2025 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Buick Enclave
Comparison Overview
Deciding between the 2025 Ford Explorer and the 2026 Buick Enclave often boils down to budget versus sheer size and refinement. If saving upfront is key, the Explorer starts significantly lower at $40,050 compared to the Enclave's $46,200 MSRP, a difference of $6,150. However, the newer Enclave pulls ahead in raw output, boasting 328 hp versus the Explorer's 300 hp. While fuel economy is close, with the Explorer achieving 24 MPG combined versus the Enclave’s 23 MPG combined, the difference in utility is noticeable; the Enclave offers substantially more cargo space at 22.9 cu ft compared to the Explorer’s 18.2 cu ft behind the third row. Considering daily driving dynamics, the Explorer's rear-wheel-drive configuration provides a different feel than the Enclave's standard front-wheel drive, impacting handling preferences for many drivers.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer wins for commuters due to its slightly better combined fuel economy of 24 MPG and lower ownership cost.
2026 Buick Enclave
The 2026 Buick Enclave is better for families because it offers significantly more room, with 22.9 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to 18.2 cu ft.
2026 Buick Enclave
Enthusiasts will likely prefer the 2026 Buick Enclave as it provides higher peak performance with 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque.
2025 Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer provides superior value by offering 300 hp for a starting price that is $6,150 less than the Buick Enclave.
Choose the Ford Explorer if...
- You need to keep the initial purchase price down, as the MSRP starts at $40,050.
- You prefer the handling characteristics associated with a rear-wheel-drive setup.
- You want the slightly better EPA fuel economy rating, achieving 24 MPG combined.
Choose the Buick Enclave if...
- Maximum utility is essential, given its larger 22.9 cu ft cargo capacity.
- You prioritize the highest available power output of 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque.
- You prefer a larger vehicle footprint, as the Enclave is nearly 9 inches longer than the Explorer.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Ford Explorer | Buick Enclave |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 198.8" | 207.6" |
| Width | 78.9" | 79.6" |
| Height | 69.9" | 71.0" |
| Wheelbase | 119.1" | 120.9" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Ford | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | — |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags (with Head Protection Chamber) | ✓ | — |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Rear Folding Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Ford | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.3 L | 2.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 300 hp @ 5500 rpm | 328 hp @ 5500 rpm |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm | 326 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Ford | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 10-speed automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | rear wheel drive | front wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Ford | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 20/29 MPG | 20/27 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 24 MPG | 23 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 358.0/519.1 mi. | 388.0/523.8 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.9 gal. | 19.4 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Ford | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | — |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front View Camera | — | ✓ |
| Side View Camera | — | ✓ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | — | ✓ |
| Leatherette Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Heated Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Sun Sensor | — | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | — | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Ford | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 12 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Infotainment Display | — | 30.0 in |
| Premium Speaker Brand | — | Bose |
| Subwoofer Count | — | 1 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Ford | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 2 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Ford | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.7 in. | 42.6 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 43.0 in. | 44.3 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 61.8 in. | 62.2 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 59.2 in. | 58.7 in. |
| Seat Material: Premium Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | 8-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | 2-way |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | — | Power |
| Passenger Seat Power Adjustments | — | 6-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Lumbar Support | — | Power |
| Driver Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
Rearseats
| Feature | Ford | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.5 in. | 40.0 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 39.0 in. | 41.5 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 61.9 in. | 62.1 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 59.1 in. | 58.5 in. |
| Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Ford | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Diameter | 18 in | 20 in. |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | P255/65R18 | P255/55R20 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | Underbody Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Ford | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Ford | Buick |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 6 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | — | 1 yr./ unlimited mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Ford Explorer and 2026 Buick Enclave.
What is the major difference in powertrain between these two crossovers?
The 2025 Ford Explorer features a 300 hp engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard rear-wheel drive. In contrast, the 2026 Buick Enclave offers a more powerful 328 hp engine managed by an 8-speed shiftable automatic, and it comes standard with front-wheel drive.
Is the higher price of the 2026 Buick Enclave justified by its practicality?
The Enclave costs $6,150 more than the Explorer, but it provides tangible utility benefits. Its cargo capacity is notably larger at 22.9 cu ft versus the Explorer’s 18.2 cu ft, which could make a big difference for families needing space for gear.
How do their sizes compare for parking in tight spots?
The 2025 Ford Explorer is the smaller vehicle, measuring 198.8 inches in length and 78.9 inches in width. The 2026 Buick Enclave is bulkier, coming in at 207.6 inches long and 79.6 inches wide, making the Explorer marginally easier to maneuver in crowded areas.
Which vehicle uses regular unleaded fuel?
Both vehicles offer the convenience and lower fueling costs associated with running on regular unleaded gasoline, as neither requires premium fuel for their standard engines.
How significant is the difference in performance output?
The Buick Enclave holds a clear performance advantage, generating 28 more horsepower (328 hp vs. 300 hp) and 15 more lb-ft of torque (326 lb-ft vs. 310 lb-ft) compared to the Ford Explorer.
If fuel savings are a priority, which should I lean towards?
While both are closely matched, the 2025 Ford Explorer ekes out a slight edge, achieving a combined 24 MPG compared to the Enclave's 23 MPG, which might save a little at the pump over the long run.
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