Honda CR-V vs Ford Explorer

2025 Ford Explorer
2025 Ford Explorer
$40,050MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 Honda CR-V
2023 Honda CR-V
$28,410MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2025 Ford Explorer
$40,050MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 Honda CR-V
$28,410MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

Years produced

1991-Present

Years produced

1996-Present

MSRP

$40,050

MSRP

$28,410

Listings

10015

Listings

9333

Ratings & Reviews

User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

8.0 out of 10

Expert reviews

7.8 out of 10

Pros

  • Fun to drive

  • Comfortable

  • Easy-to-use technology

Cons

  • No hybrid or plug-in hybrid option

  • No off-road trim level

  • Cramped third-row

Pros

  • Comfortable

  • Plenty of cargo space

  • Great ride and handling

Cons

  • Irritating transmission

  • Uninspired styling

  • Lacks technological innovation

Reviews Summary

Thanks to numerous changes for 2025, the Ford Explorer is a more appealing alternative to the seemingly countless choices in the midsize three-row SUV segment. Highlights include sophisticated new infotainment and safety technologies, improved interior quality, bolder styling, and a simplified lineup offering Active, ST-Line, Platinum, and ST trim levels. Also, as the prices of rivals have risen, the 2025 Ford Explorer seems properly priced in comparison.

Verdict: Ford’s updates to the Explorer for the 2025 model year have a positive effect on the SUV’s desirability. It looks tougher, it feels nicer inside, and the family-friendly SUV leaps forward technologically. Turbocharged power and a rear-drive platform add driving enjoyment. All that’s missing is a more comfortable third-row seat, an electrified powertrain option, and an off-road trim level.

Reviews Summary

A redesigned 2023 Honda CR-V is on sale, improving on the successful formula the automaker has used for more than 25 years. The 2023 CR-V remains one of the roomiest compact crossover SUVs in its class, and it get an overdue infusion of new infotainment systems and safety features that bring it up to par with its many rivals. In addition, with the 2023 CR-V, Honda places greater emphasis on electrification with a next-generation hybrid powertrain that comes standard in half the lineup. However, in this review, we’ll focus on the 2023 Honda CR-V EX and EX-L trims with the standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine instead of the Honda CR-V Hybrid models.

Popular Features & Specs

Engine

2.3L 300 hp I4

Engine

1.5L 190 hp I4

Drive Train

RWD

Drive Train

FWD

Seating Capacity

7

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

300 hp @ 5500 rpm

Horsepower

190 hp @ 6000 rpm

MPG City

20

MPG City

28

MPG Highway

29

MPG Highway

34
2025 Ford Explorer
2025 Ford Explorer
$40,050MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 Honda CR-V
2023 Honda CR-V
$28,410MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2025 Ford Explorer
$40,050MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 Honda CR-V
$28,410MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

Years produced
1991-Present
1996-Present
MSRP
$40,050
$28,410
Listings

Ratings & Reviews

User reviews

4.2

4.4

Expert reviews

8.0 out of 10

Read full review

7.8 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons

Pros

  • Fun to drive

  • Comfortable

  • Easy-to-use technology

Cons

  • No hybrid or plug-in hybrid option

  • No off-road trim level

  • Cramped third-row

Pros

  • Comfortable

  • Plenty of cargo space

  • Great ride and handling

Cons

  • Irritating transmission

  • Uninspired styling

  • Lacks technological innovation

Summary

Thanks to numerous changes for 2025, the Ford Explorer is a more appealing alternative to the seemingly countless choices in the midsize three-row SUV segment. Highlights include sophisticated new infotainment and safety technologies, improved interior quality, bolder styling, and a simplified lineup offering Active, ST-Line, Platinum, and ST trim levels. Also, as the prices of rivals have risen, the 2025 Ford Explorer seems properly priced in comparison.

Verdict: Ford’s updates to the Explorer for the 2025 model year have a positive effect on the SUV’s desirability. It looks tougher, it feels nicer inside, and the family-friendly SUV leaps forward technologically. Turbocharged power and a rear-drive platform add driving enjoyment. All that’s missing is a more comfortable third-row seat, an electrified powertrain option, and an off-road trim level.

A redesigned 2023 Honda CR-V is on sale, improving on the successful formula the automaker has used for more than 25 years. The 2023 CR-V remains one of the roomiest compact crossover SUVs in its class, and it get an overdue infusion of new infotainment systems and safety features that bring it up to par with its many rivals. In addition, with the 2023 CR-V, Honda places greater emphasis on electrification with a next-generation hybrid powertrain that comes standard in half the lineup. However, in this review, we’ll focus on the 2023 Honda CR-V EX and EX-L trims with the standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine instead of the Honda CR-V Hybrid models.
Video

Popular Features & Specs

Engine
2.3L 300 hp I4
1.5L 190 hp I4
Drive Train
RWD
FWD
Seating Capacity
7
5
Horsepower
300 hp @ 5500 rpm
190 hp @ 6000 rpm
MPG City
20
28
MPG Highway
29
34
CarGurus logo

By: CarGurus + AI

At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.

Popular vehicle comparisons

2024 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2024 Ford Explorer2024 Nissan Rogue vs 2024 Ford Explorer2024 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Acura MDX2024 Toyota Sienna vs 2024 Ford Explorer2024 Lexus GX vs 2024 Ford Explorer2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2024 Ford Explorer2024 MINI Countryman vs 2024 Ford Explorer2024 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2024 Ford Explorer2024 Honda Odyssey vs 2024 Ford Explorer2024 Kia EV6 vs 2024 Ford Explorer2024 Ford Explorer vs 2024 Lincoln Aviator2024 Buick Enclave vs 2024 Ford Explorer2024 Acura MDX vs 2024 Ford Explorer2024 Lincoln Navigator vs 2024 Ford Explorer2024 Volvo XC90 vs 2024 Ford Explorer2024 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Buick Enclave2023 Ford Explorer vs 2024 Lexus RX Hybrid2023 Acura MDX vs 2024 Ford Explorer2023 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2024 Ford Explorer2023 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2024 Ford Explorer2023 Ford Explorer vs 2024 Lincoln Aviator2023 Ford Explorer vs 2024 Acura MDX2023 Lincoln Aviator vs 2024 Ford Explorer2023 Ford Explorer vs 2024 Ford Bronco Sport2023 Ford Explorer vs 2024 Volvo XC902023 Lexus GX vs 2024 Honda CR-V2023 Kia EV6 vs 2024 Ford Explorer2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2024 Ford Explorer2023 Acura MDX vs 2023 Ford Explorer2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2024 Honda CR-V2023 Kia EV6 vs 2023 Ford Explorer2023 Lincoln Aviator vs 2023 Ford Explorer2023 Lincoln Navigator vs 2024 Ford Explorer2023 Ford Explorer vs 2024 Buick Enclave2023 Honda CR-V vs 2023 Volvo XC902023 Honda CR-V vs 2023 Volkswagen ID.42023 Ford Explorer vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid2023 Ford Explorer vs 2024 Nissan Rogue2023 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2024 Ford Explorer2023 Ford Explorer vs 2023 Volvo XC902023 Ford Explorer vs 2024 Lexus GX2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2024 Ford Explorer2023 Ford Explorer vs 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 52023 Nissan Rogue vs 2024 Ford Explorer2022 Honda CR-V vs 2022 Nissan Rogue2022 Volvo XC90 vs 2023 Honda CR-V2022 Honda CR-V vs 2023 Lincoln Navigator2022 Ford Explorer vs 2023 Lexus GX2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2023 Ford Explorer2022 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2022 Honda CR-V2022 Lincoln Aviator vs 2022 Ford Explorer2022 Honda Odyssey vs 2022 Ford Explorer2022 Buick Enclave vs 2022 Ford Explorer2022 Ford Explorer vs 2023 Lincoln Navigator2022 Lincoln Aviator vs 2023 Ford Explorer2022 Ford Explorer vs 2022 Lexus GX2022 Ford Explorer vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L2022 Lincoln Aviator vs 2022 Honda CR-V2022 Ford Explorer vs 2022 Toyota Sienna2022 Volvo XC90 vs 2023 Ford Explorer2022 Ford Explorer vs 2023 Kia EV62022 Nissan Rogue vs 2023 Ford Explorer2022 Honda CR-V vs 2023 Volvo XC902022 Honda CR-V vs 2022 Volkswagen ID.42022 Honda CR-V vs 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport2022 Ford Explorer vs 2023 Volvo XC902022 Lincoln Navigator vs 2023 Ford Explorer2022 Kia EV6 vs 2022 Ford Explorer2022 Honda CR-V vs 2023 Honda Odyssey2022 Honda CR-V vs 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L2022 Kia EV6 vs 2023 Ford Explorer2022 Volvo XC90 vs 2022 Ford Explorer