2021 Ford Explorer vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2021 Ford Explorer had a design that fit well within Ford's SUV lineup, which included the Escape, Edge, and Expedition. The Explorer's exterior was sporty with raked belt lines and distinctive visages, making it recognizable among other brands' SUVs. Depending on the trim, the grille varied from black to full chrome, and the vehicle offered six trim levels, ranging from the base model to the Platinum. Inside, the Explorer featured three rows of seats as standard, with cloth upholstery on the base model and leather available on higher trims. The dashboard was clean, with an 8-inch LCD touchscreen and a rotary gearshift that freed up storage space.

The 2021 BMW X5 was known for its high-quality craftsmanship and unmistakable BMW design, from the kidney grille to the body shape. The X5 featured full adaptive LED headlights and various trim options, including the sporty M Sport styling. The interior carried the BMW sameness, with switches, dials, and displays from the BMW parts bin. Despite the abundance of black plastic, the interior had plenty of leather and soft-touch materials. The M Sport models included unique styling elements like an M sports steering wheel and M-specific pedals. The X5's interior was spacious, though the front seats could feel hard on long trips.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, at its lightest, weighed 4,345 pounds and featured a base 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivered 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The Limited Hybrid trim offered a V6 hybrid drivetrain with 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. Higher trims came with a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, providing 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, while the sport-oriented ST trim offered 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Explorer's towing capacity ranged from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the trim and engine.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered several powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base X5 sDrive40i/xDrive40i had a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with 335 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque. The X5 M50i featured a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 with 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, while the X5 M delivered 600 hp, or 617 hp with the Competition Package. The X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid achieved 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, with up to 30 miles of all-electric range. The X5's steering and drive dynamics were less engaging than other BMW models, but the cabin remained quiet and comfortable.

The base 2021 Ford Explorer had seating for seven, while other trims offered captain’s chairs in the second row, reducing capacity to six. The Explorer provided 39 inches of legroom for second-row passengers and 21 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row deployed. With the rear seats folded, the total cargo volume was 81 cubic feet, which was less impressive compared to some competitors.

The 2021 BMW X5 made good use of space, with cupholders at the front of the center console and a wireless phone charging pad. The seating was spacious and comfortable for short trips, though the front seats could feel hard on longer drives. The X5 offered an available third row, though it was not tested. The split liftgate and vehicle height adjustment button made loading cargo easier. The X5 xDrive45e had slightly less cargo space than the traditional X5, but the difference was negligible for most buyers.

The 2021 Ford Explorer's base trim came with an 8-inch touchscreen, AM/FM radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system, and a six-speaker audio system. Higher trims offered a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and up to 14 speakers. Charging options included two USB ports in the center console and five 12-volt power points, with a 110-volt AC power outlet available on higher trims.

The 2021 BMW X5 featured a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, automatic climate control, proximity key, and a panoramic moonroof. Optional upgrades included remote start, a head-up display, quad-zone automatic climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, massaging seats, a Wi-Fi hotspot, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, a 20-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, rear sunshades, and a dual-panel panoramic roof.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top "Good" scores on all crash tests and an "Acceptable" rating for adaptive headlights. The Explorer came with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including auto high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and dynamic brake support. Higher trims offered additional features like adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and speed sign recognition.

The 2021 BMW X5 included standard safety features like blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, fatigue and focus alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Driving Assistance Professional Package included adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, though it had issues with lane-keeping and reacting to stopped traffic. The X5 received nearly all Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.