I’m in the market for a new vehicle and need advice. It’s between the Bronco Sport, Edge, or Escape. I’ve got two kids (one in a booster, one in a car seat) and a 70lb dog. We travel often with duffel bags and groceries to our weekend home. I’m leaning toward the Bronco Sport since I could use the cargo space for the dog and a roof rack for storage, but some people say it’s too small. What do you think? Any advice, tips, or photos would be great. Thanks!
I work on Fords, and honestly, the Edge is the most reliable of the three. The only thing to watch out for is its AWD system, which can be finicky. If you go for a front-wheel drive Edge (if available), it’s mainly about keeping up with regular maintenance.
@Arlo
The Edge is being phased out, so you might find a good deal. It’s also the biggest of the three, which you’ll notice when you drive it.
@Arlo
Just FYI, as of 2023, the Edge is only available with AWD. No more front-wheel drive options.
@Arlo
Do the newer Escapes and Bronco Sports have a lot of issues? I’ve got a 2016 Escape with 111k miles and was thinking of upgrading. I heard they fixed many problems in the 2020 redesign.
@Arlo
That’s interesting. I know they didn’t sell as many Edges compared to other models, so maybe that’s why there seem to be fewer issues.
The Bronco Sport and Escape share the same platform. The Bronco Sport has a boxier shape, which helps a little with space, but if one feels small, the other probably will too. The Edge is bigger and might be a better fit for you.
Bring a box roughly the size of your dog and try it out in each vehicle to see what fits best. Make sure the car seats work with the backseat space, too. You can do all the research online, but nothing beats seeing it in person.
@Ziv
Honestly, all three of these cars might be too small for your needs. I’d recommend looking at the Explorer instead. I’ve got an 80lb dog and no kids, and even the Edge felt tight when I used it for traveling with the dog in the trunk.
@Ziv
The Escape has more backseat space for passengers, while the Bronco Sport focuses more on cargo volume. But for your needs, I’d still say the Edge is a better option—it’s more spacious for everyone.
The Edge is a step above both the Bronco Sport and Escape. It’s wider, roomier, quieter, and smoother to drive. You can use roof racks for extra storage on any of these SUVs, so that’s not exclusive to the Bronco Sport. Test drive all three and see what feels right for you. My ranking would be Edge first, then Escape Hybrid, and Bronco Sport last.
Edge would be my pick.
Edge for sure. It has a bigger backseat and trunk. I’ve got an Edge ST and love it. The Escape would be my second choice.
Reese said:
Edge for sure. It has a bigger backseat and trunk. I’ve got an Edge ST and love it. The Escape would be my second choice.
You’d pick the Escape over the Bronco Sport? That’s surprising given how much space the Edge offers.
@Ezri
Yeah, I’m not a fan of the Bronco Sport. The Escape would still come second, even though it’s smaller.
I’d recommend the Edge. My family uses it for camping trips, and it always fits everything we need. It’s comfortable and reliable, too.
If the Escape PHEV isn’t on your radar, it should be. It’s great for short trips, and the backseat works fine even for teens. If you’re planning to keep the car for 5–10 years, go with the Edge—it’s more spacious and will grow with your family.
I looked at the Escape and Edge ST. Once I put my kids and a car seat in the Escape, the Edge won easily. The Edge just has more space.
I’ve had two Escapes (2017 and now 2023). For a family with kids and a dog, I’d lean toward the Edge. It has more room for everyone and their stuff. The Bronco Sport looks cool, but I’ve heard it’s loud on highways and has some issues.
I’ve got a Bronco Sport, and my in-laws have an Edge. The Edge has more room, but I prefer the Bronco Sport overall. My 50lb dog fits fine in the cargo area, and the gas mileage has been decent for me.
Test drive all three before deciding. I moved from a 2014 Escape to a Bronco Sport. The Bronco Sport feels more like a truck, and the smaller engine is noisy. If you can afford the Badlands model, that one has a better engine and might be worth it.