Spec Sizes

BMW X5 vs Ford Explorer Dimensions & Size Comparison

Comparing 2019 catalog dimensions. BMW X5 · Ford Explorer

Same scale for both vehicles. Generic silhouette — proportional to measured length, height, width, wheelbase, and clearance.

Side view
  • Length194.3 in
  • Height68.7 in – 69.4 in
  • Wheelbase117.1 in
  • Ground clearance9.0 in
  • Curb weight4,991 lb – 5,095 lb
Front / width
  • Width78.9 in
  • Ford Explorer width78.9 in

Which is bigger?

  • Length: BMW X5 is 4.0 in shorter (194.3 in vs 198.3 in)
  • Width: essentially the same
  • Height: Ford Explorer is 0.9 in taller (69.1 in vs 70.0 in)
  • Wheelbase: BMW X5 has a 4.3 in longer wheelbase (117.1 in vs 112.8 in)
  • Ground clearance: BMW X5 has 0.9 in more ground clearance (9.0 in vs 8.1 in)
  • Curb weight: BMW X5 is 371 lb heavier (5,043 lb vs 4,672 lb)

Biggest size differences

  1. Ground clearance: BMW X5 has 0.9 in more ground clearance (9.0 in vs 8.1 in)
  2. Curb weight: BMW X5 is 371 lb heavier (5,043 lb vs 4,672 lb)
  3. Wheelbase: BMW X5 has a 4.3 in longer wheelbase (117.1 in vs 112.8 in)
  4. Length: BMW X5 is 4.0 in shorter (194.3 in vs 198.3 in)
  5. Height: Ford Explorer is 0.9 in taller (69.1 in vs 70.0 in)

Practical verdicts

  • Easier to fit in a short garageBMW X5 — BMW X5 is shorter by 4.0 in Check garage fit for BMW X5 · garage fit for Ford Explorer
  • More ground clearanceBMW X5 — BMW X5 has 0.9 in more clearance
  • Smaller exterior footprintBMW X5 — Based on length × width (BMW X5)

Dimension comparison

SpecBMW X5Ford ExplorerDifference
Length194.3 in198.3 in4.0 in
Width78.9 in78.9 in0.0 in
Height69.1 in70.0 in0.9 in
Wheelbase117.1 in112.8 in4.3 in
Ground clearance9.0 in8.1 in0.9 in
Curb weight5,043 lb4,672 lb371 lb

Values use trim midpoints when a model year lists a range.

Compare by year

Overlapping model years with dimension data.

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