2026–27 Ford Bronco vs Ford Explorer: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
It's a tie on our scorecard: the Bronco and Explorer earn the same points across 6 categories. Choose the Bronco if you'll sell in about five years (62.2% vs 43.2% of value retained). Choose the Explorer if fuel economy comes first (23 mpg vs 20 mpg best EPA combined).
Scorecard: Bronco 2.5 pts · Explorer 2.5 pts across 6 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2026 Bronco | 2027 Explorer | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $41,295 | — | No data |
| NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (2) | — | 0.92 | No data |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 62.2% | 43.2% | Bronco |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 20 mpg | 23 mpg | Explorer |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 418 hp | 400 hp | Tie |
| Max towing (1) | 4,500 lb | 5,000 lb | Explorer |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | 38.3 cu ft | — | No data |
| Standard seats (1) | 4 | — | No data |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | 10.5% off MSRP | 7% off MSRP | Bronco |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 35 | 34 | Tie |
| Weighted points | 2.5 | 2.5 | Tie |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the Explorer — 23 mpg vs 20 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the Bronco — 62.2% vs 43.2% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: the Explorer — 5,000 lb vs 4,500 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
A current starting MSRP isn't on file for both models. Verified Bronco buyers paid a median 10.5% off MSRP across 6 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 11.9% off. Verified Explorer buyers paid a median 7% off MSRP across 8 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 12.6% off.
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Bronco: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Explorer: 0.92 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 25th percentile among the SUVs we track).
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Bronco 35, Explorer 34.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Bronco 2023 (avoid), 2024 (solid), 2025 (solid) · Explorer 2016 (avoid).
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2026 Bronco | 2027 Explorer | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $41,295 | — |
| Top-trim MSRP | $80,990 | — |
| Horsepower | 300–418 hp | 300–400 hp |
| Max torque | 440 lb-ft | 415 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 15–20 mpg | 19–23 mpg |
| Max towing | 4,500 lb | 5,000 lb |
| Max payload | 1,417 lb | — |
| Seats (standard / max) | 4 / 5 | — / 7 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | 38.3 cu ft | — |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) Bronco lists for a median $35,447 — 62.2% of today's median new price of $56,969. A 5-year-old (2021) Explorer lists for a median $23,237 — 43.2% of today's median new price of $53,756.
Shop both
- See new 2026 Ford Broncos for sale →
- See 41,369 new 2027 Ford Explorers for sale →Median listed price $50,563 · updated Nov 7, 2026
Negotiating either one?
CarWhere PRO ($12.99/mo) shows the 75th-percentile target price for your exact trim and zip, comparable nearby deals, and an AI quote analyzer. See PRO → · Checking a specific used one? The $9.99 Full VIN Report covers the federal record + original window sticker.
More on the Ford Bronco
More on the Ford Explorer
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Bronco better than the Explorer?
On our scorecard it's a tie. Choose the Bronco if you'll sell in about five years (62.2% vs 43.2% of value retained). Choose the Explorer if fuel economy comes first (23 mpg vs 20 mpg best EPA combined).
Which is more reliable, the Bronco or the Explorer?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet. NHTSA lists 35 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Bronco and 34 for the Explorer.
Which holds its value better, the Bronco or the Explorer?
The Bronco: a 5-year-old example lists for 62.2% of the new price, versus 43.2% for the Explorer, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.
Which is cheaper, the Bronco or the Explorer?
We don't have a current starting MSRP for both models. Verified buyers paid a median 10.5% off MSRP on the Bronco (6 deals) and 7% on the Explorer (8 deals).
Which has better gas mileage, the Bronco or the Explorer?
The Explorer: up to 23 mpg combined vs 20 mpg for the Bronco (best EPA rating across each lineup).
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2026–27 Ford Bronco vs Ford Explorer: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/ford-bronco-vs-ford-explorer, updated November 8, 2026.