Compare 2012 Ford Explorer vs 2012 Nissan Pathfinder vs 2012 Toyota 4Runner

2012 Ford Explorer
X
2012 Nissan Pathfinder
X
2012 Toyota 4Runner
X
Select style
4WD 4-Door Base
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Explorer 4WD 4-Door Base 17 23 $28,677 $30,280
Explorer 4WD 4-Door Limited 17 23 $37,088 $39,855
Explorer 4WD 4-Door XLT 17 23 $31,847 $34,095
Explorer FWD 4-Door Base 18 25 $26,837 $28,280
Explorer FWD 4-Door Limited 18 25 $35,268 $37,855
Explorer FWD 4-Door XLT 18 25 $30,027 $32,095
Select style
2WD 4-Door V6 LE
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Pathfinder 2WD 4-Door V6 LE 15 22 $37,264 $40,240
Pathfinder 2WD 4-Door V6 S 15 22 $27,444 $29,290
Pathfinder 2WD 4-Door V6 SV 15 22 $30,236 $32,640
Pathfinder 2WD 4-Door V6 Silver Edition 15 22 $33,927 $36,630
Pathfinder 4WD 4-Door V6 LE 14 20 $39,299 $42,440
Pathfinder 4WD 4-Door V6 S 14 20 $29,315 $31,290
Pathfinder 4WD 4-Door V6 SV 14 20 $32,086 $34,640
Pathfinder 4WD 4-Door V6 Silver Edition 14 20 $35,777 $38,630
Pathfinder 4WD 4-Door V8 LE 13 18 $40,714 $43,970
Select style
4WD 4-Door V6 Limited
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
4Runner 4WD 4-Door V6 Limited 17 22 $37,380 $40,630
4Runner 4WD 4-Door V6 SR5 17 22 $30,205 $32,830
4Runner 4WD 4-Door V6 Trail 17 22 $33,815 $36,755
4Runner RWD 4-Door V6 Limited 17 23 $35,508 $38,595
4Runner RWD 4-Door V6 SR5 17 23 $28,603 $31,090
Pricing
Invoice Price
$28,677
$37,264
$37,380
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
$30,280
$40,240
$40,630
Monthly Payment Estimate
$505 / month
$671 / month
$677 / month
The Car Connection's Take
TCC Rating
8.6
6.2
8.2
TCC’s Bottom Line
It's a rifle shot at the heart of the crossover market: the 2012 Ford Explorer gives any SUV loyalist a reason to leap off their very high horse. The 2012 Nissan Pathfinder appeals to those who need tow or off-road, yet occasionally carry passengers; if it's the other way around, you can do better. The brawny 2012 Toyota 4Runner targets off-road purists who sometimes need to haul the family—and it's better on the highway than you might think.
TCC Likes
TCC Dislikes
Fuel Economy
City
17 mpg 15 mpg 17 mpg
Highway
23 mpg 22 mpg 22 mpg
Vehicle
EPA Classification
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD 2WD Sport Utility Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Interior Dimensions
Third Shoulder Room (in)
50.8 57.1 NA
Second Leg Room (in)
39.8 34.2 32.9
Front Head Room (in)
41.4 39.1 39.3
Passenger Volume (ft³)
151.7 100.6 97.3
Second Hip Room (in)
56.7 57.6 55.7
Front Shoulder Room (in)
61.3 58.3 57.8
Third Leg Room (in)
33.2 28.1 NA
Second Head Room (in)
40.5 38.9 38.6
Passenger Capacity
7 7 5
Third Hip Room (in)
40.7 44.0 NA
Second Shoulder Room (in)
61.0 58.4 57.8
Front Leg Room (in)
40.6 42.4 41.7
Third Head Room (in)
37.8 36.7 NA
Front Hip Room (in)
57.3 55.5 56.5
Exterior Dimensions
Rear Door Opening Width (in)
- TBD - NA - TBD -
Height, Overall (in)
70.4 72.2 70.1
Liftover Height (in)
- TBD - 30.0 - TBD -
Track Width, Rear (in)
67.0 61.8 63.2
Wheelbase (in)
112.6 112.2 109.8
Rear Door Opening Height (in)
- TBD - NA - TBD -
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)
78.9 72.8 75.8
Track Width, Front (in)
67.0 61.8 63.2
Min Ground Clearance (in)
7.6 8.6 9.6
Length, Overall (in)
197.1 192.3 189.9
Cargo Area Dimensions
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 2 (in)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)
43.8 48.9 47.2
Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in)
- TBD - 44.4 - TBD -
Cargo Box (Area) Height (in)
- TBD - 34.8 - TBD -
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in)
- TBD - 73.9 - TBD -
Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft³)
80.7 79.2 89.7
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 3 (in)
- TBD - 17.4 NA
Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft³)
21.0 16.5 NA
Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Brakes
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
- TBD - 11.7 x 1.1 13.3 x - TBD -
Drum - Rear (Yes or )
NA NA NA
Brake ABS System
4-Wheel 4-Wheel 4-Wheel
Disc - Rear (Yes or )
Yes Yes Yes
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
- TBD - 12.1 x 0.7 12.3 x - TBD -
Brake Type
Pwr Power Pwr
Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)
NA NA NA
Disc - Front (Yes or )
Yes Yes Yes
Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
18.6 21.1 23.0
Steering
Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)
- TBD - 3.5 2.7
Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Steering Ratio (:1), Overall
15.8 17.0 18.4
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)
38.9 39.2 37.4
Steering Type
Pwr Rack & Pinion Pwr Rack & Pinion Pwr Rack & Pinion
Tires
Rear Tire Size
P245/65R17 P265/60R18 P245/60R20
Rear Tire Order Code
- TBD - NA NA
Front Tire Size
P245/65R17 P265/60R18 P245/60R20
Spare Tire Size
Compact P265/60R18 Full Size
Front Tire Order Code
- TBD - NA NA
Spare Tire Order Code
NA NA NA
Trailering
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
200 500 500
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
300 600 - TBD -
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
2000 5000 5000
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
2000 6000 - TBD -
Weight Information
Base Curb Weight (lbs)
4732 4676 4805
Wheels
Front Wheel Material
Steel Aluminum Aluminum
Spare Wheel Material
Steel Steel Aluminum
Front Wheel Size (in)
17 x - TBD - 18 x 8.0 20 x 7.5
Spare Wheel Size (in)
Compact 18 x 8.0 Full Size
Rear Wheel Material
Steel Aluminum Aluminum
Rear Wheel Size (in)
17 x - TBD - 18 x 8.0 20 x 7.5
Cooling System
Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)
- TBD - 10.9 - TBD -
Electrical
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
650 550 - TBD -
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
175 130 - TBD -
Engine
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
255 @ 4100 288 @ 4000 278 @ 4400
Engine Order Code
998 NA 1GR
Displacement
3.5L/213 4.0L/241 4.0L/241
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
290 @ 6500 266 @ 5600 270 @ 5600
Engine Type
Gas V6 Gas V6 Gas V6
Fuel System
Electronic Fuel Injection Direct Injection Electronic Fuel Injection
Mileage
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
23 22 22
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
17 15 17
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
19 17 19
Transmission
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.74 NA NA
First Gear Ratio (:1)
4.48 3.84 3.52
Clutch Size (in)
NA NA NA
Third Gear Ratio (:1)
1.84 1.52 1.4
Trans Type
6 5 5
Drivetrain
Four Wheel Drive Rear Wheel Drive Four Wheel Drive
Transfer Case Gear Ratio (:1), High
1.00 NA 1.0
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.00 0.83 0.72
Trans Description Cont. Again
NA NA NA
Reverse Ratio (:1)
2.88 2.76 3.22
Second Gear Ratio (:1)
2.87 2.35 2.04
Trans Order Code
44J NA NA
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
3.39 3.13 3.73
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.41 1.00 1.0
Trans Description Cont.
Automatic w/manual shift Automatic w/manual mode Automatic w/Manual Shift
Transfer Case Gear Ratio (:1), Low
NA NA 2.57
Summary
Vehicle Name
Ford Explorer Nissan Pathfinder Toyota 4Runner
Body Style
Sport Utility Vehicle Sport Utility Sport Utility Vehicle
Suspension
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)
0.86 1.00 0.79
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
w/Coil Springs w/Coil Springs Double Wishbone
Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)
1.26 1.30 1.22
Suspension Type - Rear
Multi-Link Double-Wishbone 4-Link Rigid
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
w/Coil Springs w/Coil Springs Coil Spring
Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Suspension Type - Front
MacPherson strut Double-Wishbone Independent
Emissions
Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year
9.6 10.7 9.8
EPA Greenhouse Gas Score
3 2 4
Crash Test Ratings
Overall Rating
--
Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
--
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver
--
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger
--
Overall Side Crash Rating
--
Side Barrier Rating
--
Side Barrier Rating Driver
--
Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat
--
Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat
--
Combined Side Rating Front Seat
--
Combined Side Rating Rear Seat
--
Rollover Rating

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