BMW X5 vs. Ford Explorer
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW X5 and Ford Explorer contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the BMW X5 and the Ford Explorer.
When we compare the BMW X5's and the Ford Explorer's specifications and ratings, the BMW X5 has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The Ford Explorer has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, reliability, resale value and overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the BMW X5's and the Ford Explorer's specifications and ratings, the Ford Explorer is a better car than the BMW X5.
Pricing: For a new model, the BMW X5's price is between $71,083 and $100,558, with the Ford Explorer priced between $49,180 and $50,795.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the BMW X5 loses 55 percent of its value and the Ford Explorer loses 47.6 percent of its value. This means the Ford Explorer retains 7.4 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the BMW X5.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the BMW X5 is 7.8 out of 10 while the Ford Explorer's quality rating is 8.7 out of 10. This results in the BMW X5 being ranked 7 out of 20 Best Luxury Midsize SUVs and the Ford Explorer being ranked 7 out of 32 Best Midsize SUVs.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the BMW X5 is 8.4 out of 10. For the Ford Explorer the reliability rating is 8.5 out of 10. This gives the Ford Explorer a slight advantage in reliability compared to the BMW X5.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW X5’s base engine makes 375 horsepower, and the Ford Explorer base engine makes 300 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison: The BMW X5 and Ford Explorer are comparable in regards to front head room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Ford Explorer has higher safety ratings than the BMW X5, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$71,083 - $100,558
Starting MSRP:
$65,700
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
$86,386
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
$58,700 - $129,700
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$49,180 - $50,795
Starting MSRP:
$39,625
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize SUVs)
$39,763
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
$39,625 - $39,900
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$73,757
Price Range:
$69,518 - $78,049
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
$73,757
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
$73,757 - $73,757
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
983
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
7,462
# Good or Great Deals:
195
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize SUVs)
$47,417
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
$47,417 - $47,417
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
16,665
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
627
# Good or Great Deals:
433
BMW X5 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.8 / 10
Reliability:
8.4 / 10
Retained Value:
7.1 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
Ford Explorer Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.7 / 10
Reliability:
8.5 / 10
Retained Value:
7.5 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW X5
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
9.6
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
9.6
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
7.9 - 10.8
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
13.6%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Ford Explorer
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
9.1
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize SUVs)
10.1
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
9.1 - 11.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
19.5%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
BMW X5 Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
3 out of / 68Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 20Ranking
5 out of / 20Ranking
5 out of / 20Ranking
6 out of / 20Ranking
6 out of / 10Ranking
7 out of / 29Ranking
7 out of / 20Ranking
7 out of / 20Ranking
7 out of / 20Ranking
9 out of / 68Ranking
9 out of / 68Ranking
10 out of / 68Ranking
10 out of / 29Ranking
11 out of / 68Ranking
11 out of / 20Ranking
11 out of / 20Ranking
12 out of / 68Ranking
12 out of / 29Ranking
12 out of / 19Ranking
13 out of / 29Ranking
13 out of / 29Ranking
14 out of / 29Ranking
14 out of / 29Ranking
14 out of / 26Ranking
16 out of / 20Ranking
18 out of / 68Ranking
20 out of / 29Ranking
22 out of / 29Ranking
22 out of / 29Ranking
28 out of / 68Ranking
33 out of / 68Ranking
46 out of / 59Ranking
54 out of / 68Ford Explorer Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 67Ranking
2 out of / 10Ranking
3 out of / 18Ranking
3 out of / 17Ranking
4 out of / 39Ranking
5 out of / 67Ranking
5 out of / 39Ranking
5 out of / 32Ranking
6 out of / 67Ranking
6 out of / 67Ranking
6 out of / 67Ranking
6 out of / 32Ranking
6 out of / 32Ranking
6 out of / 32Ranking
6 out of / 32Ranking
6 out of / 32Ranking
7 out of / 32Ranking
8 out of / 67Ranking
8 out of / 39Ranking
9 out of / 67Ranking
9 out of / 39Ranking
10 out of / 32Ranking
11 out of / 39Ranking
12 out of / 32Ranking
13 out of / 39Ranking
13 out of / 39Ranking
13 out of / 32Ranking
13 out of / 16Ranking
14 out of / 39Ranking
14 out of / 21Ranking
15 out of / 67Ranking
15 out of / 32Ranking
16 out of / 67Ranking
17 out of / 67Ranking
17 out of / 39Ranking
17 out of / 34Ranking
17 out of / 32Ranking
20 out of / 39Ranking
20 out of / 28Ranking
22 out of / 39Ranking
22 out of / 39Ranking
23 out of / 32Ranking
25 out of / 39Ranking
28 out of / 30Ranking
29 out of / 67Ranking
37 out of / 67Ranking
53 out of / 59Ranking
59 out of / 67Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Plug-In Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Flex Fuel, Gasoline
BMW X5 Trim Levels
M60i, sDrive40i, xDrive40i
Ford Explorer Trim Levels
Active, Platinum, Police Interceptor Utility, ST, ST-Line
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
375 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque:
398 foot-lbs @ 1850 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.076 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
300 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
310 foot-lbs @ 3500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.070 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.3 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Air Suspension:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Massage Seats:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Quad Seats:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
39.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
60 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
58.1 inches
Cargo Space:
33.9 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
72.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
43 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
62.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
40.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
61.9 inches
Cargo Space:
16.3 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
85.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
169.2 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4919 lbs
Width:
87.3 inches
Height:
69.1 inches
Length:
194.2 inches
Wheelbase:
117.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.3 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4303 lbs
Width:
89.3 inches
Height:
69.9 inches
Length:
198.7 inches
Wheelbase:
119.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.6 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
20.0 x 9.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
275/45R20
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
255/65R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic / Carbon Black Metallic
Blue
Blue Ridge Mountain Metallic / Tanzanite Blue II Metallic
Gray
Brooklyn Grey Metallic / Dravit Grey Metallic / Frozen Pure Grey Metallic / Skyscraper Grey Metallic
Green
Manhattan Green Metallic
Red
Ametrin Metallic
White
Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Agate Black
Blue
Vapor Blue
Gray
Carbonized Gray
Green
Not available
Red
Not available
White
Oxford White / Star White Metallic Tri-Coat
Silver
Iconic Silver
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Brown
Coffee / Cognac / Tartufo
Gray
Silverstone
White
Ivory White
Interior Colors
Black
Not available
Brown
Not available
Gray
Dark Gray/Onyx / Light Space Gray/Onyx
White
Not available
