Ford Explorer vs. Jeep Wagoneer

iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Ford Explorer and Jeep Wagoneer 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 Jeep Wagoneer.

When we compare the Ford Explorer's and the Jeep Wagoneer's specifications and ratings, the Ford Explorer has the advantage in the area of fuel efficiency. The Jeep Wagoneer has the advantage in the areas of resale value, interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Ford Explorer's and the Jeep Wagoneer's specifications and ratings, the Jeep Wagoneer is a better car than the Ford Explorer.

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 Jeep Wagoneer loses 49.1 percent of its value. This means the Jeep Wagoneer retains 3.8 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Ford Explorer.

Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Ford Explorer’s base engine makes 300 horsepower, and the Jeep Wagoneer base engine makes 420 horsepower. The Explorer is rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 539 miles. The Wagoneer is rated to deliver an average of 20 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 636 miles.This gives the Ford Explorer the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Jeep Wagoneer the advantage in maximum range. Both models use regular unleaded.

Passenger Space Comparison: The Jeep Wagoneer, a fullsize SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Ford Explorer, a crossover/midsize SUV, has the advantage in the areas of front leg room and rear head room.

Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Ford Explorer has higher safety ratings than the Jeep Wagoneer, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4 out of 5 Stars.

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Model & Pricing
Ford Explorer
Jeep Wagoneer

2025 Ford Explorer
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Ford Explorer for Sale

2025 Jeep Wagoneer
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Jeep Wagoneer for Sale

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

40643 - 61641

Starting MSRP:

40050

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize SUVs)

38382

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize SUVs)

31990 - 43000

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

-

Starting MSRP:

59945

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Large SUVs)

67138

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Large SUVs)

53000 - 101945

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

46451

Price Range:

37722 - 57414

Category Avg Price:
(Midsize SUVs)

45804

Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize SUVs)

36966 - 59949

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

3189

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

22380

# Good or Great Deals:

1575

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

Price Range:

-

Category Avg Price:
(Large SUVs)

80211

Category Avg Price Range:
(Large SUVs)

71641 - 90487

# 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 $:

29745

Depreciation %:

0.49620514

Resale Value $:

30200

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Large SUVs)

0.56272363

Category Depreciation Range:
(Large SUVs)

0.47365125 - 0.60547456

Ford Explorer Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

8.4 / 10

Reliability:

7.5 / 10

Retained Value:

7.6 / 10

Safety:

10.0 / 10

Jeep Wagoneer Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

Not available

Reliability:

Not available

Retained Value:

7.9 / 10

Safety:

8.0 / 10



iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Ford Explorer

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 Jeep Wagoneer

Avg Life Expectancy (years):

Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Large SUVs)

10.1

Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Large SUVs)

8.8 - 11.0

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:



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:

2.212056590356764

Typical Category Recalls:
(Large SUVs)

2.1

Category Range for Recalls:
(Large SUVs)

1.5 - 6.4

Ford Explorer Rankings

Crossover SUVs with the Most Horsepower

2 / 66

Best Family SUVs with 3 Rows

2 / 33

Safest SUVs with 3 Rows

2 / 33

Best Family Midsize SUVs

3 / 31

Safest Midsize SUVs

3 / 31

Best Crossover SUVs Under $40k

3 / 14

Best Midsize SUVs Under $40k

3 / 13

Best SUVs with 3 Rows Under $40k

3 / 8

Safest Crossover SUVs

4 / 66

Best Family Crossover SUVs

5 / 66

Most Reliable SUVs with 3 Rows Under $40k

5 / 8

Crossover SUVs with the Most Cargo Space

6 / 66

Best Midsize SUVs

6 / 31

Midsize SUVs with the Most Horsepower

6 / 31

Most Affordable SUVs with 3 Rows

6 / 29

Best Gas Mileage SUVs with 3 Rows

7 / 33

Best SUVs with 3 Rows

7 / 33

Best Gas Mileage Midsize SUVs

7 / 31

Midsize SUVs with the Most Cargo Space

7 / 31

Most Affordable Midsize SUVs

7 / 26

Most Reliable Midsize SUVs Under $40k

8 / 13

Best Crossover SUVs for Towing

9 / 66

Best SUVs with 3 Rows for the Money

9 / 29

Most Reliable Crossover SUVs Under $40k

9 / 14

Best Midsize SUVs for Towing

11 / 31

Most Comfortable Midsize SUVs

11 / 31

Best Midsize SUVs for the Money

11 / 26

Most Comfortable Crossover SUVs

12 / 66

Best Crossover SUVs

13 / 66

SUVs with 3 Rows with the Most Horsepower

13 / 33

Most Comfortable SUVs with 3 Rows

14 / 33

Best Off-road Midsize SUVs

14 / 31

Most Reliable Midsize SUVs

14 / 31

Best Crossover SUVs for Tall People

15 / 66

Best Midsize SUVs for Tall People

15 / 31

Best Off-road Crossover SUVs

16 / 66

Most Reliable SUVs with 3 Rows

16 / 33

Best Off-road SUVs with 3 Rows

17 / 33

SUVs with 3 Rows with the Most Cargo Space

18 / 33

Best SUVs with 3 Rows for Towing

20 / 33

Best SUVs with 3 Rows for Tall People

21 / 33

Midsize SUVs with Best Resale Value

24 / 31

SUVs with 3 Rows with Best Resale Value

27 / 33

Midsize SUVs with the Most Legroom

27 / 31

Best Crossover SUVs for the Money

29 / 54

Most Reliable Crossover SUVs

30 / 66

SUVs with 3 Rows with the Most Legroom

31 / 33

Most Affordable Crossover SUVs

37 / 54

Best Gas Mileage Crossover SUVs

38 / 66

Crossover SUVs with the Most Legroom

47 / 66

Crossover SUVs with Best Resale Value

59 / 66

Jeep Wagoneer Rankings

Best SUVs with 3 Rows for Towing

2 / 33

Best Large SUVs for Towing

2 / 12

Large SUVs with the Most Legroom

3 / 12

Most Affordable Large SUVs

4 / 10

SUVs with 3 Rows with the Most Legroom

5 / 33

Best Gas Mileage Large SUVs

5 / 12

Best Off-road Large SUVs

6 / 12

Large SUVs with Best Resale Value

6 / 12

Best Off-road SUVs with 3 Rows

7 / 33

Large SUVs with the Most Cargo Space

8 / 12

SUVs with 3 Rows with the Most Cargo Space

9 / 33

Best Large SUVs for Tall People

10 / 12

Large SUVs with the Most Horsepower

10 / 12

Safest Large SUVs

10 / 12

Most Comfortable Large SUVs

10 / 12

SUVs with 3 Rows with the Most Horsepower

11 / 33

SUVs with 3 Rows with Best Resale Value

15 / 33

Best SUVs with 3 Rows for Tall People

16 / 33

Most Comfortable SUVs with 3 Rows

22 / 33

Most Affordable SUVs with 3 Rows

22 / 29

Best Gas Mileage SUVs with 3 Rows

23 / 33

Safest SUVs with 3 Rows

30 / 33

Available Body Styles

SUV

Available Body Styles

SUV

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Ford Explorer Trim Levels

Active, Platinum, Police Interceptor Utility, ST, ST-Line

Jeep Wagoneer Trim Levels

Base, Carbide, Overland, Series II, Series III, Super

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

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):

4 out of 5 Stars

2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:

3 out of 5 Stars

2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:

3 out of 5 Stars

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:

420 hp @ 5200 rpm

Torque:

468 foot-lbs @ 3500 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.070 hp per pound

Towing capacity:

6120 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):


20 / 29 / 24

Range (city/hwy):

372 / 539 miles

Recommended Fuel Type:

Regular Unleaded

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

3 liters

Engine Configuration:

Inline

Number of Cylinders:

6

Transmission:

Automatic

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

4X2 / 4X4

EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):


17 / 24 / 20

Range (city/hwy):

451 / 636 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

Heated Seats

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Standard

Navigation System:

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

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

Available

Heated Steering Wheel:

Available

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Massage Seats:

Available

Paddle Shifters:

Available

Roof Rack:

Available

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

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:

Standard

Alloy wheels:

Standard

Android Auto:

Standard

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Bench Seats:

Standard

Bluetooth:

Standard

Heated Seats

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Standard

Navigation System:

Standard

Parking Sensors:

Standard

Power Lift Gate:

Standard

Power outlet:

Standard

Quad Seats:

Available

Satellite radio:

Standard

Trailer Hitch:

Standard

Voice Recognition:

Standard

Wifi:

Standard

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

Standard

Heated Steering Wheel:

Standard

Leather Upholstery:

Standard

Massage Seats:

N/A

Paddle Shifters:

N/A

Roof Rack:

Available

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

Standard

Air Suspension:

Available

Automatic Parking:

Available

Captain's seat:

Available

Front Bench Seats:

N/A

Internet Radio:

N/A

Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof

N/A

Roadside assistance:

Standard

Safety Features

Backup 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

360-Degree Camera:

Available

Driver Attention Monitoring:

N/A

Safety Features

Backup 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

360-Degree Camera:

Available

Driver Attention Monitoring:

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

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

41.3 inches

Front Leg Room:

40.9 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

66.1 inches

Rear Head Room:

40 inches

Rear Leg Room:

42.7 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

65.2 inches

Cargo Space:

27.4 cubic feet

Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:

116.7 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

206.6 cubic feet

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:

5960 lbs

Width:

94 inches

Height:

79.7 inches

Length:

214.7 inches

Wheelbase:

123 inches

Ground Clearance:

8.3 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:

20.0 x 9.0 inches

Wheel Type:

painted aluminum alloy

Tire Size:

275/55R20

Exterior Colors

Black

Agate Black

Blue

Vapor Blue

Gray

Carbonized Gray

Silver

Iconic Silver

White

Oxford White / Space White / Star White Metallic Tri-Coat

Red

Not available

Exterior Colors

Black

Diamond Black Crystal Pearl Coat

Blue

Midnight Sky / River Rock

Gray

Baltic Gray Metallic Clear Coat

Silver

Silver Zynith

White

Bright White Clear Coat

Red

Velvet Red Pearl Coat

Interior Colors

Gray

Dark Gray/Onyx / Light Space Gray/Onyx

Beige

Not available

Black

Not available

Interior Colors

Gray

Not available

Beige

Sea Salt/Black

Black

Global Black

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