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You don’t have to look far to see Ford Explorer SUVs on American roads, whether carrying families or cruising with law enforcement. But even with past popularity, the Explorer found itself faltering last year. Two midsize SUV competitors had better sales than the 2022 Ford Explorer.

Which competitors beat the Ford Explorer?

A red Ford Explorer crosses a bridge at sunset.
Ford Explorer | Ford Motor Company

Both the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee and the 2022 Toyota Highlander beat the Ford Explorer in 2022 sales. According to Car and Driver, the Grand Cherokee and Highlander sold 223,345 and 222,805 units, respectively. The Ford Explorer lagged behind at 207,673 sales – the worst of the three midsize SUVs to crack the top 25. 

The Jeep Grand Cherokee became an even closer competitor to the Explorer last year with its new three-row configuration, the Grand Cherokee L. With the ability to carry seven passengers, Jeep’s already-popular midsize SUV could serve an even broader buyer base. Plus, the Grand Cherokee’s reputation for rugged capability plays directly into the current popularity of off-road SUVs. 

The Toyota Highlander has been a Ford Explorer competitor. Its spacious cabin and impressively efficient hybrid powertrain give it an edge over many competitors. While it may not have the capabilities of the Grand Cherokee, the Highlander’s practicality is a significant factor in its popularity.  

Several compact SUVs outsold the Explorer as well. 

  • Chevy Equinox (212,072 sold)
  • Honda CR-V (238,155 sold)
  • Toyota RAV4 (399,941 sold)

Will the Ford Explorer be discontinued? 

Blue Ford Explorer tows a camper along a mountain road.
Ford Explorer | Ford Motor Company

It’s doubtful that Ford will discontinue the Explorer anytime soon. 

A year of sales topping over 200,000 units is far from a failure for Ford. Even though it sold less than a couple of rivals and numbers are down from 2021, the Explorer remains a successful SUV for Ford. The Explorer would likely need to see a sharp decline in sales year after year for Ford to consider killing off its primary family vehicle. 

Is the Ford Explorer still a good SUV?

The Ford Explorer is a well-rounded midsize SUV despite its lagging sales behind competitors.  

With its three-row seating, powerful engine options, and plentiful technology, the Explorer serves its purpose as a jack-of-all-trades. Yet, as the saying goes, it appears to be a master of none. But that’s OK in a segment that exists primarily to do a little bit of everything. Whether towing the family boat or delivering the kids to school safely, the Explorer gets it done even when it doesn’t beat its rivals.  

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Staff Writer, Producer - SUVs

Scott Prewitt

Scott Prewitt joined the MotorBiscuit team in 2023 as a Staff Writer for the SUV section. During college, he began his career in journalism as Editor in Chief of The Creightonian. After graduating from Creighton University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, News and Public Relations, Scott spent time in a local newsroom. He soon found his way to the world of automotive journalism and has been writing about cars since 2017.

A passion for all things automotive began at a young age. Playing Gran Turismo racing games in the early 2000s sparked an interest in cars and Scott began devouring Car and Driver stories when he was in the fourth grade. Since then, Scott’s enthusiasm for autos has grown to become the focal point of his career as a journalist.

By combining the skills that earned him the News Graduate of the Year 2016 and the Omaha Press Club Recognition & Academic Scholarship with a craving for knowledge of automotive industry, Scott covers a wide range of content from breaking news about the latest SUV models to designated off-road and overlanding rigs. His reporting is informed by personal experiences like road trips, intriguing automotive history, and time spent poring over various outlets and YouTube channels. Scott is drawn to car culture because, in his own words,  “these vehicles are a combination of purpose-built engineering and emotive, expressive design.”

The personal aspects of the autos world are of particular interest to Scott, and he is fascinated by the relationship between humans and cars. Years of writing for dealerships across the country and time in the corporate communications world lend to his expertise as a writer here at MotorBiscuit.