Minivans used to be the most popular vehicles for people who needed extra passenger seats, but three-row SUVs have largely replaced them. The reasons are pretty obvious, as SUVs are more versatile, durable, and safe. Two standout performers in the three-row SUV market are the 2024 Ford Expedition and the 2024 Ford Explorer. Despite their many similarities, they don’t have the same strong points and appeal to different types of drivers. Keep reading to learn more about them and decide which
one is suitable for you and your family.
Expedition vs Explorer
The 2024 Ford Expedition is a full-size, three-row SUV that stands out due to its exceptional passenger and cargo space. As
biggest SUV,being built on a truck-like platform provides it with exceptional capabilities. It can tow up to 9,300 pounds, which is astonishing for such an upscale and comfortable family vehicle. Although its main selling points are its capability, interior space and comfort, the 2024 Explorer is also easy to drive given its size and surprisingly agile due to its powerful V-6 engine.
The 2024 Ford Explorer is a mid-size, three-row SUV that’s exceptionally easy to handle and comes with a long list of useful tech features. It offers a great balance between agility and interior space, making it a good fit for a wide variety of drivers. Although it’s a performant, off-road-capable, and comfortable vehicle in any configuration, buyers can choose between multiple trims that enhance any of these features.
Tailoring Your Drive: Which SUV Fits Your Life?
Although there’s no wrong answer when choosing between these family SUVs, one could prove to be a better choice for you than the other based on your needs and preferences. If you have a large family or group of friends that you often go on road trips with, the 2024 Ford Expedition may be more suited for you. Its huge cabin is well-designed and gives everyone inside enough space to stay comfortable even after many hours on the road. It also has a cargo capacity ranging from 19.3 to a cavernous 104.6 cubic feet.
The 2024 Ford Explorer is better suited for people who also need more than the traditional five seats but also want a vehicle that’s fun to drive and that can go beyond the paved road. While the price to pay is having smaller middle and bottom rows compared to the Expedition, the Explorer makes up for it due to its exceptional agility, handling precision, and off-road ability. To sum it up, the Expedition is ideal for those who want exceptional interior space and comfort, while the Explorer is better suited for drivers who prioritize versatility and handling.
2024 Expedition and Explorer: Performance, Comfort, and Technology
This SUV comparison will show you how they fare in key aspects to help you make your final decision regarding which is the best family SUV for you.
Performance
Some key performance metrics for SUVs are power and acceleration, towing and hauling ability, and fuel efficiency. The 2024 Ford Expedition has a wide range of available V-6 powertrains, ranging from 380 to 440 horsepower. When equipped with the top engine choice, it can go from zero to 60 miles per hour in only 5.5 seconds, an impressive time for such a large vehicle. The 2024 Explorer’s available engines are a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 with 400 horsepower. The V-6 pushes it from 0 to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds.
The 2024 Explorer’s maximum towing capacity is 5,600 pounds. While this is impressive for a mid-sized SUV and enough to carry a camper trailer or boat with you on your journeys, it can’t compare to the 2024 Expedition’s 9,000-pound tow rating. The Expedition’s extra power and capability make it less fuel-efficient than the Explorer, however. The former has an EPA-estimated 19 combined city/highway mpg, while a similarly configured Explorer has an EPA-estimated 24 combined mpg.
Comfort
There’s no beating the 2024 Ford Expedition when it comes to the comfort it offers. Every passenger has enough space regardless of their size, and even the third row of seats is easy to get in and out of. It also comes with luxury-oriented features, including seats with lumbar support, massage functions, and excellent sound insulation. While the 2024 Explorer isn’t as spacious as the Expedition, it still offers adequate interior space. There’s less legroom for passengers in the bottom two rows, however. Both offer plenty of cargo space, which can be increased by folding the seats.
Technology
Keeping up to eight people well-informed and entertained throughout your journeys can be a challenge, but both these vehicles do an excellent job. They both come with standard six-speaker audio systems and seamless smartphone integration through Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The 2024 Expedition comes with a 12-inch touch-screen interface that can be upgraded to 15.5 inches. The 2024 Explorer has an 8-inch standard touch-screen interface, while the optional version is 10.1 inches wide.
Despite their impressive sizes, both the Expedition and the Explorer come with long lists of standard drive assistance technologies. Some essential ones that are available as standard for both vehicles are:
- Blind-spot warning system with cross-traffic warning: Lets the driver know if another vehicle enters their blind spot while reversing or changing lanes.
- Forward collision warning with automatic braking: Warns the driver in case of an imminent frontal collision and even applies the brakes to mitigate it.
- Lane-keeping system: Makes constant small steering corrections to keep the vehicle centered in its lane at all times.
Check out the 2024 Explorer and the 2024 Expedition at Fahrney Ford
Here at Fahrney Ford, we understand that choosing the right SUV for you and your family is a major life decision. We’re committed to helping you find the one that suits you best, based on factors like lifestyle needs, personal preferences, and budget considerations. We also recommend that you test drive both the Explorer and the Expedition before making a final decision. Contact us today for more information or to schedule a test drive.
