Spec Sizes

Ford Explorer vs BMW X5 Dimensions & Size Comparison

Comparing 2018 catalog dimensions. Ford Explorer · BMW X5

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

Side view
  • Length198.3 in
  • Height70.0 in
  • Wheelbase112.8 in
  • Ground clearance7.8 in – 8.3 in
  • Curb weight4,443 lb – 4,901 lb
Front / width
  • Width78.9 in
  • BMW X5 width76.3 in

Which is bigger?

  • Length: BMW X5 is 5.9 in shorter (198.3 in vs 192.4 in)
  • Width: BMW X5 is 2.6 in narrower (78.9 in vs 76.3 in)
  • Height: Ford Explorer is 0.6 in taller (70.0 in vs 69.4 in)
  • Wheelbase: BMW X5 has a 2.7 in longer wheelbase (112.8 in vs 115.5 in)
  • Ground clearance: essentially the same
  • Curb weight: BMW X5 is 243 lb heavier (4,672 lb vs 4,915 lb)

Biggest size differences

  1. Curb weight: BMW X5 is 243 lb heavier (4,672 lb vs 4,915 lb)
  2. Width: BMW X5 is 2.6 in narrower (78.9 in vs 76.3 in)
  3. Length: BMW X5 is 5.9 in shorter (198.3 in vs 192.4 in)
  4. Wheelbase: BMW X5 has a 2.7 in longer wheelbase (112.8 in vs 115.5 in)
  5. Height: Ford Explorer is 0.6 in taller (70.0 in vs 69.4 in)

Practical verdicts

  • Easier to fit in a short garageBMW X5 — BMW X5 is shorter by 5.9 in Check garage fit for Ford Explorer · garage fit for BMW X5
  • Narrower for tight parkingBMW X5 — BMW X5 is narrower by 2.6 in
  • Smaller exterior footprintBMW X5 — Based on length × width (BMW X5)

Dimension comparison

SpecFord ExplorerBMW X5Difference
Length198.3 in192.4 in5.9 in
Width78.9 in76.3 in2.6 in
Height70.0 in69.4 in0.6 in
Wheelbase112.8 in115.5 in2.7 in
Ground clearance8.1 in8.1 in0.0 in
Curb weight4,672 lb4,915 lb243 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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