Spec Sizes

BMW X5 vs Ford Explorer Dimensions & Size Comparison

Comparing 2020 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 clearance8.7 in
  • Curb weight4,991 lb – 5,260 lb
Front / width
  • Width78.9 in
  • Ford Explorer width78.9 in

Which is bigger?

  • Length: BMW X5 is 4.5 in shorter (194.3 in vs 198.8 in)
  • Width: essentially the same
  • Height: Ford Explorer is 1.0 in taller (69.1 in vs 70.1 in)
  • Wheelbase: Ford Explorer has a 2.0 in longer wheelbase (117.1 in vs 119.1 in)
  • Ground clearance: BMW X5 has 0.6 in more ground clearance (8.7 in vs 8.1 in)
  • Curb weight: BMW X5 is 590 lb heavier (5,126 lb vs 4,536 lb)

Biggest size differences

  1. Curb weight: BMW X5 is 590 lb heavier (5,126 lb vs 4,536 lb)
  2. Ground clearance: BMW X5 has 0.6 in more ground clearance (8.7 in vs 8.1 in)
  3. Length: BMW X5 is 4.5 in shorter (194.3 in vs 198.8 in)
  4. Wheelbase: Ford Explorer has a 2.0 in longer wheelbase (117.1 in vs 119.1 in)
  5. Height: Ford Explorer is 1.0 in taller (69.1 in vs 70.1 in)

Practical verdicts

  • Easier to fit in a short garageBMW X5 — BMW X5 is shorter by 4.5 in Check garage fit for BMW X5 · garage fit for Ford Explorer
  • More ground clearanceBMW X5 — BMW X5 has 0.6 in more clearance
  • Smaller exterior footprintBMW X5 — Based on length × width (BMW X5)

Dimension comparison

SpecBMW X5Ford ExplorerDifference
Length194.3 in198.8 in4.5 in
Width78.9 in78.9 in0.0 in
Height69.1 in70.1 in1.0 in
Wheelbase117.1 in119.1 in2.0 in
Ground clearance8.7 in8.1 in0.6 in
Curb weight5,126 lb4,536 lb590 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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