Compare the2026 Ford ExplorerVS 2026 Nissan Rogue Plug-In Hybrid

The Explorer has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Rogue Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Explorer and Rogue Plug-In Hybrid have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Explorer has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Rogue Plug-In Hybrid’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Explorer and the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Ford Explorer achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2026 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, pedestrian crash prevention testing, and vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention testing. The Rogue Plug-In Hybrid has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2026.

There are almost 3 times as many Ford dealers as there are Nissan dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Explorer’s warranty.

The Explorer has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Rogue Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Nissan With 7 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Ford higher than Nissan.

The Explorer’s standard 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 52 more horsepower (300 vs. 248) than the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The Explorer’s optional 3.0 turbo V6 produces 152 more horsepower (400 vs. 248) and 83 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 332) than the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

The Explorer 2.3L EcoBoost I-4’s standard fuel tank has 3.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid (18.6 vs. 14.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Explorer 3.0L EcoBoost V6’s standard fuel tank has 5.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid (20.2 vs. 14.8 gallons).

The Explorer has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Rogue Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better stopping power the Explorer ST’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid:

For better traction, the Explorer’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid (275/45R21 vs. 255/45R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Explorer offers optional 21-inch wheels. The Rogue Plug-In Hybrid’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the Explorer can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The Rogue Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

The Explorer offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Explorer has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Rogue Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Explorer’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Rogue Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Explorer’s wheelbase is 12.6 inches longer than on the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid (119.1 inches vs. 106.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Explorer is 4.1 inches wider in the front and 3.8 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid.

For greater off-road capability the Explorer Tremor has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid (8.7 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the Explorer to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Ford Explorer may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 350 pounds less than the Nissan Rogue Plug-In Hybrid.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Explorer has standard flush composite headlights. The Rogue Plug-In Hybrid has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The Explorer offers available computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Rogue Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Explorer has .1 inches more front headroom, 1.3 inches more front legroom, 5.2 inches more front hip room, 4.2 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear headroom, 5.8 inches more rear hip room, 6 inches more rear shoulder room, 5.8 inches more third row headroom, 12.7 inches more third row legroom and 3.4 inches more third row shoulder room than the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid.

The Explorer’s cargo area provides more volume than the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid.

A standard locking glovebox and optional locking center console (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Explorer. The Rogue Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Explorer’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid’s (5000 vs. 1500 pounds).

The engine in the Explorer is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The Explorer offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Rogue Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The power windows standard on both the Explorer and the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Explorer is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Rogue Plug-In Hybrid prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

On a hot day the Explorer’s driver can lower the front windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Explorer’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Rogue Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Explorer’s standard Intelligent Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Nissan Intelligent Key standard on the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Explorer has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Rogue Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Explorer Platinum also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The Explorer’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Rogue Plug-In Hybrid offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Explorer Tremor/Platinum/ST keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Rogue Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Explorer is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Rogue Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.