The 2024 Ford Explorer and 2024 Nissan Pathfinder are long-time representatives of the 3-row midsize SUV section. In earlier variations, every helped set up SUVs as sensible higher-riding options to sedans, wagons, and minivans.
The Explorer and Pathfinder stay widespread websites on metropolis streets and highways due to their commanding view of the highway, out there all-wheel drive (AWD), and roomy cabins.
Interested in how they evaluate? You’re in the appropriate place as a result of we’re about to look at the highlights of those two SUVs.
2024 Ford Explorer
The 2024 Ford Explorer rolls into one other mannequin yr, with the one notable change being Ford’s resolution to drop an out there hybrid powertrain from the buyer lineup. Pricing begins at $38,455, together with supply fees, and there are eight trims: Base, XLT, ST-Line, Restricted, Timberline, ST, King Ranch, and Platinum.
The Explorer is notable for having one of the crucial potent base engines supplied in a midsize SUV. Below its hood is a 300-horsepower turbocharged 2.3-liter 4-cylinder with a 10-speed automated gearbox. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is normal; AWD is elective, besides within the off-road-ready Timberline trim, the place AWD is normal.
Ford Explorer Highlights
Sturdy twin-turbo V6: For added kick, Ford has fitted a twin-turbo V6 to the ST, King Ranch, and Platinum fashions. With 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, this engine will get the Ford Explorer down the highway in a rush. It additionally uncorks the utmost towing capability of 5,600 kilos.
Adventurous Timberline mannequin: A current pattern is to make SUVs a bit extra SUV-like in look and off-road adeptness. With this in thoughts, the Ford Explorer Timberline has AWD, all-terrain tires, underbody metal skid plates, upgraded shocks, and a limited-slip differential. Externally, you’ll be able to spot it due to its gray-colored entrance grille, black-painted alloy wheels, and crimson trim that works into the decrease entrance grille.
Extra inside house: The Ford Explorer has extra third-row legroom and cargo house than the Nissan Pathfinder, an important consideration in a household SUV.
10.1-inch touchscreen: The common 8-inch touchscreen is completely high quality, although we just like the bigger graphics, pinch-to-zoom performance, and split-screen mode of the ten.1-inch touchscreen out there in higher trims.
Examine this week’s Honest Buy Value or see the Explorer fashions close to you.
2024 Nissan Pathfinder
The 2024 Nissan Pathfinder begins at $38, barely decrease than its Ford rival. It has 5 trims — S, SV, SL, Rock Creek, and Platinum — and, just like the Explorer, a second-row bench is normal.
Apart from the Rock Creek, each Pathfinder trim will get down the highway by way of a 284-hp 3.5-liter V6 coupled to a 9-speed automated. Not like the Ford Explorer, front-wheel drive (FWD) is normal, whereas AWD is offered, besides in Pathfinder’s off-road model, Rock Creek, which has normal AWD.
Nissan Pathfinder Highlights
Detachable second-row console: This detachable second-row middle console is enjoyable and useful. It’s between the out there twin captain’s chairs and gives additional storage. Or, when you want a clearer central path to the third row, it may be eliminated and stowed in an underfloor storage space below the rear cargo flooring.
Rock Creek mannequin: The Rock Creek is the one Pathfinder with a extra highly effective 295-hp model of this SUV’s 3.5-liter V6. You get normal AWD, an off-road suspension, water-repellant artificial leather-based seating surfaces, all-terrain tires, improved transmission cooling, and a roof rack. It additionally provides 6,000 kilos of towing capability. This SUV is corresponding to the Ford Explorer Timberline.
ProPilot Help: This freeway driving help employs the adaptive cruise management system to manage lane centering, acceleration, braking, and sustaining a protected distance from different automobiles. It helps cut back among the stress of longer drives and is normal on all however the base trim.
EZ flex seating: One other intelligent cabin function, with one contact, the middle-row seats collapse and slide ahead to make it much less of a gymnastic occasion for anybody relegated to the third row. Belief us, they work nice.
Examine this week’s Honest Buy Value or see the Pathfinder fashions close to you.
Similarities
The Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder have lots to supply SUV customers who want versatile seating capability and cargo house. They’re about equal in gasoline financial system and just a few hundred kilos aside when discuss turns to max towing capability. And let’s not neglect that they each scored Prime Security Decide+ standing in crash and security checks carried out by the Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security (IIHS).
Conclusion
The Explorer is a great decide in a really aggressive midsize SUV section, although this era dates again to the 2020 mannequin yr and is overdue for a major replace. It lacks key options – resembling wi-fi smartphone connectivity – that automotive customers anticipate. Larger trims additionally get fairly dear.
Past saving a couple of bucks, the Pathfinder wins due to a extra complete array of tech gadgets, inside seating versatility, and glorious towing functionality.
| 2024 Ford Explorer | 2024 Nissan Pathfinder | |
| Beginning Value | $38,455 | $38,040 |
| Well-liked Powertrains | ||
| Engine | Turbocharged 2.3-liter 4-cylinder | 3.5-liter V6 |
| Horsepower | 300 hp @ 5,500 rpm | 284 hp @ 6,400 rpm |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft @ 3,500 rpm | 259 lb-ft @ 4,900 rpm |
| Transmission | 10-speed automated | 9-speed automated |
| Gasoline financial system | 21 mpg metropolis/28 mpg freeway/24 mpg mixed | 20 mpg metropolis/27 mpg freeway/23 mpg mixed |
| Additionally Accessible | Twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6, AWD | AWD |
| Specs | ||
| Primary Guarantee | 3 years/36,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Guarantee | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Total Security | 5 star | 5 star |
| Max Seating Capability | 7 | 8 |
| Wheelbase | 119.1 inches | 114.2 inches |
| Total Size | 198.8 inches | 197.7 inches |
| Width | 78.9 inches | 77.9 inches |
| Peak | 70.2 inches | 70.9 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 38.8 ft | 38.7 ft |
| Headroom, Entrance | 40.7 inches | 42.3 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 40.5 inches | 39.6 inches |
| Headroom, third Row | 38.2 inches | 37.8 inches |
| Legroom, Entrance | 40.3 inches | 44.3 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 39.0 inches | 36.5 inches |
| Legroom, third Row | 32.2 inches | 28.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Entrance | 61.8 inches | 60.8 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 61.9 inches | 59.6 inches |
| Shoulder Room, third Row | 54.6 inches | 58.4 inches |
| Cargo Quantity | 18.2/47.9/87.8 cubic ft | 16.6/45.0/80.5 cubic ft |
