Compare the2022 Genesis GV80VS 2021 Ford Explorer

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the GV80 with its optional rear seat reminder are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Explorer doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The GV80 has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Explorer doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Both the GV80 and the Explorer have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Genesis GV80 is safer than the Ford Explorer:

	GV80	Explorer
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	29	65
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	101 G’s	161 G’s
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	70	86
Spine Acceleration	26 G’s	38 G’s
Hip Force	458 lbs.	604 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

The GV80 comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes free 24-hour roadside assistance. The Explorer’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Genesis’ powertrain warranty covers the GV80 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Ford covers the Explorer. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Explorer ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The GV80’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Explorer’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Genesis pays for scheduled maintenance on the GV80 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Genesis will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Ford doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Explorer.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the GV80’s reliability 29 points higher than the Explorer.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the GV80 second among upper midsize premium suvs in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The Explorer isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Genesis vehicles are better in initial quality than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Genesis 7th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 14 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 14th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Genesis vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Genesis 8th in reliability, above the industry average. With 28 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 22nd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Genesis vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Genesis 17 places higher in reliability than Ford.

Engine

As tested in Motor Trend the Genesis GV80 is faster than the Ford Explorer:

	GV80 turbo 4 cyl.	GV80 turbo V6	Explorer turbo 4 cyl.	Explorer V6 hybrid gas
Zero to 60 MPH	6.4 sec	6 sec	6.8 sec	7.7 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	10.7 sec	9.6 sec	11.8 sec	n/a
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	3.3 sec	3 sec	3.6 sec	n/a
Quarter Mile	14.9 sec	14.4 sec	15.3 sec	15.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	94.3 MPH	98.8 MPH	89.6 MPH	92 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the GV80 AWD 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder gets better fuel mileage than the Explorer Platinum 3.0 turbo V6 4WD (21 city/25 hwy vs. 18 city/24 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Genesis GV80 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The Explorer ST requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The GV80 has 3.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Explorer Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (21.1 vs. 18 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The GV80 has almost a gallon more fuel capacity than the Explorer V6 Turbo’s standard fuel tank (21.1 vs. 20.2 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the GV80’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Explorer:

	GV80 2.5T	GV80 3.5T	Explorer	Explorer ST
Front Rotors	14.2 inches	14.9 inches	13.6 inches	14.3 inches
Rear Rotors	14.2 inches	14.2 inches	12.4 inches	13.8 inches

The GV80’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the Explorer ST are solid, not vented.

The GV80 stops much shorter than the Explorer:

	GV80	Explorer
70 to 0 MPH	163 feet	170 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	112 feet	125 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the GV80 has larger tires than the Explorer (265/40R22 vs. 255/65R18).

The GV80’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Explorer’s standard 65 series tires. The GV80’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Explorer’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GV80 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Explorer. The GV80’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the Explorer.

Suspension and Handling

The GV80 offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Explorer’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The GV80 offers an optional automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Explorer doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The GV80 PRESTIGE AWD handles at .86 G’s, while the Explorer XLT 4WD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The GV80 PRESTIGE AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the Explorer Limited 4WD (26.9 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the GV80 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Explorer (8.1 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the GV80 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The GV80 is 4.1 inches shorter than the Explorer, making the GV80 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the GV80 PRESTIGE AWD is quieter than the Explorer ST 4WD (74 vs. 77 dB).

Passenger Space

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the GV80’s middle and third row seats recline. The Explorer’s third row seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

Pressing a button automatically lowers the GV80’s second and third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Explorer doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

Towing

The GV80’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Explorer’s (6000 vs. 3000 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The GV80 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Explorer uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Genesis service is better than Ford. J.D. Power ranks Genesis 9th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 31% lower rating, Ford is ranked 25th.

Ergonomics

The GV80’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Explorer, and is not available on all models.

The GV80 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Explorer doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The GV80’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Explorer’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the GV80 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the Explorer can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The GV80 has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. A locking fuel door is only offered on the Explorer Hybrid.

The GV80’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Explorer’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The GV80’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford only offers heated mirrors on the Explorer XLT/Limited/ST/Platinum.

When the GV80 is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Explorer’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Optional air conditioned the front and second row seats keep the GV80’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The Explorer doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

The GV80’s optional Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Explorer ST/Platinum’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

Recommendations

The GV80 was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” in 2021. The Explorer has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.