Ford Explorer Sport vs Honda CR-V
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Honda CR-V
Overview
| Spec | Ford Explorer SportXLS | Honda CR-VLX |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | XLS | LX |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | rear wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2003 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Ford Explorer SportXLS | Honda CR-VLX |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $21,870 (best) | $30,920 |
| Lowest listing price | — | $7,995 (best) |
| Median listing price | — | $28,500 (best) |
| Highest listing price | — | $38,985 (best) |
| For sale now | 0 | 189 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Ford Explorer SportXLS | Honda CR-VLX |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 17 MPG | 30 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 15 MPG | 28 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 20 MPG | 33 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 16.8 gal (best) | 14 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Ford Explorer SportXLS | Honda CR-VLX |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 203 hp (best) | 190 hp |
| Torque | 237 lb-ft (best) | 179 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 4 L (best) | 1.5 L |
| Cylinders | V6 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Ford Explorer SportXLS | Honda CR-VLX |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 4 seats | 5 seats (best) |
| Doors | 3 | 4 (best) |
| Cargo volume | 71 cu ft | 76.5 cu ft (best) |
| Towing capacity | 5,140 lbs (best) | 1,500 lbs |
| Payload | 600 lbs (best) | — |
| Curb weight | 3,769 lbs | 3,472 lbs (best) |
| Ground clearance | 6.7 in | 7.8 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 101.8 in | 106.3 in (best) |
| Length | 180.4 in | 184.8 in (best) |
| Width | 70.2 in | 73.5 in (best) |
| Height | 68.2 in (best) | 66.2 in |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Ford Explorer SportXLS | Honda CR-VLX |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Frontal crash (driver) | — | 5 / 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 | 2 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | None reported | None reported |
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 | Ford Explorer Sport | Honda CR-V |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | XLS $21,870 MSRP(Currently comparing) | LX $30,920 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | XLS $22,545 MSRP | LX $32,420 MSRP |
| 3 | XLS $24,890 MSRP | EX $33,150 MSRP |
| 4 | XLS $25,565 MSRP | EX $34,650 MSRP |
| 5 | XLT $23,835 MSRP | EX-L $35,400 MSRP |
| 6 | XLT $26,915 MSRP | EX-L $36,900 MSRP |
| 7 | XLT Premium $25,595 MSRP | Sport Hybrid $35,630 MSRP |
| 8 | XLT Premium $28,760 MSRP | Sport Hybrid $37,130 MSRP |
| 9 | — | Sport-L Hybrid $38,725 MSRP |
| 10 | — | Sport-L Hybrid $40,225 MSRP |
| 11 | — | TrailSport Hybrid $38,800 MSRP |
| 12 | — | Sport Touring Hybrid $42,250 MSRP |
| 13 | — | CR-V e:FCEV SUV $50,000 MSRP |
Live inventory
Honda CR-V189 for sale
See all
Used2021 Honda CR-V
EX-L
Aegean Blue Metallic•Black51,970 mi$24,800Countryside Pre-Owned
Jackson, GA
Used2017 Honda CR-V
EX
Crystal Black Pearl•Black131,963 mi$16,853Drive Appeal
Eden Prairie, MN
Used2024 Honda CR-V
LX
Urban Gray•Black38,002 mi$27,800Jim Coleman Nissan Bethesda
Bethesda, MD
Certified2024 Honda CR-V
EX-L
Blue•Black25,808 mi$33,300Jim Coleman Nissan Bethesda
Bethesda, MD
Certified2025 Honda CR-V
EX-L
Crystal Black•Black25,653 mi$32,474Bob Boyte Honda Moss Point
Moss Point, MS
Used2025 Honda CR-V
EX-L
Gray•Black35,776 mi$29,980Kia on Atlantic
Jacksonville, FL
Ford Explorer Sport vs Honda CR-V FAQ
- Which is better: 2003 Ford Explorer Sport or 2026 Honda CR-V?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2003 Ford Explorer Sport vs 2026 Honda CR-V on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2003 Ford Explorer Sport or 2026 Honda CR-V?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport starts lower at $21,870. Live Honda CR-V listings start at $7,995.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2003 Ford Explorer Sport or 2026 Honda CR-V?
- The 2003 Ford Explorer Sport leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (21,870).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2003 Ford Explorer Sport or 2026 Honda CR-V?
- The 2026 Honda CR-V leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (40).
- Which has better horsepower: 2003 Ford Explorer Sport or 2026 Honda CR-V?
- The 2026 Honda CR-V leads on horsepower in this comparison (204).
- Which has better seats: 2003 Ford Explorer Sport or 2026 Honda CR-V?
- The 2026 Honda CR-V leads on seats in this comparison (5).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2003 Ford Explorer Sport or 2026 Honda CR-V?
- The 2003 Ford Explorer Sport leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (5,140).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2003 Ford Explorer Sport vs 2026 Honda CR-V?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Honda CR-V (5/5 NHTSA overall).