Discovery vs. Ford Explorer

The Discovery and the Ford Explorer are both midsize SUVs that can deliver strong performance with off-road capabilities that will serve you well on the trails outside of Ridgewood. So, is the Discovery or Ford Explorer the better choice for your next all-terrain adventure? When you compare the Discovery vs. Ford Explorer, you’ll see that the Discovery is a tried-and-tested luxury SUV that offers impressive off-road prowess, a more robust towing capacity, and higher ground clearance that will help you traverse the region’s most difficult trails with confidence. The Ford Explorer is a practical SUV, but can’t quite match all that the Discovery has to offer. Compare the Discovery and Ford Explorer to see which is the better fit with your lifestyle and driving needs, then visit Land Rover Paramus to take an exciting new Discovery out for a test drive today!

Off-Road Capability: Discovery or Explorer?

The standard Ford Explorer models are equipped with rear-wheel drive (RWD), while all 2024 Discovery trim levels come with Land Rover Full Time Four-Wheel Drive (4×4). For off-road enthusiasts, Ford offers the Explorer Timberline trim with AWD, and although it is geared for adventure, the Timberline can’t quite reach the all-terrain capabilities of the Discovery. Compare the Discovery and Ford Explorer in terms of off-road capability below to see which is better suited to conquer the toughest Jersey City-area trails:

• Ground Clearance: With its standard Electronic Air Suspension, the Discovery can adapt to meet your driving needs no matter what the road or off-road conditions may be. The Discovery offers 8.15 inches of ground clearance on lower settings designed for highway driving. When you’re off the beaten path, you can raise this setting to get up to 11.14 inches of clearance. The Explorer Timberline only offers up to 8.7 inches of clearance, meaning you’ll have to take care to avoid the more challenging trails.
• Off-Road Geometry: When the Defender Electronic Air Suspension is set to max, you can tackle approach, departure, and ramp angles of 34, 30, and 27.5 degrees, respectively. At its best, the Explorer Timberline can only offer maximum approach, departure, and ramp angles of 23.5, 23.7, and 18.9 degrees.

Towing & Power Delivery: Discovery or Explorer?

The 2024 Land Rover Discovery comes standard with a 296-hp inline-4 cylinder engine, while the 2024 Ford Explorer features a standard 2.3L inline-4 cylinder engine that generates 300 hp. At first glance you may think that these two SUVs are evenly matched, but a closer look at the Discovery vs. Ford Explorer towing capabilities reveals that there is a big difference in the hauling power you’ll get on the roads in and around Fort Lee:

• Land Rover Discovery Towing Capacity: Up to 8,200 pounds
• Ford Explorer Towing Capacity: Up to 5,600 pounds

If you plan on towing a travel trailer or boat on your next adventure, it’s clear that the Discovery is the stronger choice. 

Features: Discovery or Explorer?

The Discovery is a genuine luxury SUV that comes loaded with premium features such as a Meridian™ Sound System, an 11.4-inch touchscreen, ebony-grained leather seats, and so much more. 

The Timberline is really the only Ford Explorer model that can go head-to-head with the Discovery, and while it has an impressive audio system, it lacks the leather seats and the large touchscreen display of the Discovery.

Start Your Off-Road Adventure at Land Rover Paramus!

Now that you’ve had a chance to compare the Discovery and Ford Explorer, we think you’ll agree that the Land Rover SUV is not only more capable, but is better equipped to provide a premium driving experience. If you have any questions or if you would like to schedule a test drive at our dealership in Paramus, please contact us online or call (551) 205-8482. Meanwhile, apply for financing with us to get pre-approved from the comfort of your home or office, and don’t forget to check out our new vehicle specials.