Compare the2026 Ford ExplorerVS 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Explorer has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Outlander doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Explorer and Outlander have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Explorer has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Outlander’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Explorer and the Outlander 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Explorer is much safer than the Outlander:

	Explorer	Outlander
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Forces L/R	45/45 pounds	202/247 pounds
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Forces L/R	45/45 pounds	202/247 pounds
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Chest Rating
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4189-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Ford Explorer is safer than the Outlander:

	Explorer	Outlander
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	86	171
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Force	134 lbs.	156 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.06 in	1.46 in
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	8 MPH
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	982 lbs.	1071 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Compression	22 lbs.	89 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Explorer is 2.8% to 5.1% less likely to roll over than the Outlander.

The Ford Explorer achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2026 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, pedestrian crash prevention testing, and vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention testing. The Outlander is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2026.

Warranty

The Explorer’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Outlander’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are over 9 times as many Ford dealers as there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Explorer’s warranty.

Reliability

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 Outlander doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Explorer has a standard 760-amp battery. The Outlander’s 720-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Mitsubishi vehicles. With 29 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Ford higher than Mitsubishi.

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 Mitsubishi With 48 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Ford higher than Mitsubishi.

Engine

The Explorer’s standard 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 126 more horsepower (300 vs. 174) and 104 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 206) than the Outlander’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Explorer’s optional 3.0 turbo V6 produces 226 more horsepower (400 vs. 174) and 209 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 206) than the Outlander’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Ford Explorer is faster than the Mitsubishi Outlander:

	Explorer turbo 4 cyl.	Explorer turbo V6	Outlander
Zero to 60 MPH	6.2 sec	5.2 sec	8.4 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	17.8 sec	13.3 sec	26.8 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	7.2 sec	5.9 sec	9.1 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	4 sec	3.2 sec	4.8 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	4.7 sec	3.8 sec	6.4 sec
Quarter Mile	14.9 sec	13.8 sec	16.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93 MPH	101 MPH	83 MPH
Top Speed	125 MPH	146 MPH	120 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Explorer 2.3L EcoBoost I-4’s standard fuel tank has 4.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander (18.6 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Explorer 3.0L EcoBoost V6’s standard fuel tank has 5.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander (20.2 vs. 14.5 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Explorer ST’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Outlander:

	Explorer ST	Outlander
Front Rotors	14.3 inches	13.8 inches
Rear Rotors	13.8 inches	13 inches

The Explorer stops shorter than the Outlander:

	Explorer	Outlander
70 to 0 MPH	161 feet	164 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Explorer has larger standard tires than the Outlander (255/65R18 vs. 235/60R18). The Explorer’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Outlander (275/45R21 vs. 255/45R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Explorer offers optional 21-inch wheels. The Outlander’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

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 Outlander doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

The Explorer offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Outlander; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

The Explorer has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Outlander doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Explorer’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Outlander doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Explorer’s wheelbase is 12.6 inches longer than on the Outlander (119.1 inches vs. 106.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Explorer is 4.1 inches wider in the front and 3.7 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Outlander.

The Explorer’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the Outlander’s (57% to 43%). This gives the Explorer more stable handling and braking.

The Explorer ST 4WD handles at .86 G’s, while the Outlander SEL AWC pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Explorer Tremor has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Outlander SE/SEL (8.7 vs. 8.4 inches), allowing the Explorer to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The Explorer offers available computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Outlander doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the Explorer Active 4WD is quieter than the Outlander SEL AWC (66 vs. 69 dB).

Passenger Space

The Explorer has 24.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Outlander (150.3 vs. 125.5).

The Explorer has .1 inches more front headroom, 1.3 inches more front legroom, 5.2 inches more front hip room, 4.2 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear headroom, 5.8 inches more rear hip room, 6 inches more rear shoulder room, 4.4 inches more third row headroom, 13.1 inches more third row legroom and 3.4 inches more third row shoulder room than the Outlander.

Cargo Capacity

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

	Explorer	Outlander
Behind Third Seat	16.3 cubic feet	10.9 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	46 cubic feet	30.6 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	85.8 cubic feet	64.3 cubic feet

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

A standard locking glovebox and optional locking center console (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Explorer. The Outlander doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The Explorer’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Outlander’s (5000 vs. 2000 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Explorer is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Outlander. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The power windows standard on both the Explorer and the Outlander have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Explorer is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Outlander prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Explorer’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Outlander’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

On a hot day the Explorer’s driver can lower the front windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Outlander can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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 Outlander doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Mitsubishi Connect can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Explorer’s standard Intelligent Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Pushbutton Start standard on the Outlander only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle. Pushbutton Start is not available on the Outlander SE/SEL/Trail.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Explorer has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Outlander 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.

The Explorer’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mitsubishi only offers heated mirrors on the Outlander SE/SEL/Trail.

The Explorer’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Outlander has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Explorer (except Active) offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Outlander.

The Explorer (except Active) offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Outlander doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Recommendations

The Ford Explorer outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander by over five to one during 2025.

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