2026 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2026 Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer wins clearly, 88.9 to 71.6, on safety, fuel & range.
2026 Chevrolet Suburban
The 2026 Chevrolet Suburban is sold in the U.S. as a gas and diesel large SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Suburban 2WD, is …
2026 Ford Explorer
The 2026 Ford Explorer is sold in the U.S. as a gas large SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Explorer RWD, is EPA-rated at 24 …
2026 Ford Explorer
Clear winThe Ford Explorer wins clearly, 88.9 to 71.6, on safety, fuel & range.
| Category · weight | 2026 Chevrolet Suburbanoverall 71.6 | 2026 Ford Exploreroverall 88.9 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricenot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 76.9 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 53.5 | 75 | |||||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | |||||||||||||||||
| Space & cargonot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Performancenot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortnot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Warrantyw 2 | 100 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Basic and powertrain coverage in years and miles. | |||||||||||||||||
| Overall | 71.6 | 88.9 | |||||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 3 of 7 categories compared
Chevrolet Suburban: open park-outside / do-not-drive advisory (−25)
Chevrolet Suburban: base trim LS · Ford Explorer: base trim Active Base RWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2026 Ford Explorer wins
- It lists 33 standard driver-assist features against 0.
- It costs $1,350 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($2,800 against $4,150).
- It is rated 24 combined against 23 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
Where the 2026 Chevrolet Suburban answers
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (18 against 44 filed with NHTSA).
- It has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 76 against 53).
What they share
- 5 NHTSA stars.
- A 3-year basic warranty.
- 36,000-mile basic coverage.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
18 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Chevrolet SuburbanLS | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $63,700 | — |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | — | twin turbo |
| Cylinder count | — | 4 |
| Engine type (full description) | — | 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 with Auto Start-Stop |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | — | 3.58 |
| Transmission speeds | — | 10 |
| Transmission type | — | automatic hybrid |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | — | Independent |
| Rear suspension type | — | Independent |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | — | Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS) |
| Brakes | ||
| Parking brake type | — | Electric Parking Brake with Auto Hold |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | — | 18 in |
| Wheel material | — | Aluminum |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | — | P255/65R18 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | — | 17.9 gal |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | — | Ford Connectivity Package |
| Connected services trial (premium tier) | — | 84 months |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | — | 12 months |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
82 features · differences first, then sharedSafety33 differ · 33 listed
| Feature | Chevrolet SuburbanLS | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go and Lane Centering | — | std |
| Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) – Pedestrian Detection | — | std |
| Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) – Forward Collision Warning | — | std |
| Rear Cross Traffic Braking | — | std |
| Airbags – All Rows: Safety Canopy® Side-Curtain with Rollover Sensor | — | std |
| Airbags – First Row: Driver and Passenger Dual-Stage Front | — | std |
| Airbags – First Row: Front-seat Side | — | std |
| Evasive Steering Assist | — | std |
| Lane-Keeping System – Lane-Keeping Alert / Driver Alert | — | std |
| Lane-Keeping System – Lane-Keeping Assist | — | std |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | std |
| Trailer Sway Control | — | std |
| AdvanceTrac™ with RSC® (Roll Stability Control™) | — | std |
| Airbags – First Row: Driver Knee | — | std |
| Auto High-Beam Headlamps | — | std |
| BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross-Traffic Alert, Exit Warning and Trailer Coverage | — | std |
| Curve Control | — | std |
| Electric Parking Brake with Auto Hold | — | std |
| Ford Co-Pilot360™ Assist+ (base ADAS suite) | — | std |
| Four-Wheel Disc Brakes with Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), Electric Brake Boost and ESC | — | std |
| Hill Start Assist | — | std |
| Intersection Assist | — | std |
| LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether Anchors for Children) on Second and Third Row Outboard Seating Positions | — | std |
| Perimeter Alarm | — | std |
| Personal Safety System™ (driver and front passenger – dual-stage front airbags, belt pretensioners, energy-management retractors, belt usage sensors, driver seat position sensor, crash severity sensor, restraint control module, Front-Passenger Sensing System) | — | std |
| Post-Collision Braking | — | std |
| Rear View Camera with Backup Assist Grid Lines | — | std |
| Safety Canopy® Side-Curtain with Rollover Sensor | — | std |
| Side-Wind Stabilization | — | std |
| SOS Post-Crash Alert System™ | — | std |
| Speed Sign Recognition | — | std |
| Individual Tire Pressure Monitoring System (ITPMS) | — | std |
| SecuriLock® Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) | — | std |
Infotainment13 differ · 13 listed
| Feature | Chevrolet SuburbanLS | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Ford App – Remotely lock and unlock vehicle | — | std |
| Unlimited Wi-Fi Hotspot (via Ford Connectivity Package) | — | std |
| Ford App – Locate parked vehicle | — | std |
| 5G Modem | — | std |
| 911 Assist® | — | std |
| Audio – AM/FM Stereo, MP3 Capable, Six (6) Speakers, Speed-Compensated Volume, SiriusXM® with 360L | — | std |
| Ford Connectivity Package (1-year Included) | — | std |
| Ford Connectivity Package (One-time purchase – 7 years) (91D) | — | opt |
| Ford Digital Experience – 13.2" Color LCD Touchscreen in IP Center-Stack with Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play, Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ Wireless Compatibility | — | std |
| Ford Power-Up Software Update Capability | — | std |
| SiriusXM with 360L (3-year plan) (94B) | — | opt |
| Steering Wheel with Mounted Features – Audio Controls | — | std |
| USB Ports, First Row and Second Row (Ford Digital Experience standard); Third Row USB included on 200A+ | — | std |
Convenience3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Chevrolet SuburbanLS | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 4-Door Intelligent Access (Lock/Unlock) with Push-Button Start | — | std |
| Manual Liftgate | — | std |
| Powerpoints (12V) – three (3) | — | std |
Climate2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Chevrolet SuburbanLS | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Tri-Zone Electronic Temperature Control | — | std |
| Cabin Particulate Air Filter | — | std |
Seating3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Chevrolet SuburbanLS | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Seats – Second Row 35/30/35 Bench with E-Z Entry and Armrests (17U) | — | opt |
| Second Row Captain's Chairs with E-Z Entry and Armrests | — | std |
| Unique Cloth Seating | — | std |
Interior9 differ · 9 listed
| Feature | Chevrolet SuburbanLS | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Compass | — | std |
| Instrument Panel Cluster – 12.3" Color LCD Productivity Screen | — | std |
| Rotary Gear Shift Dial | — | std |
| Day/Night Rearview Mirror – Manually Adjustable | — | std |
| Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirrors (Driver and Front Passenger) | — | std |
| Steering Column – Manual Tilt/Telescoping | — | std |
| Floor Mats – Black Carpet, Front and Second Rows | — | std |
| Overhead Console with Sunglasses Storage | — | std |
| Trip Computer | — | std |
Exterior11 differ · 11 listed
| Feature | Chevrolet SuburbanLS | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 18" Spare Wheel and Jack Kit (76U) | — | opt |
| Active Grille Shutters | — | std |
| Configurable Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) | — | std |
| Easy Fuel® Capless Fuel Filler | — | std |
| LED Low and High Beam Headlamps with Courtesy Delay / Wiper-Activated | — | std |
| LED Taillamps | — | std |
| Mirrors, Sideview – Heated Glass | — | std |
| Tire Inflator and Sealant Kit | — | std |
| Privacy Glass – Second Row, Third Row and Liftgate | — | std |
| Rear-Window Defroster and Washer | — | std |
| Rear Spoiler – Body-Color | — | std |
Powertrain6 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Chevrolet SuburbanLS | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Saver | — | std |
| Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS) | — | std |
| Engine – 2.3L EcoBoost® I-4 with Auto Start-Stop | — | std |
| Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor® | — | std |
| Selectable Drive Modes | — | std |
| Transmission – 10-Speed Automatic | — | std |
Chassis1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Chevrolet SuburbanLS | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Independent Front and Rear Suspension | — | std |
Cargo1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Chevrolet SuburbanLS | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Class III Trailer Tow Package | — | std |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPChevrolet Suburban
Top recalls
- critical Power Train 26V289000 · 66 vehicles
- high Wheels 26V304000 · 2,457 vehicles
- minor Equipment 26V114000 · 5,861 vehicles
Ford Explorer
Top recalls
- high Air Bags 26V581000 · 7 vehicles
- high Engine And Engine Cooling 26V548000 · 10,001 vehicles · filed unfixed
- high Engine And Engine Cooling 26V532000 · 6 vehicles
- high Seats 26V451000 · 387,911 vehicles · filed unfixed
- high Engine And Engine Cooling 26V343000 · 1,536 vehicles
- high Engine And Engine Cooling 26V205000 · 278 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Chevrolet SuburbanLS | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $63,700 (base trim) | — (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $63,700 – $83,700 6 trims | — 12 trims |
| Powertrains | GAS, Diesel | GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | Suburban 2WD | Explorer RWD |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 23 | 24 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $4,150 | $2,800 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi (make terms) | 3 yr / 36,000 mi (make terms) |
| Powertrain warranty | 5 yr / 60,000 mi (make terms) | 5 yr / 60,000 mi (make terms) |
| Roadside assistance | 5 yr | 5 yr |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2026 Chevrolet Suburban or the 2026 Ford Explorer?
The Ford Explorer wins clearly, 88.9 to 71.6, on safety, fuel & range. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Ford Explorer scores 88.9 and the 2026 Chevrolet Suburban 71.6. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which has the better safety record, the 2026 Chevrolet Suburban or the 2026 Ford Explorer?
2026 Chevrolet Suburban: 5 NHTSA stars, grade C, 3 recalls. 2026 Ford Explorer: 5 NHTSA stars, grade F, 15 recalls (3 filed with no repair available). Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2026 Chevrolet Suburban and the 2026 Ford Explorer?
Where the 2026 Ford Explorer wins: it lists 33 standard driver-assist features against 0, costs $1,350 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($2,800 against $4,150), and is rated 24 combined against 23 (EPA mpg or MPGe). Where the 2026 Chevrolet Suburban answers: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (18 against 44 filed with NHTSA) and has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 76 against 53). What they share: 5 NHTSA stars, a 3-year basic warranty, and 36,000-mile basic coverage.