The Powerful, Spacious 2025 Ford Explorer Is the Three-Row SUV Your Family Needs

If you have a large family or a wide social group, then you need an SUV that can handle the whole crew. You don’t want to be concerned about having to arrange for two vehicles just so you can all go to a restaurant together or head to the park for weekend fun. The convenience of having a vehicle where everyone can come along cannot be stressed enough; it’s a real game-changer when it comes to reducing your stress.

However, you want to be cautious. There are a lot of three-row SUVs out there, and some are not nearly as desirable as they may first look. We are firm proponents of the Ford Explorer, but since we’re a Ford dealer, you might assume we’re biased. Today, we’re going to compare the 2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, allowing you to see why the Ford comes out ahead.

Why this Jeep? Like the Explorer, it’s also a three-row SUV, and, also like the Explorer, it comes from a brand that has a healthy fanbase. We likely all know someone who considers themselves a Jeep aficionado. Our intention here is to place the Explorer up against a true competitor, and the Grand Cherokee L is undoubtedly a solid SUV, so it fits the bill nicely.

That’s why the fact that the Explorer comes out ahead of the Grand Cherokee L anyway is such an endorsement of the Ford SUV. We’re going to break this down for you so you can see the numbers and features that allow the Explorer to succeed.

Let’s Talk Power: The Explorer Has Two Potent Engine Options

When you have all seats filled and the whole gang is eager for adventure, maybe even hitting the trails off-road, you want an engine that’s ready to meet the moment. You don’t want to be stuck on the highway entrance ramp, waiting forever for a break in traffic just so you can slowly get up to speed for the next quarter mile. You want speed instead.

You also don’t want to feel like your SUV is coughing every time you try to keep pace with traffic on the freeway. No, you want a vehicle that will set the pace. Lastly, you want to make sure your engine provides a smooth ride. Nobody wants their passengers to get jostled around.

The 2025 Explorer arrives with two engine options, both of which will provide you with superior performance to the Grand Cherokee L. Ford’s base engine is a potent 2.3L EcoBoost option that cranks out 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. This base engine is already superior to the Jeep Grand Cherokee L, which has an older V6 that provides 293 hp and just 260 lb-ft of torque.

However, your Explorer can become even more powerful if you decide to go for its second engine: a 3.0L EcoBoost V6 that gives you 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The numbers tell a clear story here: if you’re looking for a powerful engine (and who isn’t?), then you need to go for the Explorer.

A great example of the Explorer’s superior performance is its acceleration. With its V6 engine, the Explorer can go from zero to 60 mph in a brisk 5.2 seconds. The Grand Cherokee L will take a much more lethargic eight seconds. That’s a difference you will definitely feel when entering the freeway.

Let’s Talk Interior: The Explorer Has the Roomy Cabin You Need

Jeeps are well respected for their off-road performance, but their interiors often lack a spark. That’s never the case with a Ford, and the Explorer is a great example of why. The 2025 Explorer has undergone a bit of an interior redesign, with an upgraded dashboard and a classier color scheme with more soft-touch materials. This easily outdoes the Grand Cherokee L, which is more functional than elegant; plus, any upscale interior touches it does offer require shelling out for the higher trims.

But the big benefit of the Explorer is the seating design. You’re going to feel more comfortable in your Ford because it offers more space. Isn’t that the main reason you go for a three-row SUV? And it’s that third row that can be the real sticking point. Too often, it doesn’t allow folks to sit comfortably.

The Explorer gives third-row passengers 32.2 inches of legroom compared to the Grand Cherokee L’s 30.3 inches. Similarly, the Explorer offers third-row passengers 38.9 inches of headroom versus the Grand Cherokee L’s 37.3 inches. The extra couple of inches you get in your Explorer can be the difference between happy and unhappy passengers.

The story is the same in the front row, too. You’ll have a couple extra inches of space up there if you opt for the Explorer instead of the Grand Cherokee L. Don’t you deserve to drive in comfort, too?

Let’s Talk Cost: The Explorer Is a More Economical Option

We know the economy has had a lot of people on edge lately, so we’re sure that you’re keeping an eye on costs. When it comes time for a new ride, you want a great automobile, but you don’t want to break the bank, either. The starting prices of both the 2025 Ford Explorer and 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L are essentially even. Since the Ford comes out ahead in power and space, that naturally makes the Ford a smarter buy.

But there’s another element at play, too. The highest trim of the Jeep costs about $10,000 more than the highest trim of the Ford, even though the Explorer actually has better performance. If you’re interested in a three-row SUV in a top-tier trim, the Ford easily wins out here with its ST trim, which is far less pricey than the Grand Cherokee L’s top trim, the Summit Reserve.

There are long term costs to consider, too, however. Namely, fuel efficiency. Per the EPA, the 2025 Explorer earned a 24 MPG combined rating, while the Grand Cherokee L only received a 21 MPG rating. That might not sound like much difference, but in the long run, you will indeed save money, especially if you’re taking lengthy trips with your family. If you’re someone who puts tens of thousands of miles on your vehicles, you will definitely be pleased you were able to burn less fuel with the Explorer.

Come See the 2025 Explorer in Person

Now that you’ve seen how the 2025 Ford Explorer is your best option for a three-row SUV, you should make a stop at Kings Ford a top priority. We have a slew of Explorers in all sorts of trims waiting for you on your lot. If you want to know more about each trim, our sales reps will be able to guide you through the features and specs of each one. You’ll get personalized advice to find your perfect SUV.

You can also sit with our finance team to find yourself the best auto loan with competitive interest rates. Plus, our service center will make sure your Explorer lasts for years to come when you bring it by for maintenance. Everyone here at Kings Ford is ready to meet all your automotive needs. We look forward to meeting you and tossing you the keys to an Explorer so you can see how powerful this SUV is for yourself.