Head-to-head
2027 Ford Explorer vs 2027 Genesis GV80
The Genesis GV80 wins clearly, 96.1 to 87.3, on tech & comfort, safety. The Ford Explorer is ahead on fuel & range and space & cargo.
B
2027 Ford Explorer
The 2027 Ford Explorer is sold in the U.S. as a gas large SUV with 8 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Explorer AWD, is EPA-rated at 23 …
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A2027 Genesis GV80
The 2027 Genesis GV80 is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas large SUV with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the GV80 RWD, is EPA-rated …
Verdict · default weights
2027 Genesis GV80
Clear winThe Genesis GV80 wins clearly, 96.1 to 87.3, on tech & comfort, safety. The Ford Explorer is ahead on fuel & range and space & cargo.
Tech & comfort 2027 Genesis GV80 leads by 37.5
Safety 2027 Genesis GV80 leads by 16.3
Fuel & range 2027 Ford Explorer leads by 16.6
| Category · weight | 2027 Genesis GV80overall 96.1 | 2027 Ford Exploreroverall 87.3 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricenot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 83.4 | 100 | |||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 100 | 83.7 | |||||||||
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 & cargow 2 | 97.7 | 100 | |||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | |||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 100 | 99.9 | |||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | |||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 100 | 62.5 | |||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | |||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||
| Overall | 96.1 | 87.3 | |||||||||
Trim vs trim · 5 of 7 categories compared
Genesis GV80: base trim 2.5T RWD · Ford Explorer: base trim Explorer Active RWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2027 Genesis GV80 wins
- It lists 28 standard driver-assist features against 19.
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (52 points against 32.5 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
- It has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 100 against 89).
Where the 2027 Ford Explorer answers
- It costs $850 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($2,900 against $3,750).
- It is rated 23 combined against 22 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
What they share
- 7 seats.
- 300 hp.
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.
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Specifications side by side
53 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Genesis GV802.5T RWD | Ford ExplorerExplorer Active RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | — | $38,465 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | twin turbo | twin turbo |
| Cylinder count | 4 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 2,497 cc | 2,300 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | 2.5L 16-Valve DOHC Turbo Inline 4 Cylinder GDI + MPI | 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 with Auto Start-Stop Technology |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | gdi mpi |
| Valve configuration | DOHC 16-Valve | — |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 300 hp | 300 hp |
| Torque | 311 lb-ft | 310 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 20 mpg | — |
| MPG (combined) | 22 mpg | — |
| MPG (highway) | 26 mpg | — |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.909 | 3.58 |
| Transmission speeds | 8 | 10 |
| Transmission type | automatic hybrid | automatic |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 8.1 in | 7.6 in |
| Overall height | 67.5 in | 69.6 in |
| Overall length | 195 in | 199 in |
| Overall width | 77.8 in | 78.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 116 in | 119 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 71.7 cu-ft | — |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 36.5 cu-ft | — |
| Cargo volume behind 3rd row | 11.6 cu-ft | 16.3 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | 109 cu-ft | 150 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 7 | 7 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 40.2 in | 40.7 in |
| Second-row headroom | 38.4 in | 40.5 in |
| Third-row headroom | 34.3 in | 38.9 in |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 41.6 in | 43 in |
| Second-row legroom | 38.7 in | 37.5 in |
| Third-row legroom | 30.3 in | 31.8 in |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 4,820 lbs | — |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 4,686 lbs | — |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 6,251 lbs | — |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | Multi-link High Performance Gas Shock Absorber | — |
| Rear suspension type | Multi-link High Performance Gas Shock Absorber | — |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Rack-mounted Motor-driven Power Steering (R-MDPS) | — |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 360 mm | — |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | — |
| Parking brake type | Electronic | — |
| Rear brake diameter | 360 mm | — |
| Rear brake type | ventilated disc | — |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 19 in | 18 in |
| Wheel material | Aluminum | aluminum |
| Wheel width | 8.5 in | — |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | P265/55R19 | P255/65R18 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 21.1 gal | — |
| Minimum recommended octane | 91 | — |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | Genesis Connected Services | FordPass Connect |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | — | 12 months |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 60.6 in | — |
| Second-row shoulder room | 58.3 in | — |
| Third-row shoulder room | 53.2 in | — |
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
168 features · differences first, then sharedSafety35 differ · 41 listed
| Feature | Genesis GV802.5T RWD | Ford ExplorerExplorer Active RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2 (FCA) | std | — |
| Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go | std | — |
| Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) | std | — |
| Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2 (FCA 2) | std | — |
| Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), and Lane Following Assist 2 (LFA) | std | — |
| Center Side Airbag (1) | std | — |
| First Row Driver and Passenger Dual-Stage Front, Front Seat Side, and Front Knee Airbags | — | std |
| Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), and Lane Following Assist 2 (LFA) | std | — |
| Rearview Camera with Dynamic Guidelines | std | — |
| 2nd Row Side Airbag (2) | std | — |
| Driver Attention Warning (DAW) | std | — |
| Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC) and Downhill Brake Control (DBC) | std | — |
| LATCH Lower Anchors and Upper Tether Anchors | std | — |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | std | — |
| Anti-theft System Integrated with Remote Keyless Entry | std | — |
| Auto Hold | — | std |
| Battery Saver | — | std |
| Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) | std | — |
| Electronic Parking Brake w/ Automatic Vehicle Hold | std | — |
| Electronic Stability Control System (ESC) with Traction Control System (TCS) | std | — |
| Ford Co-Pilot360™ Assist+ (Active) | — | std |
| Ford Security Package (1-Year Included) | — | std |
| Forward Attention Warning (FAW) | std | — |
| Haptic Warning (Steering Wheel) | std | — |
| High Beam Assist | std | — |
| Intelligent 4WD with 6 selectable Drive Modes and Hill Descent Control | std | opt |
| LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether Anchors for Children) | — | std |
| Perimeter Alarm | — | std |
| Power Door Locks - Auto Lock/Unlock and Child-Safety Rear | — | std |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | std |
| Rear View Camera with Backup Assist Grid Lines | — | std |
| SOS Post-Crash Alert System™ | — | std |
| Trailer Sway Control | — | std |
| Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) | std | — |
| SecuriLock® Passive Anti-Theft System | — | std |
| First Row Driver and Passenger Dual-Stage Front, Front Seat Side, and Front Knee Airbags | std | std |
| Lane Keeping System (includes Lane-Keeping Assist, Lane-Keeping Alert and Driver Alert) | std | std |
| Safety Canopy - Side-Curtain with Rollover Sensor Airbags | std | std |
| AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control™ | std | std |
| First Row Driver and Passenger Dual-Stage Front, Front Seat Side, and Front Knee Airbags | std | std |
| Individual Tire Pressure Monitoring System (ITPMS) | std | std |
Infotainment19 differ · 19 listed
| Feature | Genesis GV802.5T RWD | Ford ExplorerExplorer Active RWD |
|---|---|---|
| FordPass Connect™ | — | std |
| 27" OLED Instrument Cluster & Navigation System | std | — |
| AM/FM, MP3-Compatible with Six Speakers | — | std |
| Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Wireless Compatibility | — | std |
| Ford app | — | std |
| Ford Connectivity Package (1-Year Included) | — | std |
| Ford Digital Experience with 13.2" Center Display | — | std |
| Genesis Connected Services® Telematics System | std | — |
| Infotainment Platform: Connected Car Integrated Cockpit 27" (ccIC-27) with AM/FM/SiriusXM® Radio/HD Radio™, Cloud Connected Platform, 27" integrated OLED screen, Wireless Android Auto™, Apple CarPlay®, & Amazon Music® | std | — |
| Instrument Panel with 12.3" Cluster Display | — | std |
| Premium Audio System – 9 Speakers | std | — |
| SelectShift® Capability with Paddle Shifters | std | — |
| SiriusXM® with 360L (3-Month Prepaid Subscription) | — | std |
| Steering Wheel Controls – Audio, Phone, Voice Recognition, Custom Button, Cruise/HDA, Lane Following Assist/Lane Keeping Assist | std | — |
| USB – 2 Front USB Type-C Ports: 1 data/charge + 1 charge-only; 2 Rear USB Type-C Ports: charge-only | std | — |
| USB Ports, First Row – One (1) "A" and one (1) "C" in the Media Hub, two (2) "C" in center console | — | std |
| USB Ports, Second Row - Two (2) "C" | — | std |
| USB Ports, Third Row - Two (2) "C" | — | std |
| Wireless Phone Charger – Front | std | — |
Convenience11 differ · 11 listed
| Feature | Genesis GV802.5T RWD | Ford ExplorerExplorer Active RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Power Hands-free Smart Liftgate w/ Auto-Open | std | — |
| Proximity Key with Push-Button Start | std | — |
| 12-volt Outlets – 1 Front (center stack compartment) + 1 Cargo Area | std | — |
| 4-Door Intelligent Access (Lock/Unlock) with Push-Button Start | — | std |
| Easy Fuel® Capless Fuel Filler | — | std |
| Power Liftgate | — | std |
| Remote Releases – Hood | std | — |
| Remote Start System (optional) | — | opt |
| SecuriCode® Keyless Entry Keypad | — | opt |
| 12V Powerpoints, 3 total (1 first row, 1 second row and 1 cargo area) | — | std |
| Power Windows with Auto-Down/Up with Pinch Protection | std | — |
Climate5 differ · 5 listed
| Feature | Genesis GV802.5T RWD | Ford ExplorerExplorer Active RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Tri-zone Electronic Automatic Temperature Control | — | std |
| 4-Zone Climate Control | std | — |
| Auto-Defogging Windshield | std | — |
| Cabin Particulate Air Filter | — | std |
| Rear Auxiliary Climate Control | — | opt |
Seating15 differ · 16 listed
| Feature | Genesis GV802.5T RWD | Ford ExplorerExplorer Active RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 10-way Power Driver seat | — | std |
| Integrated Memory System – Power Driver's Seat, Outside Mirrors, Steering Column, HUD | std | — |
| Integrated Memory System – Power Driver's Seat, Outside Mirrors, Steering Column, HUD | std | — |
| 12-way Power Driver Seat including 4-way Power Lumbar | std | — |
| 12-way Power Front Passenger Seat including 4-way Power Lumbar | std | — |
| 4-way Manual Passenger seat | — | std |
| 40/20/40 Split Folding Rear Seats | std | — |
| Center Folding Armrest with Dual Cup Holders (2nd Row) | std | — |
| Front Passenger Seat Walk-in Device | std | — |
| Leatherette Seating Surfaces | std | — |
| Manual Folding 3rd Row Seating | std | — |
| Second-row 35/30/35 split-fold-flat Bench Seat | — | opt |
| Second-row Captain's Seats with E-Z Entry and Armrests | — | std |
| Third-row 50/50 split-fold Bench Seat, Manual | — | std |
| Unique Cloth Seats | — | std |
| First-Row Heated Seats | std | std |
Interior32 differ · 33 listed
| Feature | Genesis GV802.5T RWD | Ford ExplorerExplorer Active RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Heated Steering Wheel | std | opt |
| Auto-dimming Inside Rearview Mirror | std | — |
| HomeLink® Integrated Transceiver (located on inside rearview mirror) | std | — |
| Power Tilt-and-Telescopic With memory (Integrated Memory System – I.M.S.) | std | — |
| Active Noise cancellation | — | std |
| Active Sound Design (ASD) | std | — |
| Assist Grips (3) | std | — |
| Door Pocket Storage Compartments | std | — |
| Door-Sill Scuff Plates, Front and Rear | — | std |
| First-row center floor console with armrest and storage bin | — | std |
| Front Overhead Pin Lights | std | — |
| Glove Compartment LED Light | std | — |
| Grab Handles – Front-Passenger; Second Row – two (2), includes Coat Hooks | — | std |
| High Gloss Black Trim | std | — |
| Leatherette Door Panel Inserts | std | — |
| Leatherette Wrapped Upper Dashboard | std | — |
| Locking Glove Compartment | std | — |
| Monotone Steering Wheel | std | — |
| Rear Coat Hangers (2) | std | — |
| Roof Trim – Cloth | std | — |
| Shift Lever – Rotary Dial-type | std | — |
| Stainless Steel Door Sill Plates (Front & Rear) | std | — |
| Steering Wheel - Heated, Leather-wrapped | std | — |
| Illuminated Driver & Front Passenger Vanity Mirrors | std | — |
| Manual Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column | — | std |
| Cargo Area LED Light | std | — |
| Driver & Front Passenger Sunvisors – Sliding | std | — |
| Front Overhead Map LED Lights | std | — |
| Overhead Console with Dome/Map Lights and Sunglasses Holder | — | std |
| Rear Overhead LED Lights | std | — |
| Seatback Pockets | std | — |
| Trip Computer (avg. fuel economy, avg. speed, range to empty, trip timer, trip distance) | std | — |
| Floor Mats - Black Carpet, Front and Second Rows | std | std |
Exterior28 differ · 30 listed
| Feature | Genesis GV802.5T RWD | Ford ExplorerExplorer Active RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Mirrors, Sideview – Power-Folding with Autofold, Power and Heated Glass, LED Turn Signal Indicators, Security Approach Lamps, Driver's Side Auto-Dimming, and Driver/Passenger Side Memory | std | — |
| 18" Sparkle Silver-Painted Aluminum wheels | — | std |
| 20" Carbonized Gray-painted Aluminum wheels | — | opt |
| 20" Luster Nickel-Painted Aluminum wheels | — | opt |
| Acoustic Laminated Glass (Noise Reducing) – Front Windshield & Front Side Windows | std | — |
| Acoustic-Laminate Windows - Front-Row Side | — | std |
| Chrome Exterior Trim (Grille Insert, Bumper Garnish, Window Trim, Lower Side Rocker, FR & RR Fascia Trim) | std | — |
| Exhaust – Hidden Exhaust Type | std | — |
| Full Micro Lens Array (MLA) LED Headlights | std | — |
| Grille - Black Mesh Insert with Chrome Bars | — | std |
| Guilloché Emblem (Finish Type) – Metallic / Black | std | — |
| Headlamps – LED Low & High Beams with Courtesy Delay, Autolamp (Automatic On/Off), Auto High-Beam | — | std |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | std | — |
| LED Fog Lamps | — | opt |
| LED Outside Mirror Turn Signal Indicators | std | — |
| LED Taillamps | — | std |
| LED Taillights | std | — |
| Outside Mirror Approach Lights W/ 'GENESIS' Logo | std | — |
| P255/65R18 All-Season BSW Tires | — | std |
| Panoramic Vista Roof® with Power Shade | — | opt |
| Rain-Sensing Wipers (Front only) | std | — |
| Roof-Rack Side Rails - Black | — | std |
| Skid Plate Elements, Front - Silver Painted | — | std |
| Tinted Glass – Solar Control + Privacy on Rear Side & Rear Glass | std | — |
| Privacy Glass - Second, Third Row and Liftgate | — | std |
| Rear Window Defroster, Electronic with Timer | std | — |
| Body-Color Rear Spoiler | — | std |
| LED Center High Mount Stop Lamp (CHMSL) | std | — |
| Mirrors, Sideview – Power and Heated Glass | std | std |
| Tire Inflator and Sealant Kit | std | std |
Powertrain11 differ · 11 listed
| Feature | Genesis GV802.5T RWD | Ford ExplorerExplorer Active RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 10-Speed Automatic Transmission | — | std |
| 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 Engine with Auto Start-Stop Technology | — | std |
| 2.5L 16-Valve DOHC Turbo (2,497 cc) Inline 4 Cylinder GDI + MPI | std | — |
| 3.58 Non-Limited-Slip Rear Axle | — | std |
| Drive Mode Select – Comfort, Smart, Eco, Sport, Custom | std | — |
| Idle Stop & Go (ISG) | std | — |
| Intelligent 4WD with 6 selectable Drive Modes and Hill Descent Control | — | opt |
| Rear-Wheel Drive | std | — |
| Rear-Wheel Drive with 6 selectable Drive Modes | — | std |
| Shift-by-Wire | std | — |
| Terrain Management System™ | — | std |
Cargo2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Genesis GV802.5T RWD | Ford ExplorerExplorer Active RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo Cover and Cargo Net | std | — |
| Class III Trailer Tow Package | — | std |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
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Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPGenesis GV80
Safety Signal 100 A
NHTSA overall —
Frontal / side / rollover — / — / —
Recalls 0
Owner complaints —
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Ford Explorer
Safety Signal 89 B
NHTSA overall —
Frontal / side / rollover — / — / —
Recalls 2 · 1 filed unfixed
Owner complaints —
Top recalls
- moderate Seats 26V470000 · 76,748 vehicles · filed unfixed
- moderate Back Over Prevention 26V415000 · 66,383 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Genesis GV802.5T RWD | Ford ExplorerExplorer Active RWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — (base trim) | $38,465 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | — 11 trims | $38,465 – $53,660 9 trims |
| Powertrains | HEV, GAS | GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | GV80 RWD | Explorer RWD |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 22 | 23 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $3,750 | $2,900 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | — | — |
| Powertrain warranty | — | — |
| Roadside assistance | — | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2027 Genesis GV80 or the 2027 Ford Explorer?
The Genesis GV80 wins clearly, 96.1 to 87.3, on tech & comfort, safety. The Ford Explorer is ahead on fuel & range and space & cargo. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2027 Genesis GV80 scores 96.1 and the 2027 Ford Explorer 87.3. 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 2027 Genesis GV80 or the 2027 Ford Explorer?
2027 Genesis GV80: no NHTSA rating yet, grade A, 0 recalls. 2027 Ford Explorer: no NHTSA rating yet, grade B, 2 recalls (1 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 2027 Genesis GV80 and the 2027 Ford Explorer?
Where the 2027 Genesis GV80 wins: it lists 28 standard driver-assist features against 19, lists more comfort and tech equipment (52 points against 32.5 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½), and has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 100 against 89). Where the 2027 Ford Explorer answers: it costs $850 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($2,900 against $3,750) and is rated 23 combined against 22 (EPA mpg or MPGe). What they share: 7 seats and 300 hp.