8 Top Ford Explorer Competitors
There are tons of great alternatives to the Ford Explorer on the market, like the Toyota Highlander, the Mazda CX-9, and the Nissan Pathfinder.
Written by Liz Jenson
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Whether you want a more affordable option like the Hyundai Santa Fe, a larger car like the Honda Pilot, or a more powerful vehicle like the Jeep Grand Cherokee, there are various alternatives to the Ford Explorer that you should consider before making your final decision.
Finding the perfect SUV for you and your family can be really difficult, especially since there are so many different options to choose from. The 2022 Ford Explorer is a great option for drivers who prefer a more compact SUV with good fuel economy, but you may find that the Explorer isn’t the best choice if you want lots of cargo space or an exceptionally powerful engine.
That’s why
Jerry
, the car insurance
comparison app, has broken down the alternatives to the Ford Explorer. We'll even drop some hints for saving on your Ford Explorer insurance cost
. 1. Honda Pilot
Starting price: $36,830 to $50,620
Selling points: Lots of cargo space and interior space
Weak spot: Poor off-road performance and fuel economy, underwhelming exterior
The
Honda Pilot
is significantly bigger than the Ford Explorer, although whether this is an advantage or a disadvantage depends on your vehicle priorities. You’ll definitely get more cargo space and interior space in the Honda Pilot, so it’s a good option for drivers who regularly have a lot of passengers or need to store lots of cargo.However, the Pilot has also been criticized for its underwhelming styling. The exterior of the Pilot is pretty boring compared to some of the competition, so it’s not the car to choose if you want to look cool driving down the street. It’s also not a great choice for off-road enthusiasts, since it isn’t well-equipped to handle unpaved roads. Finally, the Pilot has a lower fuel economy than many of the other vehicles on this list, so it might end up being a little more expensive to own.
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2. Hyundai Santa Fe
Starting price: $27,200 to $40,960
Selling points: Competitively priced, comfortable interior
Weak spot: Lower towing capacity, a little cramped
With its $27,200 starting price, the
Hyundai Santa Fe
is the least expensive vehicle on this list. Even with its competitive pricing, the Hyundai brand still delivers a comfortable, stylish interior with a user-friendly interface. While adults riding in the rear seats might find the Santa Fe a little cramped, this SUV is great for families with children.If you’re hoping to tow a large trailer, however, the Santa Fe might not be the vehicle for you. With its towing capacity of just 3,500 pounds, this SUV definitely isn’t designed for hauling heavy loads.
3. Toyota Highlander
Starting price: $37,405 to $47,560
Selling points: Safe and family-friendly
Weak spot: Cramped, particularly for adult passengers
What the
Toyota Highlander
lacks in style, it makes up for in safety. While you might feel a little like a soccer mom driving this SUV, the Highlander’s best-in-class safety ratings and extensive driver assistance technology make this vehicle a great alternative for families.The Highlander does offer a lot of seating, but it can be cramped for adult passengers. If you’re planning to use your car like a minivan, you should be prepared to squeeze a little more than is comfortable.
4. Mazda CX-9
Starting price: $35,280 to $47,000
Selling points: Great styling both inside and out
Weak spot: A cramped third row and limited cargo space
The Mazda brand is known for great styling, and the
Mazda CX-9
is an excellent example of why. The CX-9 has a sleek, stylish interior and exterior with a look that can’t be beat. It also offers a great driving experience, so you’ll look cool and comfortable behind the wheel.That said, the Mazda CX-9 isn’t great on space. The third row in the CX-9 is pretty cramped, to the extent that most adults would be fairly uncomfortable riding in the back for long periods of time. Behind the third row, there’s very limited cargo space. This means that if you do put up the third row, you’ll have to sacrifice most of your storage area.
MORE: Mazda CX-9 towing capacity
5. Chevrolet Traverse
Starting price: $33,700 to $51,200
Selling points: Tons of cargo space and passenger space
Weak spot: Big blind spots
If you’re looking for a little more space, the
Chevrolet Traverse
might be the car for you. This SUV is very roomy, and it can hold lots of passengers and lots of cargo at the same time. While you do have to compromise a little on fuel economy in order to drive this larger vehicle, the Traverse gets decent mileage for a vehicle of its size.The biggest downside of the Traverse, however, is that it has some huge blind spots, particularly towards the rear of the car. This is mostly due to the size of the vehicle, but it can make driving safely a little more tricky, particularly for drivers who are used to smaller cars.
6. Kia Telluride
Starting price: $32,790 to $42,690
Selling points: Great style and value
Weak spot: Poor fuel economy and handling, not for off-road drivers
The
Kia Telluride
is consistently one of the top-selling midsize SUVs on the market, and for good reason. As is typical with the Kia brand, the Telluride is a stylish, user-friendly car with a plush interior and top-of-the-line technology. It’s also priced to be very accessible—it’s the second-most affordable SUV on this list.However, there are also some areas for improvement on the Telluride. The stiff handling and lack of rugged features mean that this car isn’t a good choice for off-road drivers, and the fuel economy leaves something to be desired. Still, the Telluride is a great alternative for city drivers looking for an affordable, user-friendly SUV.
7. Jeep Grand Cherokee
Starting price: $38,325 to $64,780
Selling points: Great off-road performance
Weak spot: A little pricier than the competition
Jeep is known for vehicles with a rugged look, and the
Grand Cherokee
certainly upholds that tradition. This vehicle is great for off-road adventures, so if you were considering the Explorer because of its off-road capabilities, the Grand Cherokee might be a good alternative for you.Of course, you will still need to make some compromises. The Grand Cherokee is the most expensive vehicle on this list, and it offers a lower fuel economy than some of the competition. This means that you’ll consistently pay more for the Grand Cherokee than you might for a different vehicle.
MORE: Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited towing capacity
8. Nissan Pathfinder
Starting price: $33,410 to $46,190
Selling points: Great interior storage options, good towing capacity
Weak spot: Poor off-road performance, expensive top trims
Sure, the
Nissan Pathfinder
might not be the best off-road vehicle, but it’s an excellent choice for drivers who need a lot of storage and cargo space. The Pathfinder is filled with helpful little storage cubbies for your various small items, offers plenty of interior cargo space, and has a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. That means you can haul a lot of stuff with this vehicle!However, you should be prepared for higher prices on higher trims. If you want a Pathfinder with all of the available features and add-ons, you should expect to pay quite a bit more than you might pay for some of this vehicle’s competition.
MORE: Nissan Pathfinder S towing capacity
The Ford Explorer vs the competition
TL;DR? No worries. If you’d rather see a side-by-side comparison of the Ford Explorer and its competition, take a look at the table below.
Model | Starting price range | Engine options | Maximum seating capacity | Maximum cargo volume | Maximum towing capacity | Fuel economy (city/highway/combined) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$33,245 to $53,610 | Four-cylinder or V6 | 7 seats | 47.9 cubic ft | 5,600 pounds | 27/28/27 MPG | |
$36,830 to $50,620 | V6 | 8 seats | 83.9 cubic ft | 5,000 lb | 19/26/22 MPG | |
$27,200 to $40,960 | Four-cylinder or V6 | 5 seats | 72.1 cubic ft | 3,500 lbs | 25/28/26 MPG | |
$37,405 to $47,560 | V6 | 8 seats | 84.3 cubic ft | 5,000 lb | 20/28/23 MPG | |
$35,280 to $47,000 | Four-cylinder | 7 seats | 71.2 cubic ft | 3,500 lb | 20/26/23 MPG | |
$33,700 to $51,200 | V6 | 8 seats | 98.2 cubic ft | 5000 lbs | 19/22/21 mpg | |
$35,970 to $48,435 | V6 | 8 seats | 80.5 cubic ft | 6000 lbs | 18/27/21 MPG | |
$38,325 to $64,780 | V6 or V8 | 7 seats | 70.8 cubic ft | 6,200 lbs | 19/26/21.5 MPG | |
$33,410 to $46,190 | V6 | 8 seats | 80.5 cubic ft | 6000 lbs | 21/27/23 MPG |
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MORE: How to build a custom Ford Explorer
Finding insurance for your new car
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