2027 GMC Acadia vs Ford Explorer: 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 3.5–0.5 across 7 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (43.2% vs 40.8%) and more available power (400 hp vs 328 hp). Choose the Acadia if a shorter recent recall list matters to you (4 vs 34).
Scorecard: Acadia 0.5 pts · Explorer 3.5 pts across 7 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 Acadia | 2027 Explorer | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $43,700 | — | No data |
| NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (2) | 0.81 | 0.92 | Tie |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 40.8% | 43.2% | Explorer |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 22 mpg | 23 mpg | Tie |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 328 hp | 400 hp | Explorer |
| Max towing (1) | 5,000 lb | 5,000 lb | Tie |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | 6.4% off MSRP | 7% off MSRP | Explorer |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 4 | 34 | Acadia |
| Weighted points | 0.5 | 3.5 | Explorer |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: it's a wash — Acadia 22 mpg vs Explorer 23 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: it's a wash — Acadia 0.81 vs Explorer 0.92 (NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold).
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the Explorer — 43.2% vs 40.8% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: it's a wash — Acadia 5,000 lb vs Explorer 5,000 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
A current starting MSRP isn't on file for both models. Verified Acadia buyers paid a median 6.4% off MSRP across 21 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 8.3% off. 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 $22,099 for the Acadia and $24,001 for the Explorer (all model years, US dealer listings).
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Acadia: 0.81 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 29th percentile among the SUVs we track).
- 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: Acadia 4, Explorer 34.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Acadia 2016 (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
| 2027 Acadia | 2027 Explorer | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $43,700 | — |
| Top-trim MSRP | $62,900 | — |
| Horsepower | 328 hp | 300–400 hp |
| Max torque | 326 lb-ft | 415 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 21–22 mpg | 19–23 mpg |
| Max towing | 5,000 lb | 5,000 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | — / 8 | — / 7 |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) Acadia lists for a median $21,999 — 40.8% of today's median new price of $53,859. 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 12,488 new 2027 GMC Acadias for sale →Median listed price $55,687 · updated Nov 7, 2026
- 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 GMC Acadia
More on the Ford Explorer
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Acadia better than the Explorer?
On our data, no — the Explorer comes out ahead. Our pick: the Explorer — it leads our weighted scorecard 3.5–0.5 across 7 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (43.2% vs 40.8%) and more available power (400 hp vs 328 hp). Choose the Acadia if a shorter recent recall list matters to you (4 vs 34).
Which is more reliable, the Acadia or the Explorer?
They're even: 0.81 vs 0.92 NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold — inside our 15% tie band. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Acadia and 34 for the Explorer.
Which holds its value better, the Acadia or the Explorer?
The Explorer: a 5-year-old example lists for 43.2% of the new price, versus 40.8% for the Acadia, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.
Which is cheaper, the Acadia or the Explorer?
We don't have a current starting MSRP for both models. Verified buyers paid a median 6.4% off MSRP on the Acadia (21 deals) and 7% on the Explorer (8 deals).
Which has better gas mileage, the Acadia or the Explorer?
It's a wash: 22 mpg vs 23 mpg best EPA combined.
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 GMC Acadia vs Ford Explorer: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/gmc-acadia-vs-ford-explorer, updated November 8, 2026.