2021 Ford Explorer vs 2022 Ford Expedition

Ford's 2021 Explorer exhibited a strong familial resemblance to its siblings, like the Escape, Edge, and Expedition. Sporting a sleek, raked belt line and a sporty visage, the Explorer had a visually appealing presence. It was hard to differentiate at a glance from the Edge, yet it stood out among other brand SUVs.

Trim levels made a noticeable difference in the Explorer's appearance and feel. With variations in grille designs—black, chrome, or a black grille with a red stripe—the Explorer offered six trims: base, XLT, Limited, Limited Hybrid, Explorer ST, and Platinum. Prices stretched from $32,925 to $52,730, with each step up providing progressively more luxurious interiors and added features.

Inside, the Explorer accommodated three rows of seats as standard, with cloth upholstery in the base model. While the first two rows were comfortable, the third row was less suitable for adults. Its interior was neatly arranged, with intuitive gauges, an 8-inch touchscreen, and strategic storage spaces like the rotary gearshift freeing up console space.

Conversely, the 2022 Ford Expedition showcased modern refinements and deeper exterior changes. It sported a new grille, headlights, bumper, and updated tailgate trim. New wheel designs enhanced its impressive silhouette. Available in trims like XL STX, XLT, Limited, King Ranch, Platinum, and the adventurous Timberline, pricing ran from just over $55,000 to nearly $84,000.

The interior of the Expedition prioritized luxury and space. Power-adjustable, leather-wrapped, heated and ventilated front seats defined the experience, along with a redesigned dashboard housing Sync 4 and Sync 4A infotainment systems. A wide console separated the front seats, with features like massaging seats in higher trims enhancing comfort. Though power running boards eased entry and exit, a bit of tightness in second-row toe space remained. Third-row seats, equipped with a power reclining function and USB ports, offered commendable comfort levels.

The 2021 Ford Explorer balanced performance and practicality. With a base weight of 4,345 pounds, its 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine produced 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Handled by a 10-speed automatic transmission, it surpassed rivals like Kia Telluride's V6. The Explorer's mid-tier Limited Hybrid trim boasted a V6 hybrid drivetrain delivering 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. Higher trims, featuring a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, offered 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, peaking at 400 hp and 415 lb-ft in the sport-oriented ST.

While the Explorer excelled at towing with a capacity between 5,000 and 5,600 pounds, it trailed behind heavyweights like the Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Expedition.

Conversely, the 2022 Ford Expedition equipped every model with a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, providing 380 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, with a boost to 400 hp and 480 lb-ft on 93-octane fuel. Higher-end versions with the Stealth Edition Performance Package reached 440 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque. This engine's enthusiastic performance paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy ranged from 17 to 19 mpg, and towing capacities reached up to 9,300 pounds.

Driving dynamics were distinctive with the Expedition’s sports-tuned suspension and optional adaptive-damping suspension for a smoother ride. Despite its massive size, the Expedition parked easily thanks to excellent visibility and assistance features like front and rear parking sensors and a 360-degree camera system. On the highway, it offered a serene experience marked by impressive technology and cabin comfort, although the substantial 22-inch wheels affected ride quality and fuel efficiency.

The 2021 Ford Explorer brought practicality with seating for seven in its base model, dropping to six with captain’s chairs in higher trims. It offered 39 inches of second-row legroom, trailing the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade but competitive within its segment. Notably, it provided 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and 81 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, positioning it close to smaller SUVs.

In comparison, the 2022 Ford Expedition excelled in spaciousness, boasting leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats. With a cargo capacity of 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 57.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 104.6 cubic feet overall (121.5 cubic feet in the Expedition Max), it surpassed the Explorer substantially. Wide second-row captain's chairs, ample legroom, and versatile third-row options highlighted its interior comfort and functionality, making it ideal for lengthy trips and substantial cargo.

The 2021 Ford Explorer came equipped with a standard 8-inch touchscreen supporting AM/FM radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, and Ford’s Sync 3 system. Higher trims enhanced this with a Bang & Olufsen 12-speaker audio system, HD radio, optional 10.1-inch touchscreen, and up to 14 speakers.

Meanwhile, the 2022 Ford Expedition incorporated modern Sync 4 and Sync 4A systems. The standard Sync 4 featured a 12-inch touchscreen with physical controls, while the optional Sync 4A upgraded to a 15.5-inch portrait-oriented display. Both supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and FordPass Connect with Wi-Fi hotspot. Additional features included SiriusXM, HD Radio, wireless charging, and advanced voice recognition. A sophisticated 22-speaker B&O Unleashed sound system was available on premium trims. Updated rear-seat entertainment and Pro Trailer Backup Assist 2.0 added to its tech-savvy appeal, although occasional quirks with Sync 4A's user experience were noted.

The 2021 Ford Explorer earned the Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS, thanks to its "Good" crash test ratings and "Acceptable" adaptive headlight availability. It included the comprehensive Ford Co-Pilot360 suite with features like auto high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and more. Higher trims offered Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ with adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and speed sign recognition.

For 2022, Ford expanded the Expedition's safety profile significantly. Standard Ford Co-Pilot360 included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ on Limited trims added adaptive cruise control, lane-centering, intersection assist, and evasive steering assist. The premium King Ranch and Platinum trims offered Co-Pilot Assist 2.0 with a surround-view camera and rear automatic emergency braking. Additional features like Road Edge Detection and BlueCruise hands-free driving technology were also available. The Expedition’s adaptive cruise control excelled with smooth and refined functionality, though lane-centering assist occasionally lacked precision.