If you cross-shop utility vehicles with three rows of seating, you'll quickly find that very few of them 'front' about ruggedness and off-road capability the way they did a decade ago.
Perhaps the most carlike models with three rows are the GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave; they're a little narrower than the Explorer, but traditional ute looks are married to a fine V-6 drivetrain.
The interior on Acadia Denali models is especially luxe.
The Honda Pilot lots its way a bit, with less flexibility and a more plasticky, Tonka Truck interior with its last redesign; it's just a little over-the-top but still a good choice by most gauges.
Technically, the Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee are crossovers, since they're intended mostly for on-road driving, though those fantastic vehicles have a bit more off-road prowess than today's Explorer does.
The Durango comes with a third-row bench, but the Jeep's only a five-seater.
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 2014 Ford ExplorerBrowse Used Listings |  2014 Dodge DurangoBrowse Used Listings |  2014 GMC AcadiaBrowse Used Listings |  2014 Honda PilotBrowse Used Listings |  2014 Jeep Grand CherokeeBrowse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | ||||
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The 2014 Ford Explorer does build on its heritage, but on-road fluency and passenger comfort are clearly at center stage. |
The 2014 Dodge Durango is a great family hauler, and a top-notch utility infielder when you need extra brawn—made better this year with some important upgrades. |
A modest performer but a people-carrying overachiever, the GMC Acadia stakes out a claim right at the edge of Minivan Territory. |
Despite the 2014 Honda Pilot's truck-like exterior, it's one of more practical and family-friendly models on of the market today. |
The 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee adds great turbodiesel fuel economy to a resume already blushing with talent. |
| MSRP From | ||||
| $30,015 | $29,995 | $34,485 | $29,670 | $29,495 |
| Gas Mileage | ||||
| 16 MPG City / 24 MPG Hwy | 14 MPG City / 25 MPG Hwy | 16 MPG City / 24 MPG Hwy | 17 MPG City / 25 MPG Hwy | 13 MPG City / 25 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | ||||
| Regular Unleaded V-6 | Regular Unleaded V-6 | Gas V6 | Regular Unleaded V-6 | Regular Unleaded V-6 |
| EPA Class | ||||
| Standard SUV 2WD | N/A | 2WD Sport Utility Vehicle | Small SUV 2WD | Standard SUV 2WD |
| Style Name | ||||
| FWD 4-Door Base | 2WD 4-Door SXT | FWD 4-Door SLE1 | 2WD 4-Door LX | RWD 4-Door Altitude |
| Drivetrain | ||||
| Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | ||||
| 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | ||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | ||||
| Sport Utility | Sport Utility | 4 Door | Sport Utility | Sport Utility |
| Transmission | ||||
| Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | ||||
| 2014 Ford Explorer vs. 2014 Dodge Durango | 2014 Ford Explorer vs. 2014 GMC Acadia | 2014 Ford Explorer vs. 2014 Honda Pilot | 2014 Ford Explorer vs. 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee | |
