2027 Ford Explorer vs. Jeep Grand Cherokee L: Three Rows, Towing, and Winter Compared

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Both are on the lot at Beadle Ford in Bowdle, SD.", "image": "https://cdn.dlron.us/static/dealer-21665/EXPL27-CMP-03.png", "datePublished": "2026-09-21T08:00:00-05:00", "dateModified": "2026-09-21T08:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://www.beadleford.net/blog/2027-ford-explorer-vs-expedition", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.beadleford.net/blog/2027-ford-explorer-vs-expedition" }, "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Lexy Tabbert", "jobTitle": "Director of Sales and Marketing", "url": "https://www.beadleford.net/about-Lexy-Tabbert.html" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Beadle Ford", "url": "https://www.beadleford.net", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "5023 Fourth Avenue", "addressLocality": "Bowdle", "addressRegion": "SD", "postalCode": "57428", "addressCountry": "US" }, "telephone": "+1-866-561-2636" }, "about": { "@type": "Car", "name": "2027 Ford Explorer", "brand": { "@type": "Brand", "name": "Ford" }, "model": "Explorer", "vehicleModelDate": "2027" } } { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is the difference between the Ford Explorer and the Ford Expedition?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The Explorer is a unibody midsize three-row SUV, 198.7 inches long, seating up to seven and towing up to 5,000 lbs. The Expedition is a body-on-frame full-size SUV built on the F-150 platform, roughly a foot longer, seating up to eight and towing up to 9,600 lbs when properly equipped." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How much more can the Expedition tow than the Explorer?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Up to 4,600 lbs more. The 2027 Explorer tows up to 5,000 lbs on every trim. The 2027 Expedition tows up to 9,600 lbs on 4x4 models with the Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package, and 6,000 to 6,300 lbs on 4x2 models." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is the Explorer’s third row big enough for adults?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "For short trips, yes. For regular adult use or long drives, the Expedition’s third row is the adult-sized one. The Explorer’s third row is best for kids and teenagers, with 16.3 cubic feet of cargo behind it." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Which gets better fuel economy, the Explorer or the Expedition?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The Explorer. Its 2.3L 4WD is EPA-rated 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined. The Expedition’s 3.5L twin-turbo V6 in a full-size body-on-frame SUV uses noticeably more fuel; check the window sticker on a specific unit." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Which is cheaper, the Explorer or the Expedition?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The Explorer. The 2027 Explorer starts at $38,465 (plus $1,795 destination) and tops out at $56,460 before options. The Expedition starts well above the Explorer’s base and a loaded Expedition Platinum is priced well above the top Explorer; see the 2027 Expedition Buyers Guide for current figures." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Are the Explorer and Expedition both on the lot at Beadle Ford?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. Beadle Ford in Bowdle, SD, has both 2026 and 2027 Explorers and Expeditions in stock. Shop Explorer and Expedition inventory online or contact us to compare specific units." } } ] } { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.beadleford.net/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Ford Explorer", "item": "https://www.beadleford.net/ford-explorer.html" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "2027 Ford Explorer", "item": "https://www.beadleford.net/2027-ford-explorer.html" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Ford Explorer vs. Expedition: Which Ford Three-Row Should You Buy?", "item": "https://www.beadleford.net/blog/2027-ford-explorer-vs-expedition" } ] } Home› Ford Explorer› 2027 Ford Explorer› Explorer vs. Expedition Quick Answer Buy the Explorer unless you specifically need what the Expedition adds. The Expedition is much longer, seats eight with an adult-sized third row, and tows 9,600 lbs against the Explorer’s 5,000. The Explorer is easier to park, cheaper to buy and fuel, and enough SUV for most families — step up only if you tow a big camper or regularly carry eight people. We sell both, so this one is not a sales pitch for either. The Explorer and the Expedition are both three-row Fords, both on the lot in Bowdle in 2026 and 2027 model years, and they are built for different jobs. Buying the Expedition when an Explorer would do costs you money every month at the pump and every time you park. Buying the Explorer when you needed the Expedition costs you the trailer you cannot pull and the third row the adults will not sit in. This guide puts the two side by side on size, seating and third-row room, towing, engines, fuel, and price, then tells you which families end up in which one. Full guides for each: the 2027 Ford Explorer Buyers Guide and the 2027 Ford Expedition Buyers Guide. Get Pre-Approved Shop Explorer Inventory On This Page The short answer Size: what a foot of length means The third row and cargo Towing: 5,000 vs. 9,600 lbs Engines and fuel Price and which families end up where The short answer Buy the Explorer if your trailer is under 5,000 lbs (a fishing boat, a small camper, a snowmobile trailer), the third row is for kids most of the time, and you want the vehicle that is easier to park, cheaper to buy, and lighter on fuel. It is the right three-row for most families. Buy the Expedition if you tow more than 5,000 lbs (a stock trailer, a tandem-axle camper, a bigger boat), you regularly put adults in the third row, or you need the cargo room of a full-size body-on-frame SUV. It tows up to 9,600 lbs and seats up to eight. Size: what a foot of length means 2027 Ford Explorer 2027 Ford Expedition Construction Unibody, rear-drive based Body-on-frame (F-150 platform), rear-drive based Length 198.7 in About 210 in (Expedition MAX is longer) Wheelbase 119.1 in About 122.5 in (MAX longer) Width (no mirrors) 78.9 in Wider Seating Up to 7 (6 on Tremor) Up to 8 Cargo behind 3rd row 16.3 cu ft Considerably more; see the Expedition guide Explorer figures are Ford’s 2027 specifications. Expedition dimensions are approximate; confirm on the 2027 Expedition guide. Roughly a foot of length and a body-on-frame construction is the whole story of the Expedition. It is what makes the third row adult-sized, the cargo area big enough for a family’s luggage with all three rows up, and the tow rating nearly double. It is also what you feel in a school pickup line, a parking ramp in Sioux Falls, and a two-car garage that was built in 1975. The Explorer fits places the Expedition does not, and for a lot of families that is the deciding factor. The third row and cargo The Explorer’s third row is a kids’ row and an occasional-adult row. With it up there are 16.3 cubic feet behind it, which handles the hockey bags and the groceries; with rows two and three down there are 85.3 cubic feet. The Expedition’s third row is an adult row, and its cargo area with all three rows up is large enough for a week’s luggage. If your regular load is three teenagers plus a friend plus their gear, or grandparents in the third row on the drive to Rapid City, the Expedition is the one that does it without complaint. If your regular load is two car seats in the second row, kids in the back a few times a month, and a dog, the Explorer’s space is right-sized and the extra room in the Expedition is room you pay to carry around empty. Towing: 5,000 vs. 9,600 lbs This is the cleanest dividing line. The 2027 Explorer tows up to 5,000 lbs on every trim with either engine, Class III hitch standard. The 2027 Expedition tows up to 9,600 lbs on 4x4 models with the Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package, and 6,000 to 6,300 lbs on 4x2 models, all when properly equipped. Under 5,000 lbs (most aluminum fishing boats on a single-axle trailer, a two-place snowmobile trailer, a small travel trailer, a utility trailer): Explorer. 5,000 to 9,600 lbs (a tandem-axle camper, a bigger fiberglass boat, a stock or flatbed trailer): Expedition. Weigh what you actually pull, loaded, including the trailer. A lot of families guess low. If the honest number is close to 5,000, go Expedition; towing at the limit every weekend is hard on a vehicle and on the driver. Explorer towing details are in the Explorer Buyers Guide towing section. Not sure which Ford three-row? Tell us what you tow and who rides in the third row. We will put you in the right one, and both are on the lot. Shop Explorers in Stock Ask About a Custom Order Engines and fuel 2027 Ford Explorer 2027 Ford Expedition Standard engine 2.3L EcoBoost I-4, 300 hp / 310 lb-ft 3.5L EcoBoost V6, 400 hp / 480 lb-ft Available engine 3.0L EcoBoost V6, up to 400 hp / 415 lb-ft 3.5L EcoBoost V6 High Output, 440 hp / 510 lb-ft (Tremor and Platinum performance builds) Transmission 10-speed automatic 10-speed automatic Fuel economy 2.3L 4WD: 20 / 27 / 23 mpg (EPA) See the window sticker on each unit Fuel tank 17.9 gal (2.3L) / 20.2 gal (3.0L) Larger Ford published figures. Towing requires proper equipment. The Expedition starts where the Explorer tops out: its base engine makes 400 horsepower and 480 lb-ft, and the High Output version makes 440 and 510. That is what moves a 9,600-lb trailer. The cost is fuel. The Explorer 2.3L 4WD is EPA-rated at 23 mpg combined, and a full-size body-on-frame SUV with a twin-turbo V6 is not going to match it; check the sticker on the specific Expedition, but plan on a meaningful difference at 15,000 miles a year. If you do not need the towing, the Explorer’s 300-hp four is plenty and the savings are real. Price and which families end up where The 2027 Explorer starts at $38,465 (Active 100A RWD) and tops out at $56,460 (Tremor 801A) before options and $1,795 destination. The Expedition starts well above the Explorer’s base and a loaded Platinum runs well into the upper range of the Ford SUV lineup; the current numbers are in the 2027 Expedition Buyers Guide and on the window stickers on our lot. As a rule, an Explorer trim costs roughly what the Expedition trim one step below it costs. Who ends up in what, from our lot: growing families with kids under twelve, a boat, and a gravel road go Explorer, usually an Active 200A 4WD or an ST-Line, and the Tremor if they hunt. Families with teenagers and a camper, ranch families with a stock trailer, and anyone who regularly fills all three rows with adults go Expedition. Empty nesters trading down from an Expedition go Explorer Platinum, and for 2027 the V6 makes that trade-down easy: Platinum 2.3L or 3.0L V6. Both are on the lot in Bowdle in both model years, parked close enough to walk between. Shop the Explorers in stock, shop the Expeditions, and get pre-approved so the payment on each is a known number before you decide. Key Takeaways Explorer: up to 5,000 lbs towing, up to 7 seats, 198.7 inches long, from $38,465. Expedition: up to 9,600 lbs, up to 8 seats, about a foot longer, priced well above. The trailer decides it. Under 5,000 lbs loaded, Explorer. Over, Expedition. The Explorer’s third row is for kids and occasional adults; the Expedition’s is adult-sized with real cargo room behind it. Expedition starts at 400 hp / 480 lb-ft; Explorer at 300 hp / 310 lb-ft with a 400-hp V6 available. The Explorer is the fuel-economy choice. Both are on the Beadle Ford lot in 2026 and 2027 model years; drive both before you decide. Frequently Asked Questions What is the difference between the Ford Explorer and the Ford Expedition? The Explorer is a unibody midsize three-row SUV, 198.7 inches long, seating up to seven and towing up to 5,000 lbs. The Expedition is a body-on-frame full-size SUV built on the F-150 platform, roughly a foot longer, seating up to eight and towing up to 9,600 lbs when properly equipped. How much more can the Expedition tow than the Explorer? Up to 4,600 lbs more. The 2027 Explorer tows up to 5,000 lbs on every trim. The 2027 Expedition tows up to 9,600 lbs on 4x4 models with the Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package, and 6,000 to 6,300 lbs on 4x2 models. Is the Explorer’s third row big enough for adults? For short trips, yes. For regular adult use or long drives, the Expedition’s third row is the adult-sized one. The Explorer’s third row is best for kids and teenagers, with 16.3 cubic feet of cargo behind it. Which gets better fuel economy, the Explorer or the Expedition? The Explorer. Its 2.3L 4WD is EPA-rated 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined. The Expedition’s 3.5L twin-turbo V6 in a full-size body-on-frame SUV uses noticeably more fuel; check the window sticker on a specific unit. Which is cheaper, the Explorer or the Expedition? The Explorer. The 2027 Explorer starts at $38,465 (plus $1,795 destination) and tops out at $56,460 before options. The Expedition starts well above the Explorer’s base and a loaded Expedition Platinum is priced well above the top Explorer; see the 2027 Expedition Buyers Guide for current figures. Are the Explorer and Expedition both on the lot at Beadle Ford? Yes. Beadle Ford in Bowdle, SD, has both 2026 and 2027 Explorers and Expeditions in stock. Shop Explorer and Expedition inventory online or contact us to compare specific units. My Take Because we sell both, I get to be honest here. About two out of three families who come in asking about an Expedition leave in an Explorer, because when we weigh their actual trailer and count who actually rides in the third row, the Explorer does the job and saves them real money every month. The other third genuinely needs the Expedition, and I would never put them in something smaller. Tell us what you pull and who rides where. That conversation takes ten minutes and it is the whole decision. Shop Explorer Inventory Get Pre-Approved Contact Beadle Ford About the Author Lexy Tabbert — Beadle Ford, Bowdle, SD Lexy Tabbert is the Director of Sales and Marketing at Beadle Ford in Bowdle, South Dakota. She covers Ford vehicles, trim comparisons, and buyer guidance — helping families, ranchers, and ag operators across the region find the right truck and configuration for their needs. Learn more about Lexy.

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Its standard 2.3L EcoBoost makes 300 hp and 310 lb-ft against the Pilot’s 285-hp, 262-lb-ft V6, and the Explorer’s available 3.0L V6 makes up to 400 hp. The Pilot offers one engine." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does the Explorer or the Pilot tow more?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Both max out at 5,000 lbs, but every 2027 Explorer trim is rated for 5,000 lbs with a Class III package standard. The Pilot is rated at 5,000 lbs only with AWD; front-wheel-drive Pilots are rated at 3,500 lbs." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is the Pilot bigger inside than the Explorer?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. The Pilot seats up to eight with 18.6 cubic feet behind the third row and more total cargo volume. The Explorer seats up to seven with 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 85.3 cubic feet folded." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Explorer Tremor vs. Pilot TrailSport: which is more capable?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The Tremor. Both add all-terrain tires and skid plates, but the Tremor also has a TORSEN limited-slip rear axle, front tow hooks, 8.7 inches of ground clearance, a rear-drive-based 4WD system, and up to 400 hp with the 801A V6." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does the Honda Pilot have hands-free driving like BlueCruise?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "No. Honda Sensing includes adaptive cruise and lane keeping but not a hands-free highway system. BlueCruise is included on the Explorer Platinum and trial-included on ST and Tremor 801A." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Which is cheaper, the Explorer or the Pilot?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The 2027 Explorer Active starts at $38,465 before $1,795 destination. Honda lists the 2026 Pilot Sport from $42,395 in FWD before destination. Trim for trim the Explorer starts lower." } } ] } { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.beadleford.net/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Ford Explorer", "item": "https://www.beadleford.net/ford-explorer.html" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "2027 Ford Explorer", "item": "https://www.beadleford.net/2027-ford-explorer.html" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "2027 Ford Explorer vs. Honda Pilot: Turbo Four, V6, 4WD, and Towing Compared", "item": "https://www.beadleford.net/blog/2027-ford-explorer-vs-honda-pilot" } ] } Home› Ford Explorer› 2027 Ford Explorer› vs. Honda Pilot Quick Answer The Explorer’s 300-hp 2.3L EcoBoost outmuscles the Pilot’s 285-hp V6, and every Explorer tows 5,000 lbs where a Pilot needs AWD to get there (3,500 lbs with front-wheel drive). The Explorer also offers true 4WD plus the Tremor and ST; the Pilot answers with a roomier, squarer cabin and the TrailSport. For South Dakota winters and towing, the Explorer is the stronger pick. The Honda Pilot is the other three-row that shows up in our trade lane most often, usually a 2018 to 2023 that has been a good vehicle. Pilot owners who come to look at an Explorer tend to ask the same three things: is the turbo four as good as the V6 they have, does the Explorer tow more, and is Ford’s 4WD better than Honda’s AWD in the winter. Fair questions, with clear answers. This guide compares the 2027 Explorer and the 2026 Pilot on engines, towing, all-weather capability, the off-road trims, space, tech, and price. Honda figures are from Honda’s published 2026 Pilot specifications; Explorer figures are Ford’s 2027 numbers from the 2027 Ford Explorer Buyers Guide. Get Pre-Approved Shop Explorer Inventory On This Page The short answer Engines: 300-hp turbo four vs. 285-hp V6 Winter: Ford Intelligent 4WD vs. Honda i-VTM4 AWD Seating, cargo, and the third row Technology and driver assistance Price The short answer The Pilot is the roomier vehicle, with up to eight seats and more total cargo volume, and its naturally aspirated V6 is a known quantity. If you want maximum interior space and you do not tow, it is a fine choice. The Explorer has more power from its base engine than the Pilot has from its only engine, tows 5,000 lbs on every trim (the Pilot needs AWD to get there; front-drive Pilots are rated at 3,500), runs a rear-drive-based 4WD system, offers a V6 with up to 400 hp and a true off-road Tremor trim, and starts lower. For a family that tows a boat or a camper and drives gravel, the Explorer is the better fit. Engines: 300-hp turbo four vs. 285-hp V6 2027 Ford Explorer 2026 Honda Pilot Standard engine 2.3L EcoBoost I-4, 300 hp / 310 lb-ft 3.5L V6, 285 hp / 262 lb-ft Available engine 3.0L EcoBoost V6, up to 400 hp / 415 lb-ft None; one engine across the lineup Transmission 10-speed automatic 10-speed automatic Drive RWD or Intelligent 4WD (rear-drive based) FWD or i-VTM4 AWD (front-drive based) Max towing 5,000 lbs, every trim and both engines 5,000 lbs AWD; 3,500 lbs FWD Explorer figures are Ford’s published 2027 specifications; towing requires proper equipment. Honda figures per Honda’s 2026 published specifications. The Pilot’s 3.5L V6 is smooth and durable, and Pilot owners like it. But 262 lb-ft of torque arriving high in the rev range is the reason a loaded Pilot on a grade with a trailer behind it feels busy. The Explorer’s 2.3L EcoBoost makes 310 lb-ft at low rpm, which is what you feel pulling out of a boat ramp or passing on US-12. And the Explorer has a second answer the Pilot does not: the 3.0L V6 at up to 400 hp on the ST, the Tremor 801A, and now the Platinum. Winter: Ford Intelligent 4WD vs. Honda i-VTM4 AWD Honda’s i-VTM4 is a good torque-vectoring AWD system on a front-drive platform. The Explorer is built the other way around: rear-drive based, with Intelligent 4WD that sends power forward as needed, seven drive modes including Slippery and Deep Snow/Sand, and Hill Descent Control on every 4WD model. In everyday snow both are capable. Where the difference shows is towing on a slick ramp, starting on an icy hill with a load, and driving rutted gravel, where a rear-biased layout keeps the front tires steering instead of pulling. Both brands have an off-road trim. The Pilot TrailSport adds all-terrain tires, a lifted suspension, and skid plates to the AWD Pilot. The Explorer Tremor adds all-terrain tires, front and rear underbody plates, front tow hooks, auxiliary grille lights, 8.7 inches of ground clearance, and a TORSEN limited-slip rear axle, on a 4WD-only build, with the 300-hp 2.3L or the 400-hp V6. The Tremor guide has the full hardware list. Trading a Pilot? Bring it to Bowdle. We will appraise it, and you can drive the Explorer 4WD on gravel the same afternoon. Shop Explorers in Stock Ask About a Custom Order Seating, cargo, and the third row The Pilot is the bigger box. It seats up to eight, Honda lists 18.6 cubic feet behind the third row, and its total cargo volume with the rear rows folded is greater than the Explorer’s. The 2027 Explorer seats up to seven, with 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 85.3 cubic feet folded. If cargo volume is the one number you are buying on, Honda has it. In use, the differences are smaller than the table suggests. Both fit hockey bags behind the third row. Both have second-row captain’s chairs available (standard on the Explorer, which is the layout car-seat families want). The Explorer’s third row is power-folding on ST, Platinum, and Tremor 801A, and tri-zone climate control is standard on every trim. Bring your gear to the lot and load it; that is how our customers actually decide. Technology and driver assistance The Explorer runs a 13.2-inch touchscreen with Google built in, a 12.3-inch digital cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 5G modem, and over-the-air updates on every trim, with Ford Co-Pilot360™ Assist+ standard and the 360-degree camera from ST-Line up. The Pilot’s screens are smaller, Honda Sensing is standard, and wireless CarPlay depends on trim. The bigger gap is hands-free driving. BlueCruise is included on the Explorer Platinum for a year plus 90 days, trial-included on ST and Tremor 801A, and optional on ST-Line and Tremor 800A. Honda does not offer a hands-free highway system on the Pilot. On the long drives that define living out here, that matters. How BlueCruise compares with GM and Nissan. Price The 2027 Explorer Active 100A starts at $38,465 in RWD and $40,465 in 4WD, plus $1,795 destination, with the Class III tow package already on it. Honda lists the 2026 Pilot Sport from $42,395 in front-wheel drive, before destination, and AWD is required for the 5,000-lb tow rating. So the Explorer that tows 5,000 lbs starts roughly $2,000 below the Pilot that tows 3,500. Every Explorer trim and price: 2027 Explorer trim levels. And both the 2026 and 2027 Explorer are on the lot at Beadle Ford. See the Explorers in stock, bring the Pilot for an appraisal, and get pre-approved first if you want the numbers settled before you drive out. Key Takeaways Explorer: 300 hp standard, up to 400 hp available, 310 to 415 lb-ft. Pilot: one 285-hp V6 with 262 lb-ft. Every Explorer tows 5,000 lbs; the Pilot tows 5,000 only with AWD (3,500 in FWD). Explorer is rear-drive-based 4WD with Deep Snow and Slippery modes; the Tremor adds a TORSEN axle, plates, and hooks the TrailSport does not have. Pilot is roomier: up to 8 seats and more total cargo. Explorer: up to 7, 16.3 / 85.3 cu ft. Explorer starts around $2,000 lower, offers BlueCruise, and both model years are on the lot in Bowdle. Frequently Asked Questions Which has more horsepower, the Explorer or the Pilot? The Explorer. Its standard 2.3L EcoBoost makes 300 hp and 310 lb-ft against the Pilot’s 285-hp, 262-lb-ft V6, and the Explorer’s available 3.0L V6 makes up to 400 hp. The Pilot offers one engine. Does the Explorer or the Pilot tow more? Both max out at 5,000 lbs, but every 2027 Explorer trim is rated for 5,000 lbs with a Class III package standard. The Pilot is rated at 5,000 lbs only with AWD; front-wheel-drive Pilots are rated at 3,500 lbs. Is the Pilot bigger inside than the Explorer? Yes. The Pilot seats up to eight with 18.6 cubic feet behind the third row and more total cargo volume. The Explorer seats up to seven with 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 85.3 cubic feet folded. Explorer Tremor vs. Pilot TrailSport: which is more capable? The Tremor. Both add all-terrain tires and skid plates, but the Tremor also has a TORSEN limited-slip rear axle, front tow hooks, 8.7 inches of ground clearance, a rear-drive-based 4WD system, and up to 400 hp with the 801A V6. Does the Honda Pilot have hands-free driving like BlueCruise? No. Honda Sensing includes adaptive cruise and lane keeping but not a hands-free highway system. BlueCruise is included on the Explorer Platinum and trial-included on ST and Tremor 801A. Which is cheaper, the Explorer or the Pilot? The 2027 Explorer Active starts at $38,465 before $1,795 destination. Honda lists the 2026 Pilot Sport from $42,395 in FWD before destination. Trim for trim the Explorer starts lower. My Take Pilot owners are usually happy Pilot owners, and I do not try to talk them out of that. What I show them is the tow rating on a front-drive Pilot, the torque number on the Explorer’s base engine, and then I hand them the keys to a 4WD Explorer and point at the gravel road behind the dealership. Most of them come back with the decision made. If your Pilot has been good to you and you never tow, keep shopping both. If a boat or a camper is in your future, the Explorer is the one built for it, and it costs less to start. Shop Explorer Inventory Get Pre-Approved Contact Beadle Ford About the Author Lexy Tabbert — Beadle Ford, Bowdle, SD Lexy Tabbert is the Director of Sales and Marketing at Beadle Ford in Bowdle, South Dakota. She covers Ford vehicles, trim comparisons, and buyer guidance — helping families, ranchers, and ag operators across the region find the right truck and configuration for their needs. Learn more about Lexy.

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It seats up to eight and Toyota lists up to 97.5 cubic feet of cargo. The 2027 Explorer seats up to seven with 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 85.3 cubic feet folded." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Which has more power, the Explorer or the Grand Highlander?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The Explorer. Its standard 2.3L EcoBoost makes 300 hp against the Grand Highlander’s 265-hp turbo four, and the Explorer’s available 3.0L V6 makes up to 400 hp against Toyota’s 362-hp Hybrid MAX." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can the Explorer and the Grand Highlander both tow 5,000 pounds?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. The 2027 Explorer is rated to tow up to 5,000 lbs on every trim with a Class III package standard. 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Both tow 5,000 lbs properly equipped. Choose the Grand Highlander for third-row space and fuel economy, and the Explorer for winter traction, how it drives, and the Tremor and ST versions Toyota has no answer for. The Toyota Grand Highlander is the three-row most of our Explorer shoppers cross-shop, and it deserves the comparison: it is roomy, it is well built, and the hybrid options are real. The 2027 Explorer answers with more power at every price, a 4WD system built on a rear-drive layout, an off-road trim Toyota does not offer, and a lower starting price. Which one is right depends on what your family actually does with it. This is a straight comparison on the things that matter here: engines, towing, third-row and cargo space, winter capability, tech, and price. Toyota figures are from Toyota’s published 2026 Grand Highlander specifications and should be confirmed on a specific unit. Explorer figures are Ford’s 2027 numbers from the 2027 Ford Explorer Buyers Guide. Get Pre-Approved Shop Explorer Inventory On This Page The short answer Engines: EcoBoost vs. turbo four and hybrids Third row, cargo, and seating Winter and gravel: 4WD vs. AWD Technology and driver assistance Price The short answer Pick the Grand Highlander if you want a hybrid, if you regularly carry adults in the third row, or if maximum cargo volume is the deciding factor. It is a larger vehicle inside, with up to eight seats and more cargo space than the Explorer. Pick the Explorer if you want more power for the money (300 hp standard, up to 400 hp available, against Toyota’s 265-hp turbo four), a rear-drive-based 4WD system with real drive modes and an off-road Tremor trim, a lower starting price, or the ability to walk onto the lot in Bowdle and drive one home today. Both tow 5,000 lbs when properly equipped, so the boat is not the tiebreaker. Engines: EcoBoost vs. turbo four and hybrids 2027 Ford Explorer 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Standard engine 2.3L EcoBoost I-4, 300 hp / 310 lb-ft, 10-speed automatic 2.4L turbo I-4, 265 hp / 310 lb-ft, 8-speed automatic Available engine 3.0L EcoBoost V6, up to 400 hp / 415 lb-ft (ST, Tremor 801A, Platinum) 2.5L Hybrid, 245 hp combined; Hybrid MAX 2.4L turbo hybrid, 362 hp Drive RWD or Intelligent 4WD (rear-drive based) FWD or AWD (front-drive based); Hybrid MAX is AWD Max towing 5,000 lbs, every trim 5,000 lbs, properly equipped Fuel economy 2.3L 4WD: 20 / 27 / 23 mpg (EPA); other combinations not yet posted Varies by powertrain; the 2.5L Hybrid is the efficiency leader Explorer figures are Ford’s published 2027 specifications; towing requires proper equipment. Toyota figures per Toyota’s 2026 published specifications. The gap at the base is the headline: an Explorer Active 100A has 35 more horsepower than a Grand Highlander LE and costs less. At the top, Toyota’s Hybrid MAX is a strong engine at 362 hp, and the Explorer ST and V6 Platinum answer it with up to 400 hp. Where Toyota clearly wins is the 2.5L Hybrid: if your priority is fuel economy over power, the Explorer does not offer a hybrid, and I am not going to pretend otherwise. Explorer details by engine: Platinum 2.3L or 3.0L. Third row, cargo, and seating The Grand Highlander was designed around the third row, and it shows. It seats up to eight and Toyota lists up to 97.5 cubic feet of cargo with the rear rows folded. The Explorer seats up to seven and lists 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 85.3 cubic feet folded. If you regularly haul three teenagers plus their friends, or you need the third row to be adult-comfortable on a three-hour drive, the Toyota has the edge on room. Where the Explorer’s space works: the second-row captain’s chairs are standard, which is the configuration most families with car seats prefer; the third row folds flat and is power-folding on ST, Platinum, and Tremor 801A; and 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row is enough for the hockey bags with the seats up. Come put your actual gear in the back of one on our lot. That settles this faster than any table. Bring the hockey bags Load your real gear into an Explorer on the lot in Bowdle. It settles the space question faster than any spec sheet. Shop Explorers in Stock Ask About a Custom Order Winter and gravel: 4WD vs. AWD This is where the layouts matter. The Explorer is rear-drive based with Intelligent 4WD, seven selectable drive modes including Slippery and Deep Snow/Sand, and Hill Descent Control. The Grand Highlander is front-drive based with an on-demand AWD system. On a snow-packed highway both will get you there. On a rutted section road, a soft boat ramp, or a hill in an ice storm, a rear-drive-based 4WD with a true Deep Snow mode is more composed and more predictable, and the Explorer’s 7.6 to 8.7 inches of ground clearance depending on trim helps. Toyota does not offer a Grand Highlander with all-terrain tires, skid plates, or a limited-slip rear. The Explorer Tremor has all three, plus front tow hooks, on a three-row family vehicle. If any part of your driving leaves pavement on purpose, that is a category Toyota is not in. The 2027 Explorer Tremor guide covers it. Technology and driver assistance Both have the modern basics: a large center screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a digital cluster, and a full driver-assist suite standard. The Explorer’s 13.2-inch touchscreen runs the Ford Digital Experience with Google built in (Google Maps, Google Assistant, Google Play) and takes over-the-air updates through a 5G modem. Ford Co-Pilot360™ Assist+ is standard on every Explorer, with the 360-degree camera from ST-Line up. Toyota Safety Sense is standard on every Grand Highlander. The Explorer’s tech edge is BlueCruise: hands-free highway driving that is included on Platinum for a year plus 90 days and trial-included on ST and Tremor 801A. Toyota does not offer a hands-free system on the Grand Highlander. If your drives are I-90 or I-29 to Sioux Falls or Rapid City, that is a real difference; here is how BlueCruise compares with the other systems. Price The 2027 Explorer Active 100A starts at $38,465 in RWD and $40,465 in 4WD, plus $1,795 destination. The Active 200A, the trim most families buy, is $40,400 / $42,400. Toyota lists the 2026 Grand Highlander LE from about $42,855 before destination, with AWD and the hybrids above that. Trim for trim, the Explorer starts a few thousand dollars lower and gives you more horsepower at each step. Full Explorer pricing: 2027 Explorer trim levels. The other price factor is availability. Both the 2026 and 2027 Explorer are on the lot at Beadle Ford; see what is in stock and get pre-approved before you come in. Key Takeaways Explorer wins on power at every price: 300 hp standard vs. 265, up to 400 hp available vs. 362. Grand Highlander wins on interior room (up to 8 seats, up to 97.5 cu ft) and offers hybrids; the Explorer does not have a hybrid. Both tow 5,000 lbs. The Explorer’s rear-drive-based 4WD and the Tremor trim give it the edge off pavement and in deep snow. Explorer offers BlueCruise hands-free driving; the Grand Highlander does not offer a hands-free system. Explorer starts a few thousand dollars lower trim for trim, and both model years are on the lot in Bowdle. Frequently Asked Questions Is the Ford Explorer or the Toyota Grand Highlander bigger? The Grand Highlander is larger inside. It seats up to eight and Toyota lists up to 97.5 cubic feet of cargo. The 2027 Explorer seats up to seven with 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 85.3 cubic feet folded. Which has more power, the Explorer or the Grand Highlander? The Explorer. Its standard 2.3L EcoBoost makes 300 hp against the Grand Highlander’s 265-hp turbo four, and the Explorer’s available 3.0L V6 makes up to 400 hp against Toyota’s 362-hp Hybrid MAX. Can the Explorer and the Grand Highlander both tow 5,000 pounds? Yes. The 2027 Explorer is rated to tow up to 5,000 lbs on every trim with a Class III package standard. Toyota rates the Grand Highlander at up to 5,000 lbs when properly equipped. Does the Ford Explorer come as a hybrid? No. The 2027 Explorer is offered with the 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 or the 3.0L EcoBoost V6. The Grand Highlander offers a 2.5L Hybrid and a Hybrid MAX. Which is better in South Dakota winters? Both handle snow-packed highways with AWD or 4WD. The Explorer’s rear-drive-based Intelligent 4WD with Deep Snow/Sand and Slippery modes, plus the all-terrain Tremor trim, gives it the advantage on gravel, ice, and unplowed roads. Which is cheaper, the Explorer or the Grand Highlander? The 2027 Explorer Active starts at $38,465 before $1,795 destination. Toyota lists the 2026 Grand Highlander LE from about $42,855 before destination. Trim for trim the Explorer starts lower. My Take I will give Toyota its due: if a family tells me the third row is for adults every week and they want a hybrid, the Grand Highlander is the right vehicle and I would rather say so than sell them the wrong one. Most families I talk to are not that family. They put car seats in the second row, kids in the third a few times a month, a boat behind it in summer, and they drive gravel to get home. For that, the Explorer is more vehicle for less money, and the 4WD is the kind you can trust in February. Come load your gear into one. The space question answers itself in about five minutes. Shop Explorer Inventory Get Pre-Approved Contact Beadle Ford About the Author Lexy Tabbert — Beadle Ford, Bowdle, SD Lexy Tabbert is the Director of Sales and Marketing at Beadle Ford in Bowdle, South Dakota. She covers Ford vehicles, trim comparisons, and buyer guidance — helping families, ranchers, and ag operators across the region find the right truck and configuration for their needs. Learn more about Lexy.