Lexus RX 350 vs. Ford Explorer
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Lexus RX 350 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 Lexus RX 350 and the Ford Explorer.
When we compare the Lexus RX 350's and the Ford Explorer's specifications and ratings, the Lexus RX 350 has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency, reliability and resale value. The Ford Explorer has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and base engine power. The Lexus RX 350 and Ford Explorer have the same overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the Lexus RX 350's and the Ford Explorer's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2025 Lexus RX 350 ranges from $50,178 to $62,847 while a used 2025 Ford Explorer is priced between $37,722 to $57,414. For a new model, the Lexus RX 350's price is between $52,529 and $67,035, with the Ford Explorer priced between $40,643 and $61,641.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Lexus RX 350 loses 38.9 percent of its value and the Ford Explorer loses 52.9 percent of its value. This means the Lexus RX 350 retains 14 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 Lexus RX 350 and Ford Explorer is 8.4 out of 10. This results in the Lexus RX 350 being ranked 3 out of 68 Best Luxury Crossover SUVs and the Ford Explorer being ranked 5 out of 34 Best SUVs with 3 Rows.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Lexus RX 350 is 8.4 out of 10. For the Ford Explorer the reliability rating is 7.5 out of 10. This gives the Lexus RX 350 a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Ford Explorer.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Lexus RX 350’s base engine makes 275 horsepower, and the Ford Explorer base engine makes 300 horsepower. The RX 350 is rated to deliver an average of 25 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 516 miles. The Explorer is rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 539 miles.This gives the Lexus RX 350 the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Ford Explorer the advantage in maximum range. The RX 350 uses premium unleaded, and the Explorer uses regular unleaded.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Ford Explorer has higher safety ratings than the Lexus RX 350, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4.38 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
52529 - 67035
Starting MSRP:
48975
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
75104
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
48975 - 136200
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
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
56207
Price Range:
50178 - 62847
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
82207
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
50580 - 145833
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
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:
17691
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
847
# Good or Great Deals:
577
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
19058
Depreciation %:
0.38914453
Resale Value $:
29917
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
0.49798776
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
0.38914453 - 0.60966222
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
Depreciation %:
Resale Value $:
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Midsize SUVs)
0.48432299
Category Depreciation Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
0.30530799 - 0.56163117
Lexus RX 350 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.4 / 10
Reliability:
8.4 / 10
Retained Value:
8.5 / 10
Safety:
8.4 / 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 Lexus RX 350
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
16.8
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
13.0
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
9.7 - 16.8
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.335
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
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.6058349948310648
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
2.7
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
1.4 - 15.4
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
Lexus RX 350 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 68Ranking
1 out of / 27Ranking
1 out of / 27Ranking
1 out of / 25Ranking
1 out of / 25Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
3 out of / 68Ranking
3 out of / 27Ranking
4 out of / 68Ranking
5 out of / 5Ranking
12 out of / 27Ranking
15 out of / 27Ranking
16 out of / 27Ranking
19 out of / 27Ranking
21 out of / 27Ranking
24 out of / 64Ranking
24 out of / 27Ranking
27 out of / 27Ranking
28 out of / 68Ranking
34 out of / 68Ranking
34 out of / 68Ranking
36 out of / 68Ranking
41 out of / 68Ranking
41 out of / 68Ranking
65 out of / 68Ford 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
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Lexus RX 350 Trim Levels
Base, F SPORT Design, F SPORT Handling, Luxury, Premium, Premium+
Ford Explorer Trim Levels
Active, Platinum, Police Interceptor Utility, ST, ST-Line
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 70000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
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):
4.38 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:
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:
275 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
317 foot-lbs @ 1700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.066 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):
0.070 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
5000 lbs
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
22 / 29 / 25
Range (city/hwy):
392 / 516 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium 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):
20 / 29 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
372 / 539 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
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
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
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
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:
N/A
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:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.5 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.5 inches
Cargo Space:
29.6 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
46.2 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet 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
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4155 lbs
Width:
75.6 inches
Height:
67.3 inches
Length:
192.5 inches
Wheelbase:
112.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.2 inches
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
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/60R19
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
255/65R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Caviar
Blue
Nightfall Mica
Gray
Cloudburst Gray
Green
Nori Green Pearl
Red
Matador Red Mica
Silver
Iridium
White
Eminent White Pearl
Exterior Colors
Black
Agate Black
Blue
Vapor Blue
Gray
Carbonized Gray
Green
Not available
Red
Not available
Silver
Iconic Silver
White
Oxford White / Space White / Star White Metallic Tri-Coat
Interior Colors
Black
Black w/ Black Cascade Trim
Brown
Palamino w/ Black Cascade Trim
Gray
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Not available
Brown
Not available
Gray
Dark Gray/Onyx / Light Space Gray/Onyx
