BMW X5 vs Ford Explorer: Specs Compared
Also searched as Ford Explorer vs BMW X5 specs — both orientations show this same side-by-side comparison.
The Ford Explorer is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 28 mpg combined versus 27 mpg for the BMW X5, a 1 mpg advantage and costs about $700 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the Ford Explorer leads in 3. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2027
BMW X5
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 61 configurations
2015–2026
Ford Explorer
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 102 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | BMW X5 | Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 27 mpg | 28 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 24 mpg | 27 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 31 mpg ✓ | 29 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $2,900 | $2,200 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | 130 g/mi ✓ | 322 g/mi |
| Engines offered | SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI; PHEV, SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI | SIDI, SIDI & PFI, SIDI & PFI; FFV, SIDI; Stop-Start |
| Transmissions | Automatic (S8) | Automatic (S10), Automatic 10-spd, Automatic (S6) |
| Drivetrains | All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Premium, Premium and Electricity, Diesel | Regular, Gasoline or E85 |
| EPA class | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Years covered | 2015–2027 | 2015–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 61 | 102 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
BMW X5 vs Ford Explorer dimensions and size
The Ford Explorer is 4.7 inches longer than the BMW X5 on a wheelbase 2.4 inches longer, and 1,100.1 lbs lighter. Both clear the roughly 200 inches of usable length in a standard single garage bay.
| Dimension | BMW X5 (2026) | Ford Explorer (2026) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 194.1 in | 198.8 in | 4.7 in |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 78.7 in | 78.7 in | identical |
| Height | 68.9 in | 70.1 in | 1.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 116.9 in | 119.3 in | 2.4 in |
| Curb weight | 5,558 lbs | 4,458 lbs | 1,100 lbs |
Width excludes mirrors; add 8–12 inches for mirrors out. Figures are for the newest model year on record for each vehicle. See both drawn to scale.
BMW X5 vs Ford Explorer: what the numbers mean
Running cost over five years: at the EPA's 15,000-mile-a-year assumption the Ford Explorer burns about $2,200 of fuel annually against $2,900 for the BMW X5. That $700 yearly gap compounds to roughly $3,500 over five years and $5,600 over eight — often more than the price difference between two trims of the same vehicle, and the single largest running-cost line item separating these two.
City versus highway split: the Ford Explorer is the stronger commuter at 27 mpg city, while the BMW X5 pulls ahead on the interstate at 31 mpg highway. If most of your driving is stop-and-go traffic the city figure is the one to weigh; for long-distance highway mileage the reverse is true, and the two vehicles effectively swap places depending on how you drive.
Powertrain choice: the BMW X5 is recorded with 4 distinct engine configurations (SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI; PHEV, SIDI; Mild Hybrid), the Ford Explorer with 4 (SIDI, SIDI & PFI, SIDI & PFI; FFV). Across 61 recorded BMW X5 configurations and 102 for the Ford Explorer, the wider the engine spread the more the real-world fuel efficiency depends on which version you actually buy, so check the specific model year and drivetrain rather than the headline number.
Drivetrain and class: the BMW X5 is offered with All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive, the Ford Explorer with Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive. All-wheel drive typically costs one to two mpg combined against the same vehicle in front- or rear-wheel drive, which is worth remembering when the gap between these two is small. The EPA classes them as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD and Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD respectively — the class drives the interior volume, cargo space and passenger space each one is measured against.
Tailpipe emissions: at their cleanest configurations the BMW X5 emits 130 g/mile of CO2 versus 322 g/mile for the Ford Explorer. Emissions track fuel consumption almost exactly, so the cleaner vehicle here is also the cheaper one to fuel.
X5 vs Explorer: common questions
Which is better on gas, the BMW X5 or the Ford Explorer?
The Ford Explorer is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 28 mpg combined versus 27 mpg for the BMW X5, a 1 mpg advantage and costs about $700 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Ford Explorer runs about $2,200 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $2,900 for the BMW X5 — a difference of roughly $700 per year.
What engines do the X5 and Explorer offer?
BMW X5: SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI; PHEV, SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI. Ford Explorer: SIDI, SIDI & PFI, SIDI & PFI; FFV, SIDI; Stop-Start.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
Yes — the EPA classifies both the BMW X5 and the Ford Explorer as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, so they compete directly.
More X5 comparisons
More Explorer comparisons
Comparison id: bmw-x5-vs-ford-explorer