2025 BMW X7 vs 2026 Ford Explorer

The X7 is BMW’s flagship SUV, providing more space, luxury, and seats for new car buyers looking for a big utility vehicle but wanting to stay in the BMW fold. It arrived for the 2019 model year, received a substantial update for 2023, and continues into the 2025 model year without major changes. Its diverse competitive set includes the Cadillac Escalade, the Lincoln Navigator, the Land Rover Range Rover, the Lexus LX, the Infiniti QX80, and the Mercedes-Benz GLS.

Verdict: BMW loyalists will find more of what they love about the brand, while the X7’s superb driving dynamics and reasonable pricing (for this high-end segment, that is) should give customers of rival brands something to think about.

The Explorer was one of the first truly family-friendly SUVs, and it continues in that role today as a midsize three-row crossover competing against the likes of the Chevrolet Traverse, Honda Pilot, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Pathfinder, and Toyota Highlander. The current-generation Explorer has been around since the 2020 model year, and the big news for 2026 is a Tremor model that replaces the Timberline as the most off-road-capable Explorer. The available BlueCruise driver-assist system also gets an update.

Verdict: Ford’s SUV stalwart still gets the job done, but it lacks personality unless you go for the ST or Tremor models.