3 Family-Friendly 2020 Ford Models
Whether you’re heading out on afamily road trip, carpooling your kid’s soccer teammates, or bringing home a carful of groceries, it’s important to have a family-friendly vehicle to get the job done. If you’re in the market for a new vehicle for your family, take a look at these three 2020 Ford vehicles.
- Ford Escape
Completely redesigned for the 2020 model year, the Ford Escape is a compact SUV that seats five people. This fun-to-drive vehicle gets excellent gas mileage at 27 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. Available upgrades, such as a Wi-Fi hot spot and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, keep the family connected
- Ford Expedition
Named the best large SUV by U.S. News and World Report, the Ford Expedition has a spacious and upscale interior paired with class-leading towing and fuel capacity. The full-size SUV seats eight people and has ample space for anyone sitting in the second or third rows. Opting for the long-wheelbase Max increases the space. If you plan on towing a trailer, this vehicle can tow up to 9,300 pounds.
- Ford Explorer
As a midsize SUV, the Ford Explorer has three rows of seats, which fit six passengers in its standard configuration. Select models have an optional second-row bench seat, which increases that number to seven. There’s plenty of cargo space, and a standard power liftgate so you can easily load items into the rear.
To get behind the wheel of one of these to see which one works best for your family, contact the professionals at River City Ford.
The Best Coffee Shops in Lavalette
The Lavalette, West Virginia, area is home to several neighborhood coffee shops that brew quality cups of coffee and espresso beverages. Not only do they offer a great tasting drink, but they’re the perfect spot to enjoy a book, connect to the Wi-Fi, or sit with friends or family. The next time you’re in this area, make sure you stop at one of these coffee shops.
Cicada Books and Coffee
Located in the heart of West Huntington’s Central City on 14th Street, Cicada Books and Coffee houses hundreds of books alongside hot and cold beverages with daily pastry specialties. This locally owned bookstore is open daily and features an inviting environment. Enjoy free Wi-Fi while perusing the shelves, finding the perfect book to curl up with and drink a cup of coffee.
Grindstone Coffeeology
Found on 8th Street in Huntington, Grindstone Coffeeology opened its brick-and-mortar store in 2018 after finding success with a food truck named Bonnie. The building has a drive-through window where you can grab a cup of drip or cold-brew coffee. Just like the truck, the store serves a variety of espresso-based drinks, including lattes, cappuccinos, and Australian flat-whites. You can also add several types of flavors, including caramel, mocha, white chocolate, and vanilla.
There’s no need to wait until National Coffee Day (which is September 29) to grab a delicious cup of joe when you’re in Lavalette. Whether you prefer to drink a cup while reading, on the go, or with some friends, either of these two locations will satisfy your coffee craving.
Comparing the Ford Escape Trim Levels
With the 2020 Ford Escape, you have four trim options — S, SE, SEL, and Titanium. But how do you know which one works best for your needs? Use this guide to compare the different trims.
S Trim
The base S trim includes a 180-horsepower three-cylinder turbocharged engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. Standard features include a six-speaker audio system, a USB port, and the SYNC infotainment system with a 4.2-inch display.
SE Trim
Including the standard features found in the base trim, the SE comes with heated front seats, satellite radio, automatic climate control, the SYNC3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touch-screen display, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
SEL Trim
The SEL trim adds to the lower trims’ standard features with a heated steering wheel, hands-free power liftgate, and rear parking sensors. Upgrade for a panoramic moonroof as well as the Co-Pilot360 Assist, which includes navigation and adaptive cruise control.
Titanium Trim
The top-of-the-line Titanium trim comes standard with a 198-horsepower hybrid powertrain and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Upgrade for a 250-horsepower four-cylinder EcoBoost engine. Other standard features include dual-zone automatic climate control, navigation, leather upholstery, and a 10-speaker audio system. Standard safety features include lane centering assist, adaptive cruise control, and parallel and perpendicular park assist.
Fully redesigned for the 2020 model year, the Ford Escape is a powerful vehicle no matter what trim you select. To get behind the wheel of one of these vehicles, reach out to the experts at River City Ford. They can help you drive off the lot in one of these today.
Prep Your Vehicle for the Spring
When the snow begins to melt and the temperatures rise, it signals that spring is almost here in West Virginia. Make sure your vehicle is ready for the change of seasons by following a few simple steps.
Wash Your Vehicle
After driving through snow and road salt, your vehicle could use some pampering. Taking it through a car wash can get rid of built-up grime and salt that can damage your paint. Consider springing for the premium wash, which gets into crevices. If you plan to wash your vehicle, add baking soda to the water as this can neutralize the salt and save your paint.
Check Your Battery
During the winter, your vehicle relies heavily on the battery to start even when temperatures are well below freezing. If you don’t remember the last time you replaced the battery or that it takes longer for your vehicle to start, consider at least checking the battery’s charge and then replacing it.
Replace the Wipers
Snow can damage your windshield wipers. If you notice they start to leave streaks behind, it’s best to replace them. Windshield wipers are inexpensive to purchase and simple to replace. While you’re completing this task, check the windshield wiper fluid and top it off if needed.
Spring cleaning isn’t just a time for you to clean out your house. Taking care of your vehicle when the temperatures rise can help it last longer. If you have any additional questions or concerns about preparing your vehicle for the spring, contact the experts at River City Ford.
A Shopper’s Guide to Wayne County
Wayne County, West Virginia, sits along the border of West Virginia and Kentucky, making it a perfect location to shop and eat. The next time you’re in this area, make sure you stop at one of these locations.
Birds of a Feather Boutique
Found in Huntington, the Birds of a Feather Boutique provides unique and trendy women’s items at affordable prices. Whether you’re looking for a cozy pullover, a lace top, leopard booties, or other accessories to complement your outfit, this boutique has you covered.
Cato Fashions
If you’re looking for the latest in women’s fashion for any style, check out Cato Fashions in Wayne. This store has outfits for work, special events, or casual settings found in junior, misses, and plus sizes. Many of its items are exclusive and on-trend, all sold at affordable prices. Once you find your outfit, pair it with shoes, jewelry, and other accessories.
Pullman Square
Found on 9th Street in Huntington, Pullman Square is a shopping mall and an ideal place to dine, shop, and enjoy entertainment. Among its key stores are the ladies’ boutique Chico’s, video game store Game Stop, and The Pottery Place. There are more than a dozen places you can check out. Grab a bite to eat at Roosters or Black Sheep Burritos & Brews and then catch a movie at the 16-screen movie theater.
When you’re in the mood to shop, check out these three West Virginia locations. You’re bound to find something that suits your style and is the envy of others.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss the 2020 Escape
Fully redesigned for the 2020 model year, the Ford Escape kicks off the vehicle’s fourth generation. Learn some of the most important updates you can expect from this powerful compact crossover SUV.
New Base Engine
For the 2020 model year, Ford uses a new 1.5-liter EcoBoost 180-horsepower turbocharged three-cylinder engine for the base powertrain. It replaces the previous year’s 1.5-liter EcoBoost 168-horsepower turbo four-cylinder one. This new engine comes with a cylinder deactivation system, which can shut down one cylinder when not needed. The other engine option is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder 250-horsepower one.
More Standard Safety Features
A host of safety features now come standard on the 2020 Escape. They include blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and driver drowsiness monitoring. Many of these features are part of Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features. Thanks to these safety features, the Institute of Insurance for Highway Safety named the vehicle as a Top Safety Pick.
Increased Interior Space
Although the 2020 Escape has shorter proportions than the previous year’s model, the new Escape is longer and wider. You get significantly improved interior space, especially with rear legroom. You get 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, which is 3.5 cubic feet more than before. Folding down those seats gives you 65.3 cubic feet of space. Sliding second-row seats improve the space for passengers and cargo.
To get behind the wheel of the 2020 Escape, reach out to the professionals at River City Ford. They can help you drive off in one of these vehicles today.
Where to Get the Best Pizza in Lavalette
There’s nothing better than taking a big bite of a cheesy slice of pizza served fresh from the oven. When you’re in Lavalette, West Virginia, make sure to check out these two dining establishments.
Backyard Pizza and Raw Bar
Located in nearby Huntington, Backyard Pizza and Raw Bar utilizes locally sourced ingredients to serve a variety of gourmet wood-fired pizzas and fresh seafood from its raw bar. Choose among almost two dozen 10- or 14-inch specialty pizzas. It’s New Haven is a favorite and comes with chopped clams, mozzarella, oregano, and roasted garlic. There’s also a Jammin’ Jamaican, which includes spicy black beans, mozzarella cheese, pineapple, red onion, jerk chicken, and cilantro. It’s open Tuesday through Saturday and Sundays for brunch.
La Famiglia
Also found in Huntington, La Famiglia serves family recipes that were brought over from Calabria, Italy, more than a century ago. It takes local ingredients to create authentic wood-fired pizzas and pasta dishes made from scratch. The pizza dough for its 10 specialty pizzas is made with imported flour from Naples and baked in an 800-degree wood-fired oven. Try the Carne Amore, which is a meat lovers pizza topped with Genoa salami, prosciutto, Soppressata salami, pepperoni, and mozzarella cheese. Or order the Katie Lee, which comes with kale, Peruvian sweet peppers, roasted garlic oil, feta, and mozzarella cheese. Stop in Tuesday through Saturday for dinner.
These two Lavalette-area restaurants serve some of the best wood-fired pies around. With so many specialty pizzas available at either location, there’s no doubt you’ll leave with a full stomach.
The Top 3 Mexican Restaurants in Lavalette, WV
Do you need a break from the ordinary dinner grind? Lavalette and the surrounding area have several great Mexican restaurants sure to get you out of the dinner rut. Check out these three top Mexican Restaurants in the Lavallete area.
- South Tanampa
Located on Route 152 in Lavalatte, South Tanampa is serving up breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast options feature crispy waffles. Lunch and dinner menus offer a variety of dishes including fajitas, enchiladas, and more. South Tanampa has a full bar that serves up margaritas, Mexican and domestic beers, wine by the glass, and cocktails. A kid’s menu is available for the little ones.
- El Ranchito
Take a quick 16-minute drive to El Ranchito on Hal Greer Boulevard in Huntington. El Ranchito uses the freshest ingredients to create their entrees. Their salsa and guacamole are prepared fresh daily. If you visit El Ranchito, be sure to try their authentic tamales wrapped in corn husks. Children will love the kid’s menu and everyone will enjoy the fresh-made churros on El Ranchito’s dessert menu.
- Tres Hermanos Nunez
Tres Hermanos Nunez is 19 minutes outside of Lavalette on Oak Street in Kenova. Tres Hermanos Nunez serves up a wide variety of enchiladas, fajitas, and molcajetes. Be sure to try one of the house specialties, which include chorizo con pollo and carnitas. There are lots of vegetarian specials and dessert options available.
Pay a visit to any of these three great local restaurants the next time you are craving some authentic Mexican. Whether you love vegetarian dishes, authentic tamales, or sweet treats, there is something for everyone in the Lavalette area.
2 Fun Lavalette Things to Do on the Ohio River
Spanning almost 1,000 miles, the Ohio River flows through the borders of six states: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. If you’re in the Lavalette, West Virginia, area, make sure you check out these two activities to do near the Ohio River.
- Heritage Farm Museum and Village
Located in nearby Huntington, the Heritage Farm Museum and Village allows visitors to learn about the history of 19th century Appalachia. The village has more than 15 log buildings, five of which have attractions geared toward tourists. Stop in and explore a blacksmith shop, children’s machine discovery zone, and petting zoo. There are also seven award-winning museums, guided tours, and hiking trails. You can also spend the night at one of its five log cabins, caboose, or renovated convention center. It’s open Monday through Saturday.
- Mothman Museum
Dedicated to preserving Point Pleasant’s unexplained Mothman experience on November 15, 1966, the Mothman Museum allows you to view the local evidence of the Mothman’s existence. There were four eyewitnesses to the incident, and the museum has three of the four original hand-written accounts. You can read rare historical documents including police reports, examine newspaper clippings, and view photographs of the incident that occurred at Silver Bridge. The museum also offers a tour where you can visit the area where the creature was first sited and other points of interest.
The area around the Ohio River is full of fun activities and places to visit. Stop at these two locations near Lavalette to learn more about West Virginia history.
The 2020 Ford Explorer XLT has the power, style, and capability families need. Here are the features of the Ford Explorer base model that make it great for families on the go.
Engine and Power
The 2020 Ford Explorer XLT is equipped with a 2.3-liter turbocharged EcoBoost I-4 engine that is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard with an optional four-wheel drive available. Properly equipped, the powerful XLT engine can tow a maximum of 5,300 pounds.
Comfort and Infotainment Features
The Explorer XLT can seat seven comfortably. The front seats, second-row captain’s chairs, and third-row 50/50 split-fold bench are all covered in easy-to-clean cloth upholstery. The XLT has lots of cargo room to carry all the things your family needs. Infotainment features in the XLT include an AM/FM radio, Sirius XM satellite radio, an MP3 player, 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and dual second-row smart-charging USB ports. Voice-activated navigation is available as well.
Safety Features
The Explorer XLT is loaded with features to keep your family safe on the road. Advanced air bags, a rearview camera, Ford’s Lane-Keeping System, and LATCH are standard. AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control helps you maintain control in even the most difficult road conditions. Should an accident occur, Ford’s SOS Post-Crash Alert System will honk the horn and flash the emergency lights.
Think the 2020 Explorer XLT might be right for your family? The friendly people at River City Ford can help you find the perfect Explorer for you.
Connect with us
