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2025 Car Mileage with the Best Gas MileageThe top 5 alternatives to the Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer has a lot of competition and we break down the top five alternatives that you should check out before going Blue Oval.
Diverse Alternatives to the Ford Explorer
In the realm of SUVs, the Ford Explorer has long been a staple choice for families seeking versatility, comfort, and reliability. However, the market is brimming with alternatives that present compelling options for those in search of a vehicle to suit their lifestyle. Whether it’s rugged off-road capability, upscale luxury, or innovative technology, the top five alternatives to the Ford Explorer offer a plethora of features to cater to diverse tastes and preferences. From renowned stalwarts to emerging contenders, these alternatives promise to provide even better value than you’ll find in the Explorer.
5. Jeep Grand Cherokee
The original purpose of SUVs was to be capable off-road and the Jeep Grand Cherokee checks that box. Available with three different four-wheel drive systems, it can go just about anywhere. In addition, Jeep offers it in just about every possible trim short of an on-road performance version. The base model starts at just over $41,000 and the base engine is a 3.6-liter V6 with 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque.
Jeep also offers a 375 hp V8 but only in its long-wheelbase three-row L version of the SUV. A hybrid powertrain is optional on the two-row Grand Cherokee. All models benefit from excellent infotainment and very comfortable seating. The third row in the L model might be the very best on the market bar none. Jeep also offers massaging front seats, high-end leather upholstery, and a stunning McIntosh sound system.
4. Hyundai Santa Fe
No SUV on this list features the same bold and aggressive styling that the new Santa Fe does. Hyundai offers a bunch of new features for 2024 to go along with that styling. That includes a visual feast in the cabin as well. The dash and steering wheel is simple and elegant and the interior is full of clever bits like dual glove boxes, dual wireless device chargers, and a UV sanitizing tray.
On top of that, it’s available with either a 2.5-liter 277hp engine or a 232hp hybrid powertrain. The Santa Fe can tow up to 4,500 pounds and there’s an off-road-focused XRT trim with all-terrain tires and additional ground clearance. Buyers also benefit from the longest warranty package in the market along with three years or 36,000 miles of free maintenance.
3. Mazda CX-90
Those who prefer an SUV that feels excellent to drive on public roads should spend time with a Mazda CX-90. No, it’s not as powerful as the Explorer when compared directly across trim levels but it’s so much sharper from behind the wheel. The mild-hybrid 3.3-liter inline six is smooth and the eight-speed automatic is sophisticated and easy to live with. The chassis is taut and nimble, embodying the feeling of an SUV far smaller than it is.
Buyers will also enjoy great features like a standard 10.3-inch infotainment system or an available 12.3-inch unit with physical controls mounted in the center console. The CX-90 also gets a full suite of high-end safety features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Those are available on the Ford Explorer but cost extra on top of the base price.
2. Toyota Grand Highlander
Toyota swung for the fences with the Grand Highlander and it’s safe to say that it’s rounding the bases. Priced between $44,000 and $59,000, the Grand Highlander is available with a gas engine or a hybrid powertrain and up to 362 hp. It comes standard with front wheel drive but all-wheel drive is also available and each is capable of towing up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.
Notably, the front-wheel-drive version gets up to 37 mpg in the city and 34 on the highway which is something no Ford Explorer can come anywhere close to . On top of that, the Grand Highlander comes with a full safety driver aid suite like the Mazda CX-90 and two years of free maintenance. It also benefits from a large third row that the Explorer can’t match either.
1. Kia Telluride
Quite possibly the king of this segment, for now at least, is the Kia Telluride. No, it’s not as sharp on the road as the CX-90 and it’s not as capable off-road as the Jeep but it does so many things at such a high level that it’s hard to beat. It feels nicer inside than the Grand Highlander and offers a bit more space too.
The technology is very advanced and the 292 hp V6 helps it tow up to 5,500 pounds. That’s just 100 pounds less than the Explorer. Much like the Santa Fe, the dash design of the Telluride is very attractive and the rest of the cabin follows suit. The switchgear feels good to use, the seating is supportive and comfortable, and it doesn’t give up cargo room either. There are 21 cubic feet behind the third row which is more than the Explorer offers.
