Why the 2024 Ford Explorer Is the Ideal SUV for Families on the Go

Active families who enjoy outdoor activities and sports need a vehicle that can offer them ruggedness, durability, and superior off-road capabilities. They prioritize features like all-wheel drive, roof racks, and towing capacity to transport bikes, kayaks, camping gear, and other equipment. If you’re part of an active family on the hunt for your next vehicle, there’s a good chance you’re considering the 2024 Ford Explorer vs 2024 Nissan Pathfinder.

Both of these three-row SUVs are known for their capability in the great outdoors and will help boost your adventures to create memories with your family that will last a lifetime. There are some key differences that you need to consider carefully before pulling the trigger on your new vehicle purchase. That’s why we’ve put together this guide comparing the 2024 Ford Explorer and the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder! We hope you’ll find it helpful!

Cargo and Seating

Both the Ford Explorer and the Nissan Pathfinder can seat up to seven people comfortably in their interiors! The Nissan Pathfinder can even be tailored to fit up to eight people, but this comes at a sacrifice to the storage area. In the 2024 Ford Explorer, you can utilize 18.2 cu.ft. with all the seats in their upright position, 47.9 cu.ft. with the back row lowered, and a cavernous 87.8 cu.ft. with all the seats lowered. This means you can easily fit bulky or oddly shaped items in the back: think skis, water sports equipment, and camping gear. The 2024 Nissan Pathfinder doesn’t have quite as much cargo room. You will get 16.6 cu.ft. with the seats up, 45 cu.ft. with the rear seats lowered, and 80.5 cu.ft. with all the seats down. If you need the cargo room to fit all your family’s stuff in the back, this is definitely a trade-off.

Power and Fuel Usage

At the heart of any good SUV is its power on (and off) the road. If you plan to haul through mud, drive up steep paths, or drive through the backwoods, you will want to make sure that your SUV has maximum power without guzzling too much gasoline.

Starting out with the 2024 Ford Explorer, you get the choice between two capable engines. First, the standard option is the 2.3L EcoBoost turbocharged I-4. This mighty engine delivers 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. The second option is a 3.0L EcoBoost turbocharged V6 engine that cranks out 400 hp and a massive 415 lbs-ft of torque! For fuel efficiency, you can expect 21 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway when you have RWD equipped with the 2.3L engine, and 20 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway with AWD.

You only get one engine option with the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder, and you might find it lacking in power. The 3.5L V6 only gets between 284-295 hp and 259-270 lb-ft of torque, all less than the standard engine on the Ford Explorer. Fuel efficiency is about on par with the standard engine of the Explorer, but worse if you opt for FWD. You can expect about 20 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway with FWD, and 21 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway when you choose an AWD model. When it comes to fuel economy, every mile counts, which gives the Explorer a slight edge over the Pathfinder.

Performance and Off-Road Capability

To enable all your wildest adventures, your new SUV needs to be well-equipped to handle difficult terrain and bad weather. In the 2024 Ford Explorer, you get a vehicle that can be equipped with everything to make your travels safe and enjoyable. A much-loved feature of the Ford Explorer is the various drive modes. You can put your Explorer into Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, Trail, Deep Snow/Sand, and Tow/Haul modes to better optimize your SUV’s performance in different environments. Coupled with a 10-speed automatic transmission and an AWD system that continuously monitors road conditions and alters power distribution between the front and rear wheels to optimize stability and traction, navigating rugged or bumpy terrain is smooth sailing.

The 2024 Nissan Pathfinder also has a version of this system called the Intelligent 4×4 with Terrain and Drive Mode Selector. With it, you can choose Sport, Eco, Snow, Sand, Mud/Rut, and Tow mode. Unlike the Ford Explorer, however, the Nissan Pathfinder only has a 9-speed automatic transmission. While still capable in its own right, it doesn’t have as many gears as the Explorer.

Adventure-Focused Trim Levels

Both the 2024 Ford Explorer and the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder have been tailored with the great outdoors in mind, but both Ford and Nissan have made adventure-focused trim levels for the most avid outdoor enthusiasts! This trim level on the Ford Explorer is the Timberline trim. It was specifically designed for taking your family on off-road adventures. Special features include things like enhanced off-road suspension and higher ground clearance that provides superior handling and comfort on rough terrain.

You will also get all-terrain tires that help improve traction on different surfaces, from slick to rocky, limited-slip differential that serves to enhance traction between the wheels, as well as skid plates to protect the underside of your new Explorer from the elements. After all, you want to protect your investment without sacrificing the spirit of the adventure by being too careful. The Timberline trim has unique exterior styling that will clue the viewer in to its rugged nature. You can also expect roof rails on this trim to enhance the vehicle’s utility. You can attach different roof-mounted accessories like cargo boxes and bike racks with ease! It truly looks and acts the part of a family adventuring vehicle.

On the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder, the adventuring trim level is called the Rock Creek trim. It has offroad suspension and all-terrain tires too, as well as added skid plates. It goes slightly harder on the badging and exterior styling, which might turn some drivers off. Rugged cladding and exclusive badging definitely show off the capabilities but might be a little more showy than you’re looking for.

Adventure Awaits Behind the Wheel of the Ford Explorer

There are so many different features that make a good family adventuring vehicle. When shopping for a new SUV to take your family into the great outdoors, we recommend paying close attention to the power and performance, off-road specific features, cargo room, and whether the outdoors-specific trims are really all they’re cracked up to be. Do you want maximum power on the road or more towing capability? Do you need that extra eighth seat, or would it be more valuable to have more cargo area to haul equipment and camping gear? Would you rather have functional utility or more flashy badging? There are lots of things to consider.

We’re confident the 2024 Ford Explorer has the rugged performance you and your adventure-craving family are looking for. If you’re ready to take your search to the next level, come on down and check out a new 2024 Ford Explorer for yourself! Our team of knowledgeable associates are ready to help answer all of your questions and get you off on a test drive! Imagine what your new SUV will be like in the backcountry or driving along dirt roads. Come in today, and let us show you everything the Explorer has to offer!