Starting at
Starting at
| 400 hp | Horsepower | 310 hp |
| 415 lb-ft | Torque | 266 lb-ft |
| 5,300 lbs | Towing | 5,000 lbs |
Three-row SUVs appeal to many drivers, especially families looking for a way to travel with more passengers and gear, and one of the best around is the Ford Explorer. Not only is this SUV built tough like a true Ford, but it’s also spacious, comfortable, and loaded with the innovation required to enjoy every type of ride imaginable. Few vehicles can compare; however, one of its rivals seeks to create quite the competition with this Ford superstar, and that’s the Buick Enclave. Recognized for its stylish persona and exceptional engineering, the Enclave is a three-row midsize SUV with attitude, exhibiting a luxurious ambiance for an experience that’s remarkable. So, when it comes to the 2024 Ford Explorer vs 2024 Buick Enclave, which SUV winds up on top?
Launched for the 1991 model year, the Ford Explorer has been wowing crowds ever since, beginning as a rugged adventure mate and evolving into an everyday traveler that can do it all. The 2024 Explorer showcases a carefully laid-out interior with plenty of space for families and everything accompanying them on the ride. It also offers an abundance of trims to choose from, as well as impressive efficiency and a ride quality that makes it easy to take on any type of travel scenario. The Buick Enclave started much later in 2007, and although it offers a nice amount of space inside, it lacks the refinement we’re used to seeing in today’s luxury vehicles. In the areas of performance, innovation, and design, which three-row option is the top pick? Let’s find out.
You’ll find that the 2024 Ford Explorer gives you the power to choose the ride you desire with multiple engine options to enhance your journey in every way. This three-row SUV comes standard with a 2.3L EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder, which offers an exciting ride with 300 hp driving it forward, and with 310 lb-ft of torque, it’s able to tow up to 5,300 lbs. This engine is also highly efficient, which is a plus for many parents who find themselves making frequent trips to the school, various sports practices, playdates, and anything else the kids have on their schedules.
Able to get up to 28 MPG on the highway, this engine makes it easy to travel around town without having to take time out of your schedule to stop by the gas station. If you need more power, however, rest assured that the Explorer has it, with its 3.0L EcoBoost turbocharged V6 providing you with 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, able to tow up to 5,600 lbs without issue.
The 2024 Buick Enclave doesn’t offer you the choice between engines; however, the engine you do get to enjoy is fairly impressive. A 3.6L V6 is your only option with the Enclave, which glides forward with 310 horses at the helm, and with 266 lb-ft of torque, it’s able to tow a maximum of 5,000 lbs. That’s significantly lower than the Explorer’s V6 in regards to horsepower, torque, and towing capacity, which can be a disappointment for drivers. It also doesn’t perform as well as the Explorer regarding fuel efficiency, getting an EPA-estimated 26 MPG on the highway. If you want more options, power, and efficiency, you’ll want the Explorer by your side for every mile of your journey.
The Explorer’s fantastic engines are mated with a 10-speed automatic transmission, which provides you with a refined ride quality and ample comfort on the road. It exhibits athletic handling and power, offering a dramatic ride that will make your time driving to work much more exciting. Opt for all-wheel drive capabilities and take on the elements with certainty. Plus, with a standard Terrain Management System, you’ll be able to conquer various environments with seven drive modes to choose from to amplify your ride.
The Enclave’s mighty V6 is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, offering a smooth and controlled ride on the highway. Although it does showcase a nice amount of power, the Explorer delivers a bit more pep in its step, which is much appreciated by busy travelers. The Enclave does boast a comfortable ride, but we wish it were a bit livelier on the road. For this reason, when it comes to performance, our pick lies with the Explorer.
When it comes to enjoying the ride, having the right tech at your fingertips is a must. That’s why the 2024 Ford Explorer is so appealing to drivers who require top-level innovation in their vehicles. With an available 10.1-inch touchscreen, you’re able to access all of your can’t-live-without tech features, including contacts, messages, apps, and more. Armed with Ford’s SYNC 3 interface, you’re able to seamlessly access the features you need to make your drive better in every way. Available features, like wireless charging and a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, help make any ride unforgettable, providing you with the convenience and entertainment you require as you make your way to all of your destinations.
Unfortunately, the 2024 Buick Enclave only gives you one option when it comes to the touchscreen experience, which is an eight-inch option. It would have been nice to be able to upgrade to a larger display; however, Buick doesn’t offer this. You will find desirable tech, like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as available wireless smartphone charging capabilities and an available Wi-Fi Hotspot to keep you connected to your day from the road.
Ford arms its vehicles with the legendary Co-Pilot360 safety suite, which consists of a variety of advanced safety features to help you remain secure during any type of journey. From a Lane-Keeping System to Adaptive Cruise Control and a Blind Spot Information System, the Explorer watches out for you, no matter what awaits you on the road ahead. This Ford favorite helps out in other ways as well, with the available Active Park Assist 2.0, which allows you to park with confidence, no matter how tight the parking space outside the office might be.
The Enclave offers a nice suite of safety features as well through the Buick Driver Confidence suite, and when you need help with parking, rest assured it can help with Front and Rear Park Assist. Although the Enclave offers plenty of safety features to its drivers, it was not named a 2024 IIHS Top Safety pick, whereas the Ford Explorer was recognized for this honor.
There are many different designs on the market today, and perhaps no two SUVs are more different than the 2024 Ford Explorer and the 2024 Buick Enclave. The Explorer radiates rugged versatility, with a bold stance and strong body lines, making it stand out in the crowd. Brilliant adaptive LED headlamps accentuate its persona, while a power liftgate makes it easy and fast to get loaded up and ready to hit the highway. Opt for the ST High-Performance Black package and take advantage of 21-inch aluminum wheels, red-painted performance brake calipers, and more daring elements. The Timberline model amplifies its adventurous qualities, offering additional ground clearance of 8.6 inches, as well as exclusive Timberline badging, steel skid plates, and bold features to elevate its fearless persona.
You’ll find that the Buick Enclave is on the opposite end of the spectrum, with a more refined style that’s reminiscent of luxury-level travelers of today. Various wheel sizes, stylish headlamps and taillamps, and sweeping curves make this SUV quite pleasing to the eye. Although the Enclave showcases an opulent exterior, which may be pleasing to some drivers, it lacks the bold persona that emanates from the Explorer. If you’re more in tune with adventure, you may be more captivated by the Explorer and the level of ruggedness it offers to your travels.
With enough space to accommodate seven passengers in both the Explorer and the Enclave, you’ll find that these SUVs are quite able to handle busy families and those traveling with more. Where they differ, however, is with their available trim levels and unique style inside. The 2024 Explorer offers a fantastic array of trims to meet the demands of virtually every driver in existence. From the luxury-level Platinum, which features leather upholstery with tri-diamond perforated inserts, to the exciting ST-Line and its cozy ActiveX seats and vibrant red stitching throughout, there’s an Explorer in the lineup for every driver. You’ll also be able to enjoy multi-color ambient lighting, an available twin-panel moonroof, and a PowerFold third-row seat to help you accommodate more passengers or gear with absolute ease.
The Buick Enclave, while accentuated by refined style, is only available in three trims, which can be discouraging to drivers looking for options to customize their ride. The Avenir trim is by far the most sophisticated, offering massaging front seats, premium appointments, and an extravagant aura surrounding you. The only downfall is that this top-level trim is significantly more expensive than the Explorer’s top-tier trim, which also offers plenty of luxury-level options. Plus, it’s been reported that the Enclave’s other trims are lacking in quality when it comes to the interior cabin elements, which can be disappointing for drivers who are searching for a high-quality luxury experience. Not only can you find the trim that works perfectly for your needs, you’ll be able to enjoy better pricing with the Explorer, which makes this model more preferable when it comes to design.
If you’re searching for your next exceptional vehicle, look no further than DePaula Ford, where we offer a spectacular inventory of new and used models designed to impress you. When you want to take advantage of the space, features, and ride quality you require when traveling with your family, the Ford Explorer is one of the best suited to meet your needs. We invite you to stop by and take a closer look at this outstanding model, speak with our team about financing, and drive away in the Explorer that works perfectly for your needs.
When you choose to team up with us, you get to enjoy competitive prices, top value for trade-in vehicles, and professionals who never stop working for you. Plus, you’ll enjoy a service team that will help you move forward with precision, no matter where the road takes you. So, if you want to elevate your travels in every possible way, there’s nothing better than a reliable and highly respected Ford model, like the Explorer, to deliver you to all the places you need to go.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
