What Ford SUV Best Fits Your Pre-Owned Needs?

When you set out to find a used Ford for sale near Schenectady, you’ll quickly discover that you have plenty of enticing options to choose from. Ford is not only a leader in today’s SUV segment, but it virtually created the entire category and has only expanded its selection in the years since.

The legendary Bronco off-road model wasn’t the first vehicle to combine the passenger and cargo space of a typical sedan with the ground clearance and four-wheel drive prowess of a traditional truck, but Ford did coin the term “sport utility vehicle” when it first introduced the Bronco to the market in 1966. The storied American brand certainly hasn’t slowed down over the decades, introducing a full range of rugged, reliable SUVs designed to fill any niche you can imagine.

Need a dependable daily driver that’ll sprint you around the city with minimal stops at the gas station? The compact Escape has you covered. The full-size Expedition is a totemic towing rig, offering a clever blend of comfort and convenience technology, as well as ample passenger and cargo space, which makes it a force to be reckoned with in the family-focused segment.

The Bronco’s off-road credentials are pretty well known at this point, but the midsize SUV  is also packed with plenty of advanced safety tech and premium details that bring the badge firmly into the modern era. Read on as we explore some of the best models on the pre-owned market and learn how there’s a Ford SUV that’s perfectly suited for every type of driver.

Ford Escape

Perfect For: Saving Cash, Going Fast, and Being Nimble

A Look at Fuel Economy

Efficiency is the name of the game when it comes to the Ford Escape. The compact crossover can achieve impressive mileage, with the 2023 base model offering up to 27 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway, thanks to its 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine. That’s a strong showing for any SUV, but things only get more impressive when you step up to the hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models.

Ford has been a trailblazer in hybrid technology since the first electrically assisted Escape hit the market in 2005, and its dominance has only increased over the last two decades. The standard 2023 Escape Hybrid offers fuel economy of around 39 MPG combined in both its front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations, while the plug-in version ups that figure to 40 MPG combined.

Those numbers can be a little hard to wrap your head around, but just put it in terms of pure dollars and cents, the Escape’s efficiency comes into sharp focus. The gas-powered model will run drivers around $1,600 in annual fuel costs, but the hybrid rings in at just $1,200. The PHEV is the obvious winner in terms of fuel economy, with an average expenditure of $900, and can also travel up to 37 miles on electric power alone.

Performance

One would think that the Escape’s impressive efficiency would come at the cost of performance, but that’s simply not the case. The available 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine allows the Escape to 250 hp and 280 lb-ft. of torque; a potent combination that sees the crossover hit 60 mph in 5.8 seconds when getting up to speed on I-890 in Schenectady while also giving it a lineup-leading 3,500 lbs of maximum towing capacity.

The Ford Co-Pilot360 Suite

Safety comes standard with Ford’s acclaimed Co-Pilot360 suite of safety and driver-assistance tools, which includes automatic high beams, a lane-keeping system, rear parking sensors, and adaptive cruise control. The crossover also punches well above its compact designation with up to 65.4 cu.ft. of cargo room.

Other Features

It is among the most tech-forward options in the segment, featuring a 13.2-inch touchscreen display, a 12.3-inch digital gauge display, and a head-up display that allows drivers to track vital metrics and customize the readouts to suit their unique needs. Add in the Escape’s magnificent maneuverability, and it’s easy to see why the Escape has become one of Ford’s best-selling SUVs.

Ford Bronco

Perfect For: Off-Roading And Nostalgia

The Ford Bronco is here to prove that there’s no substitute for the original. The midsize marvel has proven to be nothing less than a revelation in the off-road segment, and while it did take a lengthy 25-year hiatus following the 1996 model year, its absence made the heart grow fonder for Ford’s genre-defining SUV.

The Bronco galloped back onto the scene in 2021 and has quickly risen to become one of the most popular models in the off-road segment. Ford also expanded its SUV stable with the introduction of a new compact crossover model dubbed the Bronco Sport, but if you’re a Schenectady driver looking to venture off the beaten path, there’s simply no substitute for the sort of utility and performance the traditional body-on-frame Bronco can offer.

Rugged Performance

The Bronco’s off-road reputation precedes it, with Ford equipping the SUV with all the heavy-duty gear and cutting-edge components required to find success on the road less traveled. Take the 2023 model, for example. Even the entry-level Base model offers a 300-hp turbocharged engine, a Trail Turn Assist feature that enables drivers to navigate tight off-road conditions, and five Go Over Any Terrain (G.O.A.T.) modes with specific settings for Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, and Sand/Snow.

Upper trims add a litany of advanced off-road tech, including 35-inch all-terrain tires with 17-inch beadlock-capable alloy wheels, a lifted suspension, Fox shocks with internal bypass dampers, electronically locking front and rear axles, and plenty of protection courtesy of the SUV’s ample skid plates and rock rails.

Package to Look For

While the Bronco might trade on its off-road ability, it’s also a thoroughbred as far as convenience and comfort are concerned. The current sixth-generation Bronco includes all the amenities drivers have come to expect from a modern SUV and then some. Ford has graced the Bronco with a full arsenal of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and an available High package that adds a 12-inch infotainment display, front parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera system to the mix.

The Lux package does just what it says on the box, upping the ante with comfort and convenience tech like adaptive cruise control, a wireless smartphone charging pad and a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system that’s sure to elevate your next off-road adventure around Upstate New York or weekly trip to the supermarket.

Ford Expedition

Perfect For: Towing, Growing Families, and Pure Fun

If you’re in the market for a full-size SUV that won’t ask you to make any hard choices about who or what to take along for your next ride, the Ford Expedition is here to serve. Designed with three rows of seating that provide enough room for up to eight passengers, the Expedition is geared towards busy families seeking a versatile SUV that can seamlessly transition from weekly errands and school drop-off lines to extended journeys and weekends full of outdoor adventure.

Recent Model Years Have the Modern Tech You’re Looking For

While Ford unveiled the fifth-generation Expedition in 2025, there are still plenty of fourth-gen models produced between 2018 and 2024 to choose from on the pre-owned market. The Expedition has always been ahead of the curve as far as interior tech is concerned, with even the older fourth-gen model offering modern amenities like a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto functionality. The range-topping Platinum trim even includes Ford’s semi-automated BlueCruise driving system which allows drivers to sit back, relax and enjoy the ride on over 130,000 miles of divided highways across the U.S. and Canada.

For a Truly Spacious Ride, Consider an Expedition MAX Model

The Expedition is offered in two distinct flavors: the regular version and an extended wheelbase model, dubbed the Expedition MAX, which ups the SUV’s cargo capacity by almost 20 cu.ft. The Expedition is already a standout in terms of interior space, but the MAX model will give you all the cargo room you need for even the lengthiest road trip or family vacation with up to 121.5 cu.ft. on offer.

Towing Capacity and Trailering Tech

The three-row SUV’s carrying capacity isn’t limited to the cabin: with up to 9,300 lbs of max towing capacity to its name, the fourth-generation Expedition is able to pull heavy trailers, campers, and even boats without batting an eye. The available Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow package provides priceless peace of mind with its upgraded radiator, a trailer brake controller, and a novel trailer backup assist feature that makes it easy to maneuver your rig into a tight spot.

The Stealth Performance Package

The Expedition might be designed with practicality and family-friendly features in mind, but that doesn’t mean that the SUV can’t be a little edgy. Available on all Expedition models from 2022 onwards, the Stealth Performance package adds sporty appeal to the Expedition with upgraded exterior styling, including 22-inch black wheels, red brake calipers, dual exhaust, and more. While these enhancements are sure to turn a few heads as you cruise around Schenectady, it’s the package’s 440-hp twin-turbo V6 that really seals the deal by giving the nearly three-ton SUV a zero-to-60-mph time of 4.9 seconds.

Let Us Help You Find a Great Pre-Owned Ford SUV

There are plenty of reasons to pick a pre-owned model when it’s time to source your next SUV in Schenectady. The lower sale price is probably the most obvious advantage, but it’s not the only aspect that makes a pre-owned Ford SUV such a great value. By shopping used, drivers can avoid a vehicle’s most rapid period of depreciation and enjoy a greater return on their investment.

Choosing a pre-owned Escape, Expedition, or Bronco also allows drivers to access premium features and higher trims that might not be as affordable on a new model. Then there’s the reliability aspect. While buying a late-model car, truck, or SUV does have its advantages, it’s also tough to know exactly what you’re getting.

The same isn’t true of used vehicles, which have had plenty of time to showcase their potential flaws and alert drivers on which models and years to avoid. Whether you’re in the market for a dedicated off-road SUV, a full-size model that’s fun for the whole family, or a new ride for your daily commute, DePaula Auto Group is here to connect you with a wide selection of used Ford models.