Used Ford Explorer vs Ford Expedition: Which Family SUV Is Right for You?

If you’re shopping for a reliable used family SUV from Ford, you might be wondering whether the Ford Expedition or the Ford Explorer is the better choice. The decision comes down to a few key areas of what you want out of a large family-sized SUV, what you’re willing to spend, and some key features related to performance and cargo capacity. But before you race off to shop for a used Ford Explorer for sale or start pricing a used Expedition, it might be important to take a few things into consideration related to the differences between the two based on your traveling needs, lifestyle, and budget.

The Expedition Is Larger, But The Explorer Is More Nimble

Both the Ford Explorer and Expedition offer three rows of seating, accommodating up to seven passengers in the Explorer and eight in the Expedition. The Expedition is available in the standard format and the Expedition Max. At the top end of the cargo capacity, the standard Expedition for the fourth gen tops out at 104.6 cu.ft. of total volume, while the Expedition Max tops out at 121.5 cu.ft. By comparison, the sixth-generation Explorer tops out at 87.7 cu.ft. of cargo volume.

While you get more space in the Expedition, it also comes at the expense of added weight and size. In fact, the Expedition can weigh more than 1,000 lbs over the Explorer. What kind of impact does this have on both vehicles? It alters how the vehicle handles and how well it feels in certain driving situations.

With a smaller design, the Explorer has much better precision turning and makes for a more maneuverable vehicle. This is extremely important depending on where you drive. If the majority of your travel takes place on large four-lane roads or highways, then the Expedition is a great full-size option. However, for regular driving in suburban areas, tight urban streets, or narrow two-lane roads, the Explorer is going to be a far more efficient vehicle. Lighter and easier to maneuver, it makes it more convenient if you have to fit into tight parallel parking spaces, small driveways, or narrow side streets.

Size matters when choosing between these SUVs. If you have a large family and need that extra cargo space, the Expedition will be the clear option here. However, if you don’t like having to maneuver large vehicles around smaller spaces, or would rather avoid difficult parking situations, the Explorer provides you with ample amounts of cargo and seating for your family, but it’s far easier to maneuver in a wider variety of traveling conditions. You have less to worry about when it comes to blind spots, lane changes, or parallel parking.

The Ford Explorer Has Much Better Fuel Economy

For daily driving and commuting, the Expedition may be good for short trips or nearby locations, but if you have to do long drives across the interstate or highway to get to your job, the Expedition does not make for a very cost-effective option as a used SUV. The reason is that while it has great performance from the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, it has a very limited range due to its size. In rear-wheel drive, you’re looking at a max of 17 MPG in the city and up to 23 MPG on the highway for the fourth-generation models. In four-wheel drive, the numbers drop even more to 16 MPG in the city and an estimated 22 MPG on the highway.

The Ford Explorer has much better fuel economy across its available powertrain lineup. Used models that come with the 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 manage up to 18 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway in rear-wheel drive, and up to 18 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway in all-wheel drive. This gives you great performance gains while still offering slightly better range over the Expedition. The 2.5-liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder, however, provides you with even better range, with 21 MPG in the city and up to 28 MPG on the highway in rear-wheel drive, and 20 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway in all-wheel drive.

The Explorer really shines with the 3.3-liter V6 hybrid, which provides you with an estimated 27 MPG in the city and up to 28 MPG on the highway in rear-wheel drive. You can expect an estimated 23 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway in all-wheel drive. This makes the sixth-generation Explorer a highly efficient option for those doing a lot of daily driving in the city or long commutes to work. Longer range with fewer fuel stops is always a highlight.

The Expedition has a powerful V6 and large capacity, but sacrifices range as a result. The fuel economy will definitely impact those who want a used SUV that is large enough for the family but also efficient enough for work commutes. The Ford Explorer’s multiple powertrains, which provide it with more range, give shoppers options when it comes to finding a large three-row SUV that has great performance and ample range for its size. It’s a nice middle-ground if you need a versatile SUV not only for picking up the kids from school or making errands to the grocery store, but also much more fuel efficient if you have to regularly commute along the interstate or highway to work.

A Used Ford Explorer Is More Affordable Than a Used Expedition

You’re shopping for a used Ford SUV because you want to save money. That means you’re looking for something that falls within your financial budget and respects your finances. You want a used SUV that has what you want, but without stretching you so thin that it becomes a major issue for you. In this way, the Expedition has a much higher point of entry compared to the Explorer.

Shopping for a used Expedition or a used Explorer from past generations can save you money if you’re tight on finances, but you’re not going to be saving much if you go with an Expedition over an Explorer. This is because the starting MSRP between the two sees a $20,000 difference when it comes to the starting trims, with the Expedition being the more expensive of the two. The starting cost of the Expedition is similar to that of the Explorer Limited, which is an upscale trim for the Explorer.

The price scales up even more for the higher trim grades of the Expedition. So while you get more features and cargo space, you’re also paying a lot more. For the price of the base Expedition, you could get a higher-grade trim of a used Explorer. So this all depends on what you want and what your financial ceiling is when it comes to shopping for a used SUV.

If you have the money to spare, a used Expedition is a good option if you want a large, full-size SUV. However, if you’re looking to save, even a used Expedition is going to be far more expensive than a used Ford Explorer. A base Expedition is $20,000 more than a base Explorer, so even if you’re shopping for a used model, you’re still paying a lot more for the Expedition.

Need Help Shopping for a Used Ford SUV?

You have a solid breakdown of how the two SUVs shape up and a good idea of what they have to offer in terms of features for families. If you want the large cargo capacity and towing provided by the Expedition, then shopping for a used model makes sense. However, if you want a nimble, spacious, sleek three-row SUV, shopping for a used Ford Explorer for sale makes the most sense. Now the next big step is to find the model and trim that fits your needs. If you also need help with pricing and financing, or you’re looking for guidance or shopping tips, reach out, and our sales staff can help you find the right trim and packages for a competitive price.