2022 Ford Expedition vs Explorer

When you are in the market for a new SUV, you probably find yourself inundated with options in all shapes and sizes. But which one to choose? Some of them are priced at exorbitant costs that you find hard to justify while the 'economy' models lack the features you desire. That's why Ford's options are so appealing - they give you a lot of bang for your buck.

If you choose the 2022 Ford Expedition, you get a strong V6 engine that deliver rapid acceleration. And, if towing is something you plan on doing on a regular basis, the Expedition is better equipped to tow more weight than other SUVs its size. There are two large touchscreen options available, and the interior is downright vast, offering plenty of people and cargo space. Downside? Real-world economy doesn't meet the EPA estimates, which might put some buyers off given how expensive gas has become lately.

The 2022 Ford Explorer also gives you a massive amount of cargo space into which you can stash your camping gear, golf clubs, or kids' sports equipment. You also get a respectable slew of engine options that deliver ample power, and the rear-wheel-drive (RWD) gives the Explorer better towing and handling capabilities. But you will hear a lot of wind noise rushing in at higher rates of speed. Also, the price is hard to justify given how bland and cheap the interior materials look and feel.

So, which one is right for you - the Expedition or the Explorer? Both are great choices, sure, but they do have their differences. Let's compare them to see which one is going to best suit your unique needs.

Size and Styling

Size is what distinguishes these two SUVs. The 2022 Ford Expedition is a full-size SUV while the 2022 Ford Explorer is a mid-size SUV. That will obviously make for a difference in terms of passenger and cargo space. The Expedition is a truck-based SUV, which makes it more like the Ford F-150 than it does the Explorer. It just isn't quite as large as competitors like the Chevrolet Tahoe and larger Suburban.

The Expedition does make good use of all its interior space. It is indeed more spaciously designed than some of its rivals and provides each occupant with plenty of room and supple comfort. The third row is impressive in terms of its easy accessibility, requiring only about as much effort as the second row does for adults to get into it.

The center console could be more user-friendly, as it is absolutely laden with buttons. You will not need too much time to get a firm grip on how everything works though. The layout is a lot simpler than what you will find inside of the Chevy Tahoe. Huge windshield pillars limit frontal visibility, but the rear window - which does kind of look farther away than it really is - is easy enough to see out of. Of course, you get a clear view from the standard backup camera, and the optional 360-degree camera system makes backing up even less of a hassle.

The 2022 Ford Explorer has an immense amount of front seat, and you will be able to easily adjust the driving position to one that suits you. Visibility is decent enough due to the sizable side mirrors and huge side windows and rear window.

The front seats are spacious, sure, but the second-row passengers do not have much room for knees and legs. What's more, the third row is best suited for children and shorter adults. Access from the rear door is difficult too. While the third-row's power-folding mechanism is handy, raising the row for occupants requires you to go into the hatch to do it.

Drivability

How do these two vehicles drive? Well, the 2022 Ford Expedition is quite comfortable. Its front seats are plush and cozy, and they come with several lumbar support zones and a massage function on the higher trim levels. Even the second-row seats are plushily padded. While the third-row seats are on firmer side, they are adequately comfortable for adults to sit in. The ride quality is smooth enough as well.

What is less impressive on the Expedition' is its climate control system. The vents produce noisy air flow, and the blowing is not all that strong. Also, the seat heaters do not get all that hot. At least the Expedition remains impressively tranquil while driving around town and on the highway.

Now, the 2022 Ford Explorer has cozy and well sculpted front seats as well. Just skip the optional massaging front seats since their massaging mechanism makes the seats feel bumpy when you are not using the massager. Seat comfort lessens more as you go back in the vehicle's rows. While the Explorer's ride is fairly smooth, there is some noticeable bumpiness from road imperfections.

The automatic climate control system requires more manual adjustments from you than it should. Additionally, the air vents don't pump out as much air when the temperature is set on a lower setting. The Explorer isn't all that quiet, and its engine noise isn't hidden too easily. An abundance of wind noise can be heard even at moderate highway speeds.

Comfort, Options and Performance

When it comes to performance, the 2022 Ford Expedition, the V6 engine has a staggering amount of power on tap. Most SUVs of this size aren't all that quick, but the Expedition Platinum with 4WD has been clocking zipping from from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.9 seconds. That is nearly a full second quicker than a similarly equipped Chevy Tahoe. On top of that, the 2022 Expedition is responsive and simple to drive around in everyday situations when you aren't flooring it with the accelerator.

Although it is a little bit squishy when you first press on the brake pedal, it is actually pretty easy to use to bring this big vehicle to a smooth stop. Steering requires only a light degree of effort and makes the vehicle feel less truck-like than it really is. It is unlikely that you will be driving your Expedition with a whole lot of urgency, but, for a big SUV, it has some respectable qualities and does not feel clumsy or clunky.

Options for the Expedition include the Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow package, which gives the vehicle an upgraded radiator, 3.73 rear axle gearing, trailer backup assist, and a trailer brake controller (which lets you adjust the trailer's brakes from the cab).

The FX4 Off-Road package adds all-terrain tires, a surround-view camera system, an electronic limited-slip differential for improved traction, an off-road-tuned suspension, the upgraded radiator, skid plates, and fuel tank protection.

If you opt for the Stealth Performance package, you get a whole slew of upgrades, including the tweaked 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine (which gets 440 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque), 22-inch black wheels, dark exterior trim, a sport-tuned suspension, dual exhaust outlets, red brake calipers, power running boards, a premium 22-speaker audio system, park assist, and the surround-view camera system.

The 2022 Ford Explorer gives its buyers several different powertrain options to choose from. Standard on the base trim is a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. This engine gets paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission, and RWD is standard although all-wheel drive (AWD) is available if you want it. AWD is standard on the Timberline trim level. The Limited trim level is able to be ordered as a gas-powered model or with a hybrid powertrain. The latter is powered by a V6-based hybrid powertrain that puts forth a combined 318 hp. On top of that, it gets the best fuel economy of the entire line-up with up to an EPA-estimated 27 mpg in combined city and highway driving. A turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine powers the ST trim level, and it makes 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. Also, it has a sport-tuned suspension.

If you want a vehicle that has swift acceleration and composed handling capabilities, this is the three-row SUV to buy. Even its base engine is anxious to get right up to speed. Any set of tires you select will give you plenty of road grip. All in all, the Ford Explorer easily handles all of the power it puts out. Its robust turbo four-cylinder base engine simply sprints right on by the competition. And that isn't even taking into consideration the absolutely bonkers turbo V6 on the ST trim level. When stuck in slower traffic, the 10-speed's shifting feels a little indecisive, but the downshifts happen right when you need them to.

The turbo 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine nabs mildly better EPA estimates than its chief contenders in this segment. An RWD equipped variant will manage 24 mpg combined while the AWD models get 23 mpg combined. Those estimates are about 1 or 2 mpg better than most rivals. Real-world tests, however, fail to meet these estimates. They get more like 21 mpg combined, which puts the vehicle more in line with lower-rated rivals.

Safety

Safety features are important facets of buying a new vehicle. And Ford surely knows this. The Expedition comes with the Ford Co-Pilot360 as a standard bundle of driver aids. This suite equips the SUV with automatic high beams, a blind-spot monitor with cross-traffic alert (which lets you know if a vehicle is driving in your blind spot as you reverse or as you change lanes), the lane keeping system (which makes small steering adjustments to keep the Expedition centered within its lane), and automatic emergency braking (which alerts you if a frontal collision is detected and applies the brakes if it senses you not responding in time). The Limited has Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist, which gives the Expedition full-speed adaptive cruise control (which adjusts the speed to maintain a consistent distance between the Expedition and the vehicle in front of it) and a built-in navigation system. The King Ranch trim level adds a surround-view camera system (which provides you with a top-down view of the vehicle and what is surrounding it) and park assist (which steers the vehicle into a parking spot with very little intervention from the driver). Going all the way up to the Platinum trim level adds BlueCruise, which is Ford's semi-automated driving system.

Likewise, the 2022 Ford Explorer has frontal collision mitigation, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist, and trailer sway control. Going up to the ST-Line adds on even more driver assist features, including the full lane keeping system, evasive steering assist, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system. On the Limited, you get additional technology and driver assist features from the ST-Line and Timberline. Meanwhile, the ST receives a digital instrument panel, and the King Ranch comes with rear automatic braking. There are adaptive headlights and an automated parking system on the Platinum trim level.

Which Model to Choose?

Depending on how much space you need, either the 2022 Ford Expedition or Explorer could be a great option for you. The Expedition does have a more truck-like feeling and design to it, which probably isn't for everyone. If you want something with a lighter curb weight and smaller feel, the Explorer might be right up your alley. You still get plenty of space in the cabin and cargo area, and the engine options all get the vehicle up in moving in no time at all. Just be prepared for either vehicle option to fall a tad short of its EPA estimates.