Ford Explorer vs Expedition: Which Three-Row Ford to Buy

The Expedition is Ford's full-size, body-on-frame SUV: up to 108.5 cu ft of cargo, a 9,600-lb tow rating and a 400-hp V6 standard, from about $57,700 for 2026. The midsize Explorer starts near $38,465, tows 5,000 lb and holds up to 85.8 cu ft. Pick the Explorer for value, the Expedition for adult third-row room and towing.

By CarWhere Research · Updated November 3, 2026

Explorer vs Expedition size, seating and towing

Ford Explorer vs Ford Expedition: platform, engines, seating, cargo and towing
Measure	Ford Explorer	Ford Expedition (2026)
Platform	Unibody, midsize	Body-on-frame, full-size (MAX = long wheelbase)
Standard engine	2.3L EcoBoost I-4, 300 hp / 310 lb-ft	3.5L EcoBoost V6, 400 hp / 480 lb-ft
Optional engine	3.0L EcoBoost V6, 400 hp / 415 lb-ft (ST; available Tremor, Platinum)	3.5L High-Output V6, 440 hp / 510 lb-ft
Seating	6 or 7	7 or 8
Max cargo (cu ft)	85.8	108.5 (MAX 123.1)
Cargo behind 3rd row (cu ft)	—	22.9 (MAX 37.4)
Max towing (lb)	5,000	9,600 (4x4, HD Trailer Tow); MAX 9,000

Ford figures from ford.com, read November 3, 2026. Cargo volumes are Ford's optimized figures. Confirm towing on the label of the specific vehicle.

Both share Ford's 10-speed automatic and offer a Tremor off-road trim. The Expedition's base engine has as much horsepower as the Explorer's optional V6, with more torque.

Explorer vs Expedition price

2026 Ford Explorer and Expedition base MSRP by trim, excluding destination
Level	Explorer (USD)	Expedition (USD)
Entry	$38,465 (Active RWD)	$57,700 (XL SSV 4x4, fleet-oriented)
Retail base	$40,465 (Active AWD)	$62,700 (Active 4x2)
Off-road	$48,965 (Tremor AWD)	$81,700 (Tremor 4x4)
Luxury	$52,965 (Platinum AWD)	$84,360 (King Ranch 4x4)
Long wheelbase	—	$65,700 (MAX Active 4x2)

2026 model-year Ford base MSRPs before options and destination, compiled by CarWhere on November 2, 2026.

Explorer vs Expedition depreciation

Median asking prices by age from CarWhere's live-listing study.

Explorer vs Expedition: median used asking price and percent below new, by age
Age	Explorer median price (USD)	Explorer below new (%)	Expedition median price (USD)	Expedition below new (%)
New (2026)	$53,756	—	$78,668	—
1 year old	$38,150	29%	$61,978	21.2%
3 years old	$31,013	42.3%	$44,899	42.9%
5 years old	$23,237	56.8%	$29,927	62%
8 years old	$15,587	71%	$19,879	74.7%

CarWhere live-listing depreciation study, data as of 2026-10-25. “Below new” compares the median asking price of that model year with the median price of a new one today; model-level medians mix trims, cabs and options. Full curves: Explorer depreciation and Expedition depreciation.

Explorer vs Expedition reliability and mileage

In live listings, 34.2% of used Explorers and 37.8% of used Expeditions show more than 100,000 miles (medians 76,111 and 82,655 miles). Year-by-year verdicts are on Ford Explorer years to avoid and Ford Expedition years to avoid; the 2020 Explorer redesign year is among those flagged in CarWhere's NHTSA analysis.

Which should you buy?

Explorer — the value pick for families who use the third row for kids. See Ford Explorer build sheet.
Expedition / Expedition MAX — adult-size third row, cargo behind it, and real towing. See Ford Expedition build sheet.
Cross-shopping Chevrolet? Transaction prices are on the Tahoe vs Expedition price comparison.

Shopping a used Explorer or Expedition? Check its build

Check the exact factory options and packages of the SUV you are looking at before you buy — tow package, second-row seating, engine and equipment group. Enter the VIN on the Ford build sheet page: the availability check is free, and you pay $9.99 only if detailed build data exists for that vehicle.

Ford build sheet by VIN

Free availability check first · $9.99 one-time only if detailed build data exists for the VIN · no subscription

FAQ

What is the difference between the Ford Explorer and Expedition?

The Explorer is a midsize three-row SUV built on a unibody platform; the Expedition is a full-size, body-on-frame SUV related to the F-150. The Expedition is larger inside, tows nearly twice as much (9,600 lb vs 5,000 lb per Ford) and starts about $19,000 higher for 2026.

Is the Expedition bigger than the Explorer?

Yes. Ford lists up to 108.5 cu ft of cargo space in the 2026 Expedition (123.1 in the Expedition MAX) versus up to 85.8 cu ft in the Explorer, and 22.9 cu ft behind the Expedition’s third row. The Expedition is 209.9 inches long; the MAX is 221.7.

How much can the Explorer tow compared with the Expedition?

Ford rates the Explorer at up to 5,000 lb on every trim. The 2026 Expedition 4x4 is rated at up to 9,600 lb with the Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package (6,000 lb for 4x2), and the Expedition MAX 4x4 at up to 9,000 lb.

Does the Explorer or Expedition hold its value better?

The Explorer, in percentage terms. In CarWhere’s live-listing study (data as of 2026-10-25), five-year-old Explorers listed a median 56.8% below the new median and five-year-old Expeditions 62% below. In dollars the Expedition loses more because it starts higher.

Should I buy an Explorer or an Expedition?

Buy the Explorer if you need a third row occasionally, want better fuel economy and tow under 5,000 lb. Buy the Expedition if adults ride in the third row, you need cargo space with all seats up, or you tow a large camper or boat.

Sources

Ford — Expedition specifications (2026, ford.com) — engines, towing, seating, length, cargo
Ford — Explorer (ford.com) — engines, towing, seating, cargo by trim
CarWhere — Car depreciation by model (live-listing study)
CarWhere — Ford reliability by model (NHTSA complaints)

Outputs, towing and cargo are Ford figures for properly equipped vehicles; ford.com showed the 2027 Explorer and 2026 Expedition when read on November 3, 2026. Base MSRPs are 2026 model-year Ford prices excluding destination ($1,795 Explorer, $2,795 Expedition), compiled by CarWhere on November 2, 2026. Used-market figures come from licensed vehicle-data providers, aggregated by CarWhere.