Compare the2026 Ford ExplorerVS 2026 Chrysler Voyager

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Ford Explorer have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Chrysler Voyager doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

With its standard Pre-Collision Assist, the Ford Explorer is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Chrysler Voyager, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	Explorer	Voyager
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH	AVOIDED	-4 MPH
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-6 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-1 MPH
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-22 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	2 sec	1.4 sec
37 MPH Low beams	-34 MPH	No Slowing
Warning Issued-Low beams	1.4 sec	No Warning

The Explorer has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Voyager doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Explorer 4WD’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Voyager doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The Explorer ST-Line/Tremor/Platinum/ST has a standard 360-Degree Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Voyager only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

Both the Explorer and Voyager have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Explorer has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Voyager’s Rear Cross Path Detection doesn’t automatically brake.

The Explorer’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Voyager doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

The Explorer has standard 911 Assist, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Voyager doesn’t offer a GPS response system, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Explorer and the Voyager have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available all wheel drive.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ford Explorer is safer than the Chrysler Voyager:

	Explorer	Voyager
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	131	168
Neck Compression	13 lbs.	56 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.4 inches
Leg Forces (l/r)	196/281 lbs.	440/251 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Explorer is much safer than the Voyager:

	Explorer	Voyager
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Forces L/R	45/45 pounds	180/292 pounds
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Forces L/R	45/45 pounds	180/292 pounds
Leg Forces L/R	382/382 pounds	472/742 pounds
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Chest Rating	GOOD	MARGINAL
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Ford Explorer is safer than the Chrysler Voyager:

	Explorer	Voyager
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	65	72
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1 inches
Hip Force	224 lbs.	395 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	54 G’s
Hip Force	604 lbs.	764 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	13 inches
HIC	288	293
Spine Acceleration	39 G’s	50 G’s
Hip Force	573 lbs.	616 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Ford Explorer is safer than the Voyager:

	Explorer	Voyager
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	86	167
Neck Tension	223 lbs.	335 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.91 in	.94 in
Shoulder Force	134 lbs.	223 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.06 in	1.26 in
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	5 MPH
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Compression	22 lbs.	67 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.98 in	1.1 in
Shoulder Force	379 lbs.	424 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.34 in	1.97 in
Torso Deflection Rate	9 MPH	12 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	POOR
Pelvis Force	825 lbs.	1450 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Ford Explorer has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Voyager is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Warranty

There are over 18 percent more Ford dealers than there are Chrysler dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Explorer’s warranty.

Reliability

The Explorer has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Voyager doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the van’s engine.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Explorer has a standard 760-amp battery. The Voyager’s 730-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Chrysler vehicles. With 20 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Ford higher than Chrysler.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Chrysler With 74 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Ford higher than Chrysler.

Engine

The Explorer’s standard 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 13 more horsepower (300 vs. 287) and 48 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 262) than the Voyager’s 3.6 DOHC V6. The Explorer’s optional 3.0 turbo V6 produces 113 more horsepower (400 vs. 287) and 153 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 262) than the Voyager’s 3.6 DOHC V6.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Ford Explorer turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Chrysler Voyager:

	Explorer	Voyager
Zero to 60 MPH	7.4 sec	8 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.8 sec	5.6 sec
Quarter Mile	16 sec	16.2 sec

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Explorer 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder RWD gets better fuel mileage than the Pacifica 3.6 DOHC V6 FWD (20 city/29 hwy vs. 19 city/28 hwy).

The Explorer 3.0L EcoBoost V6’s standard fuel tank has 1.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Voyager (20.2 vs. 19 gallons).

Transmission

For more complete vehicle control the Explorer has a manually controlled automatic, with the available convenience of an automatic transmission and the complete gear control of a manual transmission without the inconvenience of a clutch. A manually controlled automatic allows the driver to eliminate unwanted shifts and maximize engine braking by down shifting while cornering. The Voyager doesn’t offer a transmission that allows complete gear control.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Ford Explorer, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a nine-speed automatic is available for the Voyager.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Explorer’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Voyager:

	Explorer	Explorer ST	Voyager
Front Rotors	13.6 inches	14.3 inches	13 inches
Rear Rotors	12.4 inches	13.8 inches	12.6 inches

The Explorer ST’s optional front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Voyager are solid, not vented.

The Explorer stops shorter than the Voyager:

	Explorer	Voyager
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	139 feet	141 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Explorer has larger standard tires than the Voyager (255/65R18 vs. 235/65R17). The Explorer’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Voyager (275/45R21 vs. 235/65R17).

The Explorer’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Voyager’s 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Explorer has standard 18-inch wheels. Only 17-inch wheels are available on the Voyager. The Explorer offers optional 21-inch wheels.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the Explorer can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The Voyager doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

The Explorer offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Voyager; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

The Explorer has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Explorer flat and controlled during cornering. The Voyager’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Explorer’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Voyager doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Explorer’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the Voyager’s (55% to 45%). This gives the Explorer more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the Explorer’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Voyager’s (38.4 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

Chassis

The Explorer is 5.1 inches shorter than the Voyager, making the Explorer easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Explorer offers available computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Voyager doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The Explorer has .6 inches more front headroom, 1.9 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more front hip room, .9 inches more rear headroom and .2 inches more third row headroom than the Voyager.

Cargo Capacity

Pressing a button automatically lowers or raises the Explorer’s (except Active) optional third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The Voyager doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

The Explorer’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Voyager’s (5000 vs. 3600 pounds).

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Explorer uses the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Voyager doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Explorer is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Voyager. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

When three different drivers share the Explorer (except Active), the optional memory system makes it convenient for all three. Each keyless remote activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle. The Voyager doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Explorer (except Active)’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Voyager doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

On a hot day the Explorer’s driver can lower the front windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Voyager can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Explorer’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Voyager doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Explorer’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Voyager’s halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

Consumer Reports rated the Explorer’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Voyager’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Explorer’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Voyager’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the Explorer detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Voyager doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Explorer has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Voyager doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Explorer Platinum also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The Explorer’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Voyager doesn’t offer the luxury of automatic dimming mirrors.

Both the Ford Explorer and Chrysler Voyager offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The Explorer offers optional power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Voyager’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

Both the Explorer and the Voyager offer available heated front seats. The Explorer also offers optional heated second row seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated second row seats aren’t available in the Voyager.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Explorer Tremor/Platinum/ST keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Voyager doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Explorer has a standard center folding armrest for the middle row passengers. A center armrest helps make middle row passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Voyager doesn’t offer a middle row seat center armrest.

The Explorer (except Active) offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Voyager.

To direct the driver from any location to a given street address, a GPS navigation system is available on the Explorer. The Explorer’s navigation system also has a real-time traffic update feature that offers alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The Voyager doesn’t offer a navigation system.

With standard voice command, the Explorer offers the driver hands free control of the radio, climate controls and the navigation computer by simply speaking. The Voyager doesn’t offer a voice control system.

Compared to the Chrysler Voyager, the Ford Explorer eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its optional integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the driver’s visor.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Ford Explorer and the Chrysler Voyager, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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