Ford Explorer vs. BMW X3
When comparing the Ford Explorer's and the BMW X3's specifications and ratings, the Ford Explorer has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, reliability, resale value and base engine power. The BMW X3 has the advantage in the area of overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the Ford Explorer's and the BMW X3's specifications and ratings, the Ford Explorer is a better car than the BMW X3.
Ford Explorer vs. BMW X3 Pricing
For a new model, the Ford Explorer's price is between $42,492 and $61,725, with the BMW X3 priced between $51,024 and $68,943.
Ford Explorer vs. BMW X3 Resale/Retained Value
Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Ford Explorer loses 46.2 percent of its value and the BMW X3 loses 50.5 percent of its value. This means the Ford Explorer retains 4.3 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the BMW X3.
Ford Explorer vs. BMW X3 Quality Rating
The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Ford Explorer is 8.2 out of 10 while the BMW X3's quality rating is 8.6 out of 10. This results in the Ford Explorer being ranked 5 out of 22 Best 7-Seater SUVs and the BMW X3 being ranked 2 out of 29 Best Luxury Small SUVs.
Ford Explorer vs. BMW X3 Reliability Rating
iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Ford Explorer is 8.6 out of 10. For the BMW X3 the reliability rating is 8.3 out of 10. This gives the Ford Explorer a slight advantage in reliability compared to the BMW X3.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison
For engine performance, the Ford Explorer’s base engine makes 300 horsepower, and the BMW X3 base engine makes 248 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison
The Ford Explorer and BMW X3 are comparable in regards to front head room.
Safety Ratings Comparison
When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Ford Explorer and the BMW X3 have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
Pricing
New Asking Price:
42492 - 61725
Used Asking Price:
-
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.462204
Pricing
New Asking Price:
51024 - 68943
Used Asking Price:
49997 - 67481
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.50502
Ford Explorer Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.239555 / 10
Reliability:
8.618664 / 10
Retained Value:
7.1 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
BMW X3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.620856 / 10
Reliability:
8.26257 / 10
Retained Value:
7.6 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Ford Explorer Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
2 out of / 66Ranking
2 out of / 22Ranking
3 out of / 56Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 66Ranking
4 out of / 31Ranking
4 out of / 31Ranking
4 out of / 30Ranking
4 out of / 22Ranking
5 out of / 56Ranking
5 out of / 31Ranking
5 out of / 22Ranking
5 out of / 22Ranking
6 out of / 66Ranking
6 out of / 30Ranking
7 out of / 31Ranking
7 out of / 31Ranking
7 out of / 31Ranking
7 out of / 30Ranking
7 out of / 30Ranking
7 out of / 22Ranking
7 out of / 22Ranking
7 out of / 22Ranking
7 out of / 15Ranking
8 out of / 66Ranking
8 out of / 56Ranking
8 out of / 31Ranking
8 out of / 22Ranking
9 out of / 66Ranking
9 out of / 31Ranking
9 out of / 18Ranking
10 out of / 66Ranking
10 out of / 56Ranking
10 out of / 56Ranking
10 out of / 30Ranking
10 out of / 25Ranking
10 out of / 16Ranking
11 out of / 66Ranking
11 out of / 56Ranking
11 out of / 31Ranking
11 out of / 22Ranking
12 out of / 31Ranking
12 out of / 30Ranking
12 out of / 30Ranking
13 out of / 66Ranking
13 out of / 30Ranking
13 out of / 30Ranking
13 out of / 27Ranking
14 out of / 22Ranking
15 out of / 30Ranking
16 out of / 66Ranking
17 out of / 30Ranking
20 out of / 56Ranking
21 out of / 31Ranking
22 out of / 26Ranking
39 out of / 66Ranking
39 out of / 49Ranking
46 out of / 58Ranking
49 out of / 56Ranking
57 out of / 66BMW X3 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 27Ranking
1 out of / 25Ranking
1 out of / 11Ranking
2 out of / 29Ranking
2 out of / 29Ranking
2 out of / 29Ranking
2 out of / 2Ranking
3 out of / 61Ranking
4 out of / 68Ranking
5 out of / 61Ranking
5 out of / 29Ranking
6 out of / 29Ranking
7 out of / 29Ranking
7 out of / 29Ranking
8 out of / 68Ranking
8 out of / 68Ranking
8 out of / 29Ranking
9 out of / 29Ranking
13 out of / 61Ranking
14 out of / 27Ranking
15 out of / 61Ranking
15 out of / 61Ranking
19 out of / 68Ranking
20 out of / 68Ranking
21 out of / 68Ranking
21 out of / 61Ranking
21 out of / 54Ranking
22 out of / 68Ranking
22 out of / 68Ranking
22 out of / 61Ranking
22 out of / 59Ranking
23 out of / 68Ranking
23 out of / 61Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Flex Fuel, Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Ford Explorer Trim Levels
Base, King Ranch, Limited, Platinum, Police Interceptor Utility, ST, ST-Line, Timberline, XLT
BMW X3 Trim Levels
M40i, sDrive30i, xDrive30i
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:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
300 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
310 foot-lbs @ 3500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.069 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
248 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque:
258 foot-lbs @ 1450 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.061 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
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
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
23 / 29 / 25
Range (city/hwy):
396 / 499 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple Car Play:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple Car Play:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Safety Equipment
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Equipment
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
43 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
61.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
40.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
61.9 inches
Cargo Space:
18.2 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
87.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
170.9 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.6 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56 inches
Cargo Space:
28.7 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
62.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4345 lbs
Width:
89.3 inches
Height:
69.9 inches
Length:
198.8 inches
Wheelbase:
119.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.9 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4079 lbs
Width:
84.2 inches
Height:
66 inches
Length:
185.9 inches
Wheelbase:
112.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
8 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
255/65R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/50R19