Ford Explorer vs Lexus TX: Specs Compared
Also searched as Lexus TX vs Ford Explorer specs — both orientations show this same side-by-side comparison.
The Lexus TX is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 29 mpg combined versus 28 mpg for the Ford Explorer, a 1 mpg advantage and costs about $400 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the Lexus TX leads in 3. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2026
Ford Explorer
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 102 configurations
2024–2026
Lexus TX
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 10 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Ford Explorer | Lexus TX |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 28 mpg | 29 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 27 mpg | 29 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 29 mpg ✓ | 28 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $2,200 ✓ | $2,600 |
| Lowest CO2 output | 322 g/mi | 120 g/mi ✓ |
| Engines offered | SIDI, SIDI & PFI, SIDI & PFI; FFV, SIDI; Stop-Start | SIDI & PFI, SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, SIDI & PFI; PHEV |
| Transmissions | Automatic (S10), Automatic 10-spd, Automatic (S6) | Automatic (S8), Automatic (S6), Automatic (AV-S6) |
| Drivetrains | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Regular, Gasoline or E85 | Premium, Premium and Electricity |
| EPA class | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Years covered | 2015–2026 | 2024–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 102 | 10 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Ford Explorer vs Lexus TX dimensions and size
The Lexus TX is 4.3 inches longer than the Ford Explorer on a wheelbase 3.1 inches shorter, and 172 lbs heavier. At over 200 inches, the larger of the two is past the comfortable limit of a standard 192-inch single garage bay once you allow walking room.
| Dimension | Ford Explorer (2026) | Lexus TX (2026) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 198.8 in | 203.2 in | 4.3 in |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 78.7 in | 78.3 in | 0.4 in |
| Height | 70.1 in | 70.1 in | identical |
| Wheelbase | 119.3 in | 116.1 in | 3.1 in |
| Curb weight | 4,458 lbs | 4,630 lbs | 172 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.
Ford Explorer vs Lexus TX: 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 $2,600 for the Lexus TX. That $400 yearly gap compounds to roughly $2,000 over five years and $3,200 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 Lexus TX is the stronger commuter at 29 mpg city, while the Ford Explorer pulls ahead on the interstate at 29 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 Ford Explorer is recorded with 4 distinct engine configurations (SIDI, SIDI & PFI, SIDI & PFI; FFV), the Lexus TX with 3 (SIDI & PFI, SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, SIDI & PFI; PHEV). Across 102 recorded Ford Explorer configurations and 10 for the Lexus TX, 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 Ford Explorer is offered with Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive, the Lexus TX with All-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 Lexus TX emits 120 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.
Explorer vs TX: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Ford Explorer or the Lexus TX?
The Lexus TX is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 29 mpg combined versus 28 mpg for the Ford Explorer, a 1 mpg advantage and costs about $400 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 $2,600 for the Lexus TX — a difference of roughly $400 per year.
What engines do the Explorer and TX offer?
Ford Explorer: SIDI, SIDI & PFI, SIDI & PFI; FFV, SIDI; Stop-Start. Lexus TX: SIDI & PFI, SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, SIDI & PFI; PHEV.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
Yes — the EPA classifies both the Ford Explorer and the Lexus TX as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, so they compete directly.
More Explorer comparisons
More TX comparisons
Comparison id: ford-explorer-vs-lexus-tx