Compare the2023 Ford ExpeditionVS 2023 BMW X5

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Ford Expedition are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X5 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

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 Expedition are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The X5 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The middle row seatbelts optional on the Expedition inflate when a collision is detected, helping to spread crash forces over a much larger area of the body and limiting head and neck movement. This can help prevent spinal and internal injuries. The X5 doesn’t offer inflatable seatbelts.

Both the Expedition and X5 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Expedition has Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The X5’s Cross Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Expedition and the X5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ford Expedition is safer than the BMW X5:

	Expedition	X5
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	165	209
Neck Injury Risk	32%	34%
Leg Forces (l/r)	23/39 lbs.	636/584 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	326	342
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.8 inches
Neck Injury Risk	35%	35%
Neck Stress	155 lbs.	220 lbs.
Neck Compression	74 lbs.	91 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	271/178 lbs.	527/418 lbs.

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

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 and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Ford Expedition is safer than the BMW X5:

	Expedition	X5
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	23	72
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.6 inches
Abdominal Force	108 lbs.	130 lbs.
Hip Force	180 lbs.	279 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	27 G’s	30 G’s
Hip Force	434 lbs.	584 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	14 inches
HIC	134	308
Hip Force	569 lbs.	796 lbs.

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

Warranty

Ford’s powertrain warranty covers the Expedition 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the X5. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the X5 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 9 times as many Ford dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Expedition’s warranty.

Reliability

The Expedition has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The X5 doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

Engine

The Expedition has more powerful engines than the X5:

	Horsepower	Torque
Expedition 3.5 turbo V6	380 HP	470 lbs.-ft.
Expedition Limited/KR/Platinum 3.5 turbo V6	400 HP	480 lbs.-ft.
Expedition Timberline/Stealth Performance 3.5 turbo V6	440 HP	510 lbs.-ft.
X5 40i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid	335 HP	331 lbs.-ft.

Fuel Economy and Range

Both the Expedition and the X5 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Expeditions have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. A disable switch for start/stop is only offered on the X5 M50i.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Ford Expedition uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The X5 requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Expedition has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the X5 (23.2 vs. 21.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Expedition has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The X5 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Ford Expedition higher (5 out of 10) than the BMW X5 (3). This means the Expedition produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the X5 every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Ford Expedition, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the X5.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Expedition’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X5 (285/45R22 vs. 275/40R21).

The Ford Expedition’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The BMW X5 only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Expedition has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the X5; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare or run-flat tires, either of which has mileage and speed limitations.

Suspension and Handling

The Expedition offers an optional automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The X5 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Expedition’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The X5 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Expedition’s wheelbase is 5.4 inches longer than on the X5 (122.5 inches vs. 117.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Expedition is 1.3 inches wider in the front and .2 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the X5.

For greater off-road capability the Expedition has a 1.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the X5 (9.8 vs. 8.7 inches), allowing the Expedition to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Expedition Timberline’s minimum ground clearance is 1.9 inches higher than on the X5 (10.6 vs. 8.7 inches).

Chassis

The Expedition Timberline/Limited/King Ranch/Platinum uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The X5 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The Expedition offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the X5 can only carry up to 7.

The Expedition has 1.3 inches more front headroom, 4.1 inches more front legroom, 4.9 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, 4.1 inches more rear legroom and 6.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the X5.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Expedition’s middle and third row seats recline. The X5’s third row seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Expedition’s cargo area provides more volume than the X5.

	Expedition	X5
Third Seat Folded	57.5 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	n/a	33.9 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	104.6 cubic feet	72.3 cubic feet

The Expedition’s cargo area is larger than the X5’s in every dimension:

	Expedition	X5
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	18.8”/49.4”/85.8”	n.a./40.7”/70”
Max Width	58.4”	49”
Min Width	51.2”	44”
Height	36.9”	31.5”

The Expedition’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The X5’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

Towing

Maximum trailer towing in the BMW X5 is limited to 7209 pounds. The Expedition offers up to a 9300 lbs. towing capacity.

The Expedition 4x4 with optional equipment can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Expedition can be unhitched and driven around locally. The X5 can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Expedition uses the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The X5 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

The Expedition’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The X5 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Expedition’s available exterior PIN entry system. The X5 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its BMW Assist can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Expedition has a standard rear variable intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the X5 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Expedition (except STX) offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The X5 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Expedition owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Expedition will cost $1665 to $4375 less than the X5 over a five-year period.

The Expedition will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Expedition will retain 49.75% to 51.3% of its original price after five years, while the X5 only retains 47.3% to 48.55%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Expedition is less expensive to operate than the X5 because typical repairs cost much less on the Expedition than the X5, including $576 less for a water pump, $1681 less for a muffler, $164 less for front brake pads, $492 less for a starter, $398 less for fuel injection, $268 less for a fuel pump, $381 less for front struts, $1123 less for a timing belt/chain and $1314 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Ford Expedition will be $9342 to $11101 less than for the BMW X5.