Ford Explorer vs. Chevrolet Suburban
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Ford Explorer and Chevrolet Suburban 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 and the Chevrolet Suburban.
In comparing the Ford Explorer's and the Chevrolet Suburban's specifications and ratings, the Ford Explorer has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, resale value and overall quality score. The Chevrolet Suburban has the advantage in the areas of reliability and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Ford Explorer's and the Chevrolet Suburban's specifications and ratings, the Ford Explorer is a better car than the Chevrolet Suburban.
Pricing: For a new model, the Ford Explorer's price is between $42,737 and $63,305, with the Chevrolet Suburban priced between $71,580 and $98,977.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Ford Explorer loses 52.9 percent of its value and the Chevrolet Suburban loses 56 percent of its value. This means the Ford Explorer retains 3.1 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Chevrolet Suburban.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Ford Explorer is 8.4 out of 10 while the Chevrolet Suburban's quality rating is 7.4 out of 10. This results in the Ford Explorer being ranked 5 out of 34 Best SUVs with 3 Rows and the Chevrolet Suburban being ranked 19 out of 34.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Ford Explorer is 7.5 out of 10. For the Chevrolet Suburban the reliability rating is 7.7 out of 10. This gives the Chevrolet Suburban a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Ford Explorer.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Ford Explorer’s base engine makes 300 horsepower, and the Chevrolet Suburban base engine makes 355 horsepower.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Ford Explorer has higher safety ratings than the Chevrolet Suburban, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
42737 - 63305
Starting MSRP:
38330
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize SUVs)
39270
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
32190 - 44750
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
71580 - 98977
Starting MSRP:
63400
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Large SUVs)
61120
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Large SUVs)
58840 - 63400
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize SUVs)
51972
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
50800 - 55009
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Ford Explorer Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.4 / 10
Reliability:
7.5 / 10
Retained Value:
7.6 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Chevrolet Suburban Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.4 / 10
Reliability:
7.7 / 10
Retained Value:
7.4 / 10
Safety:
7.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Ford Explorer
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
9.3
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize SUVs)
10.0
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
8.8 - 11.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.153
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Chevrolet Suburban
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
10.1
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Large SUVs)
9.4
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Large SUVs)
8.8 - 10.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.38
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
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 / 67Chevrolet Suburban Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 34Ranking
2 out of / 12Ranking
2 out of / 4Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
4 out of / 12Ranking
4 out of / 12Ranking
4 out of / 12Ranking
4 out of / 10Ranking
6 out of / 34Ranking
6 out of / 12Ranking
6 out of / 10Ranking
7 out of / 12Ranking
7 out of / 12Ranking
7 out of / 12Ranking
8 out of / 34Ranking
8 out of / 12Ranking
9 out of / 12Ranking
10 out of / 34Ranking
10 out of / 12Ranking
11 out of / 34Ranking
12 out of / 34Ranking
12 out of / 12Ranking
14 out of / 34Ranking
15 out of / 34Ranking
15 out of / 30Ranking
19 out of / 34Ranking
20 out of / 34Ranking
25 out of / 30Ranking
27 out of / 34Ranking
30 out of / 34Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Diesel, Gasoline
Ford Explorer Trim Levels
Active, Platinum, Police Interceptor Utility, ST, ST-Line, Tremor
Chevrolet Suburban Trim Levels
High Country, LS, LT, Premier, RST, Z71
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 / 100000 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):
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
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:
5000 lbs
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
355 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque:
383 foot-lbs @ 4100 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.063 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
7700 lbs
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:
5.3 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
8
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
4X2 / 4X4
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
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Alloy wheels:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
N/A
Bluetooth:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Satellite radio:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Air Suspension:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Quad Seats:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
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:
Standard
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
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
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
42.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
44.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
65.6 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.9 inches
Rear Leg Room:
42 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
64.6 inches
Cargo Space:
41.5 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
144.5 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4303 lbs
Width:
89.3 inches
Height:
69.6 inches
Length:
198.7 inches
Wheelbase:
119.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.6 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
5680 lbs
Width:
81 inches
Height:
75.6 inches
Length:
226.3 inches
Wheelbase:
134.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
8 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
Not yet available
Wheel Type:
Not yet available
Tire Size:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
265/65R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Not available
Blue
Not available
Gray
Not available
Green
Not available
Red
Not available
White
Not available
Yellow
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Black
Blue
Lakeshore Blue Metallic
Gray
Dark Ash Metallic / Sterling Gray Metallic
Green
Woodland Green
Red
Radiant Red Tintcoat / Victory Red
White
Summit White
Yellow
Wheatland Yellow
Interior Colors
Black
Not available
Gray
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Jet Black
Gray
Gideon/Very Dark Atmosphere