Acura RDX vs Ford Explorer
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2027 Ford Explorer
Overview
| Spec | Acura RDXRDX | Ford ExplorerActive 100A |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | RDX | Active 100A |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | all wheel drive | rear wheel drive |
| Fuel type | premium unleaded (recommended) | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 10-speed shiftable automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2026 | 2027 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Acura RDXRDX | Ford ExplorerActive 100A |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $45,100 | $38,465 (best) |
| Lowest listing price | $18,766 | $10,302 (best) |
| Median listing price | $36,000 (best) | $45,275 |
| Highest listing price | $56,900 (best) | $64,810 |
| For sale now | 69 | 643 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Acura RDXRDX | Ford ExplorerActive 100A |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 23 MPG | 24 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 21 MPG (best) | 20 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 27 MPG | 29 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 17.1 gal | 17.9 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Acura RDXRDX | Ford ExplorerActive 100A |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 272 hp | 300 hp (best) |
| Torque | 280 lb-ft | 310 lb-ft (best) |
| Engine size | 2 L | 2.3 L (best) |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Acura RDXRDX | Ford ExplorerActive 100A |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 6 seats (best) |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 58.9 cu ft | 85.8 cu ft (best) |
| Towing capacity | 1,500 lbs | 5,300 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | 4,014 lbs (best) | — |
| Ground clearance | — | 7.9 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 108.3 in | 119.1 in (best) |
| Length | 187.4 in | 198.8 in (best) |
| Width | 74.8 in | 78.9 in (best) |
| Height | 65.7 in | 69.9 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Acura RDXRDX | Ford ExplorerActive 100A |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 4 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 4 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Rollover | 4 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | None reported (best) | 1 |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Acura RDX | Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | RDX $45,100 MSRP(Currently comparing) | Active 100A $38,465 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Technology Package $47,700 MSRP | Active 100A $40,465 MSRP |
| 3 | A-Spec Package $50,700 MSRP | Active 200A $40,400 MSRP |
| 4 | Advance Package $52,850 MSRP | Active 200A $42,400 MSRP |
| 5 | A-Spec Advance Package $54,850 MSRP | ST-Line $44,200 MSRP |
| 6 | — | ST-Line $46,200 MSRP |
| 7 | — | Tremor $49,200 MSRP |
| 8 | — | Tremor $56,460 MSRP |
| 9 | — | Platinum $50,660 MSRP |
| 10 | — | Platinum $52,660 MSRP |
| 11 | — | ST $53,660 MSRP |
| 12 | — | ST $55,660 MSRP |
Live inventory
Acura RDX69 for sale
See all
Used2020 Acura RDX
Technology Package
Platinum White Pearl•Ebony143,181 mi$18,805Drive Appeal
Eden Prairie, MN
Used2022 Acura RDX
A-Spec Package SH-AWD
Platinum White Pearl•Ebony62,332 mi$29,495Dulles Kia Leesburg
Leesburg, VA
Used2019 Acura RDX
w/Advance Pkg
71,858 mi$23,720Kia on Atlantic
Jacksonville, FL
Certified2021 Acura RDX
Technology Package
White51,171 mi$30,597Greensboro Auto Center
Greensboro, NC
Used2020 Acura RDX
Automatic
Majestic Black Pearl29,603 mi$29,500Velocity Autohaus
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
Used2017 Acura RDX
w/Technology Pkg
Lunar Silver Metallic - SI•Graystone - GS60,032 mi$18,997Genesis of Cherry Hill
Marlton, NJ
Ford Explorer643 for sale
See all
Used2024 Ford Explorer
Timberline
White Metallic•Deep Cypress12,064 mi$38,246Curry INEOS Grenadier
Danbury, CT
New2026 Ford Explorer
ST-Line
Carbonized Gray Metallic4,535 mi$42,852J.C. Lewis Ford Pooler
Pooler, GA
New2026 Ford Explorer
Active
Carbonized Gray Metallic•Dark Space Gray4 mi$39,960J.C. Lewis Ford Pooler
Pooler, GA
New2026 Ford Explorer
Active
Vapor Blue Metallic•Ultra Dark Space Gray3,845 mi$38,919J.C. Lewis Ford Pooler
Pooler, GA
New2026 Ford Explorer
ST
Vapor Blue Metallic4,754 mi$51,942J.C. Lewis Ford Pooler
Pooler, GA
New2026 Ford Explorer
Active
White Metallic•Dark Space Gray2,582 mi$43,878J.C. Lewis Ford Pooler
Pooler, GA
Acura RDX vs Ford Explorer FAQ
- Which is better: 2026 Acura RDX or 2027 Ford Explorer?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 Acura RDX vs 2027 Ford Explorer on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2026 Acura RDX or 2027 Ford Explorer?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2027 Ford Explorer starts lower at $38,465. Live Acura RDX listings start at $18,766. Live Ford Explorer listings start at $10,302.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 Acura RDX or 2027 Ford Explorer?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (38,465).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2026 Acura RDX or 2027 Ford Explorer?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (24).
- Which has better horsepower: 2026 Acura RDX or 2027 Ford Explorer?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on horsepower in this comparison (400).
- Which has better seats: 2026 Acura RDX or 2027 Ford Explorer?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on seats in this comparison (7).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2026 Acura RDX or 2027 Ford Explorer?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (5,600).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 Acura RDX vs 2027 Ford Explorer?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Acura RDX (5/5 NHTSA overall).