Ford Explorer vs Volkswagen Tiguan: Specs Compared
Also searched as Volkswagen Tiguan vs Ford Explorer specs — both orientations show this same side-by-side comparison.
The Volkswagen Tiguan 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 $100 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the Volkswagen Tiguan leads in 4. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2026
Ford Explorer
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 102 configurations
2015–2027
Volkswagen Tiguan
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 35 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Ford Explorer | Volkswagen Tiguan |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 28 mpg | 29 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 27 mpg ✓ | 26 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 29 mpg | 34 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $2,200 | $2,100 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | 322 g/mi | 307 g/mi ✓ |
| Engines offered | SIDI, SIDI & PFI, SIDI & PFI; FFV, SIDI; Stop-Start | SIDI |
| Transmissions | Automatic (S10), Automatic 10-spd, Automatic (S6) | Automatic (S8), Automatic (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 | Regular, Premium |
| EPA class | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Years covered | 2015–2026 | 2015–2027 |
| Configurations on record | 102 | 35 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Ford Explorer vs Volkswagen Tiguan dimensions and size
The Ford Explorer is 14.6 inches longer than the Volkswagen Tiguan on a wheelbase 9.4 inches longer, and 648.2 lbs heavier. Both clear the roughly 200 inches of usable length in a standard single garage bay.
| Dimension | Ford Explorer (2026) | Volkswagen Tiguan (2026) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 198.8 in | 184.3 in | 14.6 in |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 78.7 in | 72.8 in | 5.9 in |
| Height | 70.1 in | 66.5 in | 3.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 119.3 in | 109.8 in | 9.4 in |
| Curb weight | 4,458 lbs | 3,810 lbs | 648 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 Volkswagen Tiguan: what the numbers mean
Running cost over five years: at the EPA's 15,000-mile-a-year assumption the Volkswagen Tiguan burns about $2,100 of fuel annually against $2,200 for the Ford Explorer. That $100 yearly gap compounds to roughly $500 over five years and $800 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 Volkswagen Tiguan pulls ahead on the interstate at 34 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 Volkswagen Tiguan with 1 (SIDI). Across 102 recorded Ford Explorer configurations and 35 for the Volkswagen Tiguan, 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 Volkswagen Tiguan 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 Small 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 Volkswagen Tiguan emits 307 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 Tiguan: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Ford Explorer or the Volkswagen Tiguan?
The Volkswagen Tiguan 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 $100 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Volkswagen Tiguan runs about $2,100 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $2,200 for the Ford Explorer — a difference of roughly $100 per year.
What engines do the Explorer and Tiguan offer?
Ford Explorer: SIDI, SIDI & PFI, SIDI & PFI; FFV, SIDI; Stop-Start. Volkswagen Tiguan: SIDI.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the Ford Explorer as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD and the Volkswagen Tiguan as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
More Explorer comparisons
More Tiguan comparisons
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