Compare 2021 Ford Explorer vs 2021 GMC Acadia

2021 Ford Explorer
#5 in Large SUVs
2021 GMC Acadia
#11 in Large SUVs
Add Vehicle
Get Your Price Get Your Price
Select style
Base 4WD
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Explorer Base 4WD 20 27 $33,878 $34,925
Explorer Base RWD 21 28 $31,938 $32,925
Explorer King Ranch 4WD 18 24 $52,416 $54,600
Explorer King Ranch RWD 18 24 $50,496 $52,600
Explorer Limited 4WD 20 27 $45,365 $47,255
Explorer Limited RWD 21 28 $43,445 $45,255
Explorer Platinum 4WD 23 26 $51,202 $53,335
Explorer Platinum RWD 18 24 $50,621 $52,730
Explorer ST 4WD 18 24 $47,040 $49,000
Explorer Timberline 4WD 20 27 $44,174 $46,015
Explorer XLT 4WD 20 27 $35,592 $37,075
Explorer XLT RWD 21 28 $33,672 $35,075
Select style
AWD 4-Door AT4
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Acadia AWD 4-Door AT4 19 26 $39,495 $41,400
Acadia AWD 4-Door Denali 19 26 $46,364 $48,600
Acadia AWD 4-Door SLE 22 27 $35,393 $37,100
Acadia AWD 4-Door SLT 22 27 $39,209 $41,100
Acadia FWD 4-Door Denali 19 27 $44,456 $46,600
Acadia FWD 4-Door SL 21 27 $29,770 $29,800
Acadia FWD 4-Door SLE 21 27 $32,340 $33,900
Acadia FWD 4-Door SLT 22 29 $37,301 $39,100
Pricing
Invoice Price
$33,878
$39,495
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
$34,925
$41,400
Monthly Payment Estimate
$582 / month
$690 / month
The Car Connection's Take
TCC Rating
6.8
6.2
TCC’s Bottom Line
The 2021 Ford Explorer is recognizable, but new. It should be on every family SUV shopper’s list. The 2021 GMC Acadia shines most brightly in turbo-4 spec, but rival three-row crossovers put out more lumens.
TCC Likes
TCC Dislikes
Fuel Economy
City
20 mpg 19 mpg
Highway
27 mpg 26 mpg
Vehicle
EPA Classification
Standard SUV 4WD 4WD Sport Utility Vehicle
Interior Dimensions
Third Leg Room (in)
32.2 29.7
Passenger Volume (ft³)
152.7 143.8
Second Head Room (in)
40.5 39.6
Third Hip Room (in)
40.9 42.9
Second Shoulder Room (in)
61.9 58.7
Front Leg Room (in)
43 41
Third Head Room (in)
38.9 37.2
Passenger Capacity
7 6
Front Hip Room (in)
59.2 55.7
Third Shoulder Room (in)
54.6 54.3
Second Leg Room (in)
39 39.7
Front Head Room (in)
40.7 40
Second Hip Room (in)
59.1 53.3
Front Shoulder Room (in)
61.8 59.4
Exterior Dimensions
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)
78.9 75.4
Track Width, Front (in)
66.9 64.5
Min Ground Clearance (in)
8.2 7.20
Length, Overall (in)
198.8 193.4
Liftover Height (in)
32.8 - TBD -
Height, Overall (in)
70.2 66.7
Track Width, Rear (in)
66.9 64.5
Wheelbase (in)
119.1 112.5
Rear Door Opening Width (in)
- - TBD -
Rear Door Opening Height (in)
- - TBD -
Cargo Area Dimensions
Cargo Box (Area) Height (in)
32.8 - TBD -
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in)
83.9 - TBD -
Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft³)
87.8 79
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 3 (in)
20.8 - TBD -
Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft³)
18.2 12.8
Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in)
48.1 - TBD -
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 2 (in)
49.8 - TBD -
Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)
47.9 41.7
Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in)
59 - TBD -
Brakes
Brake ABS System
4-Wheel 4-Wheel
Disc - Rear (Yes or )
Yes Yes
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
12.6 12.4 x 0.9
Brake Type
4-Wheel Disc Pwr
Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)
NA NA
Disc - Front (Yes or )
Yes Yes
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
13.6 12.6 x 1.9
Drum - Rear (Yes or )
NA NA
Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
17.9 22
Steering
Steering Type
Rack-Pinion Electric Rack & Pinion
Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)
- - TBD -
Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)
- N/A
Steering Ratio (:1), Overall
- - TBD -
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)
- 38.7
Tires
Rear Tire Size
P255/65HR18 P255/65R17
Rear Tire Order Code
NA 5GV
Front Tire Size
P255/65HR18 P255/65R17
Spare Tire Size
Compact T135/70R18
Front Tire Order Code
NA 5GV
Spare Tire Order Code
NA ZCD
Trailering
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
5000 - TBD -
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
5300 - TBD -
Maximum Trailering Capacity (lbs)
5300 -
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
500 - TBD -
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
530 - TBD -
Weight Information
Base Curb Weight (lbs)
4345 4306
Wheels
Front Wheel Material
Aluminum Aluminum
Spare Wheel Material
Steel Steel
Front Wheel Size (in)
18 X 7.5 17 x - TBD -
Spare Wheel Size (in)
Compact 18 x 4.5
Rear Wheel Material
Aluminum Aluminum
Rear Wheel Size (in)
18 X 7.5 17 x - TBD -
Engine
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
310 @ 3500 271 @ 5000
Engine Order Code
99H LGX
Displacement
2.3 L/140 3.6L/222
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
300 @ 5500 310 @ 6600
Engine Type
Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 Gas V6
Fuel System
Gasoline Direct Injection Direct Injection
Mileage
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
23 21
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
27 26
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
20 19
Transmission
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
3.58 3.49
Third Gear Ratio (:1)
2.15 3.01
Trans Type
10 9
Drivetrain
Four Wheel Drive All Wheel Drive
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.52 1.92
Trans Description Cont. Again
NA NA
Reverse Ratio (:1)
4.88 2.96
Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.85 0.75
Second Gear Ratio (:1)
3.00 3.31
Trans Order Code
44T M3W
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.77 2.44
Trans Description Cont.
Automatic w/OD Automatic
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.27 1.44
Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)
1.00 1.00
First Gear Ratio (:1)
4.71 4.69
Ninth Gear Ratio (:1)
- 0.62
Transfer Case Gear Ratio (:1), Low
- - TBD -
Clutch Size (in)
- NA
Transfer Case Gear Ratio (:1), High
- 1
Summary
Vehicle Name
Ford Explorer GMC Acadia
Body Style
Sport Utility 4 Door
Suspension
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
Multi-Link NA
Suspension Type - Front
Strut MacPherson Strut
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
Strut NA
Suspension Type - Rear
Multi-Link Five-Link
Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)
- - TBD -
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)
- NA
Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)
- - TBD -
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)
- - TBD -
Emissions
Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year
7.7 8.4
Cooling System
Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)
- - TBD -
Electrical
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
- 155
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
- - TBD -
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
Next Steps: Get Free Price Quotes!
2021 Ford Explorer
  • 2021 Explorer selection healthy
  • Lease: From $319 for 36 months
  • Rebates: Up to $1,000 off
  • Finance: No APR specials this month
Get Your Price
2021 GMC Acadia
  • 2021 Acadia selection looks great
  • Lease: From $319 for 36 months
  • Rebates: Up to $5,350 off
  • Finance: From 0% for 72 months
Get Your Price

Get FREE Dealer Quotes

From dealers near you
Go!

Add a Vehicle to Compare

Select a vehicle below
Please choose a make.
Please choose a model.
Please choose a year.
Continue