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Ford Explorer Prices, Reviews and Pictures, U

Ford Explorer

The two thousand seventeen Ford Explorer ranks sixteen out of nineteen Midsize SUVs.

Tho’ it has a powerful available twin-turbocharged V6 engine, the Explorer has poor maneuverability, lackluster towing abilities, and a less spacious and comfy interior than most rivals. Regardless of what you’re looking for in the Explorer, you’ll likely find a rival that does it better.

Pros & Cons

• Powerful twin-turbocharged V6

• Rivals’ seats are roomier and more convenient
• Poor maneuverability

Notable for 2017

• Reshuffled features and trim levels
• SYNC three infotainment system substitutes MyFord Touch
• Fresh exterior style options available

Ford Explorer Rankings and Research

The two thousand seventeen Ford Explorer ranking is based on its score within the Midsize SUVs category. Presently the Ford Explorer has a score of 7.9 out of ten which is based on our evaluation of sixty four lumps of research and data elements using various sources.

Scorecard

Rankings

• # sixteen in Midsize SUVs
• # twenty nine in Crossover SUVs
• # eighteen in SUVs with three Rows

2017 Ford Explorer Pictures

Exterior Photos See More

2017 Ford Explorer Review

• Total Review
• Photos
• Prices
• Specs
• Spectacle
• Interior
• Safety
• Reliability

However it has a powerful available twin-turbocharged V6 engine, the Explorer has poor maneuverability, lackluster towing abilities, and a less spacious and convenient interior than most rivals. Regardless of what you’re looking for in the Explorer, you’ll likely find a rival that does it better.

Is the Ford Explorer a Good SUV?

While the Explorer sates much of what midsize SUV shoppers are looking for, it performs poorly in our rankings because of how much better the competition is. Tho’ its base engine is adequate, its fuel economy is subpar for the class. Plan to tow? With a maximum towing capacity of Five,000 pounds, you won’t want the Explorer for towing stronger trailers. Need seating for up to eight with a good amount of third-row space? You won’t find that in the Explorer, but you will in the Honda Pilot. If you are looking for lots of cargo space, check out the Chevrolet Traverse, which offers more room. Maneuvering the Explorer can be tricky as well, since it feels very large for an SUV of its size.

Should I Buy the Ford Explorer?

With a kicking off price of $31,660, the Explorer is more expensive than slew of higher ranked midsize SUVs, including the Chevy Traverse. On top of its high base price, the Explorer’s below-average fuel economy and lackluster record of reliability further add to its value-challenged woes. Those looking for a spacious yet maneuverable SUV need look elsewhere. The Explorer feels big, yet it`s not actually big on the inwards. Also, to get an upscale interior, you’ll have to go for the upper trims, which can lightly take the Explorer above the mid-$40,000 range. This isn’t the case with the Honda Pilot, which showcases a high-quality interior no matter which trim you go for. In brief, there are midsize SUVs available that suggest more value and reliability.

We Did the Research for You: sixty four Chunks of Data Analyzed

For the most comprehensive analysis of the Explorer, we’ve examined sixty four lumps of data, including reviews, safety scores, reliability ratings, pricing information, and fuel economy estimates. We did the research for you so you can determine if the Explorer is the best midsize SUV for your needs.

Why You Can Trust Us

At U.S. News & World Report, we help you make educated decisions. Whether you need help choosing a vehicle, college, hospital, vacation spot, or real estate, we’ve got your back. We’ve been in business for over eighty years, and we’ve ranked cars and trucks for almost a decade. Unlike other car advice sites, we reject to accept pricey gifts from automakers, and a third party treats our ads. That means we are not beholden to particular brands. What guides us is our commitment to providing the best possible buying advice.

How Much Does the Ford Explorer Cost?

The Explorer’s base trim has a beginning price of $31,660, which is comparable to the base prices of many class rivals, including the Honda Pilot and Jeep Grand Cherokee. However, this is lower than the Chevrolet Traverse. The Explorer’s highest trim, the Platinum ($53,235), is more expensive than the top-of-the-line versions of both the Pilot and the Traverse.

Each Explorer trim comes with its own equipment group that includes a number of features. Select trims suggest numerous equipment groups that range in price, with the higher-priced groups suggesting extra features or upgraded versions of standard features.

The base, XLT ($33,775), and Limited ($41,675) trims all come standard with a Three.5-liter V6 engine, but they’re available with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine (for an extra $495) that gets better fuel economy. The same three trims also come standard with front-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is available for an extra $Two,150.

If you’re looking for the twin-turbo V6 engine, you’ll have to opt for the Sport (kicking off at $45,355) or Platinum trim. Both come standard with the twin-turbo V6, and that engine isn’t available in any of the lower trims.

Another notable feature that’s available in all but the base trim is the dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system, which plays DVDs and has screens built into the front headrests. It’ll cost you an extra $1,995, but after a long drive with kids in the back, that may seem like a bargain. However, you might find that a pair of tablets does the job just fine, and it will cost considerably less in most cases.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for superb savings at your local Ford dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Ford deals page.

Ford Explorer Versus the Competition

Which Is Better: Ford Explorer or Ford Edge?

For those looking to stay within the same stable, the Ford Edge makes an appealing alternative to the Explorer, as long as you don’t need a third row. While the Explorer can fit up to seven passengers in three rows, the Edge can only fit five passengers in two rows. If you can get past that, the Edge is in many ways a better SUV than its more expensive sibling. On the spectacle front, the Edge is more maneuverable, with sharper treating that feels more carlike than the Explorer. Like the larger Ford, the Edge offers an array of engines. One optional engine in the Edge is actually the Explorer’s standard power plant. However, the Edge weighs less than the Explorer, so it has a better power-to-weight ratio with this engine than the Explorer does. The Edge’s base fuel economy is twenty one mpg in the city and twenty nine mpg on the highway, which is better than the Explorer’s standard V6 and its more efficient turbo-four. On the inwards, both Fords are comparable in that they both use the same infotainment system. Likewise, both models suggest many of the same advanced safety features, such as lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control. With a kicking off price of $28,950, the base Edge costs $Two,710 less than the base Explorer.

Which Is Better: Ford Explorer or Chevrolet Traverse?

If you find that the Explorer’s cargo space is lacking, consider the Chevrolet Traverse. It stands out for its exceptionally spacious interior, which has almost thirty five cubic feet more total cargo space than the Explorer. In fact, the Traverse has more cargo space than almost any SUV on the market, regardless of class. The Traverse also has slew of passenger space and seating for up to eight, which is room for one more than the Explorer. The very first two rows of seats have slew of space, and drivers will appreciate the excellent visibility. Even the third row has enough space for some adults. By comparison, the Explorer’s third row is a fight for adults to fit conveniently. High-quality materials via the cabin give the Traverse a more upscale feel than the Explorer. The Chevrolet Traverse is not only produced in the U.S., but it also domestically sources a vast majority of its parts. The Traverse offers much of the same standard equipment as the Explorer, at a embarking price almost $Three,000 less. In many ways, the Traverse is a better choice for the midsize SUV shopper.

Which Is Better: Ford Explorer or Honda Pilot?

The Honda Pilot is one of our highest-ranking midsize SUVs, making it a better choice than the Explorer and many other midsize SUVS. Also, it was our two thousand sixteen winner for the Best 3-Row SUV for the Money and Best 3-Row SUV for Families. With its enormously quiet interior, the Pilot has the look and feel you might expect to find in a luxury SUV. With the Explorer, you’ll have to upgrade to one of the upper trims to get a premium-looking interior. While the Explorer seats up to seven, the Pilot seats eight. The Pilot`s front seats are among the most comfy in the class, and the infotainment system is intuitive, but some audio controls can be unresponsive at times. The Pilot’s V6 engine supplies good power in all driving situations and gets better gas mileage than the Explorer. Speaking of price, the Pilot undercuts the Explorer by about $1,100. It also earns better predicted reliability and safety scores than the Explorer.

Explorer Interior

How Many People Does the Explorer Seat?

While the two thousand seventeen Ford Explorer has standard seating for up to seven, optional second-row bucket seats with a center console take available seating down to six. You can find seating for up to eight in some of the Explorer’s rivals, including the Chevrolet Traverse and the Honda Pilot.

The front seats have slew of space, but some may find they lack support to remain convenient on long trips. Passengers should have enough room in the 2nd row, as the Explorer offers more space than both the Traverse and the Honda Pilot. However, the Explorer lacks the room for adults to rail cozily in the third row, a common problem in 3-row SUVs. Notable exceptions are the Pilot and Traverse, which both provide ample space for third-row passengers.

Explorer and Car Seats

There are two sets of LATCH connectors on both second-row outboard seats. Installing rear-facing and convertible child seats in the 2nd row is a breeze. The third row offers one more set of LATCH connectors. Installing a rear-facing car seat in the third row may be tricky because the connectors are hard to find and not clearly marked. Forward-facing convertible child seats are lighter to install, regardless of which row you choose.

Explorer Interior Quality

The Explorer’s highest trim, the Platinum, has a distinguished cabin that sets it apart from the other trims by including a number of quality materials. However, in lower trims, the overall cabin design is uninspiring. Materials quality pales in comparison to the base models of others, like the Honda Pilot.

Explorer Cargo Space

The Explorer has some useful features in the cargo hold. At the top of the list is the available hands-free liftgate, which you can open just by flapping your foot under the rear bumper when the key is in your pocket or bag. Inwards, the 2nd and third rows of seats fold downright vapid, making it effortless to flow large items without having to play Tetris with them. Power-folding second- and third-row seats are available, so you can put the seats down with the touch of a button.

While the features are nice, the Explorer’s cargo space isn’t all that remarkable for a midsize SUV. It has twenty one cubic feet of space with all seats in use and a maximum capacity of about eighty two cubic feet. That’s a good amount of space, but it pales in comparison to the available cargo space in class rivals like the Chevy Traverse and Ford Edge. With the seats up in the Explorer, you can expect to fit about three golf bags if you’re preparing to tee off. Otherwise, on a journey to the airport, you can fit four checked bags and a few carry-ons as well.

Explorer Infotainment, Bluetooth, and Navigation

Perhaps the most notable switch for the two thousand seventeen Explorer is that it’s now available with Ford’s SYNC three infotainment system. SYNC three includes a 6.5- or 8-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, and Siri Eyes Free, and it’s much lighter to use than the old MyFord Touch system. SYNC three has intuitive controls, and the touch screen is responsive to your inputs. The system responds to smartphone-style gestures, which means that smartphone users will likely find it straightforward to use.

Worried about handing your teenager the keys? Inject Ford’s MyKey, which is a standard feature in the Explorer (and the Edge). It permits you to set speed and audio volume boundaries for the vehicle to help protect your fresh driver even when you`re not with them. The Chevrolet Traverse offers a similar driver management system called Teenage Driver, but the Honda Pilot doesn’t suggest anything of the sort.

As more and more two thousand seventeen Explorers hit the showroom, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will become a part of the SYNC3 setup. Until then, only Siri Eyes Free is available. When updated models roll out, Android and iPhone users will be able to pull up many of their phone’s apps on the Explorer’s touch-screen display.

Explorer Spectacle

Explorer Engine: Third Engine Is the Charm

The Explorer comes standard with a Trio.5-liter V6 engine, but a turbocharged four-cylinder and a twin-turbocharged V6 are available. There is also an optional Two.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which is more efficient. However, the four-cylinder feels notably less powerful than the larger engines. In upper trims, the twin-turbo V6 produces enough horsepower to rival some competitors’ V8 engines, and it supplies the best power and acceleration of the three.

In comparison, the Honda Pilot offers a V6 engine that produces slew of power for most driving situations. Unlike the Explorer, it doesn`t suggest any other engines. The same is true of the Chevrolet Traverse, which has a less powerful engine than the Pilot.

Explorer Gas Mileage: Still a Gas Guzzler

The base engine offers decent power but gets subpar gas mileage for the class, suggesting just seventeen mpg in the city and twenty four mpg on the highway (and one mpg less in the city and on the highway in all-wheel-drive models). The turbo-four gets the best fuel economy of the bunch, earning an estimated nineteen mpg in the city and twenty seven on the highway. With the base and XLT trims, the turbo-four is a $495 upgrade, but it saves only $150 per year in fuel costs. That means it will take you just over three years to make up for the initial price difference. With the turbo-four engine and all-wheel drive, the Explorer comes back Legal/25 mpg city/highway.

For fuel economy that tops the Explorer`s, check out the Mazda CX-9, which achieves 22/28 mpg city/highway. The Honda Pilot offers the same fuel economy as the Explorer’s four-cylinder engine: Nineteen/27 mpg city/highway.

Explorer Rail and Treating: Made for the Highway

The Explorer has a slick and quiet rail. However, rail quality suffers a little with the available 20-inch wheels, tho’ it’s generally convenient over most paved surfaces.

Albeit treating is secure, the most visible weakness when driving the Explorer is the lack of maneuverability. You can’t help but be permanently aware of the vehicle’s size, especially when attempting to drive in a taut space like a parking garage. Compared to the Explorer, the Chevy Traverse feels more maneuverable and carlike.

Explorer Off-Road Spectacle

Tho’ the Explorer isn’t as off-road-ready as some of its rivals – namely the Jeep Grand Cherokee – it can still treat some veer off the pavement when you need it to. All-wheel drive is available, and a terrain management system permits you to choose from four driving modes: Normal, Mud/Ruts, Sand, and Grass/Gravel/Snow.

To learn more about the differences inbetween all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive, read All-Wheel Drive or Four-Wheel Drive: Which Is Right for You?

Explorer Dimensions and Weight

The Explorer is about 16.Five feet long, Five.8 feet tall, and 7.Five feet broad (including the sideview mirrors). The base Explorer weighs in at Four,453 pounds, and the upper trims with all-wheel drive weigh up to Four,901 pounds.

Explorer Towing Capacity

With a maximum towing capacity of Five,000 pounds, the Explorer can’t treat large, powerful trailers. However, it can pull a petite trailer if necessary. You’ll have no problem towing a pair of jet skis or even a puny boat, however you should check the weight and make sure it’s a good fit for what you’ll be carrying. The Honda Pilot can treat Five,000 pounds, and the Chevrolet Traverse tops out at Five,200 pounds. For more towing capacity, check out the Dodge Durango, which can tow up to 7,400 pounds.

Explorer Reliability

Is the Ford Explorer Reliable?

J.D. Power and Associates rates the Explorer at three out of five for reliability, which is about average. The Toyota 4Runner scores a Trio.Five, meaning it has slightly above average reliability. The Honda Pilot also receives a Three.Five.

Ford Explorer Warranty

Ford backs the Explorer with a three-year/36,000-mile warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Explorer Safety

Explorer Crash Test Results

The two thousand seventeen Explorer earns a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. From the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Explorer earns the highest overall score of Good in three of the four areas tested. It scores Marginal for its puny overlap front test, which measures how safe an occupant will be if the front corner of the vehicle collides with an object like a telephone pole, a tree, or the corner of another vehicle.

Explorer Safety Features

Like many vehicles nowadays, the Explorer comes standard with a rearview camera. It also offers a host of other driver assistance features. Front and rear parking sensors help you avoid dinging your car while parallel parking, but you may not even need them if you opt for parallel and perpendicular park assist, which does most of the work for you.

There are highway aids as well, including adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist, which keep your car securely in line if you divert your eyes to adjust the radio. Blind spot monitoring is another available feature that any driver can appreciate, as it makes switching lanes a safer endeavor. The Honda Pilot and Chevrolet Traverse suggest many of the same features.

Which Ford Explorer Model Is Right for Me?

The two thousand seventeen Ford Explorer comes in five trims: Explorer, XLT, Limited, Sport, and Platinum. It comes standard with a Trio.5-liter V6 engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. There are two available engines: a turbocharged Two.3-liter four-cylinder and a twin-turbocharged Trio.5-liter V6. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available.

For 2017, there are a few fresh exterior styling options and some switches to the features listing of select trims. Also, the SYNC three infotainment system is now available in place of the MyFord Touch system found in previous models. The Explorer received a refresh in 2016, but its last redesign was in 2011. As a result, this overview uses applicable reviews and research from the two thousand eleven through two thousand seventeen model years.

For most shoppers, the XLT represents the best value. At $33,775, it costs only a duo thousand dollars more than the base model. There’s a healthy dose of convenience features, like push-button commence, power-adjustable front seats, and a proximity key. Also, rear parking sensors and upgraded brakes make the Explorer a bit safer. If you’d like a little extra from your Explorer, there are slew of options packages and standalone features that step up the price incrementally. Consider them before making a almost $8,000 leap to the Explorer Limited.

Ford Explorer Base

The Explorer’s commencing price is $31,660. Ford’s SYNC infotainment system makes an appearance with its Four.2-inch color display, six speakers, Bluetooth, USB port, and voice recognition. Also standard is a rearview camera, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and MyKey. Two towing packages, Class II and Class III, are available as well, for $395 and $570, respectively.

Ford Explorer XLT

Upgrade to the XLT ($33,775), and you’ll get a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a six-way power-adjustable passenger seat, satellite radio, rear parking sensors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a proximity key, push-button commence, LED headlights and fog lights, heated sideview mirrors, upgraded brakes, and a keypad where you can inject a code to build up access to the cabin.

There are fairly a few packages available for the XLT. It’ll run you $Two,110 for dual-zone climate control, remote begin, a 10-way power-adjustable passenger seat, a hands-free foot-activated liftgate, second-row USB ports, and the SYNC three infotainment system, which includes a nine-speaker Sony audio system and an 8-inch touch-screen display. If you want all that, plus forward collision warning, a heated steering wheel, leather upholstery, and heated front seats, tack on $Four,680 instead. The Cold Weather package ($650) includes heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and forward collision warning only. Another package, the XLT Technology Feature Bundle ($1,095) adds voice-activated navigation and blind spot monitoring with cross traffic alert. For $695, second-row bucket seats and a center armrest are an available option to make your rear-seat passengers more convenient, however you lose the center seat.

Ford Explorer Limited

Building on the XLT – and including many of its optionally packaged features – the Limited ($41,675) adds on fairly a bit. For starters, the Limited uses a more efficient Two.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It also adds a healthy dose of tech, like a 180-degree front parking camera, two Four.2-inch driver information displays, SYNC three with an 8-inch touch-screen display, and a twelve-speaker Sony audio system. You’ll get some other noteworthy convenience items, like a hands-free foot-activated liftgate, adjustable pedals with memory, remote-controlled power windows, and a power steering column. Other add-ons with the Limited are dual-zone climate control, remote begin, an extra USB port, a 110-volt household power outlet, and a built-in garage door opener. Seating niceties that come with the Limited include leather upholstery, a driver’s seat adjustment memory system, a 10-way power-adjustable passenger seat, heated-and-cooled front seats, heated outboard second-row seats, and power-folding third-row seats.

To add parking assist, lane departure warning, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and high slat assist, it’ll be $Trio,000 extra.

Ford Explorer Sport

The Explorer Sport ($45,355) comes with a twin-turbocharged Three.5-liter V6 engine, which is the most powerful of the bunch. Sport models also come with all-wheel drive, a terrain management system, hill descent control, a sport-tuned suspension, and a Class III towing package. The Sport loses some of the Limited’s convenience features, but you can add the following back on via a $Two,965 package: power-adjustable pedals with memory, a power steering column, heated and cooled front seats, a 180-degree front parking camera, a built-in garage door opener, a driver’s seat adjustment memory system, a 110-volt household power outlet, second-row USB charging ports, and a nine-speaker Sony audio system.

Ford Explorer Platinum

Building on the Limited trim, the Explorer Platinum ($53,235) comes with extra safety features: adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic braking, park assist, lane departure warning, rain-sensing windshield wipers, blind spot monitoring, cross traffic alert, and inflatable safety belts for the second-row outboard positions. Other included goodies are a12-speaker Sony audio system, a Class III trailer tow package, chrome exterior accents, and leather and wood interior style finishes.

Where Is the Ford Explorer Built?

Ford is headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, but the Ford Explorer is made in Chicago, Illinois. Albeit assembly of the Explorer takes place in the United States, less than seventy five percent of the Explorer’s parts are American, which is typical. Many car companies import parts to their assembly plants in the U.S.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for excellent savings at your local Ford dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Ford deals page.

The Final Call

The Ford Explorer charges on as one the best-selling SUVs on the market. Many find the Explorer’s healthy dose of tech features fairly appealing, including the available SYNC three infotainment system, which works wonderfully compared to rival systems. Under the bondage mask, Ford supplies a capable V6 engine that’s a bit on the thirsty side, but there’s also the choice of two alternative engines: one for efficiency and another for power.

However, the Explorer has its shortcomings. It’s not as roomy as some SUV shoppers may want, especially in the third row, where space is at a premium. Overall, the Explorer’s seating isn’t as convenient on long trips as rivals like the Honda Pilot and Chevy Traverse. Poor maneuverability further adds to the Explorer’s woes. All in all, you wouldn’t necessarily be making the worst choice by springing for the Explorer, but with its higher-than-average base price of $31,660, you could certainly do better for less.

Don`t just take our word for it. Check out comments from some of the reviews that drive our rankings and analysis.

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