2025 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Volvo XC60
Comparison Overview
The most significant numerical divergence between the 2025 Ford Explorer (Car 1) and the 2026 Volvo XC60 (Car 2) is the $9,650 difference in MSRP, with the Explorer starting at $40,050 versus the XC60's $49,700. Power output also favors the Explorer, boasting 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque compared to the XC60's 247 horsepower. However, the XC60 holds a slight efficiency edge, achieving a 26 MPG combined rating versus the Explorer’s 24 MPG combined. Dimensionally, the Explorer is substantially larger at 198.8 inches long, offering more passenger/cargo volume than the 185.4-inch XC60. Despite the power gap, the Explorer utilizes a 10-speed automatic transmission while the Volvo employs an 8-speed unit. The Explorer's rear-wheel-drive configuration contrasts with the XC60's standard all-wheel drive.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Volvo XC60
The 2026 Volvo XC60 offers superior fuel economy at 26 combined MPG and comes standard with AWD, benefiting traction in varied commuting conditions.
2025 Ford Explorer
The 2025 Ford Explorer is significantly larger at 198.8 inches in length and likely offers greater overall passenger and cargo volume.
2025 Ford Explorer
The Explorer delivers substantially higher peak performance metrics with 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.
2025 Ford Explorer
The Explorer commands a $9,650 lower starting MSRP while simultaneously offering 53 more horsepower.
Choose the Ford Explorer if...
- Absolute maximum performance is desired, evidenced by its 300 horsepower output.
- Budget constraints mandate a lower entry price point of $40,050.
- A longer chassis (198.8 inches) and rear-wheel drive configuration are preferred.
Choose the Volvo XC60 if...
- Higher fuel efficiency is a priority, as indicated by its 26 MPG combined rating versus 24 MPG.
- Standard all-wheel drive capability is necessary for driving dynamics.
- A lower profile (65.2 inches high) and requirement for premium unleaded fuel align with the driver's preference.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Ford Explorer | Volvo XC60 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 198.8" | 185.4" |
| Width | 78.9" | - |
| Height | 69.9" | 65.2" |
| Wheelbase | 119.1" | 112.8" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Ford | Volvo |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Adaptive Headlights | — | ✓ |
| Cornering Lights | — | ✓ |
| Front Fog Lights | — | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Front Fixed Headrests | — | ✓ |
| Rear Folding Headrests | — | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Ford | Volvo |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.3 L | 2.0 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | mild hybrid |
| Horsepower | 300 hp @ 5500 rpm | 247 hp |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm | 266 lb-ft |
| 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 | Volvo |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 10-speed automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | rear wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | — | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Ford | Volvo |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | premium unleaded (recommended) |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 20/29 MPG | 23/30 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 24 MPG | 26 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 358.0/519.1 mi. | 432.4/564.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.9 gal. | 18.8 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Ford | Volvo |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | — | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Simulated Alloy Trim on Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | — | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | — | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Ford | Volvo |
|---|---|---|
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 10 |
| 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 | — | 11.2 in |
| Stereo Power | — | 220W |
Power Feature
| Feature | Ford | Volvo |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 2 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Moonroof Type | — | 1st Row Power Glass |
Frontseats
| Feature | Ford | Volvo |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.7 in. | 38.0 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 43.0 in. | 41.5 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 61.8 in. | 58.2 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 59.2 in. | 56.4 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 | — |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | — | Power |
| Driver Seat Memory Settings | — | 2 |
| Passenger Seat Power Adjustments | — | 8-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Lumbar Support | — | Power |
| Driver Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
Rearseats
| Feature | Ford | Volvo |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.5 in. | 38.0 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 39.0 in. | 38.0 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 61.9 in. | 56.3 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 59.1 in. | 55.4 in. |
| Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | — |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | — |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | — |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | — |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | — | ✓ |
| Folding Rear Seat Feature | — | ✓ |
| Pass-Thru Center Armrest | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Ford | Volvo |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Diameter | 18 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | P255/65R18 | 235/60R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Size | — | 18 x 7.5 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Ford | Volvo |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Ford | Volvo |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 12 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 4 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | — | 2 yr./ 20000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Ford Explorer and 2026 Volvo XC60.
How does the 2025 Ford Explorer handle fuel economy compared to the 2026 Volvo XC60?
The Volvo XC60 leads slightly in efficiency, achieving 26 combined MPG (23 city/30 highway). The Ford Explorer returns 24 combined MPG (20 city/29 highway), slightly lower across all cycles.
What is the power deficit between the two crossovers?
The 2025 Ford Explorer offers a substantial advantage with 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. This is 53 horsepower more than the 2026 Volvo XC60, which produces 247 horsepower.
Which vehicle is larger in physical footprint?
The Ford Explorer is significantly larger, measuring 198.8 inches in length compared to the XC60's 185.4 inches. This difference likely translates directly into greater interior space.
Are the drive systems comparable between the Explorer and the XC60?
No, they feature fundamentally different standard setups; the Explorer utilizes a rear-wheel-drive base with a 10-speed automatic, while the XC60 is equipped with standard all-wheel drive and an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Does the lower price of the Explorer correlate with lower running costs?
While the Explorer's MSRP is $9,650 less, the XC60 mandates premium fuel, which may increase per-mile operating costs, offsetting some of the Volvo's higher initial purchase price.
What are the cargo capacities, and how do they compare?
Specific cargo capacity data for the 2026 Volvo XC60 was not provided. However, the 2025 Ford Explorer lists a minimum cargo capacity of 18.2 cubic feet with all seats up.
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