2020 Ford Explorer vs 2021 BMW X3

The 2020 Ford Explorer was a striking vehicle, more handsome than the Land Rover Discovery, which had mimicked Ford's style years after the previous-generation Explorer debuted in 2011. The 2020 model refined its upscale, utilitarian design by slimming down the body panels, especially at the rear, giving it a lower and more athletic appearance. The widened headlights, extra-large grille, and italic "Explorer" lettering on the hood's edge created a prominent and recognizable face. The ST version, with its black 21-inch rims, blacked-out trim, red brake calipers, rich Rapid Red paint, and quad exhaust pipes, was particularly eye-catching. However, the interior was a letdown. Despite the high price tag, the materials felt cheap, with low-grade vinyl masquerading as leather and rough-grained plastic dominating the door panels and center console. The Explorer's interior failed to match the luxury feel of its exterior, making it seem overpriced compared to competitors like the Kia Telluride and Toyota Highlander.

The 2021 BMW X3, introduced in its third generation for the 2018 model year, received updates in 2020, including a plug-in hybrid model and M performance variants. The redesign refined the X3 formula, giving it the exterior and interior presence of larger, more expensive BMW models. The X3's exterior resembled a downsized BMW X5, while the interior featured the same cold, mechanical styling found across the BMW lineup. Although not as aesthetically pleasing as the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, the X3's dash was more functional. The 2021 X3 came in several trims: sDrive30i, xDrive30i, M40i, and the xDrive30e plug-in hybrid. Standard features included 18-inch alloy wheels, synthetic leather upholstery, tri-zone climate control, a 10.2-inch infotainment system, and 10-way power-adjustable front seats. Optional features included genuine leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and a hands-free power liftgate. The M40i trim added 19-inch alloy wheels, 14-way power-adjustable front seats, unique exterior styling, and an M Sport suspension.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered a range of engines and a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) chassis, providing more even weight distribution than the previous front-wheel-drive (FWD) platform. The ST trim, tuned by Ford Performance, featured a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 with 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The ST's ride quality was commendable, with precise steering and flat cornering, despite the lack of adaptive dampers. The Explorer ST's powertrain delivered smooth, uninterrupted power, making it a nimble and addictive drive. The Platinum trim offered the same engine with slightly less output—365 hp and 380 lb-ft. The 2.3-liter turbo inline-four engine, producing 300 hp and 310 lb-ft, was standard on most models, while a gas-electric hybrid option combined a 3.3-liter V6 with an electric motor for a net 318 hp. Towing capacity varied, with the hybrid powertrain towing up to 5,000 pounds, the 4-cylinder up to 5,300 pounds, and the V6 with AWD up to 5,600 pounds. The Explorer also featured seven drive modes for various conditions.

The 2021 BMW X3 offered several powertrain options. The sDrive30i and xDrive30i came with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 248 horsepower and paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The sDrive30i had RWD, while the xDrive30i featured AWD. The xDrive30e plug-in hybrid powertrain delivered 288 hp and a 17-mile electric-only range, with recharging times of 3.5 hours using a 240-volt Level 2 charger or almost 12 hours with a 120-volt outlet. The M40i trim featured a 382-hp twin-turbo inline-six engine, offering robust acceleration and responsive cornering. For those seeking even more performance, the X3 M model boasted a 473-hp engine.

The 2020 Ford Explorer provided ample space for passengers and cargo. On a road trip to Maine, the Explorer comfortably accommodated three adults and their gear. The second row featured air vents, USB ports, a center console, and a panoramic moonroof, making it feel like first class. The third row was spacious enough for six-foot-tall adults on short journeys, though the bench was too flat for long-distance comfort. The Explorer's cargo space measured 18 cubic feet behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second row, and 88 cubic feet with all seats folded, making it one of the largest in its class. The interior featured physical knobs and switches for climate and stereo controls, though the thick D-pillars and fuzzy 360-degree cameras created blind spots.

The 2021 BMW X3 offered up to 62.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 28.7 cubic feet with the seats in use, making it one of the best in the small luxury SUV segment. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free option available. The X3 provided ample space for passengers, with plenty of headroom and legroom in the front row and adult-friendly rear seats. The driver and front passenger benefited from real buttons and dials, complementing the main touchscreen and reducing the learning curve for new users.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen featuring Sync 3 infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi. Other standard features included keyless entry, remote start, 3-zone climate control, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Premium Technology Package for ST and Platinum models added a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. While the touchscreen was well-organized and high-resolution, the instrument panel felt unfinished, with wasted screen space and limited customization options. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ semi-automated driving system was also less effective than competitors' systems.

The 2021 BMW X3 featured a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen running the iDrive infotainment system, which was user-friendly compared to other luxury systems. The X3 came standard with Apple CarPlay, while Android Auto was optional. Other available features included wireless device charging, a fully digital instrument panel, and a 16-speaker Harman Kardon premium stereo system. The optional gesture control allowed basic controls through hand movements, though it could result in false positives for those who talk with their hands.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with Ford Co-Pilot 360, which included forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. The Assist+ option added adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking. A passenger front knee airbag was also standard. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the Explorer as Acceptable in the small overlap test on the driver's side.

The 2021 BMW X3 came standard with advanced driver-assistance features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and lane departure warning. It also included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, headlights that bend with the road, and a head-up display.