Ford Explorer ST vs. Ford Mustang GT
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Ford Explorer ST and Ford Mustang GT 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 Ford Explorer ST and the Ford Mustang GT.
When comparing the Ford Explorer ST's and the Ford Mustang GT's specifications and ratings, the Ford Explorer ST has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency and interior volume. The Ford Mustang GT has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, reliability, resale value, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Ford Explorer ST's and the Ford Mustang GT's specifications and ratings, the Ford Mustang GT is a better car than the Ford Explorer ST.
Pricing: A used 2025 Ford Explorer ST ranges from $49,417 to $61,626 while a used 2025 Ford Mustang GT is priced between $39,102 to $59,892. For a new model, the Ford Explorer ST's price is between $54,265 and $62,809, with the Ford Mustang GT priced between $43,836 and $57,754.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Ford Explorer ST loses 52.9 percent of its value and the Ford Mustang GT loses 28.7 percent of its value. This means the Ford Mustang GT retains 24.2 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Ford Explorer ST.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Ford Explorer is 8.4 out of 10 while the Ford Mustang's quality rating is 8.7 out of 10. This results in the Ford Explorer being ranked 5 out of 34 Best SUVs with 3 Rows and the Ford Mustang being ranked 2 out of 14 Best Sports Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Ford Explorer is 7.5 out of 10. For the Ford Mustang the reliability rating is 8.1 out of 10. This gives the Ford Mustang a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Ford Explorer.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Ford Explorer ST’s base engine makes 400 horsepower, and the Ford Mustang GT base engine makes 480 horsepower. The ST is rated to deliver an average of 21 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 505 miles. The GT is rated to deliver an average of 18 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 368 miles. This gives the Ford Explorer ST the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Ford Mustang GT. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Ford Explorer ST, a crossover/midsize SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Ford Mustang GT, a sports car, has the advantage in the area of front leg room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Ford Explorer ST and the Ford Mustang GT have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
54265 - 62809
Starting MSRP:
54770
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize SUVs)
38382
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
31990 - 43000
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
43836 - 57754
Starting MSRP:
46560
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Sports Cars)
35186
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Sports Cars)
29830 - 42970
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
55131
Price Range:
49417 - 61626
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize SUVs)
45804
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
36966 - 59949
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
2906
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
112
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
46503
Price Range:
39102 - 59892
Category Avg Price:
(Sports Cars)
40382
Category Avg Price Range:
(Sports Cars)
33746 - 50310
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
Depreciation %:
Resale Value $:
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Midsize SUVs)
0.48432299
Category Depreciation Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
0.30530799 - 0.56163117
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
13503
Depreciation %:
0.29001719
Resale Value $:
33057
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Sports Cars)
0.33757779
Category Depreciation Range:
(Sports Cars)
0.24794219 - 0.47768027
Ford Explorer Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.4 / 10
Reliability:
7.5 / 10
Retained Value:
7.6 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Ford Mustang Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.7 / 10
Reliability:
8.1 / 10
Retained Value:
9.2 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Ford Explorer ST
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
9.3
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Midsize SUVs)
10.9
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
8.7 - 16.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.153
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Ford Mustang GT
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
16.8
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Sports Cars)
15.4
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Sports Cars)
9.4 - 24.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.165
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
35.73669729298925
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
2.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
1.5 - 39.2
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.9775495552409716
Typical Category Recalls:
(Sports Cars)
4.0
Category Range for Recalls:
(Sports Cars)
1.6 - 5.1
Ford Explorer Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 67Ranking
2 out of / 67Ranking
2 out of / 67Ranking
2 out of / 34Ranking
2 out of / 34Ranking
2 out of / 32Ranking
2 out of / 32Ranking
5 out of / 34Ranking
5 out of / 32Ranking
6 out of / 67Ranking
6 out of / 34Ranking
6 out of / 32Ranking
6 out of / 32Ranking
7 out of / 32Ranking
8 out of / 67Ranking
8 out of / 67Ranking
11 out of / 32Ranking
11 out of / 32Ranking
11 out of / 30Ranking
12 out of / 67Ranking
13 out of / 34Ranking
14 out of / 34Ranking
14 out of / 32Ranking
15 out of / 34Ranking
15 out of / 30Ranking
15 out of / 28Ranking
16 out of / 67Ranking
16 out of / 32Ranking
18 out of / 34Ranking
18 out of / 32Ranking
19 out of / 34Ranking
19 out of / 28Ranking
20 out of / 34Ranking
21 out of / 32Ranking
24 out of / 67Ranking
24 out of / 34Ranking
26 out of / 34Ranking
26 out of / 34Ranking
26 out of / 32Ranking
30 out of / 67Ranking
31 out of / 67Ranking
32 out of / 56Ranking
37 out of / 67Ranking
49 out of / 56Ranking
62 out of / 67Ford Mustang Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 14Ranking
1 out of / 7Ranking
1 out of / 7Ranking
2 out of / 14Ranking
2 out of / 14Ranking
2 out of / 14Ranking
3 out of / 14Ranking
3 out of / 14Ranking
3 out of / 9Ranking
4 out of / 14Ranking
4 out of / 14Ranking
4 out of / 9Ranking
7 out of / 14Ranking
8 out of / 14Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
Coupe
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Other Ford Explorer Trim Levels
Active, Platinum, Police Interceptor Utility, ST-Line
Other Ford Mustang Trim Levels
Dark Horse, EcoBoost, EcoBoost Premium, GT Premium
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
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):
5 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:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
400 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
415 foot-lbs @ 3500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.086 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
5000 lbs
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
480 hp @ 7150 rpm
Torque:
415 foot-lbs @ 4900 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.125 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
18 / 25 / 21
Range (city/hwy):
364 / 505 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
5 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
8
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
15 / 23 / 18
Range (city/hwy):
240 / 368 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Massage Seats:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Quad Seats:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Trailer Hitch:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Backup camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.9 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
62.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
40.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38.3 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
61.9 inches
Cargo Space:
16.3 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
85.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
168.1 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
44.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
34.8 inches
Rear Leg Room:
29 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
52.2 inches
Cargo Space:
13.3 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
96.2 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4631 lbs
Width:
89.3 inches
Height:
69.8 inches
Length:
198.7 inches
Wheelbase:
119.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.8 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3827 lbs
Width:
81.9 inches
Height:
55 inches
Length:
189.4 inches
Wheelbase:
107 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
21.0 x 9.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
275/45R21
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
255/45R18
