Have you outgrown your current vehicle? Looking for something reliable with plenty of functionality and room to grow? The 2020 Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder are competitive options. With both large SUVs able to carry up to seven passengers, how do you determine which is the best option for your family? That is what our team here at Keystone Ford in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania are here for. Let us help walk you through the differences and help you determine which is the better option.
Price = Comparable
Both SUVs start at very reasonable prices with the Explorer coming in at $32,765 and the Pathfinder coming in at $31,680; a very suitable price point for most families in the market for a large SUV.
Fuel Efficiency = Explorer
The Explorer takes the cake for this category with its impressive overall fuel efficiency. It gets an EPA estimated 27 mpg City / 29 mpg Highway. The Pathfinder only gets an EPA estimated 20 mpg City / 27 mpg Highway.
Cargo Space = Explorer
With almost ten additional cubic feet in cargo room, the Explorer takes this category with up to 87.8 cubic feet of cargo space versus the 79.5 cubic feet the Pathfinder has.
Capability = Explorer
When comparing these two vehicles, there really isn’t a question which is more capable. The Explorer lives up to its name, and comes built to command any off-road excursions you might take. With 400 horsepower and 415 lb. ft. of torque, four available engines, and the ability to tow up to 5,600 lbs., there isn’t much this vehicle can’t handle from daily family life to every off-road adventure. Even though the max towing rating for the Pathfinder is 6,000 lbs., with a max 284 horsepower and 259 lb. ft. of torque, you will find that it will need to work longer and harder to pull what you need it to. Unfortunately, it only offers one engine option, so an upgrade in horsepower and torque for the Pathfinder is off the table.
Turn all your adventure “if’s” into “when’s” with the Explorer’s available Intelligent 4WD with Terrain Management System™ with up to seven Selectable Drive Modes including: Normal, Trail, Deep Snow/Sand, Slippery, Sport, Tow/Haul, and Eco mode. Give your towing confidence a boost using the AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control™ and standard trailer sway control to help selectively brake and adjust the engine power to maintain trailer control, even when towing large loads. The Pathfinder does give you a drive selector which enables you to choose between 4WD, 2WD, and Auto, however when you compare those options to the complex abilities of the Explorer, there isn’t really a competition on which is more capable.
Comfort / Design = Explorer
The Explorer and Pathfinder come with Tri-Zone Temperature Control, convenient underfloor storage, available heated leather seats and steering wheel, available Motion Activated Liftgate, and available Dual/Twin- Panel Moonroof.
Unlike the Pathfinder, the Explorer adds available upgrades such as the 10.1-inch LCD portrait touchscreen, 12.3-inch Digital Instrument Panel Cluster, and third-row PowerFold® seats. Ford also went above and beyond in their design, adding some very advantageous design elements like the ability to flip over the reversible load floor for plastic bedding, saving the carpet from wet or muddy cargo.
Convenience = Comparable
With updated technology such as available Wireless Charging, 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ compatibility, both vehicles have the ability to function very well as an intuitive family vehicle. There are only slight differences in this category that are all preference and priority based. For example, the Escape’s available upgraded audio system is a 14 Speaker Premium B&O Sound System, while Pathfinder’s available upgraded audio system is a 13 Speaker Bose® Premium Sound System. Both vehicles have up to three available 12-volt power outlets, and the Explorer has up to four USB ports whereas the Pathfinder has up to six available USB ports.
Safety = Explorer
Lastly, safety is a topic that is pivotal in any car buying decision. The list of standard safety features on the Explorer trumps that of the Pathfinder. Ford’s standard Lane Keeping System (including lane-keeping assist, lane-keeping alert and driver alert), Rear View Camera with Washer, Reverse Sensing System, AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control™, Front Passenger and Driver Knee Airbag, Safety Canopy® System, SOS Post-Crash Alert System™, and Traction Control, ensure that all your precious cargo is kept safe in any situation.
Conclusion = Explorer
If it hasn’t already been abundantly clear, the Ford Explorer is overall the better choice to suit all your family’s needs. Between the solid design features, added convenience features, additional cargo space, superior capability, comparable price, and astounding standard safety features, the Explorer is sure to please any member of your family for all your day-to-day and adventure needs.