2027 Ford Explorer vs 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class
The Ford Explorer wins clearly, 98.2 to 62.4, on tech & comfort, price, safety.
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 …
2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class
The 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid large SUV with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the GLE350 4matic, is EP…
2027 Ford Explorer
Clear winThe Ford Explorer wins clearly, 98.2 to 62.4, on tech & comfort, price, safety.
| Category · weight | 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Classoverall 62.4 | 2027 Ford Exploreroverall 98.2 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 56.2 | 100 | |||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | |||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 87.8 | 100 | |||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 76.3 | 91.8 | |||||||||
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 | 71.4 | 100 | |||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | |||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 88.4 | 100 | |||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | |||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 3.1 | 100 | |||||||||
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 | 62.4 | 98.2 | |||||||||
Trim vs trim · 6 of 7 categories compared
Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class: base trim GLE 350 4MATIC SUV AWD · Ford Explorer: base trim Explorer Active 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 2027 Ford Explorer wins
- It lists 19 standard driver-assist features against 1.
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (32.5 points against 1 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
- It starts $29,935 lower ($38,465 against $68,400 base MSRP).
Where the 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class answers
- It has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 100 against 89).
What they share
- 23 combined.
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
43 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Mercedes-Benz GLE-ClassGLE 350 4MATIC SUV AWD | Ford ExplorerExplorer Active RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $68,400 | $38,465 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | twin turbo | twin turbo |
| Cylinder count | 4 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 2,000 cc | 2,300 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | 2.0L inline-4 turbo with mild hybrid drive | 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 with Auto Start-Stop Technology |
| Fuel injection system | — | gdi mpi |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 255 hp | 300 hp |
| Torque | 295 lb-ft | 310 lb-ft |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | — | 3.58 |
| Transmission speeds | 9 | 10 |
| Transmission type | automatic | automatic |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | — | 7.6 in |
| Overall height | 70.7 in | 69.6 in |
| Overall length | 194 in | 199 in |
| Overall width | 79.7 in | 78.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 118 in | 119 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 74.9 cu-ft | — |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 33.3 cu-ft | — |
| Cargo volume behind 3rd row | — | 16.3 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | — | 150 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 5 | 7 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 40.5 in | 40.7 in |
| Second-row headroom | 36.9 in | 40.5 in |
| Third-row headroom | — | 38.9 in |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 40.3 in | 43 in |
| Second-row legroom | 40.9 in | 37.5 in |
| Third-row legroom | — | 31.8 in |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 4,916 lbs | — |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 4,916 lbs | — |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | Independent double-wishbone | — |
| Rear suspension type | Multilink with selective damping | — |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Rack-and-pinion with speed-dependent electromechanical power assist | — |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 19.8 ft | — |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 19 in | 18 in |
| Wheel material | forged alloy | aluminum |
| Wheel width | 8.5 in | — |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 275/55R19 | P255/65R18 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 22.5 gal | — |
| Minimum recommended octane | 91 | — |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | — | FordPass Connect |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | — | 12 months |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 59.3 in | — |
| Second-row shoulder room | 58.3 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
91 features · differences first, then sharedSafety21 differ · 21 listed
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz GLE-ClassGLE 350 4MATIC SUV AWD | Ford ExplorerExplorer Active RWD |
|---|---|---|
| First Row Driver and Passenger Dual-Stage Front, Front Seat Side, and Front Knee Airbags | — | std |
| First Row Driver and Passenger Dual-Stage Front, Front Seat Side, and Front Knee Airbags | — | std |
| Lane Keeping System (includes Lane-Keeping Assist, Lane-Keeping Alert and Driver Alert) | — | std |
| Safety Canopy - Side-Curtain with Rollover Sensor Airbags | — | std |
| AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control™ | — | std |
| Auto Hold | — | std |
| Battery Saver | — | std |
| Digital Extra: 360° camera | std | — |
| First Row Driver and Passenger Dual-Stage Front, Front Seat Side, and Front Knee Airbags | — | std |
| Ford Co-Pilot360™ Assist+ (Active) | — | std |
| Ford Security Package (1-Year Included) | — | std |
| Intelligent 4WD with 6 selectable Drive Modes and Hill Descent Control | — | 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 |
| Individual Tire Pressure Monitoring System (ITPMS) | — | std |
| SecuriLock® Passive Anti-Theft System | — | std |
Infotainment12 differ · 12 listed
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz GLE-ClassGLE 350 4MATIC SUV AWD | Ford ExplorerExplorer Active RWD |
|---|---|---|
| FordPass Connect™ | — | 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 |
| Instrument Panel with 12.3" Cluster Display | — | std |
| MBUX Superscreen | std | — |
| SiriusXM® with 360L (3-Month Prepaid Subscription) | — | 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 |
Convenience6 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz GLE-ClassGLE 350 4MATIC SUV AWD | Ford ExplorerExplorer Active RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 4-Door Intelligent Access (Lock/Unlock) with Push-Button Start | — | std |
| Easy Fuel® Capless Fuel Filler | — | std |
| Power Liftgate | — | 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 |
Climate3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz GLE-ClassGLE 350 4MATIC SUV AWD | Ford ExplorerExplorer Active RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Tri-zone Electronic Automatic Temperature Control | — | std |
| Cabin Particulate Air Filter | — | std |
| Rear Auxiliary Climate Control | — | opt |
Seating7 differ · 7 listed
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz GLE-ClassGLE 350 4MATIC SUV AWD | Ford ExplorerExplorer Active RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 10-way Power Driver seat | — | std |
| First-Row Heated Seats | — | std |
| 4-way Manual Passenger seat | — | 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 |
Interior8 differ · 8 listed
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz GLE-ClassGLE 350 4MATIC SUV AWD | Ford ExplorerExplorer Active RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Heated Steering Wheel | — | opt |
| Active Noise cancellation | — | std |
| Door-Sill Scuff Plates, Front and Rear | — | std |
| First-row center floor console with armrest and storage bin | — | std |
| Grab Handles – Front-Passenger; Second Row – two (2), includes Coat Hooks | — | std |
| Manual Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column | — | std |
| Floor Mats - Black Carpet, Front and Second Rows | — | std |
| Overhead Console with Dome/Map Lights and Sunglasses Holder | — | std |
Exterior19 differ · 19 listed
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz GLE-ClassGLE 350 4MATIC SUV AWD | Ford ExplorerExplorer Active RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 18" Sparkle Silver-Painted Aluminum wheels | — | std |
| 19-inch 5-spoke w/black accents (8.5x19) | std | — |
| 20" Carbonized Gray-painted Aluminum wheels | — | opt |
| 20" Luster Nickel-Painted Aluminum wheels | — | opt |
| 275/55R19, all-season tires | std | — |
| Acoustic-Laminate Windows - Front-Row Side | — | std |
| Grille - Black Mesh Insert with Chrome Bars | — | std |
| Headlamps – LED Low & High Beams with Courtesy Delay, Autolamp (Automatic On/Off), Auto High-Beam | — | std |
| LED Fog Lamps | — | opt |
| LED Taillamps | — | std |
| Mirrors, Sideview – Power and Heated Glass | — | std |
| P255/65R18 All-Season BSW Tires | — | std |
| Panorama roof | std | — |
| Panoramic Vista Roof® with Power Shade | — | opt |
| Roof-Rack Side Rails - Black | — | std |
| Skid Plate Elements, Front - Silver Painted | — | std |
| Tire Inflator and Sealant Kit | — | std |
| Privacy Glass - Second, Third Row and Liftgate | — | std |
| Body-Color Rear Spoiler | — | std |
Powertrain11 differ · 11 listed
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz GLE-ClassGLE 350 4MATIC SUV AWD | Ford ExplorerExplorer Active RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 4MATIC fully variable all-wheel drive | std | — |
| 10-Speed Automatic Transmission | — | std |
| 2.0L inline-4 turbo with mild hybrid drive | std | — |
| 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 Engine with Auto Start-Stop Technology | — | std |
| 3.0L inline-6 turbo with mild hybrid drive | std | — |
| 3.58 Non-Limited-Slip Rear Axle | — | std |
| 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic transmission | std | — |
| Hybrid Integrated Starter-Generator (48V mild hybrid) | std | — |
| Intelligent 4WD with 6 selectable Drive Modes and Hill Descent Control | — | opt |
| Rear-Wheel Drive with 6 selectable Drive Modes | — | std |
| Terrain Management System™ | — | std |
Chassis2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz GLE-ClassGLE 350 4MATIC SUV AWD | Ford ExplorerExplorer Active RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 4-wheel independent double-wishbone front/multilink rear with selective damping | std | — |
| Rack-and-pinion with speed-dependent electromechanical power assist | std | — |
Cargo2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz GLE-ClassGLE 350 4MATIC SUV AWD | Ford ExplorerExplorer Active RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Class III Trailer Tow Package | — | std |
| Towing capacity: 7,700 lbs | std | — |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPMercedes-Benz GLE-Class
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Ford Explorer
Top recalls
- moderate Seats 26V470000 · 76,748 vehicles · filed unfixed
- moderate Back Over Prevention 26V415000 · 66,383 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Mercedes-Benz GLE-ClassGLE 350 4MATIC SUV AWD | Ford ExplorerExplorer Active RWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $68,400 (base trim) | $38,465 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $68,400 – $98,000 7 trims | $38,465 – $53,660 9 trims |
| Powertrains | HEV | GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | GLE350 4matic | Explorer RWD |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 23 | 23 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $3,550 | $2,900 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | — | — |
| Powertrain warranty | — | — |
| Roadside assistance | — | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class or the 2027 Ford Explorer?
The Ford Explorer wins clearly, 98.2 to 62.4, on tech & comfort, price, safety. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2027 Ford Explorer scores 98.2 and the 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class 62.4. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which is cheaper, the 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class or the 2027 Ford Explorer?
The 2027 Ford Explorer starts lower — $38,465 against $68,400, a gap of $29,935 at the trims compared here. Both are manufacturer MSRPs before destination, options and dealer charges.
Which has the better safety record, the 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class or the 2027 Ford Explorer?
2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class: 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 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class and the 2027 Ford Explorer?
Where the 2027 Ford Explorer wins: it lists 19 standard driver-assist features against 1, lists more comfort and tech equipment (32.5 points against 1 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½), and starts $29,935 lower ($38,465 against $68,400 base MSRP). Where the 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class answers: it has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 100 against 89). What they share: 23 combined.