2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class vs 2021 Ford Explorer

The 2021 Ford Explorer was a testament to Ford's consistent design philosophy, offering a family resemblance across its SUV lineup. With its sporty, raked belt lines and distinctive visages, the Explorer stood out among other brands' SUVs. The exterior varied with trim levels, featuring different grille designs and chrome accents. Inside, the Explorer provided three rows of seating as standard, with the base model offering cloth upholstery. The dashboard was clean and user-friendly, dominated by an 8-inch LCD touchscreen and large knobs for audio and climate controls. The XLT trim was the most popular, offering enhanced features like a power front passenger seat and a 6.5-inch instrument panel screen, while higher trims provided leather upholstery and additional luxury.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, or G-Wagen, was a blend of ruggedness and luxury, with its boxy, retro exterior design. The G-Class was hand-built in Austria and offered extensive customization options through the G Manufaktur Program. Inside, the G-Class featured a tasteful design with a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment screen and a matching virtual instrument panel. The cabin was spacious, with ample headroom and legroom, and the option for multicolor ambient lighting. Despite its luxurious appeal, the G-Class retained its off-road capabilities, making it a status symbol for the elite while still being a capable machine.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, weighing in at 4,345 pounds, offered a base 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission across all trims. The Limited Hybrid trim increased power to 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque, while higher trims featured a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 engine delivering 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. The sport-oriented Explorer ST offered 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, providing the most engaging driving experience. The Explorer's towing capacity ranged from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the trim and engine.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class G550, with a curb weight of 5,551 pounds, was powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine producing 416 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. It featured a nine-speed automatic transmission and permanent four-wheel drive. The G550 could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds. The G-Class offered adjustable suspension and damping, with three independent locking differentials for off-road capability. The AMG G63 variant increased power to 577 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. The G-Class had a towing capacity of 7,700 pounds and a turning circle of 44.6 feet.

The 2021 Ford Explorer offered seating for seven in the base model, with captain's chairs in higher trims reducing capacity to six. It provided 39 inches of second-row legroom and 21 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row deployed. With the rear seats folded, the Explorer offered 81 cubic feet of cargo space, competing with smaller SUVs.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class G550 provided 38.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 68.6 cubic feet with the second row folded. It had a payload capacity of over 1,000 pounds. The front cabin was spacious, with ample storage and a tall roofline for great headroom. The second row offered ample legroom and a reclining seatback. The G550 featured heated front and rear seats, with ventilated front seats available in expensive packages.

The 2021 Ford Explorer came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen, offering AM/FM radio, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, and Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system. Higher trims offered a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Explorer provided multiple USB ports and power points, with a wireless charging pad available from the Limited trim up.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class G550 featured twin 12.3-inch HD screens for the instrument panel and infotainment, customizable for layout and color. The infotainment system ran the latest Mercedes-Benz COMAND system, with Touch Control buttons on the steering wheel. The G550 included a Burmester Surround Sound system, rear-seat entertainment, and standard WiFi. Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard, but wireless charging was not available.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests. It offered the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ suite, available on higher trims, included adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class G550 featured standard safety systems like a rearview camera, Pre-Safe, active lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The G-Class had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. Its size and weight provided safety advantages in some crashes, but also posed risks to pedestrians and smaller vehicles.