If you’re in the market for a new SUV, you’ve likely found yourself inundated with options. And that’s no surprise, really. There are a ton of SUVs to pick from these days. But if you happen to find yourself stuck choosing between the 2021 Ford Explorer and the 2021 Dodge Durango? Well, we’ve got a few reasons as to why you should pick this year’s new Ford Explorer over it’s Dodge competition.

The 2021 Ford Explorer is available as a hybrid model

There’s no beating around the bush here. The 2021 Dodge Durango is no gas sipper. According to the EPA, this year’s model is fairly thirsty. When equipped with rear-wheel drive and a 3.6-liter engine, it’s only able to manage an EPA-estimated 26 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg in the city. Opt for a Durango with all-wheel drive or a more potent engine, and you can expect those numbers to drop even further. That’s ok, though. 

If you would prefer an SUV that offers slightly better fuel efficiency ratings, the 2021 Ford Explorer is available with a hybrid powertrain under its hood. And, according to the EPA, it’s pretty thrifty. On the highway, you can expect it to deliver an EPA-estimated 28 mpg. And in the city, the EPA says this year’s Ford Explorer Hybrid returns 27 mpg.

For the new Ford Explorer, your safety comes first

Unfortunately for Dodge shoppers, this year’s Durango doesn’t come standard with many safety features. While it is standard with a full suite of airbags and a backup camera, that’s about it. The 2021 Ford Explorer, on the other hand, comes stocked with standard safety features. Standard on all new Ford Explorer models is a forward-collision warning system with automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear-cross-traffic alerts, and lane-departure warnings with lane-keeping assist. The 2021 Ford Explorer also earned a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

It offers more space for passengers to cozy up in too

While the Ford Explorer’s long list of safety features and available hybrid powertrain are certainly impressive, that’s not all that this year’s new Explorer has to offer. The 2021 Ford Explorer also has the edge when it comes to interior space. All three-rows will enjoy more headroom in the Ford Explorer than they would in the 2021 Dodge Durango. The Ford Explorer also boasts more legroom in the first and second-row, along with significantly more shoulder room for all passengers. 

Is the 2021 Ford Explorer a good SUV?

The 2021 Ford Explorer has a lot going for it. It’s available with a hybrid powertrain, offers up plenty of standard safety features, and has more than enough space for family and friends to cozy up in. As for this year’s Dodge Durango? It’s certainly not a bad SUV. It’s just that when you compare it to the new Ford Explorer, it doesn’t have quite as much to offer in certain respects.