BMW X1 vs Ford Explorer
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2027 Ford Explorer
Overview
| Spec | BMW X1xDrive28i | Ford ExplorerActive 100A |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | xDrive28i | Active 100A |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | all wheel drive | rear wheel drive |
| Fuel type | premium unleaded (recommended) | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 7-speed automated manual | 10-speed automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2027 | 2027 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | BMW X1xDrive28i | Ford ExplorerActive 100A |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $43,200 | $38,465 (best) |
| Lowest listing price | $15,979 | $9,900 (best) |
| Median listing price | $44,850 | $44,732 (best) |
| Highest listing price | $58,372 (best) | $64,810 |
| For sale now | 52 | 652 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | BMW X1xDrive28i | Ford ExplorerActive 100A |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 28 MPG (best) | 24 MPG |
| City MPG | 25 MPG (best) | 20 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 34 MPG (best) | 29 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 14.3 gal | 17.9 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | BMW X1xDrive28i | Ford ExplorerActive 100A |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 241 hp | 300 hp (best) |
| Torque | 295 lb-ft | 310 lb-ft (best) |
| Engine size | 2 L | 2.3 L (best) |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | BMW X1xDrive28i | Ford ExplorerActive 100A |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 6 seats (best) |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 57.2 cu ft | 85.8 cu ft (best) |
| Towing capacity | — | 5,300 lbs (best) |
| Payload | 994 lbs (best) | — |
| Curb weight | 3,750 lbs (best) | — |
| Ground clearance | 8.1 in (best) | 7.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 106 in | 119.1 in (best) |
| Length | 177.2 in | 198.8 in (best) |
| Width | 72.6 in | 78.9 in (best) |
| Height | 64.6 in | 69.9 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | BMW X1xDrive28i | Ford ExplorerActive 100A |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | BMW X1 | Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | xDrive28i $43,200 MSRP(Currently comparing) | Active 100A $38,465 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | M35i $52,400 MSRP | Active 100A $40,465 MSRP |
| 3 | — | Active 200A $40,400 MSRP |
| 4 | — | Active 200A $42,400 MSRP |
| 5 | — | 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
BMW X152 for sale
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Used2018 BMW X1
xDrive28i
Mineral Gray Metallic•Black57,670 mi$16,788Curry INEOS Grenadier
Danbury, CT
Used2023 BMW X1
xDrive28i
Alpine White40,135 mi$31,997Genesis of Cherry Hill
Marlton, NJ
Used2025 BMW X1
xDrive28i
Black Sapphire Metallic•Black20,192 mi$33,893Clay Cooley Mitsubishi Arlington
Arlington, TX
Used2015 BMW X1
xDrive35i
Alpine White•Gray66,072 mi$15,979Volvo Cars Marin of San Rafael
San Rafael, CA
Used2026 BMW X1
xDrive28i
Black Sapphire Metallic•Black9,028 mi$42,448Arrowhead BMW
Glendale, AZ
Used2026 BMW X1
xDrive28i
Night Dusk Blue Metallic•Smoke White5,954 mi$45,640Arrowhead BMW
Glendale, AZ
Ford Explorer652 for sale
See all
Used2025 Ford Explorer
ST
Star White Metallic Tri Coat•Onyx29,816 mi$48,475Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
- New
2027 Ford Explorer
ST
Agate Black Metallic•OnyxN/A$63,134Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
Used2025 Ford Explorer
ST
Carbonized Gray Metallic•Onyx15,457 mi$50,470Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
Used2026 Ford Explorer
ST
Vapor Blue Metallic•Onyx1,945 mi$55,470Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
New2026 Ford Explorer
ST
Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat•Onyx5 mi$62,119MSRP $63,825Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
Used2025 Ford Explorer
ST
Star White Metallic Tri Coat•Onyx14,604 mi$50,275Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
BMW X1 vs Ford Explorer FAQ
- Which is better: 2027 BMW X1 or 2027 Ford Explorer?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2027 BMW X1 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: 2027 BMW X1 or 2027 Ford Explorer?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2027 Ford Explorer starts lower at $38,465. Live BMW X1 listings start at $15,979. Live Ford Explorer listings start at $9,900.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2027 BMW X1 or 2027 Ford Explorer?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (38,465).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2027 BMW X1 or 2027 Ford Explorer?
- The 2027 BMW X1 leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (28).
- Which has better horsepower: 2027 BMW X1 or 2027 Ford Explorer?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on horsepower in this comparison (400).
- Which has better seats: 2027 BMW X1 or 2027 Ford Explorer?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on seats in this comparison (7).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2027 BMW X1 or 2027 Ford Explorer?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (5,600).