Ford Explorer Ford Explorer 2018 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Volkswagen Golf / GTI 2020

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Ford Explorer vs. Volkswagen Golf / GTI Price Comparison (MSRP)

The sticker prices, before adjusting for remaining feature differences. Usually these are the numbers you will see on the window stickers.

Models in short supply often sell at or even above these prices.

Ford Explorer vs. Volkswagen Golf / GTI Invoice Comparison

Lowest Total Price: $37,650

Volkswagen Golf / GTI GTI Autobahn   
Difference: $8,775

Calculate Payments

  Down Payment Interest Rate Term
Model Year2018201820182020
ModelExplorerExplorerExplorerGolf / GTI
TrimLimitedSportPlatinumGTI Autobahn
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr Hatch
Base Price $42,090 $45,950 $53,940 $36,495
Safe and Smart Package 1,295 1,295    
Cargo cover 130 130 130  
All-weather floor mats 120 120 120 235
Cargo mat 100 100 100  
Panoramic sunroof 1,695 1,695    
Safe and Smart Package 1,230 1,230    
Cargo cover 124 124 124  
All-weather floor mats 114 114 114 185
Cargo mat 95 95 95  
Panoramic sunroof 1,610 1,610    
Options (change) 3,340 3,340 350 235
Options (change) 3,173 3,173 333 185
Destination 995 995 995 920
Total Price $46,425 $50,285 $55,285 $37,650

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While we strive for accuracy, the site is not error-free, and prices can change at any time.

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TrueDelta Value Comparison: Ford Explorer vs. Volkswagen Golf / GTI

Lowest Adjusted Price and Invoice: Volkswagen Golf / GTI GTI Autobahn
TrueDelta Adjusted Price Difference: $3,630
TrueDelta Adjusted Invoice Difference: $38,342
Model Year2018201820182020
ModelExplorerExplorerExplorerGolf / GTI
TrimLimitedSportPlatinumGTI Autobahn
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr Hatch
Engine280hp I4365hp V6365hp V6228hp I4
TransmissionT6T6T6M6
DrivetrainFWDAWDAWDFWD
EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway)/ MPG/ MPG/ MPG/ MPG
Audio (watts, speakers)390, 12390, 12500, 12400, 9
Tire (rear if not all the same)255/50-20255/50-20255/50-20225/40-18
Total Price$46,425$50,285$55,285$37,650
Adjustments for Features-5,145-6,570-10,6100
Feature-Adjusted Total Price$41,280$43,715$44,675$37,650
Cost Above Minimum$0$2,435$3,395$0

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Features Comparison: Ford Explorer vs. Volkswagen Golf / GTI

Model Year2018201820182020
ModelExplorerExplorerExplorerGolf / GTI
TrimLimitedSportPlatinumGTI Autobahn
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr Hatch
Transmission and Drivetrain 
6-speed manually-shiftable automatic$1100$1100$1100 
6-speed manual   $150
FWD$0  $0
AWD $1700$1700 
Accessories 
AC power outlet$100 $100 
Active noise reduction  $0 
Hands-free trunk or liftgate$100$100$100 
Heated steering wheel$100$100$100 
Keyless entry keypad$50$50$50 
Power liftgate$350$350$350 
Power-adjustable pedals  $125 
Remote climate control$25$25$25 
Remote start$150$150$150 
Remote window/roof operation$15 $15 
Semi-automated parking system  $500 
Tilt/telescoping steering wheel, manual $250 $250
Tilt/telescoping steering wheel, power$350 $350 
Universal garage door opener$100 $100 
Brakes, Airbags, and Other Safety 
911 assist$25$25$25 
Active or whiplash-reducing head restraints, front seats   $0
Automatic braking, low-speed   $200
Cross-traffic collision intervention, rear   $100
Curve control$50$50$50 
Hill descent control $250$250 
Inflatable rear seat belts  $200 
Knee airbag, driver   $75
Knee airbag, passenger$75$75$75 
Lane departure prevention, steering-based$200$200$200 
Lane departure warning$200$200$200 
Obstacle detection, front$150$150$150 
Obstacle detection, rear$250$250$250 
Radar- or camera-based collision preparation system$0$0$0 
Rollover sensor$50$50$50 
Safety key$5$5$5 
Secondary collision brake assist   $25
Side curtain airbags   $350
Side curtain airbags, three rows$500$500$500 
Terrain selector $200$200 
Torque vectoring, brake-based   $100
Trailer sway control$25$25$25 
Wide-view front camera$150 $150 
Cargo Management 
Air-conditioned storage compartment   $50
Class III trailer hitch $250$250 
Rear seat pass-through   $100
Roof rails$250$250$250 
Trailering equipment (7 wire) $150$150 
Climate Control 
Heated windshield washer nozzles   $15
Rear air vents   $100
Rear air vents with manual controls$150$150$150 
Rear HVAC unit$400$400$400 
Drivetrain 
Limited-slip front differential   $500
Exterior 
Black exterior trim (optional) $0  
Black grille (optional) $0  
Body kit   $0
Bodyside cladding (gray/black)$250$250$250 
Deep-tinted rear windows$275$275$275 
Painted brake calipers (optional)   $0
Panoramic sunroof$1200$1200$1200 
Rear bumper protector$40$40$40 
Sunroof, large   $1100
Tow hook(s), front $40$40 
Wheel-lip moldings$75$75$75 
Infotainment 
4G LTE connectivity$0$0$0 
Larger infotainment display   $0
Mirrorlink support   $0
Surround sound$250$250$250 
Telematics service, such as OnStar   $200
Voice control for external devices$0$0$0 
Wi-Fi hotspot$50$50$50 
Instruments, Lights, and Mirrors 
Auto-dimming driver-side mirror$75$75$75 
Auto-dimming headlights$200$200$200 
Cornering lights   $50
Interior ambient lighting$150 $150$150
Large color reconfigurable instrument cluster display$250$250$250 
LED headlights   $1000
LED headlights, single projector or low beam only$750$750$750 
Power-folding mirrors$50 $50 
Steering-linked headlights   $150
Seats and Interior Trim 
Cooled or ventilated front seats$300 $300 
Door sill trim plates$100   
Heated second row seats$200 $200 
Illuminated door sill trim plates $200$200$200
Leather door panel trim  $250 
Leather-wrapped steering wheel$150$150 $150
Manual height adjuster, passenger seat   $50
Manual lumbar adjuster, passenger seat   $50
Manual recliner, second row seats$75$75$75 
Massage, driver seat  $100 
Massage, passenger seat  $100 
Memory system, driver seat$200 $200 
Power 4-way lumbar adjuster, driver seat  $150$150
Power 4-way lumbar adjuster, passenger seat  $150 
Power fore-aft adjuster, passenger seat$100$100$100 
Power height adjuster, passenger seat$100$100$100 
Power lumbar adjuster, driver seat$100$100  
Power lumbar adjuster, passenger seat$100$100  
Power tilt adjuster, passenger seat$100$100$100 
Power-stowing third row seats$1000$1000$1000 
Tailgating position, third row seats$50$50$50 
Upholstered instrument panel, leather  $1000 
Wood trim  $300 
Wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel  $150 
Suspension, Wheels, and Tires 
Adaptive dampers - electrical   $500
Alloy wheels$350  $350
Electronic systems calibration selector   $200
Machined alloy wheels $350$350 
Performance steering system (optional) $0  
Sport suspension (upgrade) $0$0$0
Transmission 
Steering-wheel-mounted transmission controls $100$100 
Total Value of Features$11,460$12,885$16,925$6,315
Value of Feature Adjustments$5,145$6,570$10,610$0
Value of Feature Adjustments-4,917-6,278-10,1410

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Specifications Comparison: Ford Explorer vs. Volkswagen Golf / GTI

Model Year20182020
ModelExplorerGolf / GTI
Body4dr SUV4dr Hatch
Wheelbase112.6 in103.8 in
Length198.3 in167.6 in
Width78.9 in70.8 in
Height70.0 in58.2 in
Curb Weight4,458 lb.2,874 lb.
Fuel Capacity18.6 gal.13.2 gal.
Row 1 Headroom41.4 in38.4 in
Row 1 Shoulder Room61.5 in55.9 in
Row 1 Hip Room57.3 in0.0 in
Row 1 Legroom40.6 in41.2 in
Row 2 Headroom40.6 in38.1 in
Row 2 Shoulder Room61.0 in53.9 in
Row 2 Hip Room56.8 in0.0 in
Row 2 Legroom39.5 in35.6 in
Row 3 Headroom37.8 in0.0 in
Row 3 Shoulder Room50.8 in0.0 in
Row 3 Hip Room40.7 in0.0 in
Row 3 Legroom33.3 in0.0 in
Cargo Volume,
Minimum
21.0 ft317.4 ft3
Cargo Volume,
Behind R2
43.9 ft317.4 ft3
Cargo Volume,
Maximum
81.7 ft353.7 ft3

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Option Package Details
Ford Explorer Limited

Safe and Smart Package
FeatureValueRequested?
Rain-sensing wipers100Yes
Adaptive cruise control450Yes
Auto-dimming driver-side mirror75No
Auto-dimming headlights200No
Radar- or camera-based collision preparation system0No
Lane departure warning200No
Blind spot warning system200Yes
Cross-traffic warning, rear100Yes
Forward collision warning200Yes
Lane departure prevention, steering-based200No
Total Requested105061%
Total Not Requested67539%

Option Package Details
Ford Explorer Sport

Safe and Smart Package
FeatureValueRequested?
Rain-sensing wipers100Yes
Adaptive cruise control450Yes
Auto-dimming driver-side mirror75No
Auto-dimming headlights200No
Radar- or camera-based collision preparation system0No
Lane departure warning200No
Blind spot warning system200Yes
Cross-traffic warning, rear100Yes
Forward collision warning200Yes
Lane departure prevention, steering-based200No
Total Requested105061%
Total Not Requested67539%

Option Package Details
Volkswagen Golf / GTI GTI Autobahn

All-weather floor mats
FeatureValueRequested?
All-weather floor mats75Yes
Cargo mat40Yes
Total Requested115100%
Total Not Requested00%

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