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Buick Enclave vs Ford Explorer

2026 Buick Enclave vs 2026 Ford Explorer — two standard SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Buick Enclave

2026 Buick Enclave

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WD
VS4 – 2Buick Enclave wins 4 of 6 categories
Ford Explorer

2026 Ford Explorer

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WD

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The short version

The Ford Explorer is more fuel-efficient: 24 vs 22 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $250 a year less in fuel for the Ford Explorer (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Buick Enclave is the bigger car, about 9 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Buick Enclave has had fewer recall campaigns (25 vs 105).

The two cars

The 2026 Buick Enclave is a standard SUV offered with a 2.5L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 208 inches long and 80 inches wide on a 121-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,733 lb.

The 2026 Ford Explorer is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (2.3L 4-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo) and rear-wheel drive and part-time 4-wheel drive. It measures about 199 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 119-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,458 lb (4dr SUV).

Buying used? The 2024 Enclave and the 2024 Explorer have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2015 Enclave and the 2016 Explorer.

Basics

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Regular Gasoline
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5L 4-cyl turbo
Engines
2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

22 MPG
Best combined MPG
24 MPG
20 city
City / highway MPG (best)
20 city
$3,050
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$2,800

Performance & space

207.5 in
Length
198.8 in
79.5 in
Width
78.7 in
70.9 in
Height
70.1 in
4,733 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,458 lb

Safety & reliability

12
Driver-assist features standard
10
1
Recalls (2026)
15
25
Recalls, all years since 2005
105
3
Owner complaints (latest year)
42

Interest

5,931
Wikipedia views, 30 days
23,294

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2024
2015
Year to avoid
2016

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Buick Enclave if…

  • You want more room (9 in longer)
  • You want more standard driver-assist tech
  • You put reliability history first (25 vs 105 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Ford Explorer if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (24 vs 22 MPG)
  • You want something easier to park (9 in shorter)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Buick Enclave

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

2026 Ford Explorer

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • 15 recallsMore than similar models (about 1). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Full 2026 Buick Enclave specs →Full 2026 Ford Explorer specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →