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Ford Explorer vs. Land Rover Defender

iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Ford Explorer and Land Rover Defender 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 Land Rover Defender.

In comparing the Ford Explorer's and the Land Rover Defender's specifications and ratings, the Ford Explorer has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The Land Rover Defender has the advantage in the area of resale value. Based on this comparison of the Ford Explorer's and the Land Rover Defender's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.

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 Land Rover Defender loses 50.9 percent of its value. This means the Land Rover Defender retains 2 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 Land Rover Defender base engine makes 296 horsepower.

Passenger Space Comparison: The Ford Explorer and Land Rover Defender are comparable in regards to front head room.

Safety Ratings: The Ford Explorer has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.

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Model & Pricing
Ford Explorer
Land Rover Defender

2026 Ford Explorer
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Ford Explorer for Sale

2026 Land Rover Defender
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Land Rover Defender for Sale

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:

-

Starting MSRP:

63500

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)

77833

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)

51200 - 138300

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:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)

73712

Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)

60234 - 92425

# 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

Land Rover Defender Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

Not available

Reliability:

Not available

Retained Value:

7.7 / 10

Safety:

Not available



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 Land Rover Defender

Remaining Life Expectancy (years):

Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)

12.8

Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)

9.7 - 13.1

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:



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

Best Family Crossover SUVs

2 / 67

Crossover SUVs with the Most Horsepower

2 / 67

Safest Crossover SUVs

2 / 67

Best Family SUVs with 3 Rows

2 / 34

Safest SUVs with 3 Rows

2 / 34

Best Family Midsize SUVs

2 / 32

Safest Midsize SUVs

2 / 32

Best SUVs with 3 Rows

5 / 34

Best Midsize SUVs

5 / 32

Crossover SUVs with the Most Cargo Space

6 / 67

Best Gas Mileage SUVs with 3 Rows

6 / 34

Best Gas Mileage Midsize SUVs

6 / 32

Midsize SUVs with the Most Horsepower

6 / 32

Midsize SUVs with the Most Cargo Space

7 / 32

Best Crossover SUVs

8 / 67

Best Crossover SUVs for Towing

8 / 67

Best Midsize SUVs for Towing

11 / 32

Most Comfortable Midsize SUVs

11 / 32

Best SUVs with 3 Rows for the Money

11 / 30

Most Comfortable Crossover SUVs

12 / 67

SUVs with 3 Rows with the Most Horsepower

13 / 34

Most Comfortable SUVs with 3 Rows

14 / 34

Most Reliable Midsize SUVs

14 / 32

Most Reliable SUVs with 3 Rows

15 / 34

Most Affordable SUVs with 3 Rows

15 / 30

Best Midsize SUVs for the Money

15 / 28

Best Crossover SUVs for Tall People

16 / 67

Best Midsize SUVs for Tall People

16 / 32

SUVs with 3 Rows with the Most Cargo Space

18 / 34

Midsize SUVs with the Most Legroom

18 / 32

Best SUVs with 3 Rows for Towing

19 / 34

Most Affordable Midsize SUVs

19 / 28

Best SUVs with 3 Rows for Tall People

20 / 34

Best Off-road Midsize SUVs

21 / 32

Most Reliable Crossover SUVs

24 / 67

SUVs with 3 Rows with Best Resale Value

24 / 34

Best Off-road SUVs with 3 Rows

26 / 34

SUVs with 3 Rows with the Most Legroom

26 / 34

Midsize SUVs with Best Resale Value

26 / 32

Crossover SUVs with the Most Legroom

30 / 67

Best Off-road Crossover SUVs

31 / 67

Best Crossover SUVs for the Money

32 / 56

Best Gas Mileage Crossover SUVs

37 / 67

Most Affordable Crossover SUVs

49 / 56

Crossover SUVs with Best Resale Value

62 / 67

Land Rover Defender Rankings

Best Luxury Midsize SUVs for Towing

2 / 27

Best Off-road Luxury SUVs with 3 Rows

3 / 29

Best Off-road Luxury Midsize SUVs

3 / 27

Luxury SUVs with 3 Rows with the Most Horsepower

4 / 29

Luxury Midsize SUVs with the Most Cargo Space

4 / 27

Luxury Midsize SUVs with the Most Horsepower

4 / 27

Best Luxury SUVs with 3 Rows for Towing

5 / 29

Best Luxury Midsize SUVs for Tall People

5 / 27

Most Affordable Luxury Midsize SUVs

6 / 25

Most Affordable Luxury SUVs with 3 Rows

7 / 26

Luxury SUVs with 3 Rows with Best Resale Value

8 / 29

Luxury Midsize SUVs with Best Resale Value

8 / 27

Best Luxury SUVs with 3 Rows for Tall People

12 / 29

Luxury SUVs with 3 Rows with the Most Cargo Space

13 / 29

Luxury Midsize SUVs with the Most Legroom

13 / 27

Most Comfortable Luxury Midsize SUVs

15 / 27

Luxury SUVs with 3 Rows with the Most Legroom

18 / 29

Most Comfortable Luxury SUVs with 3 Rows

25 / 29

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, Tremor

Land Rover Defender Trim Levels

110 P300 S, 110 P400 X, 110 P400 X-Dynamic SE, 110 P500 X-Dynamic SE, 110 P635 OCTA, 110 P635 OCTA Black, 110 V8 P525, 130 P300 S, 130 P400 Outbound, 130 P400 X, 130 P400 X-Dynamic SE, 130 V8 P500, 90 V8

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:

Warranty, Powertrain:

Warranty, Roadside Assistance:

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):

Not yet available

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:

296 hp @ 5500 rpm

Torque:

295 foot-lbs @ 1500 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:

AWD

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:

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

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:

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:

40.7 inches

Front Leg Room:

39.1 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

60.8 inches

Rear Head Room:

40.4 inches

Rear Leg Room:

38.4 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

59.2 inches

Cargo Space:

34 cubic feet

Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:

78.8 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:

4830 lbs

Width:

82.9 inches

Height:

77.4 inches

Length:

197.5 inches

Wheelbase:

119 inches

Ground Clearance:

9 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:

Not yet available

Wheel Type:

Not yet available

Tire Size:

Not yet available

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