Compare | St. Louis, MO
Ford Edge vs. Ford Explorer, and which mid-size SUV fits your family.
Two mid-size SUVs on the same lot, both wearing the Ford badge, and a surprisingly different answer depending on who’s asking. The Ford Edge and the Ford Explorer overlap in price range and overall footprint, but they’re built around a different core decision: two rows or three.
This walks through where the two SUVs diverge, so the choice comes down to what fits a specific family rather than guessing between two similar-looking options on the lot.
Quick answer: The Ford Edge is a two-row SUV with more cargo room behind the back seat, while the Ford Explorer adds a third row for extra seating at the cost of some everyday cargo space. A family that regularly needs to seat more than five should lean Ford Explorer. A smaller household that wants more room for gear leans Ford Edge.
Rows
Two rows vs. an available third
Think about
Carpools and cargo
Drive
Both on your daily route
In this post
- What’s the Main Difference Between the Ford Edge and the Ford Explorer?
- Which SUV Is Easier to Park and Maneuver Around St. Louis?
- Does the Ford Edge Come in a Performance Trim Like the Ford Explorer?
- Which SUV Has More Cargo Space?
- Is One SUV Better Suited to Towing Than the Other?
- How Do These Two Fit Everyday St. Louis Life?
What’s the Main Difference Between the Ford Edge and the Ford Explorer?
Seating configuration is the core difference. The Ford Edge seats five across two rows, while the Ford Explorer seats up to seven across three rows. That single difference shapes nearly everything else about who each SUV fits, from cargo space with everyone seated to how each one handles a crowded school pickup line.
Which SUV Is Easier to Park and Maneuver Around St. Louis?
The Ford Edge, generally. Its two-row footprint is more compact than the Ford Explorer’s, which can make a difference in tighter parking situations around the city or in a crowded grocery store lot. The Ford Explorer’s extra length pays off in seating and third-row access, but it does ask for a bit more room to maneuver.
Does the Ford Edge Come in a Performance Trim Like the Ford Explorer?
Both lineups have historically included a performance-oriented ST trim with a more powerful engine and sport-tuned suspension, though exact trim availability shifts by model year. A sales consultant can confirm which performance trims are currently in stock or available to order for either model.
See Ford Edge Inventory
See Ford Explorer Inventory
St. Louis driver tip: School pickup lines and a Saturday run to Costco will show you which size feels right in daily use.
Which SUV Has More Cargo Space?
With all seats in use, the Ford Edge typically offers more cargo room than the Ford Explorer, since it isn’t giving up trunk depth to a folded third row. Fold the Ford Explorer’s third row flat, though, and the gap narrows considerably. The real question is less about total cargo volume and more about whether that third row gets used often enough to be worth the tradeoff.
Is One SUV Better Suited to Towing Than the Other?
The Ford Explorer generally offers a higher maximum towing capacity than the Ford Edge, particularly with the available tow package. A family that tows a small boat or camper on weekends should lean toward the Ford Explorer and confirm the exact rated capacity for the specific engine and trim being considered.
The choice comes down to what fits a specific family, not two similar-looking options on a lot.
Ford Edge
Fits you if
- You want a two-row SUV that is easier to park
- Your family rarely needs a third row
- You want a smaller footprint for city driving
Ford Explorer
Fits you if
- You need an available third row for carpools
- You haul gear for sports and weekends
- You want more room to grow into
How Do These Two Fit Everyday St. Louis Life?
A lot of families cross-shopping these two are weighing carpool duty against weekend errands. The Ford Explorer earns its keep on the days it’s hauling a full roster of kids to practice around Sunset Hills. The Ford Edge earns its keep the rest of the week, when it’s just hauling groceries and gear and that extra cargo space behind the back seat gets used.
For a closer look at how the Ford Explorer handles family duty specifically, our Ford Explorer family guide goes deeper on that side of the comparison.
Seeing both in person, side by side, is still the clearest way to feel the size difference and decide which layout works for a specific family’s routine. Our sales team can pull current inventory of both models for a direct side-by-side look.
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Seating and Space
Does the Ford Edge offer a third-row seat option?
No, the Ford Edge is a two-row SUV only. A family that needs a third row should look at the Ford Explorer or a larger SUV like the Expedition instead.
How much legroom does the third row offer in the Ford Explorer?
Third-row legroom in the Ford Explorer is workable for kids and shorter trips, though it’s tighter than the first two rows, which is typical for a three-row SUV in this size class.
Which SUV fits a full-size stroller more easily?
The Ford Edge generally has an edge here with all seats in use, since it isn’t giving up cargo depth to a folded third row, though both handle a standard folding stroller without much trouble.
Performance and Trims
Is the Ford Edge ST as powerful as the Ford Explorer ST?
Output varies by model year and specific engine, so current horsepower figures for each ST trim are worth confirming directly rather than assuming they match.
Does either SUV offer a hybrid option?
Hybrid availability has varied by model year across both lineups, so it’s worth checking current inventory and upcoming model year offerings for the most accurate answer.
What is the base trim for each SUV?
Base trim names and included features change by model year for both the Ford Edge and Ford Explorer, and a sales consultant can walk through what’s standard on each current base trim.
Towing and Capability
Does the Ford Explorer tow more than the Ford Edge?
Generally, yes, particularly with the available tow package, though exact figures depend on engine and trim and are worth confirming for the specific vehicle being considered.
Is all-wheel drive standard on both SUVs?
All-wheel drive is typically available on both as an upgrade from the standard front-wheel-drive setup, though standard configuration can vary by trim and model year.
Can either SUV handle light off-road conditions?
Both can handle a gravel road or light trail reasonably well with all-wheel drive, though neither is built as a dedicated off-road vehicle the way a Bronco is.
Technology and Comfort
Do both SUVs offer the same infotainment screen size?
Screen size and technology packages vary by trim within each lineup, so it’s worth comparing specific trims rather than assuming the base technology matches across both models.
Does one SUV ride quieter on the highway than the other?
Both are tuned for comfortable highway driving, and any difference in cabin noise is generally subtle enough that it’s worth experiencing both on a test drive rather than guessing.
Are driver assistance features standard on both?
Most core driver assistance features are standard across current trims of both models, with some more advanced features reserved for higher trims or optional packages.
Buying and Ownership
Which SUV typically costs less to insure?
Insurance costs depend on the specific trim, driver profile, and coverage selected, so getting a quote for the exact vehicle being considered is more reliable than a general comparison.
Can I trade in my current vehicle toward either SUV?
Yes, a trade-in’s value applies the same way toward either model, and getting a trade estimate first makes comparing the two easier.
Which SUV holds its value better over time?
Resale value depends on trim, mileage, and market demand at the time of sale, so it varies more by specific vehicle than by model alone.
