Compare the2025 Ford ExplorerVS 2025 Genesis GV80

The Ford Explorer has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The GV80 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the Explorer and the GV80 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ford Explorer is safer than the Genesis GV80:

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 Explorer is safer than the Genesis GV80:

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

There are over 12 times as many Ford dealers as there are Genesis dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Explorer’s warranty.

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 GV80 doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Explorer second among midsize suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The GV80 was rated third in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Genesis vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in initial quality. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles, Genesis is rated lower.

The Explorer’s optional 3.0 turbo V6 produces 25 more horsepower (400 vs. 375) and 24 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 391) than the GV80 3.5T’s standard 3.5 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford Explorer turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the GV80 2.5T 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder:

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford Explorer 3.0 is faster than the GV80 3.5T 3.5 turbo V6:

On the EPA test cycle the Explorer gets better mileage than the GV80:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Ford Explorer uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The GV80 2.5T requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Explorer 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 GV80 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Ford Explorer, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the GV80.

The Explorer stops shorter than the GV80:

For better traction, the Explorer’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GV80 (275/45R21 vs. 265/40R22).

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 GV80 doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Explorer’s wheelbase is 2.8 inches longer than on the GV80 (119.1 inches vs. 116.3 inches).

The Explorer ST 4WD handles at .86 G’s, while the GV80 Advanced pulls only .82 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 GV80 Standard (26.4 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 27.4 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Explorer’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the GV80’s (38.4 feet vs. 39.3 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Explorer Platinum has a greater minimum ground clearance than the GV80 (8.2 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Explorer to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Explorer has 12.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the GV80 (152.9 vs. 140).

The Explorer has .5 inches more front headroom, 1.4 inches more front legroom, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, 2.1 inches more rear headroom, .3 inches more rear legroom, 3.7 inches more rear shoulder room, 4.6 inches more third row headroom, 1.9 inches more third row legroom and 1.4 inches more third row shoulder room than the GV80.

The Explorer’s cargo area provides more volume than the GV80.

The Explorer’s cargo area is larger than the GV80’s in every dimension:

The Explorer has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The GV80 doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Explorer 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 GV80 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

On a hot day the Explorer’s driver can lower the front windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the GV80 can’t use the remote to operate the windows.

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 GV80 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Connected Care can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Explorer’s standard Intelligent Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Proximity Key standard on the GV80 doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

Consumer Reports rated the Explorer’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the GV80’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

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 GV80 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Explorer is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The GV80 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Ford Explorer outsold the Genesis GV80 by over 9 to one during 2023.