Ford Explorer vs Nissan Pathfinder
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Nissan Pathfinder
Overview
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Nissan PathfinderS |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | Active 100A | S |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | rear wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 9-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2027 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Nissan PathfinderS |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $38,465 | $37,500 (best) |
| Lowest listing price | $17,470 (best) | — |
| Median listing price | $46,486 (best) | — |
| Highest listing price | $64,269 (best) | — |
| For sale now | 35 (best) | 0 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Nissan PathfinderS |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 24 MPG (best) | 23 MPG |
| City MPG | 20 MPG | 21 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 29 MPG (best) | 27 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 17.9 gal | 18.5 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Nissan PathfinderS |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 300 hp (best) | 284 hp |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft (best) | 259 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 2.3 L | 3.5 L (best) |
| Cylinders | I4 | V6 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Nissan PathfinderS |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 6 seats | 8 seats (best) |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 85.8 cu ft (best) | 80.5 cu ft |
| Towing capacity | 5,300 lbs (best) | 3,500 lbs |
| Payload | — | 1,729 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | — | 4,334 lbs (best) |
| Ground clearance | 7.9 in (best) | 7.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 119.1 in (best) | 114.2 in |
| Length | 198.8 in (best) | 197.7 in |
| Width | 78.9 in (best) | 77.9 in |
| Height | 69.9 in | 70.9 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Nissan PathfinderS |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 1 | None reported (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 | Ford Explorer | Nissan Pathfinder |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Active 100A $38,465 MSRP(Currently comparing) | S $37,500 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Active 100A $40,465 MSRP | S $39,500 MSRP |
| 3 | Active 200A $40,400 MSRP | SV $39,900 MSRP |
| 4 | Active 200A $42,400 MSRP | SV $41,900 MSRP |
| 5 | ST-Line $44,200 MSRP | SL $42,590 MSRP |
| 6 | ST-Line $46,200 MSRP | SL $44,590 MSRP |
| 7 | Tremor $49,200 MSRP | Rock Creek $45,090 MSRP |
| 8 | Tremor $56,460 MSRP | Platinum $49,790 MSRP |
| 9 | Platinum $50,660 MSRP | Platinum $51,790 MSRP |
| 10 | Platinum $52,660 MSRP | — |
| 11 | ST $53,660 MSRP | — |
| 12 | ST $55,660 MSRP | — |
Live inventory
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
Ford Explorer vs Nissan Pathfinder FAQ
- Which is better: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Nissan Pathfinder?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2027 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Nissan Pathfinder on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Nissan Pathfinder?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder starts lower at $37,500. Live Ford Explorer listings start at $17,470.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Nissan Pathfinder?
- The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (37,500).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Nissan Pathfinder?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (24).
- Which has better horsepower: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Nissan Pathfinder?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on horsepower in this comparison (400).
- Which has better seats: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Nissan Pathfinder?
- The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder leads on seats in this comparison (8).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Nissan Pathfinder?
- The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (6,000).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2027 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Nissan Pathfinder?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Nissan Pathfinder (5/5 NHTSA overall).