Ford Explorer vs Tesla Model Y
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Tesla Model Y
Overview
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Tesla Model YBase |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | Active 100A | Base |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | rear wheel drive | rear wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | electric |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 1-speed direct drive |
| Engine type | gas | electric |
| Model year | 2027 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Tesla Model YBase |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $38,465 (best) | $39,990 |
| Lowest listing price | $10,302 (best) | $24,730 |
| Median listing price | $45,275 | $31,999 (best) |
| Highest listing price | $64,810 | $40,975 (best) |
| For sale now | 637 (best) | 35 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Tesla Model YBase |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 24 MPG (best) | — |
| City MPG | 20 MPG (best) | — |
| Highway MPG | 29 MPG (best) | — |
| Combined MPGe | — | 138 MPGe (best) |
| Electric range | — | 321 mi (best) |
| 240V charge time | — | 10 hr (best) |
| Fuel tank | 17.9 gal (best) | — |
Performance
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Tesla Model YBase |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 300 hp (best) | — |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft (best) | — |
| Engine size | 2.3 L (best) | — |
| Cylinders | I4 | — |
Size & capability
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Tesla Model YBase |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 6 seats (best) | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 85.8 cu ft (best) | 74.8 cu ft |
| Towing capacity | 5,300 lbs (best) | 3,500 lbs |
| Curb weight | — | 4,061 lbs (best) |
| Ground clearance | 7.9 in (best) | 6.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 119.1 in (best) | 113.8 in |
| Length | 198.8 in (best) | 188.7 in |
| Width | 78.9 in (best) | 75.6 in |
| Height | 69.9 in (best) | 63.8 in |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Tesla Model YBase |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Frontal crash (driver) | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side crash (driver) | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side crash (passenger) | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side pole | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Rollover | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | 1 (best) | 7 |
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 | Tesla Model Y |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Active 100A $38,465 MSRP(Currently comparing) | Base $39,990 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Active 100A $40,465 MSRP | Base $41,990 MSRP |
| 3 | Active 200A $40,400 MSRP | Premium $44,990 MSRP |
| 4 | Active 200A $42,400 MSRP | Premium $48,990 MSRP |
| 5 | ST-Line $44,200 MSRP | Performance $57,490 MSRP |
| 6 | ST-Line $46,200 MSRP | Long Range Launch Series $59,990 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
Ford Explorer637 for sale
See all
Used2024 Ford Explorer
Timberline
White Metallic•Deep Cypress12,064 mi$38,246Curry INEOS Grenadier
Danbury, CT
New2026 Ford Explorer
ST-Line
Carbonized Gray Metallic4,535 mi$42,852J.C. Lewis Ford Pooler
Pooler, GA
New2026 Ford Explorer
ST
Vapor Blue Metallic4,754 mi$51,942J.C. Lewis Ford Pooler
Pooler, GA
New2026 Ford Explorer
Active
White Metallic•Dark Space Gray2,582 mi$43,878J.C. Lewis Ford Pooler
Pooler, GA
New2026 Ford Explorer
ST
Agate Black Metallic2 mi$53,021J.C. Lewis Ford Pooler
Pooler, GA
New2026 Ford Explorer
Active
Agate Black Metallic•Dark Space Gray2 mi$39,024J.C. Lewis Ford Pooler
Pooler, GA
Tesla Model Y35 for sale
See all
Used2022 Tesla Model Y
Long Range
Deep Blue Metallic•Black52,160 mi$30,388Lotus San Francisco
Corte Madera, CA
Used2024 Tesla Model Y
Automatic
Solid Black22,070 mi$36,697Velocity Autohaus
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
Used2024 Tesla Model Y
Long Range
Pearl White Multi-Coat•Black41,844 mi$33,500Plaza Auto Mall
Brooklyn, NY
Used2022 Tesla Model Y
Performance
Midnight Silver Metallic•Black35,180 mi$32,308Findlay Volvo Cars Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV
Used2024 Tesla Model Y
Long Range Sport Utility 4D
Gray•Black48,443 mi$38,943Daly City Mitsubishi
Daly City, CA
Used2024 Tesla Model Y
Long Range
Gray•Black23,547 mi$38,563Kia of Wesley Chapel
Wesley Chapel, FL
Ford Explorer vs Tesla Model Y FAQ
- Which is better: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Tesla Model Y?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2027 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Tesla Model Y 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 Tesla Model Y?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2027 Ford Explorer starts lower at $38,465. Live Ford Explorer listings start at $10,302. Live Tesla Model Y listings start at $24,730.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Tesla Model Y?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (38,465).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Tesla Model Y?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (24).
- Which has better electricRangeMi: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Tesla Model Y?
- The 2026 Tesla Model Y leads on electricRangeMi in this comparison (327).
- Which has better horsepower: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Tesla Model Y?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on horsepower in this comparison (400).
- Which has better seats: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Tesla Model Y?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on seats in this comparison (7).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Tesla Model Y?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (5,600).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2027 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Tesla Model Y?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Tesla Model Y (5/5 NHTSA overall).