Compare the2024 Ford ExplorerVS 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander

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
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Explorer has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Outlander doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Explorer and Outlander have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Explorer offers optional Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Outlander’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Explorer and the Outlander have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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 Ford Explorer weighs 542 to 1805 pounds more than the Mitsubishi Outlander. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Ford Explorer is safer than the Outlander:

	Explorer	Outlander
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	86	171
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Force	134 lbs.	156 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.06 in	1.46 in
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	8 MPH
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	982 lbs.	1071 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Compression	22 lbs.	89 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Ford Explorer has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Outlander has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

Warranty

The Explorer’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Outlander’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

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

Reliability

The Explorer 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 Outlander 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 Explorer’s standard 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 119 more horsepower (300 vs. 181) and 129 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 181) than the Outlander’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Explorer ST/King Ranch/Platinum’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 219 more horsepower (400 vs. 181) and 234 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 181) than the Outlander’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Ford Explorer is faster than the Mitsubishi Outlander:

	Explorer turbo 4 cyl.	Explorer ST/King Ranch/Platinum	Outlander
Zero to 30 MPH	3.1 sec	n/a	3.7 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7.4 sec	5.3 sec	9.9 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.8 sec	n/a	5.5 sec
Quarter Mile	16 sec	13.9 sec	17.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	89 MPH	99.9 MPH	83 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Explorer’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Outlander doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Explorer 2.3-liter’s standard fuel tank has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander (17.9 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Explorer V6 Turbo’s standard fuel tank has 5.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander (20.2 vs. 14.5 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Explorer ST	Outlander
Front Rotors	14.3 inches	13.8 inches
Rear Rotors	13.8 inches	13 inches

The Explorer stops much shorter than the Outlander:

	Explorer	Outlander
70 to 0 MPH	161 feet	172 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	113 feet	115 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Explorer has larger standard tires than the Outlander (255/65R18 vs. 235/60R18). The Explorer’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Outlander (275/45R21 vs. 255/45R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Explorer offers optional 21-inch wheels. The Outlander’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the Explorer can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The Outlander doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

The Explorer has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Outlander; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

The Explorer has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Outlander doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Explorer’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 Outlander doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Explorer’s wheelbase is 12.6 inches longer than on the Outlander (119.1 inches vs. 106.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Explorer is 4.2 inches wider in the front and 3.8 inches wider in the rear than on the Outlander.

The Explorer’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the Outlander’s (57% to 43%). This gives the Explorer more stable handling and braking.

The Explorer ST 4WD handles at .86 G’s, while the Outlander SEL AWC pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Explorer ST 4WD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Outlander SEL AWC (26.4 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 27.4 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Explorer Timberline has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Outlander SE/Black Edition/SEL (8.7 vs. 8.4 inches), allowing the Explorer to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

For excellent aerodynamics, the Explorer has standard flush composite headlights. The Outlander has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

Passenger Space

The Explorer has 27.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Outlander (152.7 vs. 125.5).

The Explorer has .1 inches more front headroom, 1.3 inches more front legroom, 5.2 inches more front hip room, 3.9 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear headroom, 5.8 inches more rear hip room, 6 inches more rear shoulder room, 4.4 inches more third row headroom, 13.5 inches more third row legroom and 3.4 inches more third row shoulder room than the Outlander.

Cargo Capacity

The Explorer’s cargo area provides more volume than the Outlander.

	Explorer	Outlander
Behind Third Seat	18.2 cubic feet	11.7 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	47.9 cubic feet	33.5 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	87.8 cubic feet	79.7 cubic feet

The Explorer has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The Outlander doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

A standard locking glovebox and optional locking center console (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Explorer. The Outlander doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The Explorer’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Outlander’s (3000 vs. 2000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Mitsubishi Outlander is only 2000 pounds. The Explorer 4WD offers up to a 5600 lbs. towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Explorer is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Outlander. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The power windows standard on both the Explorer and the Outlander have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Explorer is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Outlander prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Explorer’s front power windows 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 Outlander’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

On a hot day the Explorer’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Outlander can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Explorer Platinum has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Outlander doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Explorer’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Outlander offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Explorer (except Base/XLT/ST-Line/Timberline) keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Outlander doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Explorer ST/King Ranch/Platinum offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Outlander.

The Explorer (except Base/XLT/ST-Line) 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 Outlander doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Explorer ST/Platinum’s optional Active Park Assist 2.0 can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Outlander doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Explorer owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Explorer will cost $2760 less than the Outlander over a five-year period.

The Explorer will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Explorer will retain 49.94% to 56.18% of its original price after five years, while the Outlander only retains 47.95% to 49.74%.

Recommendations

The Ford Explorer outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander by almost four to one during 2023.