2027 Ford Explorer vs 2027 Jeep Grand Wagoneer: Which 3-Row SUV Wins?
The 2027 Ford Explorer delivers 300 hp and 29 mpg highway from its standard 2.3L EcoBoost engine. The Grand Wagoneer counters with 420 hp and 10,000 lbs of towing, but requires premium fuel and returns only 19 mpg combined. This page breaks down every key difference so you can choose the right SUV, then check inventory at George Coleman Ford.
The Short Answer
The 2027 Ford Explorer is the right choice for families in Travelers Rest and the surrounding Upstate South Carolina area who want a fuel-efficient, tech-loaded three-row SUV with a broad trim range. The 2027 Jeep Grand Wagoneer is the right choice for buyers who need serious towing muscle, maximum cargo volume, and a luxury-truck presence, and who are prepared to spend significantly more to get it.
Full 2027 Explorer specs and trim details
Specs Head-to-Head
| Spec | 2027 Ford Explorer | 2027 Jeep Grand Wagoneer |
|---|---|---|
| Standard engine | 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 Turbo | 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-6 (Hurricane) |
| Horsepower | 300 hp | 420 hp |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft | 468 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Standard drivetrain | RWD (4WD available) | RWD base; 4WD on upper trims |
| Fuel type | Regular gasoline | Premium gasoline |
| City / Hwy / Combined MPG | 20 / 29 / 24 | 17 / 24 / 19 |
| Towing capacity | 5,000 lbs | 10,000 lbs (Upland with HD pkg) |
| Length | 198.7 in | 216.1 in |
| Ground clearance | 7.6 in (8.7 in on Tremor) | 10 in |
| Seating | Up to 7 | Up to 8 |
| Cargo behind 3rd row | 16.3 cu ft | 27.9 cu ft |
| Max cargo | 85.8 cu ft | 116.7 cu ft |
| Warranty (basic / powertrain) | 3 yr / 36k mi, 5 yr / 60k mi | 3 yr / 36k mi, 5 yr / 60k mi |
EPA fuel economy ratings for both vehicles
Performance and Powertrain
The Explorer's standard 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder produces 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque through a 10-speed automatic. Buyers who want more can step up to the optional 3.0L twin-turbo V6, which generates up to 400 hp in ST trim and 385 hp in Tremor and Platinum trims. Six selectable drive modes, including Sport, Eco, Tow/Haul, and an off-road or trail setting, let the Explorer adapt to changing conditions from Blue Ridge foothills to mountain highways.
The Grand Wagoneer runs a single powertrain: the 3.0L Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six producing 420 hp and 468 lb-ft of torque through an 8-speed automatic. That engine is genuinely powerful, but it requires premium gasoline on every fill-up. The Explorer's base four-cylinder runs on regular fuel and returns 5 more combined mpg than the Grand Wagoneer, which adds up quickly on longer drives through the Carolinas.
Towing tells the bigger story here. The Explorer maxes out at 5,000 lbs across all trims. The Grand Wagoneer reaches 10,000 lbs on the Upland trim with the available Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package. If you regularly haul a large boat, horse trailer, or fifth-wheel camper, the Wagoneer has a commanding advantage.
Interior, Space, and Cargo
The Explorer seats up to seven passengers with 16.3 cu ft of cargo behind the third row and 85.8 cu ft of maximum cargo space. Third-row legroom measures 31.8 inches. PowerFold third-row seats are available on select trims to make loading cargo easier without lifting folding the seat by hand.
The Grand Wagoneer is noticeably larger at 216.1 inches long, compared to the Explorer's 198.7 inches. That extra length pays off: the Wagoneer delivers 27.9 cu ft behind the third row and 116.7 cu ft maximum. Third-row legroom extends to 36.6 inches, making the Wagoneer genuinely comfortable for adults in the back seat. The Wagoneer also offers an optional 8-passenger configuration.
For families who need all three rows to carry adults on road trips to the mountains or down to the coast, the Grand Wagoneer's interior dimensions are a meaningful real-world advantage. For buyers who need a three-row SUV mostly for school runs and occasional cargo hauling, the Explorer's dimensions are more than adequate, and its shorter length is easier to park.
Interior materials on the Explorer range from cloth on the Active trim through Miko suede on the Tremor and ST, to ActiveX with leather-interlaced inserts on the Platinum. The Grand Wagoneer starts with heated and ventilated Capri leather seats on the base trim and climbs to Palermo leather on the Summit Reserve.
Technology and Safety
Both SUVs include wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and rear cross-traffic warning across their lineups.
The Explorer brings a 13.2-inch center touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, paired with Google Built-In navigation and Google Assistant voice control baked natively into the system. A 5G modem powers the built-in Wi-Fi hotspot, and USB-C ports appear in all three rows. BlueCruise hands-free highway driving assist is available on ST-Line, Tremor, Platinum, and ST trims. The surround-view camera system is standard on ST-Line and above.
The Grand Wagoneer uses a 12-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen with integrated navigation, and pairs it with a 4G LTE hotspot rather than 5G. It adds Alexa Built-In, a 9-speaker Alpine base audio system, and available 10.1-inch rear entertainment screens running Amazon Fire TV. Upper trims (Overland and above) gain a head-up display and a 360-degree surround camera.
On the audio front, the Explorer offers an available B&O Sound System by Bang and Olufsen with up to 14 speakers and 980 watts. The Grand Wagoneer counters with an available 19-speaker McIntosh system on Overland and a 23-speaker McIntosh Reference system on Summit Reserve, which is the strongest audio option in the segment.
Both vehicles carry identical 3-year/36,000-mile basic and 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranties.
Value and Ownership
The Explorer offers eleven trim levels from the fuel-sipping Active through the performance-focused ST and the comfort-focused Platinum, giving buyers a broader range of entry points. The Grand Wagoneer's lineup runs from the base Grand Wagoneer through the Summit Reserve, spanning a much wider price band.
Fuel costs over time favor the Explorer significantly. At 24 combined mpg on regular gasoline versus 19 combined mpg on premium fuel, the Explorer's long-term fuel bill will be noticeably lower for most families, especially given today's fuel price spread between regular and premium grades.
Both vehicles carry the same 3/36 basic and 5/60 powertrain warranty. The Explorer includes Ford Co-Pilot360 as its standard safety suite and comes with the Ford Security Package included for one year from the new-vehicle warranty start date.
Research all 2027 Ford Explorer trims and packages
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the 2027 Ford Explorer if:
you want a well-equipped three-row SUV with strong daily-driver fuel economy, a broad trim lineup from Active to ST, Google Built-In technology on a large 13.2-inch screen, and the ability to run on regular gasoline. The Tremor trim adds genuine off-road capability for buyers who want to get off the pavement in the Upstate South Carolina mountains. The ST delivers up to 400 hp for drivers who want performance without sacrificing practicality.
Choose the 2027 Jeep Grand Wagoneer if:
you routinely tow above 5,000 lbs, need true adult-comfortable three-row seating for long trips, want the largest cargo space in the segment, or want flagship luxury-SUV materials from the base trim upward. The Wagoneer's 10,000-lb tow rating, 10 inches of ground clearance, and 36.6 inches of third-row legroom put it in a different capability class than the Explorer.
Most buyers making daily drives in and around Travelers Rest, Greenville, or Greer who value efficiency and technology will find the Explorer delivers more of what they actually use. Buyers with a horse trailer or a large boat in the driveway should take a serious look at the Grand Wagoneer.
See the 2027 Ford Explorer at George Coleman Ford in Travelers Rest
George Coleman Ford in Travelers Rest, SC stocks the 2027 Explorer across multiple trims so you can compare the Active, ST-Line, Tremor, Platinum, and ST in person. Browse current inventory online or visit the store to put the Explorer through its paces on the roads you actually drive every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 2027 Ford Explorer require premium gasoline?
No. The standard 2.3L EcoBoost engine runs on regular gasoline. The Grand Wagoneer requires premium fuel on every fill-up.
How much can the 2027 Ford Explorer tow?
The 2027 Explorer tows up to 5,000 lbs on all trims with the standard Class III Trailer Tow Package. The Grand Wagoneer reaches up to 10,000 lbs on the Upland trim with the available Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package.
Does the 2027 Ford Explorer offer hands-free highway driving?
Yes. BlueCruise hands-free highway driving assist is available on ST-Line, Tremor, Platinum, and ST trims. It is included for one year on Platinum and ST models.
Which SUV has more cargo space, the Explorer or the Grand Wagoneer?
The Grand Wagoneer has more cargo space. It provides 27.9 cu ft behind the third row and 116.7 cu ft maximum, compared to the Explorer's 16.3 cu ft behind the third row and 85.8 cu ft maximum.
Does the 2027 Ford Explorer offer Google navigation built in?
Yes. Google Maps navigation and Google Assistant voice control are built natively into the Explorer's 13.2-inch touchscreen through the Ford Digital Experience, with no phone required.
What is the ground clearance on the 2027 Ford Explorer Tremor?
The Tremor trim has 8.7 inches of minimum running ground clearance, the highest in the Explorer lineup, compared to the standard 7.6 inches on other trims.
Can I test-drive the 2027 Ford Explorer near Travelers Rest?
Yes. George Coleman Ford in Travelers Rest, SC carries the 2027 Explorer in multiple trims. Go online to schedule a test drive or check current inventory.