2017 Ford Explorer vs 2017 GMC Acadia

The 2017 Ford Explorer vs 2017 GMC Acadia. What's Your Choice?

Serving Chattanooga, Nashville, and Dalton, TN

Over the past few decades, crossover SUVs have risen in popularity due to the ability to meld the interior space and high ground clearance of a sports utility vehicle with the driving mechanics and fuel efficiency of a four-door sedan. One of the first popular crossovers is the Ford Explorer, which got a major facelift for the 2016 model year, deep into its fifth production cycle. The 2017 Explorer is riding high off this helpful update, making it more competitive in the crossover market than ever before—particularly about seven-seaters with three rows. And that includes going up against the GMC Acadia, which has a full redesign for the 2017 model year for its second production cycle.

Reliability

One of the reasons why the 2017 Ford Explorer is a superior choice is its projected reliability. Car research information firm J.D. Power uses an Initial Quality Study to gauge the long-term durability of each new car based on reported issues during the first 90 days of ownership. The 2017 Explorer, as a carryover from the previous model year, is given 2.5 out of 5 Power Circles, which means it has an acceptable projected level of reliability. The 2017 GMC Acadia, on the other hand, does not have a J.D. Power Circle rating at all, so it’s virtually impossible to estimate its reliability in the long run.

Engine

Another reason why the 2017 Ford Explorer is on a higher pedestal than the 2017 GMC Acadia is because it presents a stronger top-tier engine. For maximum power and acceleration, you can go as high as the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, which supplies an output of 365 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. And while the engine itself is huge, it belongs to the EcoBoost family, the members of which are manufactured to eke out as much gas mileage as possible. By comparison, the highest-level engine on the 2017 GMC Acadia is a 3.6-liter V6, which provides 64 less horsepower and 78 less lb-ft of torque.

Spaciousness

The 2017 Ford Explorer offers more interior space than the 2017 GMC Acadia. For vehicles like the Explorer and Acadia, which have three rows of seats to accommodate up to seven occupants, the amount of room in the cabin is particularly important. And with the Explorer in particular, it comes with 171.3 cubic feet of passenger volume, plus a maximum cargo volume of 81.7 cubic feet once you bend down the second- and third-row seats. Although there are no passenger volume specs on the 2017 Acadia, it is designed and classified as a mid-size crossover SUV, while the Explorer holds to a larger, full-size designation. As a result, interior space is generally smaller. The Acadia offers 2.7 less lb-ft of maximum cargo volume than the Explorer, and it’s very possible that it offers lesser passenger space, too.

Ready to find out for yourself why the 2017 Ford Explorer is a better choice than the 2017 GMC Acadia? Come find out for yourself at Mountain View Ford located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Give us a call today to set up an appointment, and one of our sales experts will be waiting to assist you in locating the right 2017 Explorer for you—and at the right price!

MSRP excludes destination, taxes, title and registration fees. Starting at MSRP refers to the base model, optional equipment not included. Pricing and offers may change at any time without notification. To get full pricing details, see your dealer.

All figures are EPA estimates. Actual mileage may vary.