SUVs. The focus shifts to the Ford camp, as yesterday it was on the Chevrolet SUV offerings. But, follow along now as we uncover the five fastest 2020 SUV models in the Ford lineup.

Definition of SUV

The definition of an SUV has become cloudier in recent years. Before, the term was used to describe a utility vehicle built on a ladder-frame chassis. Increasingly, however, automakers are using the term for any all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive vehicle that is lifted somewhat for extra road clearance. That is why on the Ford website, “SUVs and Crossovers” are now listed together on the same page. The automaker is not alone in this collection. For comparison, yesterday’s Chevrolet article was based on the manufacturer’s website listing of “SUVs”. It included all their crossovers as well. But, let’s get to the Ford figures, which is the point of this article.

2020 Ford Explorer – 5.6 seconds

The Explorer has been around since the 1990s. Today, the engine for this SUV in the ST trim is a 3.0-liter EcoBoost that pumps out 400 hp. This enables the vehicle to move 0-60 mph in 5.5-seconds as reported by our friends at Carindigo.

2020 Ford Edge – 5.7 seconds

The Edge model is smaller than the Explorer. Its powerplant is a 2.7-liter, turbocharged, six-cylinder EcoBoost engine. That is sufficient to move the SUV 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds. Horsepower is rated at 335.

2020 Ford Expedition – 6.7 seconds

The Expedition model is the largest of the SUV offerings from Ford. Available with a 3.5-liter, four-cylinder turbo powerplant that churns out 375 hp, it impressively achieves 0-60 mph in 6.7-seconds, according to Carindigo. For its size, and aerodynamics that equate to a brick, that time is no joke. The Expedition is a massive and heavy hulk of a machine.

2020 Ford Escape – 6.9

The most aggressive engine for the Escape model is the 2.0-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine. It achieves 0-60 mph in 6.9-seconds from its 250 horses, according to Carindigo. It is a nimble little SUV.  

2020 Ford EcoSport -10.4

The 2.0-liter powerplant is the most potent choice for the EcoSport model. To muscle all its 166 horses up to sixty miles per hour it takes 10.4-seconds, according to Carindigo. That is not exactly thrilling. However, this SUV was not built for thrills. Instead, it aims to be a small package to deliver economic efficiency and utility capability. 

Performance and SUV are not terms that are often found together. But, modern engine technology has come a long way. Now, a family hauler, even if it is not the most aerodynamic in shape, does not have to be lackluster in performance. The list above shows that the fastest Ford SUVs have a lot of get-up-and-go. So, the term, performance SUV, actually does mean something in these modern times. Just think, a few short years ago, only muscle cars could reach sixty miles per hour in the five or six-second range. Yet, four of the five SUVs above can do that today. What an intriguing time we live in.