BMW X3 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 X330 xDrive | Ford ExplorerActive 100A |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | 30 xDrive | Active 100A |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | all wheel drive | rear wheel drive |
| Fuel type | premium unleaded (required) | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Engine type | mild hybrid | gas |
| Model year | 2026 | 2027 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | BMW X330 xDrive | Ford ExplorerActive 100A |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $51,300 | $38,465 (best) |
| Lowest listing price | $55,522 | $17,470 (best) |
| Median listing price | $60,087 | $46,486 (best) |
| Highest listing price | $74,872 | $64,269 (best) |
| For sale now | 7 | 35 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | BMW X330 xDrive | Ford ExplorerActive 100A |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 29 MPG (best) | 24 MPG |
| City MPG | 27 MPG (best) | 20 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 33 MPG (best) | 29 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 17.2 gal | 17.9 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | BMW X330 xDrive | Ford ExplorerActive 100A |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 255 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 X330 xDrive | Ford ExplorerActive 100A |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 6 seats (best) |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 67.1 cu ft | 85.8 cu ft (best) |
| Towing capacity | — | 5,300 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | 4,176 lbs (best) | — |
| Ground clearance | 8.5 in (best) | 7.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 112.8 in | 119.1 in (best) |
| Length | 187.2 in | 198.8 in (best) |
| Width | 75.6 in | 78.9 in (best) |
| Height | 65.4 in | 69.9 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | BMW X330 xDrive | Ford ExplorerActive 100A |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 4 / 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) | 2 | 1 (best) |
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 X3 | Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30 xDrive $51,300 MSRP(Currently comparing) | Active 100A $38,465 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | M50 xDrive $66,500 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 X37 for sale
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2026 BMW X3
30 xDrive
Alpine White•Calm BeigeN/A$55,522BMW Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
- New
2026 BMW X3
M50 xDrive
Dune Grey Metallic•Calm BeigeN/A$73,302BMW Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
New2026 BMW X3
M50 xDrive
Black Sapphire•Black5 mi$73,522BMW Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
- New
2026 BMW X3
30 xDrive
Black Sapphire•Espresso Brown11 mi$56,572BMW Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
- New
2026 BMW X3
30 xDrive
Alpine White•Black8 mi$55,887BMW Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
New2026 BMW X3
M50 xDrive
Brooklyn Gray•Black7 mi$74,872BMW Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
Ford Explorer35 for sale
See all
Used2022 Ford Explorer
Platinum
Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat•Ebony63,438 mi$34,249Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
New2027 Ford Explorer
ST
Avalanche Gray•Onyx w/Red Stitching5 mi$64,269MSRP $64,270Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
Used2025 Ford Explorer
ST-Line
Carbonized Gray Metallic•Onyx22,025 mi$36,480Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
Used2025 Ford Explorer
ST
Star White Metallic Tri Coat•Onyx29,816 mi$47,449Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
Used2025 Ford Explorer
ST
Agate Black Metallic•Onyx19,148 mi$49,070Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
Used2026 Ford Explorer
ST
Vapor Blue Metallic•Onyx1,945 mi$55,470Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
BMW X3 vs Ford Explorer FAQ
- Which is better: 2026 BMW X3 or 2027 Ford Explorer?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 BMW X3 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 BMW X3 or 2027 Ford Explorer?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2027 Ford Explorer starts lower at $38,465. Live BMW X3 listings start at $55,522. Live Ford Explorer listings start at $17,470.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 BMW X3 or 2027 Ford Explorer?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (38,465).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2026 BMW X3 or 2027 Ford Explorer?
- The 2026 BMW X3 leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (29).
- Which has better horsepower: 2026 BMW X3 or 2027 Ford Explorer?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on horsepower in this comparison (400).
- Which has better seats: 2026 BMW X3 or 2027 Ford Explorer?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on seats in this comparison (7).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2026 BMW X3 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 BMW X3 vs 2027 Ford Explorer?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: BMW X3 (4/5 NHTSA overall).