Compare the2026 Ford ExplorerVS 2026 Genesis GV80

Compared to metal, the Explorer’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Genesis GV80 has a metal gas tank.

Both the Explorer and the GV80 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ford Explorer is safer than the Genesis GV80:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Ford Explorer is safer than the Genesis GV80:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are over 13 times as many Ford dealers as there are Genesis dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Explorer’s warranty.

The Explorer has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The GV80 doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Genesis With 5 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Ford higher than Genesis.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Genesis vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Ford 1 place higher in reliability than Genesis.

The Explorer’s optional 3.0 turbo V6 produces 25 more horsepower (400 vs. 375) and 24 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 391) than the GV80 3.5T’s standard 3.5 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford Explorer turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the GV80 2.5T 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder:

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford Explorer 3.0 is faster than the GV80 3.5T 3.5 turbo V6:

On the EPA test cycle the Explorer gets better mileage than the GV80:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Ford Explorer uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The GV80 2.5T requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Explorer has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The GV80 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Ford Explorer, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the GV80.

The Explorer stops much shorter than the GV80:

For better traction, the Explorer’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GV80 (275/45R21 vs. 265/40R22).

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the Explorer can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The GV80 doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Explorer’s wheelbase is 2.8 inches longer than on the GV80 (119.1 inches vs. 116.3 inches).

The Explorer ST 4WD handles at .86 G’s, while the GV80 ADVANCED AWD pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Explorer ST 4WD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the GV80 AWD (26.4 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 27.4 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Explorer’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the GV80’s (38.4 feet vs. 39.3 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Explorer Tremor has a greater minimum ground clearance than the GV80 (8.7 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Explorer to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Ford Explorer may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 400 pounds less than the Genesis GV80.

The Explorer has 10.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the GV80 (150.3 vs. 140).

The Explorer has .5 inches more front headroom, 1.4 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room, 2.1 inches more rear headroom, 3.6 inches more rear shoulder room, 4.6 inches more third row headroom, 1.5 inches more third row legroom and 1.4 inches more third row shoulder room than the GV80.

The Explorer’s cargo area provides more volume than the GV80.

The Explorer’s cargo area is larger than the GV80’s in every dimension:

The Explorer has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The GV80 doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Explorer uses the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The GV80 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

On a hot day the Explorer’s driver can lower the front windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the GV80 can’t use the remote to operate the windows.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Explorer’s available exterior PIN entry system. The GV80 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Connected Care can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

Consumer Reports rated the Explorer’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the GV80’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Explorer has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The GV80 doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Explorer Platinum also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Ford Explorer retains 47.11% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 45.07% resale value of the 2025 Genesis GV80 after five years, which can save the Ford’s owner up to $10788.94579 in depreciation.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Ford Explorer and the Genesis GV80, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Ford Explorer outsold the Genesis GV80 by almost 8 to one during 2024.