The 2025 Bronco lineup packs seven different trim levels, each bringing its own mix of off-road capability and daily driving comfort. From the budget-friendly Base model to the desert-dominating Raptor, Ford's built something for everyone who craves adventure. Let's break down what makes each trim special and help you figure out which one actually matches how you plan to use it. The Base trim starts around $37,995 and becomes a serious rock crawler when paired with the optional Sasquatch Package for $8,460. Mid-range options like Big Bend and Outer Banks balance family comfort with weekend adventure capability, offering carpeted floors and heated seats. The Raptor sits at the top with 418 horsepower, 37-inch tires, and FOX Live Valve dampers built for extreme terrain and high-speed desert runs. Breaking Down the Bronco Lineup When you start shopping for a Bronco, you'll find seven distinct trim levels for 2025. Each one serves a different purpose, and figuring out Ford Bronco trim levels means looking at what you actually need versus what just sounds cool. Base, Big Bend, Heritage Edition, Outer Banks, Badlands, Stroppe Edition, and Raptor each target specific buyers with different priorities. Every Bronco comes standard with four-wheel drive and removable doors and roof panels. A base 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine makes 300 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque, paired with either a seven-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission. Step up to the available 2.7-liter V6, and you get 330 horsepower with 415 lb-ft of torque. Raptor gets its own exclusive 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 pumping out 418 horsepower and 440 lb-ft. Bronco Trim Level Comparison Chart Trim Level Starting Price Engine Key Features Best For Base $37,995 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 (300 hp) 12-inch digital gauge cluster, LED headlamps, SYNC 4 (8-inch screen), rubber floors, cloth seats. Sasquatch Package optional. Budget buyers who want maximum customization Big Bend $42,000+ 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 (300 hp) 17-inch wheels, 32-inch all-terrain tires, Ford Co-Pilot360, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control. Daily drivers with light off-road needs Heritage Edition $47,000+ 2.3L or 2.7L EcoBoost Sasquatch Package standard, plaid seats, retro 1966-inspired styling. Buyers who want classic Bronco looks Outer Banks $47,000+ 2.3L or 2.7L EcoBoost Leather seats, carpeted floors, heated steering wheel, 18-inch wheels. Families and comfort-focused drivers Badlands $50,000+ 2.3L or 2.7L EcoBoost Front stabilizer bar disconnect, Bilstein shocks, advanced G.O.A.T. modes. Serious off-road enthusiasts Stroppe Edition New for 2025 2.7L EcoBoost V6 Baja-inspired styling, HOSS 3.0 suspension, 35-inch tires. Performance-focused Bronco fans Raptor $80,000+ 3.0L EcoBoost V6 (418 hp) FOX Live Valve suspension, 37-inch tires, widebody design. Extreme off-road and desert runners The Sasquatch Package Makes a Real Difference Available on Base, Big Bend, Outer Banks, and Badlands (standard on Heritage, Stroppe, and Raptor), the Sasquatch Package costs around $6,000 to $8,000, depending on trim. You get 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels wrapped in 35-inch all-terrain tires, electronic-locking front and rear differentials, high-clearance suspension with position-sensitive Bilstein shocks, and a 4.7 final drive ratio. If you're buying primarily for off-road adventures, Sasquatch makes a huge difference in mud, sand, and rock crawling. The locking differentials prevent wheelspin where open diffs would leave you stuck. But if you're mostly on pavement, expect 2-3 mpg worse fuel economy, more road noise, and a harsher ride. Spending $6,000+ on rarely-used capability doesn't make sense for mall parking lots. Should You Buy More or Less Bronco? Most buyers make one of two mistakes: either overbuying or underbuying. A fully-loaded Badlands costs as much as some luxury SUVs, but you'll waste that capability if you're not hitting trails regularly. On the flip side, trying to add aftermarket lockers and suspension to a Base model costs about the same as buying a Badlands from the factory, minus the warranty coverage. Think honestly about your usage. Weekend camping trips on forest service roads? Big Bend handles that fine. Rock crawling through Moab? You want Badlands or better. Daily commuting with occasional beach trips? Outer Banks gives you comfort without paying for extreme capability you won't use. Test Drive Before You Commit Reading about specs only tells part of the story. Manual transmission feels completely different from the automatic. Two-door models are more maneuverable on tight trails but sacrifice rear passenger space. Four-door versions give you family practicality but add length in technical sections. You need actual seat time to understand these tradeoffs. Gates Ford in Richmond, Kentucky, keeps a solid selection of Bronco models in stock so you can compare trims side by side. Their team knows the differences between each version and can set up test drives that let you feel how the Badlands handles compared to the Outer Banks. You can check out the Sasquatch Package in person, sit in both two-door and four-door configurations, and get straight answers about which options actually matter for your driving style. Having all the models in one place beats trying to track down different trims at multiple dealers across town.

Built to Pull Heavy with the 2026 Ford F-150 If you need a truck that works as hard as you do, the 2026 Ford F-150 brings serious muscle to the table. With a max towing rating that hits 13,500 pounds when you spec it right, you get real capability backed by six different engines, smart trailer tech, and payload ratings that climb above 2,400 pounds. Whether you're pulling a camper across state lines or loading up for a weekend project, the F-150 gives you options that fit how you actually use your truck. The 3.5L EcoBoost V6 provides the highest F-150 towing capacity at 13,500 lbs with the Max Trailer Tow Package. Payload ratings reach up to 2,440 lbs, giving contractors and weekend warriors serious hauling flexibility. Pro Trailer Backup Assist, integrated brake controllers, and 360-degree cameras make towing safer and less stressful. Power Options That Match Your Needs Ford offers six engines for 2026, each tuned for different jobs. The 2.7L EcoBoost V6 tows up to 8,400 pounds for lighter loads and daily driving. Step up to the 5.0L V8, and you get 12,900 pounds of towing with old-school V8 torque. The 3.5L EcoBoost V6 is the workhorse, pulling that headline 13,500-pound rating when paired with the correct axle ratio and Max Tow equipment. For fuel savings without giving up capability, the 3.5L PowerBoost Hybrid V6 tows 11,200 pounds and adds Pro Power Onboard for job sites. The High-Output 3.5L EcoBoost pushes 8,200 pounds, while the 5.2L Supercharged V8 in the Raptor R focuses on off-road performance with 8,700 pounds of towing. Quick Reference: 2026 F-150 Towing and Payload Engine Max Towing Max Payload 2.7L EcoBoost V6 8,400 lbs 1,775 lbs 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 12,900 lbs 2,225 lbs 3.5L EcoBoost V6 13,500 lbs 2,440 lbs 3.5L PowerBoost Hybrid V6 11,200 lbs 1,750 lbs High-Output 3.5L EcoBoost V6 8,200 lbs 1,400 lbs 5.2L Supercharged V8 (Raptor R) 8,700 lbs 1,400 lbs Understanding Payload and Its Role Towing ratings get most of the attention, but payload matters just as much. Payload includes everything in the truck: passengers, bed gear, and trailer tongue weight. A typical travel trailer puts 10-15% of its weight on the hitch, which eats into your payload capacity before the trailer moves. The Ford F-150 handles this well. Regular Cab models can carry over 2,400 pounds with the right setup. SuperCrew models offer full-size rear seats while still delivering strong payload numbers. If you're hauling heavy equipment or loading up the bed, that extra capacity keeps you legal and safe. Tech That Makes Towing Easier Raw power only gets you so far. Ford loads the F-150 with features that help when you're backing up to a boat ramp or merging on the highway with 10,000 pounds behind you. Pro Trailer Backup Assist lets you steer the trailer with a knob instead of wrestling with the wheel. Smart Hitch and Onboard Scales estimate tongue weight so you don't have to guess. The 360-degree camera gives you eyes where mirrors can't reach. Integrated brake controllers work with your trailer's brakes for smoother stops. Trailer sway control kicks in if wind or passing trucks try to push you around. These systems work together, making towing feel controlled even when you're new to pulling heavy loads. Configuration Choices That Matter Getting that 13,500-pound towing number requires the right combination of equipment. You need the Max Trailer Tow Package, which includes upgraded cooling, the right axle ratio, and a Class IV hitch. SuperCrew models with shorter beds typically tow the most, while longer beds add weight that slightly reduces ratings. Four-wheel drive adds bad-weather capability but also adds weight, trimming a few hundred pounds off your max tow rating compared to 4x2 models. Regular Cab trucks offer the highest payload, while SuperCrew and SuperCab configurations balance interior space with hauling ability. The door jamb sticker on any specific truck shows its exact ratings. How the F-150 Stacks Up Ford's 13,500-pound max tow rating edges out the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (around 13,300 lbs) and the Ram 1500 (up to 12,750 lbs). The F-150's advantage comes from years of engineering focus on towing, plus the 10-speed automatic that keeps power flowing smoothly under load. Ram trucks counter with plush interiors and new inline-six engines, while Chevy still appeals to traditional V8 buyers. Finding Your Perfect Setup If you tow a camper or boat regularly, the 3.5L EcoBoost with Max Trailer Tow is the sweet spot most buyers choose. It offers the highest towing rating and a substantial payload for bed cargo. For work trucks, the 5.0L V8 provides 12,900 pounds of towing and over 2,200 pounds of payload. The PowerBoost Hybrid makes sense if you want 11,200 pounds of towing with better fuel economy and Pro Power Onboard. Off-road trims like Tremor and Raptor trade some towing capacity for specialized suspension and bigger tires. They still pull 8,200 to 10,900 pounds, depending on configuration. Match the truck to your real-world needs, and you'll get the capability that makes sense for how you use it. Test the Capability for Yourself in Richmond Reading specs only tells part of the story. We keep a full lineup of F-150 models at our Richmond showroom, from work-focused XL trims to loaded Platinum builds. Our team can walk you through the differences in engines, show you how Pro Trailer Backup Assist works, and help you determine which configuration best meets your towing needs. We'll also explain how axle ratios, cab styles, and packages affect your real-world numbers. Stop by and see how the 2026 F-150 stacks up when you're sitting in the driver's seat.

Two Ford SUVs That Share a Badge and Almost Nothing Underneath Shoppers walk onto the lot assuming one of these is simply the smaller version of the other. That guess costs money, because the two answer completely different questions. One is built around removable doors and a solid rear axle. The other is a five-passenger crossover that happens to wear the same lettering across its grille. Three turbocharged engines are offered across the full-size Bronco lineup, compared to two for the Bronco Sport. Ground clearance ranges from 7.8 inches on most Bronco Sport trims up to 13.1 inches on the Bronco Raptor. Towing tops out at 2,700 pounds for the Bronco Sport Badlands and 4,500 pounds for the Bronco Raptor. Body Style Is the First Fork in the Road Every 2026 Bronco Sport is a four-door crossover with a fixed roof and five seats. Nothing comes off. Its bigger sibling flips that script. Base and Badlands trims can be ordered as two-door or four-door models, and Ford builds both with removable doors and a removable roof. Two-door models seat four; four-door models seat five. Roof choices show how far apart these two sit. Two-door Broncos come with a hard top; four-door Broncos get a soft top; and a dual-top setup can be added to any model. The Bronco Sport doesn't offer any of that, though its safari-style roofline makes up for some of the loss in headroom. Engine Choices Split the Lineups Fast Anyone weighing a Ford Bronco vs. Bronco Sport purchase should start with the powertrains, since they don't overlap by a single cubic inch. Bronco Sport runs either a 1.5L EcoBoost three-cylinder making 180 horsepower and 200 lb-ft, or the Badlands 2.0L EcoBoost four-cylinder making 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft. Both use an eight-speed automatic. Step up to the Bronco, and the numbers jump. Its 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder makes 300 horsepower and 325 lb-ft on premium fuel, the available 2.7L EcoBoost V6 climbs to 330 horsepower and 415 lb-ft, and Raptor gets a 3.0L V6 good for 418 horsepower and 440 lb-ft. Ford still sells a seven-speed manual on Base, Big Bend, Badlands, and Heritage Edition, which is rare air in 2026. Terrain Hardware Separates Them Further Both SUVs use G.O.A.T. Modes, Ford's terrain management system. Bronco Sport runs five modes on Big Bend, Heritage, and Outer Banks, seven on Badlands. The full-size lineup saves its seven-mode setup for Badlands, Stroppe Edition, and Raptor. Water fording is where the gap gets wide. Ford rates the Bronco at 33.5 inches and the Raptor at 37. Bronco Sport handles 24 when properly equipped. That's a real difference if you cross creeks, and a meaningless one if you cross parking lots. 2026 Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport Trim Comparison Trim Engine HP / Torque Transmission Ground Clearance Max Towing G.O.A.T. Modes Body / Seating 2026 Ford Bronco Sport Big Bend 1.5L EcoBoost I-3 180 hp / 200 lb-ft 8-speed automatic 7.8 in. 2,200 lb (Class II pkg.) 5 4-door, seats 5 Heritage 1.5L EcoBoost I-3 180 hp / 200 lb-ft 8-speed automatic 7.8 in. 2,200 lb (Class II pkg.) 5 4-door, seats 5 Outer Banks 1.5L EcoBoost I-3 180 hp / 200 lb-ft 8-speed automatic 7.8 in. 2,200 lb (Class II pkg.) 5 4-door, seats 5 Badlands 2.0L EcoBoost I-4 250 hp / 280 lb-ft 8-speed automatic 8.1 in. 2,700 lb (Class II std.) 7 4-door, seats 5 2026 Ford Bronco Base 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 300 hp / 325 lb-ft 7-speed manual, available 10-speed automatic 8.3 in. 2-door, 8.4 in. 4-door (11.6 / 11.5 in. w/ Sasquatch) 3,500 lb (Class II pkg.) 5 2-door seats 4, 4-door seats 5 Big Bend 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 300 hp / 325 lb-ft 7-speed manual, available 10-speed automatic 8.4 in. (11.5 in. w/ Sasquatch) 3,500 lb (Class II pkg.) 5 4-door, seats 5 Outer Banks 2.3L EcoBoost I-4, available 2.7L EcoBoost V6 300 hp / 325 lb-ft, or 330 hp / 415 lb-ft 10-speed automatic 8.4 in. (11.5 in. w/ Sasquatch) 3,500 lb (Class II pkg.) 5 4-door, seats 5 Badlands 2.3L EcoBoost I-4, available 2.7L EcoBoost V6 300 hp / 325 lb-ft, or 330 hp / 415 lb-ft 7-speed manual, available 10-speed automatic 10.5 in. (11.6 / 11.5 in. w/ Sasquatch) 3,500 lb (Class II pkg.) 7 2-door seats 4, 4-door seats 5 Heritage Edition 2.3L EcoBoost I-4, available 2.7L EcoBoost V6 300 hp / 325 lb-ft, or 330 hp / 415 lb-ft 7-speed manual or 10-speed automatic 11.5 in. (Sasquatch standard) 3,500 lb (Class II pkg.) 5 4-door, seats 5 Stroppe Edition 2.7L EcoBoost V6 330 hp / 415 lb-ft 10-speed automatic 11.5 in. 3,500 lb (Class II pkg.) 7 4-door, seats 5 Raptor 3.0L EcoBoost V6 418 hp / 440 lb-ft 10-speed automatic 13.1 in. 4,500 lb (tow pkg. standard) 7 4-door, seats 5 Horsepower and torque based on premium fuel per SAE J1349, and are independent attributes that may not be achieved at the same time. Towing requires the noted equipment. Specifications from ford.com, August 2026. Fuel Economy Swings Hard Toward the Smaller SUV Ford rates the 1.5L Bronco Sport at 25 city, 30 highway, and 27 combined mpg with standard 4x4. The Badlands and its 2.0L land at 21 city, 27 highway, and 23 combined. Adding the Sasquatch package to an Outer Banks drops the 1.5L to 23 city, 26 highway, and 24 combined. Ford lists the 2026 Bronco as not yet EPA rated at the time of release, so there aren't official numbers to quote yet. Curb weights tell you enough anyway: roughly 3,458 pounds for a 1.5L Bronco Sport versus 4,332 pounds for a base Bronco. Cargo Space Isn't the Slam Dunk You'd Guess A four-door Bronco with a hard top holds 35.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 77.6 cubic feet with those seats folded. Bronco Sport counters with 32.5 cubic feet behind the second row on 1.5L models and a maximum of 65.2 cubic feet. The Bronco Sport Badlands drops to 29.4 and 60.6. Two-door Bronco buyers give up plenty. Figure 20.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 52.0 cubic feet total, less usable room than the smallest Bronco Sport. Matching the Badge to Your Weekly Mileage Ask yourself what happens on a normal Tuesday. School pickup, a grocery run, and maybe a gravel road to a trailhead? Bronco Sport Big Bend or Outer Banks covers all of that while sipping fuel. Hauling a boat, climbing a rutted access road, or itching to drive with the doors off? Then the full-size Bronco earns its keep, and Badlands hits the sweet spot for most trail-minded buyers. Compare Both Broncos in Person at Gates Ford Lincoln Spec sheets only take you so far. We keep both the Bronco and Bronco Sport in our Richmond lot, so you can climb into each one back-to-back and feel the difference in ride height, cabin size, and visibility. Our team will walk you through which trims pair with the Sasquatch package, what the Class II Trailer Tow Package adds, and whether that manual is worth chasing. We'll set up test drives in both and help match trims to your budget. Shoppers from Lexington, Nicholasville, and across central Kentucky come to us for exactly this kind of comparison.

Picking Between America's Two Favorite Pickups Walk through any jobsite parking lot in Kentucky, and you'll count more blue ovals and bowties than everything else put together. That's no accident. Both brands have spent decades sharpening their half-ton trucks for drivers who pull a horse trailer on Saturday and run the school route on Monday. For 2026, the answers hide in the trim ladder rather than the badge. Ford fields six engines across the F-150 lineup while Chevy counters with four, including the only diesel offered in the half-ton class. Maximum towing lands at 13,500 pounds for the F-150 and 13,300 pounds for the Silverado 1500, though both figures demand very specific configurations. Trim pricing runs $37,290 to $79,005 on the Ford side and $36,900 to $71,800 on the Chevy side, excluding destination. What Sits Under the Hood Ford starts the F-150 with a 2.7L EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 rated at 325 hp and 400 lb-ft, then piles options on top. There's a 5.0L V8 good for 400 hp and 410 lb-ft, a 3.5L EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 at 400 hp and 500 lb-ft, and the 3.5L PowerBoost full hybrid making 430 hp and 578 lb-ft combined. Raptor buyers get a 450 hp high-output 3.5L, and the Raptor R runs a supercharged 5.2L V8 worth 720 hp. All of them route through a 10-speed automatic. Chevy keeps the menu shorter. A 2.7L TurboMax four-cylinder makes 310 hp and 430 lb-ft through an 8-speed automatic, the odd one out since every other Silverado engine uses a 10-speed. From there, you can pick the 5.3L V8 at 355 hp and 383 lb-ft, the 6.2L V8 at 420 hp and 460 lb-ft, or the 3.0L Duramax turbo-diesel inline-six making 305 hp and 495 lb-ft. That diesel has no direct rival among half-tons, and it's why plenty of shoppers put a Silverado on the list at all. Towing Numbers Worth Reading Twice Ford's headline is 13,500 pounds, and reaching it takes the 3.5L EcoBoost, a SuperCrew cab, 4WD, the 6.5-foot bed, and the Max Trailer Tow Package. Chevy's best is 13,300 pounds using the Duramax in a Double Cab with the standard bed and 20-inch wheels. Two hundred pounds apart, or roughly one heavy passenger. Payload tips toward Ford at 2,440 pounds, compared with 2,260. Shopping the 2026 Ford F-150 vs. Chevy Silverado on pulling power? Watch how that torque behaves instead of chasing the peak number. Chevy's diesel hands over 495 lb-ft low and stays flat. Ford's 3.5L EcoBoost puts its 500 lb-ft down with a shove once the turbos wake. Neither is wrong. They just feel different with 9,000 pounds behind you on I-75. Fuel Economy Swings Hard by Engine Nothing splits these trucks like your engine choice. Chevy's 2WD Duramax posts EPA estimates of 23 city and 28 highway, for a combined 25, the best set of numbers in any half-ton. Ford counters with the PowerBoost hybrid at 22 city, 24 highway, and 23 combined in 4WD form, and it carries Pro Power Onboard as a jobsite generator. Gas V8s land where you'd guess. Chevy's 5.3L in 2WD returns 17 combined against 19 combined for Ford's 5.0L in 2WD. 2026 F-150 and Silverado 1500 Trim Comparison Chart Segment Ford F-150 Trim Chevy Silverado 1500 Trim What Separates Them Work Truck XL, $37,290 WT, $36,900 F-150 XL includes a 12-inch touchscreen and 12-inch digital cluster. Silverado WT uses a smaller display. Second Rung STX, $41,510 Custom, $42,400 STX opens the door to the hybrid and the new Lobo Package. Custom adds keyless entry and power locks. Volume Seller XLT, $44,500 LT, $47,900 XLT undercuts LT by $3,400. LT is where Chevy's 13.4-inch screen and EZ Lift tailgate arrive. Street Sport STX with Lobo Package, from $41,510 RST, $51,300 Lobo is a lowered SuperCrew 4WD build with the 5.0L V8. RST leans on body-color trim and the 2.7L TurboMax. Leather Step-Up Lariat, $53,135 LTZ, $58,000 Lariat now starts as RWD for 2026, which drops its price. LTZ makes the 5.3L V8 standard. Off-Road Tremor, $58,115 Custom Trail Boss, $52,900 / LT Trail Boss, $59,700 Tremor comes with 4WD standard. Trail Boss trims stack, a lift, and skid plates on cheaper starting points. Top Luxury King Ranch, $60,960 / Platinum, $63,575 High Country, $62,900 Ford splits the top end into two personalities. Chevy runs one flagship with the 6.2L V8 available in 4x4. Extreme Off-Road Raptor, $79,005 ZR2, $71,800 Raptor packs 450 hp and desert-runner suspension. ZR2 pairs the 6.2L V8 with 11.2 inches of ground clearance. All MSRPs exclude destination and reflect the lowest-cost cab, bed, and drivetrain configuration per trim. Ford's site is currently showing promotional employee pricing on most trims, so confirm the current MSRP with your dealer before ordering. Some pricing may be promotional. Double check current manufacturer's pricing for an up-to-date MSPR. Screens, Beds, and the Stuff You Touch Daily Ford put a 12-inch touchscreen and a 12-inch digital gauge cluster in every 2026 F-150, base XL included, running SYNC 4 with a 5G modem that's now standard. Chevy holds its 13.4-inch display with Google built in for LT and above, so Work Truck and Custom shoppers settle for something smaller. Both include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Chevy fires back on cargo. Its Durabed measures 89.1 cubic feet, a figure Chevrolet calls best in class, with 12 tie-downs rated at 500 pounds per corner. Ford answers with bed lengths of 5.5, 6.5, and 8.0 feet. Where Each Truck Earns Its Keep Buy the Silverado if the diesel range fits your week, or you want the biggest bed available without stepping up to a heavy-duty. Buy the F-150 if you want six engines to choose from, a hybrid that powers your tools, and a big screen even on the cheap trims. Neither truck is a bad call. Whichever trim you land on shapes your day-to-day far more than the emblem on the tailgate does, so price out the exact build you'd actually order and go sit in both. Why Buy Your Next F-150 at Gates Ford Lincoln Spec sheets only take you so far. We keep a wide mix of F-150 configurations on the ground in Richmond, so you can climb into an XLT SuperCrew and a Lariat back-to-back and feel the difference yourself. Our team can break down what the Max Trailer Tow Package adds to your rating, or whether the PowerBoost hybrid pencils out for your miles. Factory-trained technicians and genuine Ford parts keep your truck working hard long after you sign. Come drive a couple and settle this one on your own terms.

Picking Between Two Three-Row Family Haulers for 2026 Shopping for a three-row SUV that hauls kids, gear, and the occasional trailer can feel like a coin flip when two strong options sit side by side. Both of these Chevy and Ford crossovers earned their spots in driveways across the country, and each plays to a different kind of buyer. Let's break down what sets them apart so you can walk into a showroom knowing what you want. The Ford brings two turbocharged engine choices and a Tremor off-road trim, while the Chevy sticks with one strong turbo four across the board. Chevy's roomier cabin and bigger cargo hold make it the better pick for families who haul a lot of stuff. Both SUVs tow 5,000 pounds and pack hands-free highway driving tech on higher trims. The 2026 Ford Explorer vs. Chevy Traverse matchup pits two midsize three-row SUVs that share a mission but go about it differently. One leans into driving feel and engine variety. The other doubles down on space. Which one fits comes down to a few real differences. What's Under the Hood Ford gives you a choice here, and that matters. The standard 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder makes 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque with a 10-speed automatic. Want more muscle? Step up to the available 3.0L twin-turbo V6, which Ford markets at up to 385 horsepower. Rear-wheel drive comes standard, and four-wheel drive is available across the lineup. Chevy keeps things simpler. Every Traverse runs a 2.5L turbocharged four-cylinder good for 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard on most trims. All-wheel drive is optional or standard, depending on the trim, and the Z71 gets AWD standard with a twin-clutch system built for light off-road work. So the Chevy out-muscles the base Ford engine. But the Ford's optional V6 climbs well past it for serious grunt. If you tow or like a quick highway launch, that V6 is worth a test drive. Room for People and Cargo Here's where the Traverse pulls ahead for big families. Chevy seats up to eight with the second-row bench, and the cargo numbers are generous. You get 22.9 cubic feet behind the third row, 56.6 behind the second, and 98 cubic feet with everything folded flat. The Explorer seats six or seven, depending on your second-row setup. Its cargo space measures 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row, opening up to 85.8 cubic feet with all seats down. That's plenty for most weekend trips, but the Chevy's extra room adds up fast once you pile in coolers, strollers, and sports gear. Fuel Economy and Towing The base Explorer with rear-wheel drive earns an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. That's solid for a vehicle this size. Adding four-wheel drive or the V6 brings those numbers down a bit, as you'd expect. The Traverse posts 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway with front-wheel drive, dropping slightly with AWD. Chevy's pressroom lists a 27 mpg highway figure, so confirm the sticker when you visit. Both SUVs tow up to 5,000 pounds. The Explorer includes a Class III Tow Package on every trim, handy if a small boat or camper is in your future. Tech and Driver Assistance Both SUVs come loaded with screens and safety gear. The Explorer runs a 13.2-inch center touchscreen with the Ford Digital Experience, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. BlueCruise hands-free highway driving shows up on higher trims. Chevy answers with a big 17.7-inch touchscreen standard across every trim, Google Built-in, and the Super Cruise hands-free system on top models. Each brand stacks its lower trims with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. You're covered no matter which badge you choose. 2026 Ford Explorer vs. Chevy Traverse Trim Comparison Feature 2026 Ford Explorer 2026 Chevy Traverse Starting MSRP $38,465 $40,800 Base Engine 2.3L turbo I-4 2.5L turbo I-4 Base Horsepower 300 hp 328 hp Available Engine 3.0L twin-turbo V6 (up to 385 hp) None Transmission 10-speed automatic 8-speed automatic Drivetrain RWD standard, 4WD available FWD standard, AWD available Seating Capacity 6 to 7 7 to 8 Max Cargo Volume 85.8 cu ft 98 cu ft EPA City/Hwy (base) 20/29 mpg (RWD) 20/26 mpg (FWD) Max Towing 5,000 lbs 5,000 lbs Center Touchscreen 13.2-inch 17.7-inch Hands-Free Driving BlueCruise Super Cruise Off-Road Trim Tremor (4WD) Z71 (AWD) Pricing reflects starting MSRP excluding destination charges. Verify current pricing and EPA figures with your dealer, since promotions and final ratings can shift. 2026 Ford Explorer Trim Ladder Trim Starting MSRP Drivetrain Highlights Active 100A $38,465 RWD, 4WD avail. Co-Pilot360 Assist+, 18-inch wheels, second-row captain's chairs Active $40,585 RWD, 4WD avail. Adds heated front seats, available fog lights ST-Line $45,155 RWD, 4WD avail. Sport styling, 20-inch wheels, heated steering wheel, Bang & Olufsen audio Tremor $48,965 4WD only Off-road suspension, skid plates, all-terrain tires, ventilated and heated seats Platinum $50,965 RWD, 4WD avail. 14-speaker B&O audio, standard BlueCruise, 21-inch wheels, massaging front seats ST $54,905 RWD, 4WD avail. Standard 3.0L twin-turbo V6, quad exhaust, ambient lighting, standard BlueCruise 2026 Chevy Traverse Trim Ladder Trim Starting MSRP Drivetrain Highlights LT $40,800 FWD, AWD avail. 17.7-inch touchscreen, up to 8 seats, Chevy Safety Assist, heated front seats Z71 $48,900 AWD standard Twin-clutch AWD, off-road suspension, skid plate, all-terrain tires, hill descent control High Country $55,100 FWD, AWD avail. Leather, ventilated seats, Super Cruise, Bose audio, 22-inch wheels RS $55,400 FWD, AWD avail. Sport styling, blacked-out accents, flat-bottom wheel, 22-inch wheels, Super Cruise Explorer prices start with rear-wheel drive, with four-wheel drive adding about $2,000 on most trims. Traverse High Country and RS all-wheel-drive versions start at $57,100 and $57,400, respectively. Confirm trim pricing with your dealer. Which One Fits Your Driveway Your choice comes down to priorities. Pick the Explorer if you want a sportier drive, a punchy optional V6, or a real off-road option in the Tremor. It suits folks who care how a vehicle feels behind the wheel and want a trim ladder to climb. Go with the Traverse if maximum passenger and cargo room top your list, or if that giant standard touchscreen and eight-seat capacity speak to your busy household. Both are smart buys, so park them side by side and see which cabin feels like home. See the 2026 Explorer Up Close at Gates Ford Lincoln We'd love to help you sort through everything that goes into picking the right three-row SUV. At Gates Ford Lincoln in Richmond, our team knows the Explorer lineup inside and out, from the rear-wheel-drive Active up to the V6-powered ST and the trail-ready Tremor. Stop by to climb through the second and third rows, fold the seats down, and take one out on the road so you can feel the difference yourself. We're glad to walk you through trims, drivetrains, and towing setups. Come see why so many Kentucky families trust us with their next SUV.

Which Lincoln SUV Belongs in Your Driveway Walking into a Lincoln showroom can feel a little like reading a menu at a great restaurant. Four strong choices, all of them tempting, and each one built for a slightly different appetite. The 2026 Lincoln SUV models stretch from the right-sized Corsair up to the road-ruling Navigator, with the Nautilus and Aviator filling out the middle. So which one fits your daily life? At Gates Ford Lincoln in Richmond, we field this question almost every week, so here's a straightforward look at how these four stack up. The Corsair starts under $42K and works well for solo drivers or smaller families who want a luxury cabin without the big footprint. The Nautilus packs a 48-inch panoramic screen and earns top marks for tech-forward style starting at $53,995. The Aviator and Navigator both have three rows, V6 muscle, and serious towing capability for households that need real room. Lincoln Corsair, The Compact Starting Point The Corsair is Lincoln's smallest SUV and the friendliest price of admission to the brand. It comes in three flavors. Premiere kicks things off around $41,480 with a 250-horsepower turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder, an 8-speed automatic, and front-wheel drive (AWD is optional). Reserve buyers get genuine leather, 19-inch wheels, a 14-speaker Revel audio rig, and a 10-way power driver's seat. The Grand Touring jumps up to a plug-in hybrid setup at $54,365, with 266 combined horsepower, standard AWD, and an EPA-estimated 27 miles of electric-only range. If your driving life is mostly short trips around town, the Grand Touring's 76 MPGe is hard to beat. Lincoln Nautilus, The Tech Showstopper Step up to the Nautilus, and the cabin completely changes. The headline feature is that 48-inch dashboard-spanning screen, paired with a separate 11.1-inch touchscreen for controls. Pricing runs from $53,995 for the Premiere to roughly $77,660 for the Black Label. All trims come with AWD and a 250-hp turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder, but for $3,000 more, you can swap in a hybrid that bumps output to 310 horsepower and 30 mpg combined. Reserve adds real leather, ventilated seats, adaptive dampers, and a panoramic sunroof. Black Label offers 24-way massaging front seats, the 28-speaker Revel Ultima system, and themed interiors, such as the new Aurora option for 2026. Lincoln Aviator, Three Rows With Muscle Now we're in three-row territory. The Aviator runs on a twin-turbocharged 3.0L V6 that produces 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Premiere starts around $56,910 with rear-wheel drive (AWD is a $2,500 add). Reserve goes for $66,730 and tosses in a panoramic Vista Roof, leather seating, the 14-speaker Revel system, and the Illumination Package with Adaptive Pixel LED headlamps. Black Label runs $85,910 and bundles in standard AWD, the 28-speaker Revel Ultima system, 30-way Perfect Position seats, and three signature interior themes (Invitation, Flight, or Moonbeam). Every Aviator tows up to 5,000 pounds and seats six or seven, depending on the second-row setup. Lincoln Navigator, The Full-Size Flagship At the top sits the Navigator. Every model runs a twin-turbo 3.5L V6 making 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, sending power through a 10-speed automatic to standard 4WD. Pricing starts at $91,995 for Premiere and climbs to $118,995 for Black Label. Each trim is also available in long-wheelbase "L" form for $3,000 more, adding 14.5 cubic feet of cargo room. The Navigator's class-exclusive Split Gate is a clever trick. The upper portion lifts like a liftgate while the lower section folds down as a seat. Properly equipped, towing tops out at 8,700 pounds. Reserve adds the Vista Roof, power running boards, Lincoln Rejuvenate wellness tech, and the 28-speaker Revel Ultima. Black Label brings 30-way massaging seats, heated third-row seating, and three exclusive interior themes (Atmospheric, Enlighten, or Invitation). 2026 Lincoln SUV Comparison by Trim Feature Corsair Nautilus Aviator Navigator Premiere Starting MSRP $41,480 $53,995 $58,605 $91,995 Reserve Starting MSRP $47,640 $63,595 $66,730 $101,995 Top Trim & Price Grand Touring PHEV / $54,365 Black Label / $77,660 Black Label / $85,910 Black Label / $118,995 Engine 2.0L Turbo I-4 or 2.5L PHEV 2.0L Turbo I-4 (Hybrid optional) 3.0L Twin-Turbo V6 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6 Horsepower 250 / 266 (PHEV) 250 / 310 (Hybrid) 400 440 Drivetrain FWD / AWD Standard AWD RWD / AWD (Std on Black Label) Standard 4WD Seating 5 5 6 or 7 7 or 8 Max Towing 2,000 lbs Not rated for towing 5,000 lbs 8,700 lbs Top Audio System 14-speaker Revel 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D So Which One Wins Honestly? It comes down to what you haul, how far you drive, and how many people show up for the school pickup. Compact buyers gravitate toward the Corsair Grand Touring for its plug-in fuel savings. The Nautilus hits a great middle ground for couples and small families who want that dashboard-spanning display. The Aviator earns its keep when grandparents and car seats both need a row of their own. The Navigator? That's for buyers who tow boats, travel in groups, or simply want the biggest, quietest Lincoln cabin on the market. Drop by Gates Ford Lincoln in Richmond, KY, and we'll line up a test drive in whichever one of the Lincoln SUV models catches your eye.

Two Three-Row Family SUVs Face Off for 2026 The family SUV search usually narrows down to the same handful of contenders, and two big names keep showing up in Kentucky driveways. Both the 2026 Toyota Highlander and 2026 Ford Explorer seat up to seven passengers, tow up to 5,000 pounds, and pack plenty of tech into their three-row cabins. Picking between them comes down to what you actually want out of daily driving, weekend hauling, and everything in between. Before you start shopping, here are three quick hits worth knowing. The Toyota Highlander vs. Ford Explorer matchup puts a fuel-sipping turbo four against a wider range of engines and a sportier driving feel. Ford offers six trim levels for 2026, including a new off-road Tremor, while Toyota keeps things simpler with four gas trims plus three hybrid grades. Toyota makes all-wheel drive standard on every gas Highlander for 2026, while Ford still lets you start the Explorer with rear-wheel drive and add four-wheel drive later. How They Stack Up Under the Hood Toyota keeps things simple with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder in every gas Highlander, making 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic and standard all-wheel drive on all gas trims for 2026, the Highlander tops out at a 5,000-pound tow rating. If you'd rather sip fuel, Toyota also sells a hybrid version with a 2.5-liter gas engine and electric motor combo good for 243 combined horsepower and roughly 35 mpg combined. Ford takes a more varied approach. The 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbo four handles duty on the Active, ST-Line, Platinum, and base Tremor, producing 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Want real muscle? The 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 in the ST (and available on the Tremor) produces 385 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. A 10-speed automatic handles shifts across the board, rear-wheel drive is standard on most trims, and intelligent four-wheel drive is available. Fuel economy-wise, the base Explorer rates 20 city and 29 highway with RWD, edging the Highlander's 21/28 numbers on the interstate. The Highlander Hybrid walks away with the combined-mpg crown, though, at around 35. Interior Space and Tech Tools Both SUVs offer three rows, but the Explorer stretches out a touch more on paper. It measures 198.7 inches long, compared to the Highlander's 194.9 inches. Max cargo room goes to Ford at 85.8 cubic feet versus Toyota's 84 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Highlander ships standard with second-row captain's chairs for seven-passenger seating, with an optional bench swapping in on XLE and Limited grades to bump capacity to eight. Ford mirrors that setup with available captain's chairs on the Explorer. Tech is where Ford flexes hardest. Every 2026 Explorer ships with a 13.2-inch touchscreen running the Ford Digital Experience, which pulls in Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Google Play apps right on the dash. Toyota starts with an 8-inch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and upgrades to a 12.3-inch display on Limited and Platinum grades. Both systems work well, but Ford's setup feels a step ahead in screen real estate and built-in Google integration. 2026 Toyota Highlander vs. 2026 Ford Explorer Spec Breakdown Category 2026 Toyota Highlander 2026 Ford Explorer TRIM LINEUP Entry XLE: 2.4L turbo, standard AWD, 8-in screen Active 100A and Active: Standard 13.2-in screen Sport Styling XSE: Sport-tuned suspension, 20-in wheels, JBL audio ST-Line: Sport body kit, 20-in wheels, sport seats Off-Road Not offered Tremor: Lifted suspension, skid plates, Torsen rear axle Luxury Limited: Leather, heated and ventilated front seats Platinum: Multicontour massaging leather, B&O audio Performance Top Platinum: Head-up display, panoramic roof ST: 3.0L V6, paddle shifters, sport chassis Hybrid Grades Hybrid XLE, Hybrid Limited, Hybrid Platinum Not available ENGINE & DRIVETRAIN Standard Engine 2.4L Turbocharged I-4 2.3L EcoBoost Turbocharged I-4 Base Horsepower 265 hp 300 hp Base Torque 310 lb-ft 310 lb-ft Optional Top Engine None (same gas engine across trims) 3.0L EcoBoost Twin-Turbo V6 (385 hp / 415 lb-ft) Hybrid Powertrain 2.5L hybrid, 243 combined hp Not offered Transmission 8-speed automatic (gas); eCVT (hybrid) 10-speed automatic Standard Drivetrain AWD on all gas trims (new for 2026) RWD (Intelligent 4WD available; standard on Tremor) Max Towing (properly equipped) 5,000 lbs (gas); 3,500 lbs (hybrid) 5,000 lbs (both engines) Fuel Economy (EPA est.) 21 city / 28 hwy (gas AWD); ~35 combined (hybrid) 20 city / 29 hwy (2.3L RWD) DIMENSIONS & CARGO Length 194.9 in 198.7 in Passenger Capacity Up to 8 (with optional bench seat) Up to 7 (6 with captain's chairs) Cargo Behind 3rd Row 16 cu ft 16.3 cu ft Max Cargo (all seats folded) 84 cu ft 85.8 cu ft INFOTAINMENT & TECH Standard Touchscreen 8-inch 13.2-inch (all trims) Top Touchscreen 12.3-inch (Limited, Platinum) 13.2-inch (same across lineup) Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto Standard Standard Built-in Google Apps Not offered Standard (Maps, Assistant, Play Store) Premium Audio 11-speaker JBL (XSE and up) 14-speaker B&O (available on ST) SAFETY & DRIVER ASSIST Standard ADAS Suite Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ Ford Co-Pilot360 Adaptive Cruise Control Standard Standard Blind-Spot Monitor Standard Standard Surround-View Camera Standard on Platinum Available on ST-Line and up Hands-Free Highway Driving Not offered BlueCruise 1.5 available on all six trims Head-Up Display Standard on Platinum Available on Platinum and ST How Each SUV Keeps You Safer Every Highlander gets Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ as standard kit, bundling adaptive cruise control, lane-centering steering, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitors, and rear cross-traffic alert. Step up to the Platinum, and you get a surround-view camera, a head-up display, and adaptive headlights. On the Ford side, Co-Pilot360 matches the Toyota suite feature for feature. The real bonus on the Explorer is BlueCruise 1.5, Ford's hands-free highway driving system, which is available across all six trims and now includes Automatic Lane Change. You can set cruise, drop your hands off the wheel on pre-mapped highways, and let the Explorer handle the lane changes when traffic slows ahead. That's a perk Toyota doesn't match today. Where Each SUV Earns Its Keep Buyers who want one-and-done simplicity and a hybrid that cracks 35 mpg combined should start with the Highlander. Toyota has a reputation for quiet, predictable three-row vehicles that rack up miles without much drama. Ford opens up more choices. Want rear-wheel drive to keep the entry point lower? That's there. The V6 in the ST gives you real passing power, and the new Tremor adds off-road hardware for weekend trips out to the Red River Gorge. Two capable family SUVs, two different roads to the same school pickup line. See the 2026 Explorer at Gates Ford Lincoln in Richmond At Gates Ford Lincoln, we stock the full 2026 Explorer lineup so you can see the differences for yourself instead of reading about them. Want to feel the V6 pull of the ST or check out the new Tremor trim's off-road hardware up close? We can set you up with a back-to-back test drive on the same afternoon. Our team also helps you sort through BlueCruise subscription options, trailer tow packages, and financing before you make the jump. Swing by the showroom, take the Explorer for a spin, and let us help you figure out whether this is the three-row SUV worth parking in your driveway for the next decade.

What the 2026 Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport Can Actually Tow Ford's Bronco family gives adventurers two distinct paths to towing capability. The full-size Bronco rides on a body-on-frame platform built for heavy-duty off-road work, while the compact Bronco Sport uses a unibody design that balances fuel economy with light-duty hauling. Both can pull a trailer, but the numbers and requirements differ significantly between them. Most 2026 Ford Bronco trims tow up to 3,500 pounds when equipped with dealer-installed towing gear, while the Raptor maxes out at 4,500 pounds. The 2026 Bronco Sport tops out at 2,700 pounds with the Badlands trim and its standard Class II Trailer Tow Package. Both models require specific tow packages to reach their maximum ratings, so knowing what's included matters before you hitch up. Ford Bronco Towing Capacity by Engine Ford fits the 2026 Bronco with three turbocharged engines, and understanding Ford Bronco towing capacity starts with knowing what's under the hood. The base 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder cranks out 300 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. You can pair it with either a 7-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic, though the automatic handles towing duties more smoothly. Upgrade to the 2.7L EcoBoost V6, and you'll get 330 horsepower along with 415 lb-ft of torque. That extra twist helps when pulling loaded trailers up steep grades or accelerating onto highways. Both engines support the same 3,500-pound maximum towing rating when you add dealer-installed towing equipment for trailers over 2,000 pounds. At the top sits the Bronco Raptor with its exclusive 3.0L EcoBoost V6. This one pumps out 418 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque, pushing the towing ceiling to 4,500 pounds. The Raptor includes its enhanced tow package as standard equipment, so you won't need any add-ons to reach that full rating. 2026 Bronco Towing Specs by Trim Towing numbers stay consistent across most Bronco trims, with the Raptor standing alone at the top. Check out the full breakdown: Model / Trim Engine Horsepower Torque Max Towing Ford Bronco (Body-on-Frame) Base 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 300 hp 325 lb-ft 3,500 lbs Big Bend 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 300 hp 325 lb-ft 3,500 lbs Outer Banks 2.3L or 2.7L EcoBoost 300-330 hp 325-415 lb-ft 3,500 lbs Badlands 2.3L or 2.7L EcoBoost 300-330 hp 325-415 lb-ft 3,500 lbs Stroppe Edition 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 300 hp 325 lb-ft 3,500 lbs Heritage Edition 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 300 hp 325 lb-ft 3,500 lbs Raptor 3.0L EcoBoost V6 418 hp 440 lb-ft 4,500 lbs Ford Bronco Sport (Unibody Crossover) Big Bend 1.5L EcoBoost I-3 180 hp 200 lb-ft 2,200 lbs* Outer Banks 1.5L EcoBoost I-3 180 hp 200 lb-ft 2,200 lbs* Badlands 2.0L EcoBoost I-4 250 hp 280 lb-ft 2,700 lbs *Requires Class II Trailer Tow Package (standard on Badlands, available with specific packages on other trims) How the Bronco Sport Compares Built on Ford's compact crossover platform, the Bronco Sport trades the full-size Bronco's body-on-frame toughness for better fuel economy and easier daily driving. Its towing numbers reflect that tradeoff. Most trims use a 1.5L turbocharged three-cylinder making 180 horsepower, which caps towing at 2,200 pounds when you add the Class II Trailer Tow Package. Opt for the Bronco Sport Badlands, and you'll get a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder producing 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. That extra power pushes the max towing rating to 2,700 pounds, and the Badlands comes with the Class II Trailer Tow Package as standard equipment. For jet skis, small utility trailers, or lightweight campers, the Bronco Sport can handle the job without the larger footprint of its bigger sibling. What Each Model Can Actually Pull With 3,500 pounds of capacity, the full-size Bronco handles aluminum fishing boats, dual jet ski trailers, teardrop campers, pop-up campers, and most utility trailers without issue. The Raptor's 4,500-pound rating opens the door to larger boats, A-frame campers, and some compact travel trailers. For lighter loads, the Bronco Sport works well. Think single jet skis, small fishing boats, motorcycle trailers, or compact utility trailers. If you're towing near that 2,200 or 2,700-pound limit regularly, the full-size Bronco will feel less strained and handle the load with more confidence. Tow Package Requirements to Know Neither Bronco model can hit its maximum towing rating straight off the lot without the right equipment. For the full-size Bronco, trailers over 2,000 pounds require dealer-installed towing gear, including a hitch receiver, 7-pin wiring harness, and trailer module. The Raptor is the exception, coming fully equipped from the factory. Bronco Sport trims need the Class II Trailer Tow Package for any trailer over 1,500 pounds. This package includes a hitch receiver, 4-pin wiring harness, front and rear recovery hooks, and Trailer Sway Control. Badlands gets this package standard, while Big Bend and Outer Banks require specific off-road packages to add it. Find Your Bronco at Gates Ford Lincoln We stock both the Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport at our Richmond location, and our team can walk you through the towing packages and configurations that fit your needs. Whether you're pulling a boat to the lake or hauling gear to a campsite, we'll help you find the right setup. Stop by for a test drive and see which Bronco matches your next adventure.

Two Heavy Hitters in the Three-Row SUV Ring for 2026 Picking a three-row SUV can feel like choosing between two really good restaurants. Both will leave you satisfied, but the experience is going to be different. The 2026 Honda Pilot and Ford Explorer are two of the most popular midsize family haulers on the market, and both got some attention for the new model year. So which one actually earns a spot in your driveway? The refreshed 2026 Honda Pilot brings a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen, quieter cabin, and updated styling while keeping its proven 3.5L V6 engine. Ford's 2026 Explorer adds a new Tremor off-road trim and offers two engine choices, including a 400-hp twin-turbo V6 on the ST. Both SUVs tow up to 5,000 pounds and seat up to seven or eight passengers, but they take different approaches to power, fuel economy, and interior space. What's Under the Hood This is where the Honda Pilot vs Ford Explorer conversation gets interesting right away. Honda sticks with one engine across the entire Pilot lineup: a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 making 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque paired with a 10-speed automatic. It won't pin anyone to their seat, but it handles highway merging and mountain grades without breaking a sweat. Ford takes a different approach. The Explorer's base engine is a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder that outmuscles the Pilot's V6 with 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Want real punch? The Explorer ST and available Tremor upgrade pack a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 producing 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. That ST hits 60 mph in about 5.1 seconds, which is seriously quick for a vehicle that can also haul your kids to soccer practice. Fuel Economy and Efficiency With front-wheel drive, the Pilot earns EPA estimates of 19 mpg city and 27 highway. AWD models drop to 19 city and 25 highway. The Explorer's turbocharged four-cylinder edges ahead at 20 city and 29 highway with rear-wheel drive, or 20 city and 27 highway with 4WD. Go with the twin-turbo V6, and those numbers settle at 18 city and 25 highway. If fuel costs matter to you, the Explorer's base engine has a clear advantage at the pump. Space for People and Stuff The Pilot seats up to eight passengers across three rows, and all of those seats are actually usable for adults on shorter trips. Behind the third row, you get 18.6 cubic feet of cargo space, which expands to 48.5 with the third row folded and 87 cubic feet with everything flat. That's a lot of room for road trip gear or a Costco run that got out of hand. Over on Ford's side, the Explorer seats six or seven, depending on second-row configuration. It offers 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 46 with the third row folded, and up to 85.8 total. The Pilot wins by a small margin on cargo, and its third row tends to feel more generous for adult passengers. Tech and Safety Features Both SUVs got tech upgrades for 2026. The Pilot now comes standard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen (a big jump from last year's 9-inch unit), a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Google Built-In. Honda Sensing safety tech covers automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist across every trim. Ford counters with a slightly larger 13.2-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and its Digital Experience platform. Higher trims add BlueCruise hands-free highway driving, a surround-view camera, and front parking sensors. Both SUVs are well-equipped on the safety front from the factory. Side-by-Side Comparison Feature 2026 Honda Pilot 2026 Ford Explorer Base Engine 3.5L V6 (285 hp / 262 lb-ft) 2.3L Turbo I-4 (300 hp / 310 lb-ft) Available Engine N/A 3.0L Twin-Turbo V6 (400 hp / 415 lb-ft) Transmission 10-speed automatic 10-speed automatic Standard Drivetrain FWD (AWD available) RWD (4WD available) Fuel Economy (best) 19 city / 27 hwy mpg (FWD) 20 city / 29 hwy mpg (RWD) Max Towing Capacity 5,000 lbs (AWD) 5,000 lbs Seating Capacity Up to 8 Up to 7 Max Cargo Space 87 cu ft 85.8 cu ft Cargo Behind 3rd Row 18.6 cu ft 16.3 cu ft Touchscreen 12.3-inch 13.2-inch Off-Road Trim TrailSport Tremor (new for 2026) Starting MSRP (incl. dest.) $43,690 $40,160 Pricing and Trims Honda's 2026 Pilot starts at $43,690, including destination, for the Sport trim and tops out at $56,490 for the Black Edition. Seven trims are available, with AWD adding about $2,100 on models where it isn't already standard. Ford starts lower at $40,160 for the base Active trim and goes up to $56,600 for the Platinum. That roughly $3,500 price gap at the entry level is worth noting, especially since the Explorer's base engine actually makes more power than the Pilot's V6. Picking the Right Three-Row for Your Family If you want a proven V6, a roomier third row, and up to eight seats, the Pilot is a strong choice. Honda's reliability reputation and the Pilot's easygoing driving experience appeal to buyers who want something dependable and easy to live with every day. The Explorer fights back with a lower starting price, more engine options, a sportier driving feel, and available BlueCruise hands-free highway tech. The new Tremor trim also gives adventure-minded families a factory-built off-road option. For buyers who want more performance variety without moving to a full-size SUV, the Explorer is hard to beat. Really, you can't go wrong with either one. Explore the 2026 Ford Explorer at Gates Ford Lincoln If the Explorer is calling your name, we'd love to help you find the right one. At Gates Ford Lincoln in Richmond, KY, we keep a wide selection of new Ford Explorer models on our lot, from the value-packed Active to the performance-ready ST. Our team can walk you through every trim, answer your questions, and get you behind the wheel for a test drive. We also carry a large selection of pre-owned SUVs if you're shopping on a budget. Whether you're coming from Lexington, Nicholasville, or anywhere else in central Kentucky, swing by and see why our customers have rated us the highest-ranked Ford dealership in the area. As part of the Gates Auto Family, we've been helping families find the right vehicle for over a century.

If you are a performance enthusiast looking for a practical high-performance daily driver, you would be doing yourself a disservice if you don't choose the 2024 Ford Mustang. With its iconic, breathtaking design, torque-rich, sinister-sounding V8, and sports car-like handling, the Mustang is widely considered the greatest muscle car of all time. High-Octane Engines The 2024 Mustang comes with a lineup of three high-powered engines, each catering to specific performance needs. The standard power plant is designed for high-performance daily driving. It comes in the way of a turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-four EcoBoost engine that generates a whopping 315 HP and 350 pound-feet of torque, allowing it to catapult the base Mustang from 0 to 60 in just 4.9 seconds, while achieving a jaw-dropping fuel economy of up to 33 MPG! If you can handle even more power, the robust fourth-generation 5.0-liter Coyote V8 is made available for you. Accompanied by a sonorous rumble, it delivers up to 486 HP and 418 lb-ft of torque, launching the Mustang to 60 in just 4 seconds. The most epic version of the 2024 Mustang, the track-ready Dark Horse, features a tuned version of the V8 that unleashes a staggering 500 HP, allowing it to go from 0 to 60 in 3 seconds! A Plethora of High-Performance Features The 2024 Mustang is equipped with a long list of advanced performance features that fill you with child-like enthusiasm every time you get behind the wheel. The Remote Rev feature allows you to start and rev the Mustang from a distance so you can show off its aggressive rumble. With standard rear-wheel drive, this car is designed to have near-perfect weight distribution, resulting in its signature outstanding balance and stability during high speeds. A Torsen limited-slip rear differential, coupled with Pirelli P Zero high-performance tires, provides additional grip to facilitate daring high-speed maneuvers. The precise rack-and-pinion steering has 3 power-assist settings to allow you to customize wheel feel from comfort to sport, while the quick and aggressive shifts from the optional 6-speed manual are highly intoxicating. An electronic line lock allows you to do burnouts, while the drift brake allows you to drift with pro-like precision, earning you cool points at the track. Practical Cabin The Mustang offers a spacious, luxuriously appointed cabin to meet your creature-comfort needs. With up to 82.8 cubic feet of passenger volume and 13.5 cubic feet of space inside its trunk, this muscle car ensures you don't sacrifice practicality for performance. Other niceties it can come with include Recaro sports seats, heated and ventilated seats, dual-zone climate control, leather upholstery, a 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. Ready to experience the unending thrills of the Ford Mustang? Contact us today at Gates Ford Lincoln in Richmond, KY to schedule your exclusive test drive!

The efficient and versatile Ford Escape is perfect for everything from daily commutes to road trips. With ample cargo space and a host of interior amenities, the 2024 Ford Escape is a pleasure to drive. Spacious and Comfortable Seating The standard cloth seats in the 2024 Escape are stylish and supportive, and there's plenty of space in both rows. The second-row seats offer up to 40.7 inches of legroom. An 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat comes standard, and heated seats are available for a more luxurious driving experience. Your passengers will appreciate the dual-zone automatic temperature control and the available Panoramic Vista Roof. Expandable Cargo Space The sliding, 60/40 split rear seats make it easy to balance passenger and cargo space according to your needs. With 37.5 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rear seats, the Escape is the perfect vacation vehicle. Folding down the rear seats gives you 65.4 cubic feet to pack extra gear, and the power liftgate provides easy access to the cargo area. Modern Infotainment The 8-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen provides access to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The colorful display and intuitive layout make it easy to navigate all your favorite apps and services. Your Escape comes equipped with Ford PassConnect and 4G Wi-Fi capability. When you activate the subscription-based service, up to ten devices can connect to the in-vehicle wireless hotspot from up to 50 feet away. Efficient Performance With four efficient powertrain options, the Ford Escape has plenty of power for your adventures and great gas mileage for your daily drive. The standard powertrain features a 180-horsepower EcoBoost engine, front-wheel drive, and an 8-speed automatic transmission. With the standard configuration, the Escape gets up to 30 combined mpg. The available Intelligent All-Wheel Drive disconnects automatically when it's not required, conserving fuel. The Escape is also available as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid. The Escape Hybrid comes with front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive, and both versions get an estimated 39 combined mpg. The Escape Plug-in Hybrid is only available with front-wheel drive and gets an estimated 101 miles per gallon equivalent. Helpful Technology Whether you're driving in town or on the highway, Ford Co-Pilot360 heightens your situational awareness and helps you drive safely. Standard features include the Lane-Keeping System, which detects lane markings, alerts you when you drift out of your lane, and warns you when the system detects that you might be drowsy or inattentive. Standard Pre-Collision Assist detects pedestrians and objects in your path and responds by engaging Dynamic Brake Support or Automatic Emergency Braking when necessary. Ready to get behind the wheel of a 2024 Escape? Contact Gates Ford Lincoln in Richmond, KY today to schedule a test drive.

Offering a unique combination of power, utility, and innovative design, the Bronco is ready-built for adventure. With a stable of nine exciting trim levels to choose from, the perfect 2024 Ford Bronco for you awaits. 1. Big Bend Powered by Ford's highly advanced 2.3-liter EcoBoost I-4 engine, the base Big Bend trim can achieve a hearty 275 horsepower and 315 lb-ft of torque with a standard towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. Its HOSS 1.0 (High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension) System features heavy-duty suspension hardware providing maximum traction and control. Six selectable G.O.A.T. (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) driving modes enable you to adapt to unpredictable driving conditions in a matter of seconds. 2. Black Diamond The Black Diamond trim features frontal and underbody steel bash plates protecting the undercarriage and vital components from damage while traversing rocks, logs, and other hazards. Inside the cabin, rubberized flooring with removable drain plugs makes cleaning up after an epic day on the trail a breeze. 3. Outer Banks Notable enhancements you'll find with the Outer Banks variant include a 10-speed automatic transmission and upsized 18" machined high gloss aluminum wheels.  The safety technology package is expanded to include a lane-keep assistant and rear-mounted parking sensors. 4. Heritage Edition With its signature Oxford White hardtop, white painted grille, and matching white wheels paired with 35" mud tires, this distinctive trim offers rugged capabilities and dashing good looks. 5. Badlands The Badlands trim sees a significant upgrade in off-road capability with its HOSS 2.0 suspension system and automatic on-demand 4 x 4 engagement. The seats of this variant are upholstered in marine-grade vinyl for exceptional durability and ease of cleaning. 6. Everglades The Everglades variant features several key upgrades to its architecture. The modular heavy-duty front bumper can interface with accessories including a brush guard, pod lights, and a safari bar. For extreme adventuring, the Everglades trim also includes a snorkel and winch kit. 7. Wildtrak The Wildtrak trim's 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine has boosted power ratings of 315 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. Equipped with Ford's HOSS 3.0 suspension system, this variant boasts a higher ground clearance and beefier steering and dampening hardware for elite off-road capabilities. 8. Heritage Limited Edition The Heritage Limited Edition features enhanced safety technologies including adaptive cruise control, forward and reverse parking sensors, and 360-degree camera views. 9. Raptor Powered by a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, the Raptor variant can achieve 418 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque. The Raptor's HOSS 4.0 suspension system and 37" all-terrain tires enable this engineering marvel to conquer the most inhospitable environments. Unlock the possibilities and visit the friendly sales team at Gates Ford Lincoln in Richmond, KY to test drive one today.