BMW X5 vs. Ford Explorer Sport
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW X5 and Ford Explorer Sport 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 Sport.
When comparing the BMW X5's and the Ford Explorer Sport's specifications and ratings, the BMW X5 has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The Ford Explorer Sport has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the BMW X5's and the Ford Explorer Sport's specifications and ratings, the Ford Explorer Sport is a better car than the BMW X5.
Pricing: A used 2003 BMW X5 ranges from $3,600 to $10,895 while a used 2003 Ford Explorer Sport is priced between $1,200 to $6,495.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW X5’s base engine makes 225 horsepower, and the Ford Explorer Sport base engine makes 203 horsepower. The X5 is rated to deliver an average of 16 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 456 miles. The Explorer Sport is rated to deliver an average of 17 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 320 miles.This gives the Ford Explorer Sport the advantage in fuel efficiency and the BMW X5 the advantage in maximum range. Both models use gasoline.
Safety Ratings: The BMW X5 has an average safety rating of 4 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
40195
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
41075
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
34995 - 56665
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
22515
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
6077
Price Range:
3600 - 10895
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
7370
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
5404 - 11999
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
3
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
161495
# Good or Great Deals:
2
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
4236
Price Range:
1200 - 6495
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
5
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
132956
# Good or Great Deals:
0
BMW X5 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.4 / 10
Reliability:
7.8 / 10
Retained Value:
7.4 / 10
Safety:
7.0 / 10
Ford Explorer Sport Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW X5
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Ford Explorer Sport
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
5.403887519007003
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
5.4
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
2.4 - 18.1
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
0.986336013710785
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
BMW X5 Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 31Ranking
2 out of / 28Ranking
4 out of / 28Ranking
4 out of / 28Ranking
5 out of / 70Ranking
6 out of / 31Ranking
6 out of / 28Ranking
6 out of / 24Ranking
7 out of / 28Ranking
7 out of / 28Ranking
8 out of / 31Ranking
8 out of / 31Ranking
9 out of / 31Ranking
9 out of / 31Ranking
9 out of / 28Ranking
10 out of / 70Ranking
10 out of / 70Ranking
10 out of / 70Ranking
10 out of / 28Ranking
11 out of / 31Ranking
12 out of / 70Ranking
13 out of / 28Ranking
13 out of / 28Ranking
13 out of / 24Ranking
14 out of / 70Ranking
14 out of / 70Ranking
14 out of / 28Ranking
15 out of / 70Ranking
15 out of / 31Ranking
15 out of / 28Ranking
17 out of / 31Ranking
17 out of / 28Ranking
20 out of / 70Ranking
20 out of / 31Ranking
24 out of / 31Ranking
24 out of / 31Ranking
34 out of / 70Ranking
39 out of / 70Ranking
48 out of / 70Ranking
48 out of / 62Ford Explorer Sport Rankings
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
BMW X5 Trim Levels
3.0i, 4.4i, 4.6is
Ford Explorer Sport Trim Levels
XLS, XLT
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
225 hp @ 5900 rpm
Torque:
214 foot-lbs @ 3500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.050 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
5000 lbs
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
203 hp @ 5250 rpm
Torque:
237 foot-lbs @ 3000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.054 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
5140 lbs
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
14 / 19 / 16
Range (city/hwy):
336 / 456 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
4 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / 4WD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
15 / 20 / 17
Range (city/hwy):
240 / 320 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Standard
Air Suspension:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bluetooth:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Satellite radio:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Available
Bench Seats:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Available
Roof Rack:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Heated Seats
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Navigation System:
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bluetooth:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Satellite radio:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.9 inches
Front Leg Room:
39.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57.2 inches
Cargo Space:
Not yet available
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57.9 inches
Cargo Space:
Not yet available
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4533 lbs
Width:
73.7 inches
Height:
67.5 inches
Length:
183.7 inches
Wheelbase:
111 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.1 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3769 lbs
Width:
70.2 inches
Height:
68.2 inches
Length:
180.4 inches
Wheelbase:
101.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.7 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/65R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P235/70R16
Exterior Colors
Beige
Pearl Beige Metallic
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic / Jet Black
Blue
Topaz Blue Metallic
Gray
Gray Green Metallic / Steel Gray Metallic
Green
Oxford Green Metallic
Red
Siena Red Metallic
Silver
Titanium Silver Metallic
White
Alpine White
Gold
Not available
Exterior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Black Clearcoat
Blue
True Blue Clearcoat Metallic
Gray
Not available
Green
Estate Green Clearcoat Metallic
Red
Not available
Silver
Not available
White
Oxford White Clearcoat
Gold
Harvest Gold Clearcoat Metallic
Interior Colors
Beige
Beige
Black
Black
Gray
Gray
Green
Pastel Green
Interior Colors
Beige
Medium Pebble
Black
Not available
Gray
Medium Flint
Green
Not available
