Ford Fusion vs. Ford Explorer
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Ford Fusion and Ford Explorer 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 Fusion and the Ford Explorer.
In comparing the Ford Fusion's and the Ford Explorer's specifications and ratings, the Ford Fusion has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and resale value. The Ford Explorer has the advantage in the areas of reliability, interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. The Ford Fusion and Ford Explorer have the same fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the Ford Fusion's and the Ford Explorer's specifications and ratings, the Ford Explorer is a better car than the Ford Fusion.
Pricing: A used 2020 Ford Fusion ranges from $11,290 to $22,443 while a used 2020 Ford Explorer is priced between $18,331 to $35,870.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Ford Fusion loses 49.9 percent of its value and the Ford Explorer loses 52.9 percent of its value. This means the Ford Fusion retains 3 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Ford Explorer.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Ford Fusion is 7.7 out of 10 while the Ford Explorer's quality rating is 8.4 out of 10. This results in the Ford Fusion being ranked 9 out of 13 Best Midsize Cars and the Ford Explorer being ranked 5 out of 34 Best SUVs with 3 Rows.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Ford Fusion is 7.4 out of 10. For the Ford Explorer the reliability rating is 7.5 out of 10. This gives the Ford Explorer a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Ford Fusion.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Ford Fusion’s base engine makes 175 horsepower, and the Ford Explorer base engine makes 300 horsepower. Both the Fusion and the Explorer are rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with highway ranges of 512 and 538 miles respectively. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Ford Explorer, 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 Fusion, a midsize car, has the advantage in the area of front leg room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Ford Fusion and the Ford Explorer have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
23170
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
25348
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
22095 - 35995
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
32765
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize SUVs)
30923
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
23675 - 36120
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
16437
Price Range:
11290 - 22443
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
19584
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
15850 - 26565
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
690
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
73054
# Good or Great Deals:
232
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
26190
Price Range:
18331 - 35870
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize SUVs)
24493
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
15956 - 37674
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
2298
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
75774
# Good or Great Deals:
797
Ford Fusion Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.7 / 10
Reliability:
7.4 / 10
Retained Value:
7.8 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
Ford Explorer Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.4 / 10
Reliability:
7.5 / 10
Retained Value:
7.6 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Ford Fusion
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
4.1
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
5.6
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
2.8 - 8.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.092
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Ford Explorer
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
4.3
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize SUVs)
6.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
3.1 - 11.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.153
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.5903200956396115
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
3.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.1 - 13.2
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
35.486116959644185
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
4.3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
1.0 - 35.5
Ford Fusion Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 4Ranking
3 out of / 4Ranking
6 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
9 out of / 13Ranking
13 out of / 13Ford 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 / 67Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Flex Fuel, Gasoline
Ford Fusion Trim Levels
S, SE, SEL, Titanium
Ford Explorer Trim Levels
Base, Limited, Platinum, Police Interceptor Utility, ST, XLT
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:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 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:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
175 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
175 foot-lbs @ 4500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.051 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
300 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
310 foot-lbs @ 3500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.069 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
21 / 31 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
347 / 512 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
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):
21 / 28 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
403 / 538 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Available
Android Auto:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Satellite radio:
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
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Quad Seats:
Available
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention 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:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
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
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
44.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.8 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38.3 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.9 inches
Cargo Space:
16 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
102.8 cubic feet
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:
87.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
170.9 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3410 lbs
Width:
83.5 inches
Height:
58.1 inches
Length:
191.7 inches
Wheelbase:
112.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
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
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P215/60R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
255/65R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Agate Black
Blue
Velocity Blue
Gray
Magnetic
Red
Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat
Silver
Iconic Silver
White
Oxford White
Exterior Colors
Black
Agate Black
Blue
Blue
Gray
Magnetic
Red
Not available
Silver
Iconic Silver
White
Oxford White
Interior Colors
Brown
Medium Light Stone
Beige
Not available
Interior Colors
Brown
Not available
Beige
Sandstone
