Ford's lineup of large SUVs includes the Expedition and the Explorer. Read on to learn more about both Ford SUVs, including which model best suits you.
10 minutes
01.25.2024
The Ford Explorer and Expedition have shared the same space on dealership lots since the early 1990s, but to compare those models with the latest variants would nearly look like a before-and-after photo shoot. Indeed, the two models have grown from their smaller counterparts to suit customers' needs in the modern age, from technological and safety advancements to styling and creature comforts. In many ways, choosing between the Ford Explorer and Expedition can be just as challenging as it was almost 30 years ago.
FINN simplifies your decision with the chance to subscribe to the Ford Explorer and the Expedition. Each subscription listing features flexible terms and a monthly subscription fee that incorporates maintenance, registration, depreciation, and insurance. FINN also delivers your subscription to your door so you can start your test-drive experience on the right foot.
The Ford Explorer and Ford Expedition carry the Blue Oval’s name further among the fierce competition in the various multifaceted SUV segments. The table below illustrates the main differences between these two iconic Ford nameplates:
Ford Explorer | Ford Expedition |
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If you’re struggling to decide between these two SUVs, check out the comparisons below. As you pit the Expedition against the Explorer in several aspects, make a list of pros and cons that suit your needs to determine which model ultimately best fits your lifestyle.
The Ford Explorer’s base price is much less than the Expedition. The Explorer’s MSRP begins at $36,860, which is actually lower than the smaller Ford Edge’s MSRP. The Explorer XLT model bumps the price tag up to $46,725. Explorer Platinum and sporty Explorer ST models tip the scales over $60,000, with sticker prices of $61,725 and $62,565, respectively.
Several reasons exist to justify why you should never pay cash for a car, but if you have the ideal ratio of debt-to-income (DTI) for a car loan, you might consider financing an Expedition if you want the extra seating and cargo capacity. The XL STX model starts at $55,525, and the XLT model ups the ante to $59,590, but choosing the MAX model pushes the price tag to $62,590. The Limited model is $68,410 and the Limited MAX nears $72,000. The King Ranch costs $78,465, and the Platinum tips the scales at $80,695.
If you’re wondering how long it takes to buy a car, it’s nice to know that it doesn’t take extra time the longer the vehicle stretches. The Ford Explorer’s size mirrors the typical mid-size SUV. However, the Expedition and Expedition MAX push the limits of any garage. Base Expedition models measure 210 inches from end to end. That length extends to 221.9 inches in the MAX variant.
The Explorer holds up to seven people with a second-row bench seat but pares that down to six with second-row captain’s chairs. In contrast, the Expedition can hold up to eight passengers across three rows of seating. Base XL STX models only carry five occupants, but you can also configure this SUV to hold seven occupants.
Ford equips both SUVs with cloth and leather seating, depending on the trim you choose. The Explorer comes with an eight-inch touchscreen on base models that’s upgraded to a 10.1-inch touchscreen on higher trims. Alternatively, the Ford Expedition’s infotainment screen measures only 12 inches on base models. Higher trim levels get a 15.5-inch touchscreen that nestles vertically in the middle of the dash.
Cargo capacity for the Ford Explorer measures 18.2 cubic feet with the rear seats in play. Total cargo space measures 87.8 cubic feet with all seats folded down except the first-row seats. Second-row legroom measures 39 inches, while third-row legroom diminishes slightly to 32 inches.
As expected, the Ford Expedition offers more legroom and cargo capacity, especially in MAX models. Second-row legroom measures 42.6 inches, while the third-row legroom is 40.9 inches for both base and MAX models. Regular Expeditions have 104.6 cubic feet with second and third rows folded, but the MAX extends that to 121.5 cubic feet of full cargo space.
The difference between the Ford Explorer and Expedition is evident when viewing the exterior, and even more so with the Expedition MAX. The Explorer mimics the standard large SUV shape with a shorter wheelbase than the Expedition despite its boxy styling. However, the Expedition resembles more of a capped-off pickup akin to the F-Series lineup.
When equipped with the Class IV Trailer Tow Package, the Explorer can tow up to 5,600 pounds. The Expedition blows that rating out of the water with up to 9,200 pounds of pulling power. However, this rating requires installing the Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package.
Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is standard on the Explorer and Expedition, with optional all-wheel drive (AWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) available. The Expedition Timberline model has a unique four-wheel drive system standard. Both Ford SUVs utilize a 10-speed automatic transmission to transfer power to the wheels.
The available Ford Explorer engine options include a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder engine that puts out 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The twin-turbo 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 powertrain harnesses 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Ford Expedition commissions a singular twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 that makes 380 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque in the XL STX and XLT models and up to 400 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque in the Explorer Limited, King Ranch, and Platinum trims. The Timberline and Limited Stealth Performance models squeeze out a little more from the engine, with 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque.
Ford discontinued the Explorer Hybrid model in 2023, so the nameplate posts typical fuel-efficiency ratings for its size. The base RWD variants achieve 20 city and 28 highway miles-per-gallon (MPG). A RWD V6 model dips down to 18 city and 25 highway MPG, while the AWD variant achieves 18 city and 24 highway MPG.
If the Ford Explorer barely maintains fuel efficiency, the Expedition struggles to match the same ratings. Timberline models post the lowest ratings at 16 city and 19 highway MPG. However, two-wheel drive models earn 17 city and 23 highway MPG, with four-wheel models not far behind at 16 city and 22 highway MPG.
Technology features on the Ford Explorer include heated front seats and side mirrors, keyless entry, and push-button start. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard equipment. Higher trims feature ambient lighting, a 12-speaker B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen, and a 360-degree camera.
The Ford Expedition includes similar features among its trims, with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integrated into the SYNC 4 infotainment system. Choose the Platinum MAX trim for navigation, Active Park Assist, and hands-free BlueCruise driving. If you’re looking for an off-road variant, choose the Expedition Timberline model, which features Trailer Turn Assist, raised suspension, and Trail 1-Pedal Drive.
Ford equips the Explorer and Expedition with the following standard and available safety features:
2024 Ford Explorer | 2024 Ford Expedition |
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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awards the 2024 Ford Explorer a five-out-of-five-star overall safety rating. The 2024 Ford Expedition receives similarly high ratings, but is not yet rated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Featured as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS in 2023, the 2024 Ford Explorer also receives “Good” ratings in all categories.
The Ford Expedition makes grocery trips to wholesalers a breeze with plenty of cargo space to travel with the crew and pack for a few days away from home. MAX models increase cargo capacity to take up more real estate on the road. While the Expedition does trade fuel economy ratings for versatility, efficiency ratings remain competitive among other makes and models of the same size. For all the trappings of a minivan with the capability of an SUV, the Ford Expedition knows little competition.
Glancing at a Ford Explorer may have you looking for a badge, but the Blue Oval’s SUV is no bad boy when it comes to fuel efficiency ratings, versatility, and safety features. The Explorer carries its legacy into 2024 with some of the same features that propelled it forward beginning in the early 1990s. Despite the discontinuation of a hybrid model, there’s an unspoken question of whether the Explorer will see new life with an electric variant in the future.
If your motto is, “Go big or go home,” the Expedition (MAX) surely fits the bill. However, the Explorer is no slouch when it comes to hauling, carrying cargo, and shuttling the kids around town. The Explorer does better at the pump and costs less from the factory. However, the Expedition offers to play several roles, from enclosed pickup to overland extraordinaire.
Can’t make up your mind about the Ford Explorer or the Expedition? Check out a FINN car subscription that offers you the chance to test drive both models for an extended period. Subscribe today to pay a single monthly payment that includes insurance, registration, depreciation, and maintenance. You can choose the exact model, trim, and color you want to drive and have it delivered to your door for the ultimate driving convenience.
Buying a prepaid maintenance plan, especially for a Ford SUV, can help you minimize the out-of-pocket investments necessary for upkeep. Read on to learn more about the Ford Explorer versus the Expedition and which model best suits your needs.
Ford Expeditions can be worth it if you’re looking for a family hauler that can take on a few kids and all the trappings that come with it. The Expedition MAX also makes a great camping or overlanding vehicle, especially for smaller families or couples. However, if you’re looking for an SUV and don’t necessarily need all that extra space, the Ford Explorer suits the bill just fine.
Official statements suggest that Ford is not discontinuing the Explorer. However, nameplates such as the Edge, Escape, and Transit Connect seem to be on the chopping block. It’s rumored that Ford is making way for a few electrified stablemates to join the Explorer and the rest of Ford’s lineup.
The Ford Expedition has more cargo space, even when not configured as the MAX model. The 2024 Expedition MAX measures a total of 221.9 inches in length, with 36 cubic feet behind the third row when equipped. Folding every seat down except the driver’s and passenger’s, that cargo space increases to 104.6 cubic feet in the standard model and 121.5 cubic feet in the MAX variant.
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