Nissan Xterra vs Ford Explorer
Overview | |
Years produced2000-2015 | Years produced1991-Present |
MSRP$23,660 | MSRP$38,465 |
Listings535 | Listings9720 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews | Expert reviews7.5 out of 10 |
Pros
Cons
| |
Reviews Summary | |
Reviews SummaryThe Explorer was one of the first truly family-friendly SUVs, and continues in that role today as a midsize three-row crossover competing against the likes of the Chevrolet Traverse, the Honda Pilot, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Nissan Pathfinder, and the Toyota Highlander. The current-generation Explorer has been around since the 2020 model year, and the big news for 2026 is a Tremor model that replaces the Timberline as the most off-road-capable Explorer. The available BlueCruise driver-assist system also gets an update. Verdict: Ford’s SUV stalwart still gets the job done, but lacks personality unless you go for the ST or Tremor models. | |
No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine4.0L 261 hp V6 | Engine2.3L 300 hp I4 |
Drive Train4X2 | Drive TrainRWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity7 |
Horsepower261 hp @ 5600 rpm | Horsepower300 hp @ 5500 rpm |
MPG City16 | MPG City20 |
MPG Highway22 | MPG Highway29 |
Engine | |
Engine Name4.0L 261 hp V6 | Engine Name2.3L 300 hp I4 |
Torque281 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm | Torque310 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm |
Horsepower261 hp @ 5600 rpm | Horsepower300 hp @ 5500 rpm |
Drivetrain4X2 | DrivetrainRWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City16 | MPG City20 |
MPG Highway22 | MPG Highway29 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity7 |
Key Features | |
Navigation System | Navigation SystemStandard |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall | Front Crash Overall5 |
Side Crash Overall | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space36.3 cu ft | Cargo Space16.3 cu ft |
Curb Weight4148 lbs | Curb Weight4303 lbs |
Height74.9 in | Height69.6 in |
Length178.7 in | Length198.7 in |
Width72.8 in | Width89.3 in |
Wheelbase106.3 in | Wheelbase119.1 in |
Maximum Payload1053 lbs | Maximum Payload1467 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity5000 lbs | Maximum Towing Capacity5000 lbs |
Standard Towing Capacity | Standard Towing Capacity5000 lbs |
Overview | ||
Years produced | 2000-2015 | 1991-Present |
MSRP | $23,660 | $38,465 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | ||
Expert reviews | 7.5 out of 10Read full review | |
Pros & cons | Pros
Cons
| |
Summary | The Explorer was one of the first truly family-friendly SUVs, and continues in that role today as a midsize three-row crossover competing against the likes of the Chevrolet Traverse, the Honda Pilot, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Nissan Pathfinder, and the Toyota Highlander. The current-generation Explorer has been around since the 2020 model year, and the big news for 2026 is a Tremor model that replaces the Timberline as the most off-road-capable Explorer. The available BlueCruise driver-assist system also gets an update. Verdict: Ford’s SUV stalwart still gets the job done, but lacks personality unless you go for the ST or Tremor models. | |
Video | No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 4.0L 261 hp V6 | 2.3L 300 hp I4 |
Drive Train | 4X2 | RWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 7 |
Horsepower | 261 hp @ 5600 rpm | 300 hp @ 5500 rpm |
MPG City | 16 | 20 |
MPG Highway | 22 | 29 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 4.0L 261 hp V6 | 2.3L 300 hp I4 |
Torque | 281 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm | 310 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm |
Horsepower | 261 hp @ 5600 rpm | 300 hp @ 5500 rpm |
Drivetrain | 4X2 | RWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 16 | 20 |
MPG Highway | 22 | 29 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 7 |
Key Features | ||
Navigation System | Standard | |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 36.3 cu ft | 16.3 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 4148 lbs | 4303 lbs |
Height | 74.9 in | 69.6 in |
Length | 178.7 in | 198.7 in |
Width | 72.8 in | 89.3 in |
Wheelbase | 106.3 in | 119.1 in |
Maximum Payload | 1053 lbs | 1467 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity | 5000 lbs | 5000 lbs |
Standard Towing Capacity | 5000 lbs | |
By: CarGurus + AI
At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.