This nameplate was introduced for the 2009 model year as Ford’s distinctive three-row family utility, positioned between a traditional SUV and a minivan alternative. Its roots trace back to Ford’s 2007 New York Auto Show concept, which previewed the boxy, low-slung design language that made the production version stand out from the brand’s more conventional crossovers. When it reached showrooms, it emphasized roomy seating for up to seven, a long, flat roofline, and a practical, upscale feel that gave it a strong identity in a crowded segment.
Rather than chasing off-road bravado, it focused on comfort, packaging efficiency, and a bold appearance. Over its run, it evolved through the usual mid-cycle updates and feature changes, but its overall character remained consistent: a spacious, road-oriented people mover with an unusually square silhouette and a premium-leaning cabin. Ford also used it as a showcase for family-friendly technology and convenience features as the nameplate matured.
The model remained in production through the 2019 model year, after which Ford ended production and retired the nameplate. In hindsight, it became one of Ford’s most recognizable modern utility vehicles, remembered for putting personality and practicality ahead of conventional SUV styling.