Spec Sizes

Ford Explorer vs BMW X5 Dimensions & Size Comparison

Comparing 2020 catalog dimensions. Ford Explorer · BMW X5

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

Side view
  • Length198.8 in
  • Height69.9 in – 70.2 in
  • Wheelbase119.1 in
  • Ground clearance7.9 in – 8.3 in
  • Curb weight4,345 lb – 4,727 lb
Front / width
  • Width78.9 in
  • BMW X5 width78.9 in

Which is bigger?

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

Biggest size differences

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

Practical verdicts

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

Dimension comparison

SpecFord ExplorerBMW X5Difference
Length198.8 in194.3 in4.5 in
Width78.9 in78.9 in0.0 in
Height70.1 in69.1 in1.0 in
Wheelbase119.1 in117.1 in2.0 in
Ground clearance8.1 in8.7 in0.6 in
Curb weight4,536 lb5,126 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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