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2025 model year · Sixth generation (U625, 2020-)

Ford Explorer ground clearance

Ground clearance, 20257.6–8.2 in

Maker193–208 mm

The 2025 Ford Explorer has 7.6–8.2 in of ground clearance.

Angles: approach 19.7–20.5°; breakover 16.5–17.6°; departure 20.6–21.5°.

2025 Ford Explorer Technical Specifications
Model years
2011–2025
Configurations
10
Approach
19.7–20.5°
2025 Platinum 2.3L EcoBoost I4 RWD, drawn to scale from its published dimensions.

01 / Tables

Explorer ground clearance by model year

Ground clearance is the gap between the ground and the lowest part of the vehicle. The approach, breakover and departure angles are the steepest slopes it can drive onto, over and off before the bumper, the belly or the tail touches. Every 2025 Explorer has the 5-door SUV and 10-speed automatic. Figures in US units; model years printed the same share one table, and a package that changes a figure gets its own row.

2025 Ford Explorer

Sixth generation (U625, 2020-): full specs

Clearance and angles

MakerUS units

2025 Ford Explorer clearance and angles by configuration
ConfigurationClearance source 1inApproach source 1°Breakover source 1°Departure source 1°
2.3L EcoBoost I4Active, ST-Line · Any drive7.619.716.521.5
PlatinumAny engine or drive8.220.517.621.1
3.0L EcoBoost V6ST · Any drive7.819.716.820.6

“Not published”: the maker doesn’t print it. —: not in the documents we hold yet. A number by a column’s name is the source of its figures that have none of their own. Scroll the table sideways for every column.

2024 Ford Explorer

Sixth generation (U625, 2020-): full specs

Clearance and angles

MakerUS units

2024 Ford Explorer clearance and angles by configuration
ConfigurationClearance source 2inApproach source 2°Breakover source 2°Departure source 2°
All trims not listed separatelyAny engine or drive7.920.117.122.0
2.3L EcoBoost I4Intelligent 4WD · Timberline8.723.518.923.7

“Not published”: the maker doesn’t print it. —: not in the documents we hold yet. A number by a column’s name is the source of its figures that have none of their own. Scroll the table sideways for every column.

2022–2023 Ford Explorer

Sixth generation (U625, 2020-): full specs

Clearance and angles

MakerUS units

2022–2023 Ford Explorer clearance and angles by configuration
ConfigurationClearance source 3inApproach source 3°Breakover source 3°Departure source 3°
All trims not listed separatelyAny engine or drive7.921.017.122.0
2.3L EcoBoost I4Intelligent 4WD · Timberline8.723.518.923.7

“Not published”: the maker doesn’t print it. —: not in the documents we hold yet. A number by a column’s name is the source of its figures that have none of their own. Scroll the table sideways for every column.

2020 Ford Explorer

Sixth generation (U625, 2020-). Show the table

Clearance and angles

MakerUS units

2020 Ford Explorer clearance and angles by configuration
ConfigurationClearance source 4inApproach source 4°Breakover source 4°Departure source 4°
2.3L EcoBoost I4, 3.3L Hybrid V6Any trim or drive7.921.017.122.0
3.0L EcoBoost V6Intelligent 4WD · All trims not listed separately7.921.017.122.0

“Not published”: the maker doesn’t print it. —: not in the documents we hold yet. A number by a column’s name is the source of its figures that have none of their own. Scroll the table sideways for every column.

2017–2018 Ford Explorer

Fifth generation (U502, 2011-2019). Show the table

Clearance and angles

MakerUS units

2017–2018 Ford Explorer clearance and angles by configuration
ConfigurationClearance source 5inApproach source 5°Breakover source 5°Departure source 5°
2.3L EcoBoost I4, 3.5L Ti-VCT V6All trims not listed separately, XLT · Any drive7.815.616.920.9
3.5L EcoBoost V6Intelligent 4WD · All trims not listed separately, Sport7.815.616.920.9

“Not published”: the maker doesn’t print it. —: not in the documents we hold yet. A number by a column’s name is the source of its figures that have none of their own. Scroll the table sideways for every column.

2016 Ford Explorer

Fifth generation (U502, 2011-2019). Show the table

Clearance and angles

MakerUS units

2016 Ford Explorer clearance and angles by configuration
ConfigurationClearance source 6inApproach source 6°Breakover source 6°Departure source 6°
2.3L EcoBoost I4, 3.5L Ti-VCT V6All trims not listed separately · Any drive7.815.616.920.9
3.5L EcoBoost V6Intelligent 4WD · Any trim7.815.616.920.9

“Not published”: the maker doesn’t print it. —: not in the documents we hold yet. A number by a column’s name is the source of its figures that have none of their own. Scroll the table sideways for every column.

2011 Ford Explorer

Fifth generation (U502, 2011-2019). Show the table

Clearance and angles

MakerUS units

2011 Ford Explorer clearance and angles by configuration
ConfigurationClearance source 7inApproach source 7°Breakover source 7°Departure source 7°
All configurations7.621.716.521.4

“Not published”: the maker doesn’t print it. —: not in the documents we hold yet. A number by a column’s name is the source of its figures that have none of their own. Scroll the table sideways for every column.

SourcesMakerThe small number by a figure says which document it is from.
  1. 12025 Ford Explorer Technical Specifications · Ford Motor Company
  2. 2Ford.com 2024 Explorer Timberline model page · Ford Motor Company
  3. 3Ford.com 2023 Explorer Timberline model page · Ford Motor Company
  4. 4Ford.com 2020 Explorer Limited model page · Ford Motor Company
  5. 5Ford.com 2018 Explorer model page · Ford Motor Company
  6. 6Ford.com 2016 Explorer model page · Ford Motor Company
  7. 7Ford.com 2011 Explorer specifications page · Ford Motor Company

Documents last checked . How we read them and what the marks mean: how we source the numbers. A figure doesn’t match its document? Report a wrong number.

02 / Over the years

How the Explorer ground clearance moved

The lowest and highest ground clearance Ford prints for each model year, newest first, across Sixth generation (U625, 2020-) and Fifth generation (U502, 2011-2019).

  • The top figure rose by 0.8 in, from 7.9 in in 2020 to 8.7 in in 2022–2023.
  • The top figure fell by 0.5 in, from 8.7 in in 2024 to 8.2 in in 2025.
  • The top figure rose by 0.2 in, from 7.6 in in 2011 to 7.8 in in 2016.
Ford Explorer ground clearance by model year
Model yearsLowestHighestConfigurationsFull specs
2025Sixth generation (U625, 2020-)7.6 in8.2 in10Sixth generation (U625, 2020-) specs
2024Sixth generation (U625, 2020-)7.9 in8.7 in5Sixth generation (U625, 2020-) specs
2022–2023Sixth generation (U625, 2020-)7.9 in8.7 in7Sixth generation (U625, 2020-) specs
2020Sixth generation (U625, 2020-)7.9 in7.9 in9Sixth generation (U625, 2020-) specs
2017–2018Fifth generation (U502, 2011-2019)7.8 in7.8 in10Fifth generation (U502, 2011-2019) specs
2016Fifth generation (U502, 2011-2019)7.8 in7.8 in6Fifth generation (U502, 2011-2019) specs
2011Fifth generation (U502, 2011-2019)7.6 in7.6 in2Fifth generation (U502, 2011-2019) specs

03 / Most and least

Which Explorer leads and trails

Named as exactly as the maker’s table names it: model year, cab, bed, engine, drive and package.

Highest in 2025
8.2 in
2025 Platinum, 5-door SUV, 10-speed automatic, any engine or drive.
Lowest in 2025
7.6 in
2025 2.3L EcoBoost I4, 5-door SUV, 10-speed automatic, Active, ST-Line, any drive.
Highest of any year, 2024
8.7 in
2024 2.3L EcoBoost I4, 5-door SUV, 10-speed automatic, Intelligent 4WD, Timberline.

04 / Compared

Explorer against other SUVs

The newest model year we hold for each, ground clearance by Ford’s and the other makers’ own documents.

SUVs compared on ground clearance
ModelModel yearGround clearance
Ford Explorer20257.6–8.2 in
Ford Bronco20268.3–13.1 in
Jeep Wrangler20269.7–12.9 in
Jeep Grand Cherokee201510.8 in
Chevrolet Tahoe20208.5–10.7 in
Toyota 4Runner2025–20268.1–10.1 in
Lexus GX2025–20268.7–9.8 in
Honda Passport20278.3–9.6 in
Toyota FJ Cruiser20148.7–9.6 in

05 / Next

More on the Explorer

Explorer specsEvery generation, the spec plate and the rig builder.Open the model pageExplorer towing5,000 lb in 2026, with every other year.See towingExplorer weight4,458 lb in 2026, with every other year.See weightExplorer dimensions198.8 in in 2026, with every other year.See dimensionsExplorer tires3 stock sizes in 2025, with every other year.See tiresRankingMost ground clearance: SUVs: where the Explorer places.See the rankingRankingBest approach angle: where the Explorer places.See the rankingRankingBest breakover angle: where the Explorer places.See the rankingTire size calculatorWhat a bigger tire adds to ground clearance.Compare tire sizes

06 / FAQ

Questions people ask

What is the ground clearance of the 2025 Explorer?

The 2025 Ford Explorer has 7.6–8.2 in of ground clearance. Angles: approach 19.7–20.5°; breakover 16.5–17.6°; departure 20.6–21.5°.

Which 2025 Explorer has the most ground clearance?

The 2025 Platinum, 5-door SUV, 10-speed automatic, any engine or drive, at 8.2 in.

Which 2025 Explorer has the least ground clearance?

The 2025 2.3L EcoBoost I4, 5-door SUV, 10-speed automatic, Active, ST-Line, any drive, at 7.6 in.

Has the Explorer’s ground clearance changed over the years?

2025: 7.6–8.2 in; 2024: 7.9–8.7 in; 2022–2023: 7.9–8.7 in; 2020: 7.9 in; 2017–2018: 7.8 in. The top figure rose by 0.8 in, from 7.9 in in 2020 to 8.7 in in 2022–2023.

These are Ford’s published figures for the models it describes, not a weighbridge or a tape measure; your own vehicle’s options change them. Found a figure that doesn’t match the document? Tell us.