Compare the2023 BMW X5VS 2023 Ford Explorer

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

Safety

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The X5’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Explorer doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The X5 has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Explorer doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the X5 and the Explorer have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, 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 BMW X5 is safer than the Ford Explorer:

	X5	Explorer
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.6 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	130 lbs.	161 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	48	86
Spine Acceleration	30 G’s	38 G’s
Hip Force	584 lbs.	604 lbs.

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

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the X5 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 136 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Explorer is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

Warranty

The X5 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Explorer’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The X5’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Explorer’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X5 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW 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 X5’s reliability 44 points higher than the Explorer.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X5 third among upper midsize premium suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Explorer isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in initial quality. With 2 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Ford is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW third in overall reliability. Ford is ranked 18th.

Engine

The X5 has more powerful engines than the Explorer:

	Horsepower	Torque
X5 40i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid	335 HP	331 lbs.-ft.
X5 M50i 4.4 turbo V8	523 HP	553 lbs.-ft.
Explorer 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder	300 HP	310 lbs.-ft.
Explorer 3.3 DOHC V6 hybrid	318 HP	322 lbs.-ft.
Explorer ST/Platinum/King Ranch/Timberline 3.0 turbo V6	400 HP	415 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Motor Trend the X5 40i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Ford Explorer:

	X5	Explorer turbo 4 cyl.	Explorer V6 hybrid gas
Zero to 60 MPH	5 sec	6.8 sec	7.7 sec
Quarter Mile	13.6 sec	15.3 sec	15.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	98.5 MPH	89.6 MPH	92 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the X5 gets better mileage than the Explorer:

			MPG
X5
	RWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	21 city/26 hwy
	AWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	21 city/25 hwy
Explorer
	RWD	3.0 turbo V6	18 city/26 hwy
	AWD	3.0 turbo V6	18 city/24 hwy

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the X5’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Ford only offers a regenerative brake system on the Explorer Hybrid.

The X5 has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Explorer 2.3-liter’s standard fuel tank (21.9 vs. 17.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The X5 has 1.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Explorer V6 Turbo’s standard fuel tank (21.9 vs. 20.2 gallons).

Transmission

The X5’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Explorer doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the X5 M Sport’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Explorer:

	X5 xDrive40i	X5 M Sport	Explorer	Explorer ST
Front Rotors	13.7 inches	15.6 inches	13.6 inches	14.3 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	14.6 inches	12.4 inches	13.8 inches

The X5’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 X5 stops shorter than the Explorer:

	X5	Explorer
60 to 0 MPH	129 feet	136 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the X5 has larger standard tires than the Explorer (265/50R19 vs. 255/65R18).

The X5’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Explorer’s standard 65 series tires. The X5’s optional 275/35R22 front and 315/30R22 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the Explorer’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X5 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Explorer. The X5’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the Explorer.

Suspension and Handling

The X5 M50i offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Explorer doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The X5 M50i offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Ford doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Explorer.

The X5 has a standard 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 X5 xDrive40i handles at .89 G’s, while the Explorer XLT 4WD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X5 xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.2 seconds quicker than the Explorer Limited 4WD (25.8 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 28 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X5 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Explorer ST (8.7 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the X5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The X5 is 4.5 inches shorter than the Explorer, making the X5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the X5 xDrive40i is quieter than the Explorer ST 4WD:

	X5	Explorer
At idle	39 dB	41 dB
Full-Throttle	71 dB	77 dB
70 MPH Cruising	64 dB	67 dB

Cargo Capacity

The X5 has a much larger cargo volume than the Explorer with its rear seat up (33.9 vs. 18.2 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X5’s second and third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Explorer doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

The X5’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Explorer’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

Towing

The X5’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Explorer’s (5952 vs. 3000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Ford Explorer is only 5600 pounds. The X5 offers up to a 7209 lbs. towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The X5 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 BMW service is better than Ford. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 28% lower rating, Ford is ranked 22nd.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the Explorer (except Base/XLT/ST-Line), the X5 M50i has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The X5’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, 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 X5 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning 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 X5’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 X5 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Explorer can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The X5’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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X5 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Explorer doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The X5’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Explorer’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

The X5’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-Line/Timberline/King Ranch/ST/Platinum.

When the X5 is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Explorer’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the X5 owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the X5 with a number “1” insurance rate while the Explorer is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X5, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Ford Explorer isn't recommended.

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