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 | $11,795 | $10,302 (best) |
| Median listing price | $56,154 | $45,275 (best) |
| Highest listing price | $79,148 | $64,810 (best) |
| For sale now | 231 | 637 (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 X3231 for sale
See all
Used2019 BMW X3
xDrive30i
Jet Black•Black57,021 mi$20,985Seelye Select on 9th
Kalamazoo, MI
Used2021 BMW X3
xDrive30i
Jet Black•Black W/Oyster Stitching55,211 mi$27,753Drive Appeal
Eden Prairie, MN
Used2019 BMW X3
xDrive30i
Dark Graphite Metallic•Black74,640 mi$20,420Drive Appeal
Eden Prairie, MN
Used2017 BMW X3
sDrive28i
Alpine White•black79,808 mi$13,990Drive Appeal
Eden Prairie, MN
Used2019 BMW X3
xDrive30i
Jet Black•Canberra Beige/Black43,409 mi$24,152Drive Appeal
Eden Prairie, MN
Used2024 BMW X3
sDrive30i
Black•Beige18,328 mi$35,402BMW of Wesley Chapel
Wesley Chapel, FL
Ford Explorer637 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 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 $11,795. Live Ford Explorer listings start at $10,302.
- 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).