2027 Ford Explorer vs Ford Expedition: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the Explorer — it leads our weighted scorecard 3–2.5 across 5 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (43.2% vs 38%) and better fuel economy (23 mpg vs 18 mpg best EPA combined). Choose the Expedition if you want the most power (440 hp vs 400 hp).
Scorecard: Explorer 3 pts · Expedition 2.5 pts across 5 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 Explorer | 2027 Expedition | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (2) | 0.92 | — | No data |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 43.2% | 38% | Explorer |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 23 mpg | 18 mpg | Explorer |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 400 hp | 440 hp | Expedition |
| Max towing (1) | 5,000 lb | 9,600 lb | Expedition |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | 7% off MSRP | — | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 34 | 14 | Expedition |
| Weighted points | 3 | 2.5 | Explorer |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the Explorer — 23 mpg vs 18 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the Explorer — 43.2% vs 38% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: the Expedition — 9,600 lb vs 5,000 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
A current starting MSRP isn't on file for both models. Verified Explorer buyers paid a median 7% off MSRP across 8 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 12.6% off. Used, the median asking price is $24,001 for the Explorer and $32,805 for the Expedition (all model years, US dealer listings).
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Explorer: 0.92 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 25th percentile among the SUVs we track).
- Expedition: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Explorer 34, Expedition 14.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: 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
| 2027 Explorer | 2027 Expedition | |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 300–400 hp | 400–440 hp |
| Max torque | 415 lb-ft | 510 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 19–23 mpg | 18 mpg |
| Max towing | 5,000 lb | 9,600 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | — / 7 | — / 8 |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) Explorer lists for a median $23,237 — 43.2% of today's median new price of $53,756. A 5-year-old (2021) Expedition lists for a median $29,927 — 38% of today's median new price of $78,668.
Shop both
- See 41,369 new 2027 Ford Explorers for sale →Median listed price $50,563 · updated Nov 7, 2026
- See 15,975 new 2027 Ford Expeditions for sale →Median listed price $83,701 · 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 Explorer
More on the Ford Expedition
Want the long read? See our Explorer vs Expedition buyer's guide.
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Explorer better than the Expedition?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the Explorer — it leads our weighted scorecard 3–2.5 across 5 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (43.2% vs 38%) and better fuel economy (23 mpg vs 18 mpg best EPA combined). Choose the Expedition if you want the most power (440 hp vs 400 hp).
Which is more reliable, the Explorer or the Expedition?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet. NHTSA lists 34 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Explorer and 14 for the Expedition.
Which holds its value better, the Explorer or the Expedition?
The Explorer: a 5-year-old example lists for 43.2% of the new price, versus 38% for the Expedition, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.
Which is cheaper, the Explorer or the Expedition?
We don't have a current starting MSRP for both models.
Which has better gas mileage, the Explorer or the Expedition?
The Explorer: up to 23 mpg combined vs 18 mpg for the Expedition (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, "2027 Ford Explorer vs Ford Expedition: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/ford-explorer-vs-ford-expedition, updated November 8, 2026.