2021 Ford Explorer vs 2020 Audi Q7

The 2020 Audi Q7 and the 2021 Ford Explorer had distinct looks and feels that catered to different audiences. The 2020 Audi Q7 appeared in multiple variations. The 45 TFSI had a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, while the 55 TFSI featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. Notably, the performance-tuned Audi SQ7 came with a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8. The Q7 55 TFSI starting at $60,800 was reviewed, upgraded to the Prestige trim, with additional features bringing the total price to $74,290. The 2020 model saw design changes to its front and rear styling, new wheels, and enhanced lighting, drawing inspiration from the flagship Q8 model. The premium Navarra Blue metallic paint job and the 20-inch turbine-style wheels added to its upscale aesthetic. Inside, the Q7's high-tech cabin featured three digital displays, advanced Virtual Cockpit instrumentation, and Okapi Brown leather upholstery with Gray/Brown Fine Grain Ash natural wood inlays. The night-time multi-color ambient lighting offered a serene vibe.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Explorer presented a “family” aesthetic, making it hard to distinguish between models like the Edge and the Explorer at a quick glance. The Explorer featured sporty, raked belt lines and a variety of grilles depending on the trim level — ranging from black to full chrome. It had six trim levels: Base, XLT, Limited, Limited Hybrid, Explorer ST, and Platinum. Prices ranged from $32,925 to $52,730. The Explorer had three rows of seats across all trims, with cloth upholstery in the base model. The dash offered familiar gauges and an 8-inch LCD touchscreen for infotainment, augmented with physical knobs for the climate and audio system. The vehicle also included a rotary gearshift and several storage compartments. Most buyers opted for the XLT trim, which provided better finishes, a power front passenger seat, and additional features.

The 2020 Audi Q7 55 TFSI came with a new 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine producing 335 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. The engine was enhanced by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that improved fuel efficiency. It used an eight-speed automatic transmission paired with the Quattro all-wheel-drive system. Audi Drive Select offered multiple driving modes including Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, Individual, and Allroad. It could reach 60 mph in 5.7 seconds and had a towing capacity of 7,700 pounds. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 18 mpg, which aligned with the observed 18.1 mpg locally and 21 mpg on a road trip. The Prestige trim featured an adaptive air suspension, enhancing its performance on roads and trails alike. Altitude had minimal impact on the performance due to the turbocharged engine, and the quiet cabin provided a refined driving experience.

The 2021 Ford Explorer had a more diverse engine lineup. The base model’s 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivered 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The Limited Hybrid increased power to 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. Higher trims featured a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, producing 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. The Explorer ST, designed for sporty driving, offered 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. Regardless of the trim, all Explorers used a 10-speed automatic transmission. Though the Explorer was heavy, at 4,345 pounds, it offered towing capacities between 5,000 and 5,600 pounds depending on the trim and options. It outperformed many competitors like the Kia Telluride regarding power but lagged behind in towing capacity compared to SUVs like the Chevrolet Tahoe or Ford Expedition.

The 2020 Audi Q7, though capable of seating seven passengers, was more functional as a five-passenger vehicle. The third row, suitable only for small children, required shifting the second row seats forward, limiting comfort and space. With the third-row seats folded, cargo capacity increased from 14.2 cubic feet to a more practical 35.7 cubic feet, and fully folded down, provided a maximum of 69.6 cubic feet. The interior offered comfortable accommodations for a family of four, despite lacking the premium leather and massaging options of the Luxury Package. The four-zone climate control, heated rear seats, and panoramic sunroof enhanced the experience. However, practical storage was limited with the console's space being taken up by the Audi Phone Box wireless charger and other components, leaving minimal room for personal items.

The 2021 Ford Explorer provided more practical interior space with standard third-row seating across all trims. Most trims reduced seating from seven to six due to second-row captain’s chairs. The Explorer offered 39 inches of legroom in the second row, slightly behind competitors like the Kia Telluride. Even with all seats in place, it had an impressive 21 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 81 cubic feet with the seats folded, making it more versatile than the Q7. The interior layout included multiple storage compartments, enhancing its utility for family trips.

The 2020 Audi Q7 introduced the Multi-Media Interface (MMI) Touch Response, combining upper and lower touchscreens for system control. The screens supported natural voice recognition, handwriting recognition, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, along with navigation and Audi Connect services. Users faced occasional unresponsiveness due to dry fingertips, but generally, the interface was intuitive. The Prestige trim included a head-up display and a Bose premium sound system, later upgraded to a Bang & Olufsen system in 2021 models. The Q7 also offered a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, utilized extensively for remote activities during trips.

The 2021 Ford Explorer provided substantial tech even in base trims, with an 8-inch touchscreen, AM/FM radio, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a six-speaker audio system. Higher trims added a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system and HD radio, while top trims featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen and up to 14 speakers. The vehicle included numerous USB ports and five 12-volt power points, offering ample charging options. The ST trim featured a 110-volt AC power outlet as standard.

The 2020 Audi Q7 featured HD Matrix LED headlights, generally praised for their illumination but rated "poor" by the IIHS for excessive glare. Numerous advanced driving-assistance systems (ADAS) were included, like Emergency Assist, Turn Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Assist with lane-centering technology. These systems had mixed reviews; traffic-sign recognition caused erratic behavior, making adaptive cruise control challenging to use. Despite these issues, the Q7 received high safety ratings from the IIHS, except for the headlights.

The 2021 Ford Explorer earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, achieving top scores in crash tests and an acceptable rating for adaptive headlights. The Explorer’s Ford Co-Pilot360 suite included auto high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking as standard. Additional features like adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist were available on higher trims.