Ford Explorer vs Volvo XC90: Specs Compared
Also searched as Volvo XC90 vs Ford Explorer 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 Volvo XC90, a 1 mpg advantage and costs about $600 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the Ford Explorer leads in 3. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2026
Ford Explorer
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 102 configurations
2016–2027
Volvo XC90
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 43 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Ford Explorer | Volvo XC90 |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 28 mpg ✓ | 27 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 27 mpg ✓ | 26 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 29 mpg | 30 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $2,200 ✓ | $2,800 |
| Lowest CO2 output | 322 g/mi | 131 g/mi ✓ |
| Engines offered | SIDI, SIDI & PFI, SIDI & PFI; FFV, SIDI; Stop-Start | SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI; PHEV, 2.0, SIDI |
| Transmissions | Automatic (S10), Automatic 10-spd, Automatic (S6) | Automatic (S8) |
| 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 | 2016–2027 |
| Configurations on record | 102 | 43 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Ford Explorer vs Volvo XC90 dimensions and size
The Ford Explorer is 3.1 inches longer than the Volvo XC90 on a wheelbase 2 inches longer, and 8.8 lbs heavier. Both clear the roughly 200 inches of usable length in a standard single garage bay.
| Dimension | Ford Explorer (2026) | Volvo XC90 (2026) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 198.8 in | 195.7 in | 3.1 in |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 78.7 in | 79.1 in | 0.4 in |
| Height | 70.1 in | 70.1 in | identical |
| Wheelbase | 119.3 in | 117.3 in | 2 in |
| Curb weight | 4,458 lbs | 4,449 lbs | 9 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 Volvo XC90: 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 $2,800 for the Volvo XC90. That $600 yearly gap compounds to roughly $3,000 over five years and $4,800 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 Volvo XC90 pulls ahead on the interstate at 30 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 Volvo XC90 with 4 (SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI; PHEV, 2.0). Across 102 recorded Ford Explorer configurations and 43 for the Volvo XC90, 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 Volvo XC90 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 Volvo XC90 emits 131 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 XC90: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Ford Explorer or the Volvo XC90?
The Ford Explorer is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 28 mpg combined versus 27 mpg for the Volvo XC90, a 1 mpg advantage and costs about $600 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 $2,800 for the Volvo XC90 — a difference of roughly $600 per year.
What engines do the Explorer and XC90 offer?
Ford Explorer: SIDI, SIDI & PFI, SIDI & PFI; FFV, SIDI; Stop-Start. Volvo XC90: SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI; PHEV, 2.0, SIDI.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
Yes — the EPA classifies both the Ford Explorer and the Volvo XC90 as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, so they compete directly.
More Explorer comparisons
More XC90 comparisons
Comparison id: ford-explorer-vs-volvo-xc90