Looking for an SUV with more space, more features, or more options? Ford offers you two great options when it comes to explorer and expedition. And the comparison between the ford expedition vs ford explorer gives you the exciting experience of finding a spacious SUV.
The 2021 Ford Explorer and 2021 Ford Expedition are packed with practical interiors and safety technologies that can be easily combined with your daily commute.
Add in the strong towing characteristics that make the best SUVs for towing a travel trailer and you’re ready to take on the challenges of the road. From name to fuel economy to dimensions, both SUVs share significant similarities and differences.
The Explorer is akin to going on adventures with casual plans, while the Expedition is more about getting serious work done with class-leading features.
There are a few key differences to help you make up your mind, which you can explore in our 2021 Ford Expedition vs Ford Explorer below. Our Locar Deals team will help you find the right thing for your life while traveling with your family.
2021 Ford Expedition Overview
As an SUV, the Expedition is a fantastic all-rounder that offers comfort, functionality, robust optics, and a powerful drive train and is part of the best SUVs with 8 passengers.
Ford’s 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine delivers up to 400 hp at the top end of the range and is mated to a ten-speed automatic transmission. 4×2 and 4×4 gearboxes are available.
This year there is a 5-seater XL equipment in the entry-level category, which means that the standard and additional equipment in the entire range is being refreshed.
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For example, the XLT model loses the option for hands-free tailgate operation, but the Limited model gets the previously optional adaptive cruise control.
2021 Ford Expedition Specifications
- MSRP: $49,625 – $79,425
- Engine: 3.5 L 6-cylinder
- MPG: 17 City / 23 Hwy
- Horsepower: 375 hp
- Capacity: 8 Seats
- Drivetrain: Front Wheel Drive
2021 Ford Explorer Overview
The 2021 Ford Explorer is a 3-row midsize SUV / crossover with all the right ingredients to appeal to the average family.
With a special off-road version, a particularly sporty ST model, a hybrid version, and two noble / leather versions, you can appeal to everyone.
It is available in eight trim levels: Basis, XLT, Limited, ST-Line, Timberline, ST, King Ranch, and Platinum.
Most models come standard with a four-cylinder turbo engine, although a hybrid V6 powertrain and a high-performance V6 can be found at higher trim levels.
2021 Ford Explorer Specifications
- MSRP: $32,925 – $54,730
- Engine: 3.3 L 6-cylinder
- MPG: 27 City / 28 Hwy
- Horsepower: 300 to 400 hp
- Capacity: 7 Seats
10 Top Difference Between 2021 Ford Expedition And Ford Explorer
There are characteristics that the two vehicles have in common. Both are spacious three-row SUVs equipped with a six-cylinder engine.
However, there are a few key differences between ford explorer and expedition in terms of seating capacity, interior dimensions, fuel economy, and price that can determine which option is best for you.
And in the city, more emphasis is placed on car-like maneuverability and comfort. Is which Our comparison guide has the answers you need.
1. Price
The main difference between ford explorer and expedition is their price. Prices for the 2021 base model Ford Explorer are $ 32.92.
It comes with a 2.3-liter inline 4-cylinder turbo engine, cloth upholstery, eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a six-speaker stereo system. While the Ford Expedition costs at least $ 50,595. And it offers you similar functions and some additional functions like three extra USB ports, satellite radio, rear parking sensors.
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You pay for the size: more metal, more money. So in the 2021 ford expedition vs ford explorer price comparison, Ford Explorer has the upper hand.
Winner: Ford Explorer
2. Power
Performance is another factor to consider when choosing between Explorer and Expedition. The base Explorer offers a 2.3-liter turbo engine with 300 hp, while other models have a 3.0-liter V6.
The Expedition, on the other hand, is a larger SUV and therefore justifies the need for a larger engine with more power.
The Expedition has a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine with 375 hp. In Ford Expedition vs Ford Explorer Performance, Ford Expedition stands out.
Winner: Ford Expedition
3. Towing Capacity
The expedition is more of a powerful horse. Equipped with Ford’s heavy-duty towing package, the Ford Expedition can tow 9,300 pounds, leading in its class.
Ford’s Explorer can haul up to 5,200 pounds with the standard 300-horsepower 2.3-liter EcoBoost I-4 RWD engine. If you upgrade to the 400 horsepower 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 4WD engine, the trailer load increases to 5,600 pounds.
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After comparing the towing capacity of the 2021 ford expedition vs ford explorer, we can say that the expedition capacity is higher than that of the Explorer.
Winner: Ford Expedition
4. Size
The Explorer is 199.3 inches long, 78.9 inches wide, and 69.9 inches high, so it is sure to dominate the road. However, if you are looking for a little more space on your next trip, consider the expedition. It is 210 inches long, 76.6 inches high, and 79.9 inches wide.
The Expedition MAX has been enlarged to a length of 221.9 inches to provide an undeniable presence on the open road and more space for its passengers. When you compare Ford explorer vs ford expedition size, you can choose Expedition over Expedition.
Winner: Ford Expedition
5. Comfort
In terms of comfort and luxury, Expedition offers heated and ventilated leather seats, leather door panels, and a steering wheel, as well as real wood grain on the center console.
Upgrade to get integrated navigation with real-time weather and traffic alerts. The Ford Explorer offers a similar design to the Expedition and features the same impressive technology.
Surprisingly, the Explorer only has the narrowest edge of cargo space behind the third row (21-20.9 cubic feet), but if you fold the second or third row, the Expedition wins by a wide margin in the 2021 Ford Expedition competition against Ford Explorer.
Winner: Ford Expedition
6. Features
Both models have functions such as FordPass Connect ™ with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, an 8-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
In both the Ford Explorer and the Expedition, you and your family can have peace of mind as both have consistently received excellent safety ratings and are equipped with standard Ford Co-Pilot360 safety technology.
The expedition goes one step further and also offers reversing cameras and parking sensors as standard. In the feature segment, Expedition will also take the lead in the battle between the 2021 ford expedition vs ford explorer.
Winner: Ford Expedition
7. Gas Mileage
The Ford Explorer’s gas mileage is more economical than the Expedition and varies by trim package and other options take it in the list of best gas mileage SUVs.
The base model simply called the Explorer, offers 27 mpg on city streets and 29 mpg on the highways.
The base model of the Expedition, called the XL STX, offers 17 mpg on city streets and 23 mpg on the highways. The Explorer is also available as a hybrid, but the Expedition is not. The Explorer hybrid model offers 28 mpg combined driving.
It is equipped with a V6 engine and a hybrid system and has an output of 318 hp. On the MPG front, the Ford Explorer performed well in the Ford Explorer versus the Ford Expedition.
Winner: Ford Explorer
8. Safety
When we compared the safety of the Ford Expedition 2021 with that of the Ford Explorer, we found that these SUVs have the same safety features.
Such as ABS brakes, driver-side airbags, passenger airbags, front-side airbags, curtain airbags, and the same rating 5 stars in NHTSA crash tests.
Other common safety functions include a 360-degree camera with auxiliary grid lines, a pre-collision assistant with an automatic emergency, a lane departure warning, and active cruise control, and BLIS with cross-traffic warning. These vehicles look similar in many ways.
Winner: Tied
9. Handling
The Ford Explorer may not look dramatically different, but underneath is a new rear-wheel-drive platform that offers better handling on the road and greater stability when loading.
In everyday use, the Explorer Gives you a positive ride with its smaller size than the longer and heavier expedition, which can be tricky in rush hour traffic and parking lots.
Winner: Ford Explorer
10. Final Verdict
Choosing between the 2021 ford expedition vs ford explorer can be challenging, especially when their specifications are so close in terms of metrics like fuel economy.
Overall, size and performance will be the most important factors in choosing between these vehicles.
And Ford Expedition is useful in these criteria and its larger space will be essential to comfort its passengers and to win our comparison guide to ford expedition vs ford explorer.
Winner: Ford Explorer
Top FAQs About Difference Between Ford Explorer and Expedition
Which is Better Between the Expedition and Explorer?
Both SUVs offer you good performance. The Ford Expedition has more power overall, but the Ford Explorer offers more options.
The SUV’s sleek handling stands out when hauling cargo via Ford’s upgraded rear-wheel-drive platform introduced in 2021. The Ford Expedition is impressive for its size, but the Ford Explorer offers many of the same benefits and is priced lower.
What is the difference between Expedition vs an Explorer cargo space?
The biggest difference is the third-row seats. In the Explorer, the third row is reserved for children, car seats, and storage space when the rear bench is folded down.
The Expedition, however, accommodates adults with nearly 41 inches of legroom, roughly the same as the other rows. So if you ever want to fill your car with adults, Expedition can make it happen.
What is the difference between ford explorer vs ford expedition size?
In terms of length, the Explorer is about a foot shorter than the Expedition at a total of 198.8 inches, an amount that will affect most drivers who want to keep their cars in their garage, for example. Width is also an important factor.
The Explorer is 4.1 inches thinner than the Expedition at its widest point, which can be a major factor for riders struggling to fit into tight spaces. Overall, the 2021 Ford Expedition is the larger of these two three-row SUVs, both inside and out.
Final Thought
There are some distinct and distinct differences between the ford expedition vs ford explorer these versatile SUVs. For starters, Expedition offers excellence in terms of performance and traction, as well as a host of premium features that make it the ultimate vehicle.
The Explorer offers a hybrid option and is more affordable, but in every other way, it doesn’t compare to what Expedition has to offer.
