Cargo space is an important feature in an SUV. How does the Ford Explorer cargo capacity compare to its competition?
Most folks looking to buy an SUV likely have family members and all of their associated belongings to tote around with them. When shopping for a new or used Ford Explorer, you want to ensure that you’ve got all the space you need when it comes time to take the family across on a cross-country road trip or into the mountains for a weekend adventure.
While the Ford Explorer is an icon of the three-row SUV family hauler, there is plenty of stiff competition to compare it to over the years from varying manufacturers.
If you’re in the market for a car, you want to be sure you’re buying the one that is best for you. Things like fuel economy, power, towing, and safety are all of utmost importance.
However, cargo space is something that folks may overlook compared to a brand or engine preference. Sure, a few extra miles per gallon may save you some money in the long run, but what if you’re missing out on some extra cargo space?
Wonder no more. In this article, we’re going to take you through the past few generations of the Ford Explorer and show you how they stack up in terms of cargo space relative to their competition. For comparison’s sake, we are using SUVs in similar price ranges with similar midsize attributes regardless of brand. However, SUVs with no third-row seating need not apply to this comparison. We’re looking at full family haulers only.
Current Ford Explorer (2020-Present)
The 2020 Ford Explorer brought a modern redesign and a set of engine options allowing you to dial in your ideal Explorer experience. Whether you opt for the peppy 2.3-liter inline four-cylinder Ecoboost engine or the sporty 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged Ecoboost V6 engine, you’re sure to have a good time.
Additionally, a 3.3-liter Hybrid V6 option is available to truly reduce those fuel station stops. That being the case, how does it stack up against the competition?
The 2020 and newer Explorer has exceptional cargo space. With all three rows standing, the Explorer offers 18.2 cu. ft. of cargo space. With the third row folded down, the number bumps up to 47.9 cu. ft. Finally, with all three rows of rear seats folded down, it offers a remarkable 87.8 cu. ft. of cargo space.
Though, folding down all the seats rather quickly eliminates the family-friendly usability. However, having nearly 50 cu. ft. of cargo space with the third row folded down offers families of four or five a comfortable ride with more than enough cargo space for all of the luggage and accessories that might be coming with them on a road trip.
However, it isn’t at the top of the food chain in terms of midsize SUV cargo space.
The 2021 Honda Pilot takes that claim. With its variably folding seats, the Pilot offers up to 18.5 cu. ft. behind the third row, 55.9 cu. ft. behind the second row, and a mind-blowing 109.2 cu. ft. with all three rows folded down.
Additionally, the Pilot offers under-seat and floor cargo cubbies for additional storage. The base price is nearly identical to the 2021 Explorer. However, the highest trim model starts at nearly $5,000 cheaper than the Explorer.
Notable Competition for the 2021 Explorer
The most notable competition to the Ford Explorer comes from Korean manufacturers Kia and Hyundai.
The 2021 Hyundai Palisade offers 18 cu. ft. of cargo space behind the third row and 45.8 cu. ft. behind the second row. Finally, with all three rows folded, the Palisade offers 86.4 cu. ft. of cargo space, falling just slightly behind the Ford Explorer and miles behind the Honda Pilot.
The 2021 Kia Telluride offers a big jump in cargo space, with the third row standing at 21 feet, higher than the Palisade, Explorer, and the Honda Pilot. It offers 46 cu. ft. behind the second row, and with all seats folded, it offers 87 cu. ft. What truly makes the Telluride stand out, though, is its industry-leading interior quality and host of remarkably standard options. It manages to feel like a luxury SUV while retaining the price of its competition.
The biggest selling point for the Kia and Hyundai options is their remarkable 10-year/100,000-mile warranty. Even certified pre-owned (CPO) Kias and Hyundais retain this warranty.
The 2021 Mazda CX-9 is a bit off-pace with a higher base price and only 14.4 cu. ft. behind the third row, 38.2 cu. ft. behind the second row, and 71.2 feet with all three rows folded down.
If you are in the market for a new or nearly-new used midsize SUV from 2020, the call is a tough one to make. Strictly in terms of cargo space, the clear winner is the Honda Pilot.
However, the overall winner in our books is the Kia Telluride for its remarkable cargo space with all three rows upright and its outstanding interior quality and warranty for the price. Unfortunately, the Explorer doesn’t quite hold a candle to the Kia.
2011-2019 Ford Explorer Cargo & Competition
The redesign that came with the model year 2011 Ford Explorer brought on much more than just a stylistic change. This generation of Explorer is based on a car-style floor pan platform rather than a body-on-frame truck-style platform like all other variants of the Explorer. It also was the first Explorer to offer an Ecoboost engine option.
For comparison, we’ll be using the 2015 Ford Explorer and competition from the same model year, as it’s relatively middle of the road for the span of this generation.
The 2015 Explorer comes out swinging with 21 cu. ft. of cargo space behind the third row, which is a massive increase compared to the 2020 and newer models. Behind the second row, you’ll find 43.8 cu. ft. of cargo space. Finally, folding all three rows of seats down nets you a modest cargo offering of 80.7 cu. ft.
The first competition point for the 2015 model year is, again, a Honda. The 2015 Honda Pilot remains a fierce midsize SUV competition. Though only offering a V6 gives the Explorer a potential advantage in terms of fuel efficiency, the cargo space numbers are fairly comparable. Behind the third row of seats, the Pilot falls short of the Explorer, offering only 18 cu. ft. However, behind the second row, the Pilot offers an impressive jump to 47.7 cu. ft. Finally, with all three rows folded down, the Pilot offers 87 cu. ft. of cargo space, which is a pretty substantial jump from the Explorer’s 80.7 cu. ft.
Both the 2015 Explorer and Pilot can be found in good shape for around the $15,000-20,000 mark, so it’s really a toss-up. The Ecoboost Explorer offers four-cylinder efficiency and extra space behind the third row relative to the Pilot.
2015 Model Year Competition
Kia and Hyundai each offered a midsize SUV in 2015, though they do not quite have the same luxurious notoriety as the Palisade and Telluride.
The 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe offers a measly 13.5 cu. ft. of cargo behind the third row. Additionally, behind the second row, you’ll find 40.9 cu. ft. of cargo space. Finally, the Santa Fe brings 80 cu. ft. of cargo space to the table with all three rows folded.
The 2015 Kia Sorento with three rows is even more abysmal at only 9.1 cu. ft. behind the third row. Behind the second row, you’ll find a lackluster 36.9 cu. ft., and with all three rows folded down, you’ll net only 72.5 cu. ft. of cargo space.
Unlike the newer models, the 2015 Mazda CX-9 offers substantial competition to the Ford Explorer. Behind the third row, the CX-9 has a modest 17.2 cu. ft. of cargo space. Behind the third row, you’ll find 48.3 cu. ft., and with all three rows folded, the CX-9 offers a remarkable 100.7 cu. ft. of cargo space.
The Kia, Hyundai, and Mazda offerings also all land relatively close in price to the Explorer and Pilot, as well.
Though there is some reasonable competition, it is safe to recommend the Ford Explorer for this generation and model year. While the Pilot does offer additional space when seats get folded down, the Explorer offers the most cargo behind the third row. Meaning, if you’re taking the whole family with you, the Explorer will offer the most available space.
Additionally, the Ecoboost engine option is an excellent way to save money at the pumps without sacrificing available space.
2006-2010 Explorer Cargo & Competition
The generation beginning with the model year 2006 Ford Explorer will be our final stop on this comparative adventure, as it is the first generation that came standard with third-row seating. These Explorers were offered with either a V6 or the mighty 292 horsepower 4.6-liter Ford Modular V8 you’d find in the Mustang or F-150.
This generation explorer opens up the opportunity for lower-budget shoppers to get in on the Explorer action without sacrificing third-row seating or all-wheel-drive capabilities. Like the last batch, we’re going to pull a model from the middle of the run for comparison.
The 2008 Ford Explorer does not offer the same immense cargo space that its newer counterparts do behind the third row. With only 13.6 cu. ft., it leaves a lot to be desired. However, behind the second row, the number substantially jumps to a reasonable 43.9 cu. ft. Finally, with all three rows folded, you’ll land yourself a substantial cargo volume of 83 cu. ft.
The 2008 Honda Pilot had the best in class cargo space with 15.9 cu. ft. behind the third row, 47.6 feet behind the second row, and a remarkable (especially for the time) 87.6 cu. ft. of cargo space. Like the next generation, the Pilot only came equipped with a V6. However, that is more par for the course in this generation, considering the Explorer’s offerings of only a V6 or V8.
Like the 2015 examples, both the Explorer and Pilot land in similar price ranges. A budget of $8,000-10,000 will find buyers a well-maintained model with modest mileage.
2008 Model Year Competition
Like the 2015 model year examples, the Kia and Hyundai offerings don’t quite hold up to the competition. However, Mazda’s CX-9 once again has a properly competitive cargo volume.
The 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe offers only 10 cu. ft. of cargo space behind the third row. Furthermore, behind the second row, the cargo volume only expands to 34.2 cu. ft. At maximum, the 2008 Santa Fe offers 78.2 cu. ft. of cargo space.
The 2008 Kia Sorento is also very lacking in the cargo comparison. However, the Sorento in this model year did not even offer a third-row seating option. Meaning that Kia truly doesn’t have a competitor to the Explorer in this particular model year.
Additionally, the Sorento did not gain a third-row seating option until the 2011 model year. The 2008 Sorento offers 31.7 cu. ft. of cargo space behind the second row and 66.4 cu. ft. with the rear seats folded down for what it’s worth. Which seems exceptionally small considering it has no third-row seating.
The real contender here is the 2008 Mazda CX-9. It puts both the Explorer and Pilot to shame with an outstanding 17.5 cu. ft. of cargo space behind the third row of seats. Behind the second row, the cargo volume leaps to a substantial 48.4 cu. ft.
Finally, the CX-9 smokes the competition with all three rows folded down as it offers a remarkable 100.7 cu. ft. of cargo space. It too can be found in the $8,000-10,000 range.
Overall, for the 2008 model year and this generation of Explorer, the CX-9 is hard to ignore. It offers the same V6 power and all-wheel-drive capabilities as the Pilot and Explorer while maintaining a similar price range and superior cargo volume.
Should You Buy a Ford Explorer?
All things considered, the Ford Explorer has proven itself to be a great vehicle for years now. While the generational changes offer varying competition, the recommendation on buying an Explorer vs. the competition depends heavily on a consumer’s budget.
If you are shopping for a brand new car or a certified pre-owned car in the $30,000 range or higher, it’d be a disservice to steer you away from the Kia Telluride. With its remarkable interior, cargo volume, and warranty, we think it’s a clear winner stacked against the Explorer and other competition.
If a shopper is looking to stay under $20,000, then the 2011-2019 Explorer is a fantastic choice when compared to its competitors. Its ample cargo space combined with the available Ecoboost four-cylinder makes for a perfect combination of family-friendliness and economy.
If the budget falls under $10,000, the Explorer is also a decent choice. Especially if you’d like the versatility of towing, because the V8 option brings that to the table. However, shoppers should definitely take a look at a Mazda CX-9 of a similar vintage because you just may fall in love with the additional space.
Lastly, what you can do with the Ford Explorer’s cargo space seems to be limited only by your imagination. One Explorer owner, below, found a simple way to transform his vehicle’s cargo space into a whole new type of ride.
As usual, be sure to use our free VIN research tool to inspect the history of any used vehicle you’re considering buying. The full overview of each vehicle’s Vehicle History page also lists a host of specifications to ensure you’re making the right decision for you.
Photos: Ford
