Overview & Reviews

The Ford Explorer is widely regarded as the catalyst that started America's love affair with the SUV back in the early 1990s. Certainly there were SUVs before the Explorer, but they were mostly utilitarian in nature. The Explorer was the first go-to SUV for the Everyman. Throughout its life, the Ford Explorer has delivered versatility, a reasonable amount of comfort, affordability and, perhaps most importantly, more style than a station wagon or minivan. New or used, the justifiably popular Explorer should be part of any serious SUV search.

Current Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer is a large three-row SUV that can accommodate up to seven passengers. There are four trim levels: base, XLT, Limited and Sport.

Though even the base version comes well-equipped, moving up the list provides luxuries such as leather seating, the Sync voice command system, a rearview camera, keyless ignition/entry and upgraded audio systems. In addition to its potent engine, the Sport trim features a sport-tuned suspension as well as unique interior/exterior trim details. Optional highlights (depending on trim level) include a navigation system, a rear-seat entertainment system, adaptive cruise control, a heated steering wheel and even an automatic parallel-parking system. Stability control and a multitude of airbags are standard, with blind spot and collision warning systems available on upper trims.

A 3.5-liter 290-horsepower V6 is standard on all but the Sport trim, which comes with a turbocharged version good for 365 hp. Optional on all but the Sport is a fuel-efficient 2.0-liter, 240-hp turbocharged four-cylinder. All engines are hooked up to a six-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard on all but the Sport, which has all-wheel drive standard. The latter is optional for all other Explorers equipped with the 290-hp V6.

In reviews, we've found the Ford Explorer to be one of the best choices for a family-oriented SUV. It drives well, gets good fuel economy for its class and still retains the versatility that made people like SUVs in the first place. Fitted with most of its optional high-tech features, the Explorer is also one of the most advanced SUVs available, luxury brand or not. The Explorer's most notable downside is that it doesn't provide as much third-row and cargo space as some rival large crossover SUVs, and its MyFord Touch electronics interface can be finicky to use.

Used Ford Explorer Models
The current-generation Explorer bowed for 2011. Among the big changes was a switch from body-on-frame to unibody architecture for more carlike driving dynamics and improved space efficiency. Changes have been minimal since; the turbocharged four-cylinder engine wasn't offered until 2012, while the powerful Sport trim didn't debut until the following year.

The third-generation Explorer ran from 2002-'10. A longer wheelbase and an independent rear suspension allowed room for a fairly accommodating third-row seat while also improving ride and handling performance. A 210-hp V6 was joined by a new 4.6-liter 239-hp V8, and both were matched to a five-speed automatic transmission. Initial trim levels included the XLS, XLT and more upscale Limited and Eddie Bauer.

For 2003, a few new trim levels debuted, including XLS Sport and the NBX (no boundaries experience -- we're not making that up). The latter came with all-terrain tires, special trim and a Yakima roof rack. An off-road package became available as well, complete with a beefed-up suspension and skid plates. The following year, equipment levels were shuffled, stability control was made available on most trims (previously it could only be had on V8 models) and Limited and Eddie Bauer models got a quad bucket seating option. The stability control system was upgraded with roll stability control for 2005.

For 2006, a substantial update took place that included revised styling inside and out, an improved frame, enhanced safety systems and a more powerful V8. The latter made 292 hp (up from the previous 239 hp) though the 210-hp 4.0-liter V6 continued unchanged. The V8 came paired with a new six-speed automatic transmission. Safety equipment was upgraded, too, as front-seat side airbags and stability control were made standard on all Explorers. More recent Explorers benefited from the arrival of the voice-activated Sync music/phone interface (2008) and a revised navigation system (2009).

In general we liked this Explorer and found value in the excellent ride and handling characteristics, comfortable and roomy cabin and, on V8 models, strong power and high towing capacity. Though later outclassed by newer crossover SUVs in terms of comfort and design, this Explorer is a solid pick, particularly if you plan to use a V8 model for towing.

Model years 1995-2001 represent the second generation Explorer. Though neither as refined nor as powerful as the generation that followed, this group is still a respectable choice for an SUV. For most of this generation's run, three engines were available: a standard 160-hp V6, an optional 210-hp V6 ('97 and later) and a 210-hp 5.0-liter V8. The familiar XL, XLT, Eddie Bauer and Limited were the available trims, and there was a two-door Explorer known as the Sport. Editorial reviews of the time noted that the Explorer had a comfortable cabin and decent utility but fared poorly in terms of road handling and off-road ability.

The original Ford Explorer debuted in 1990 as a 1991 model, and it replaced the Bronco II in Ford's lineup. It achieved instant success in a market that it ultimately defined, if not created. Based on the Ford Ranger pickup, the original Explorer had the winning combination of size, style and utility that people wanted in an SUV. It came as the volume-selling four-door or a less popular two-door. Initially, just XLS and XLT trim levels were available. In 1992, an Eddie Bauer edition joined the lineup, and a Limited model followed shortly thereafter. For power, these Explorers had a 155-hp V6. Output went up slightly to 160 hp in 1993; this was also the year Ford made antilock brakes standard equipment.

User Reviews:

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  Best auto I have ever owned - 1999 Ford Explorer
  By goldilox - September 29 - 2:00 am

  Best auto ever owned...reliable...never once in the shop except for reg checkups.

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  Solid - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By Bills - September 28 - 10:40 am

  Excellent value for a sport utility.

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  Xlt Ford SUV 2004 - 2004 Ford Explorer
  By Robert Miller - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I enjoy the driving, and so far no problems 20000 miles.

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  Wifes SUV - 2016 Ford Explorer
  By Gabriel Gonzalez - September 24 - 2:19 pm

  Power and ride comfort are pretty awesome. We hadnt brought a new car in 10 years so we are very impressed with the technology in this Explorer. I it drive on the weekends are really like it. Only downside is fuel economy, not terrible but not as good as I had hoped. If you can afford it, go for one with ecoboost.

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  severe windshield glare - 2006 Ford Explorer
  By jason scaffidi - September 22 - 7:03 pm

  Very dangerous windshield glare. The entire dashboard is reflected onto the windshield. I hate driving it. Ford says its normal...absolutely no customer support from Ford. This is my 2nd Explorer and last one that I will buy. I do not feel safe driving this car because I am fixated on the glare. VERY VERY POOR DESIGN.

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  Needs serious redesign of seats and interior space - 2016 Ford Explorer
  By Dan - September 20 - 7:02 pm

  I had a chance to drive 2016 Ford Explorer XLT 4WD for 9 days as a rental vehicle. Throughout the years I have owned, rented and test-driven almost all vehicle makes and models of cars from economy passenger cars to luxury sports sedans, SUVs and even pickup trucks. Unfortunately Im going to cross Ford Explorer off my shopping list and I cannot recommend it as a potential family vehicle even though I liked the previous Explorer I test-drove back in 2011-12. It seems there are two vehicles within the Explorer. On one hand you have a vehicle with a very nice drivetrain: a capable relatively apt and powerful engine (this is just a sub 300 HP V6 mind you in a heavy vehicle); an intelligent 6 speeds transmission; and a very comfortably tuned suspension. We drove on freeways, mountain highways, uphills, downhills and engine and the tranmission coupled with Sports mode and steering-wheel mounted shifters enabled you to accomplish all the feats without much problem. On the steeper hills though, regular Drive mode would behave more intelligently when going downhil, holding on the lesser gear and helping you brake with the engine. On the uphills, regular Drive mode would however tend to constantly upshift even when you would manually downshift. Once in the Sports mode, these problems would go away and the car would behave accordingly. However there is the other part of Explorer and that other part unfornuately makes the Explorer not so much attractive. The faults I will list out are not new, but as have been already been pointed out by others in the reviews here. Seat design/driver comfort 1) Terrible front seats with narrow hard bottoms, hard and high bottom bolsters. 2) Poor legroom area for the driver in width 3) The above 2 is accentuated with absolutely terribly designed foot rest area. The foot rest is very narrow, has a weird angle and also there is no space to rest your foot outward or stretch your foot outward. (And I was coming from just driving a Corolla and Camry). Many people here pointed out that these issues might be experienced partly because of the driver height. But Im a pretty short guy and Ive experienced all these issues to a such degree that after about 30 mins of renting the car, I was complaining non-stop and had to tell my wife that I could not bear to drive it any longer. Even after I switched to the passenger front seat, the 1st issue was still bothering me there as well. I was ready to ditch the car and the only thing that stopped me was that I couldnt reach the rental agency and we were already far away from the pickup location. My wife however was not bothered as much. This leads me to believe that this is not as much of the height issue as the female vs male issue. Females naturally dont mind seating with their legs close together whereas we males prefer to open our legs as wide as possible. Only after putting some bath towels, we luckily had, in the center of seat and thus leveling the surface I was able to somehow mitigate issue 1. Child seat OK, so you would think that given how large the Explorer is and its target audience it would do really well in child car seat accomodation department. I was really hoping that I could install my convertible seat in the most safe position possible - center seat facing rear. But I could not. I couldnt use the center position even for the front facing installation. 4) There is not that much space in the 2nd row seats as you would think, even with the short drivers and passengers 5) The mechanism for folding the seats in the center seat is so large and obstrusive that it conflicts with seat installation, both front and rear. 6) The same mechanism makes it hard to use latch installation even on the side seats especially in the rear installation. Minor things Now these things by themselves maybe minor but when coupled with the things above just add to the less the desirable portrait of the vehicle. 7) Car very loudly honks when you exit with the key and engine turned on and there is no way to turn the feature off. This proved extremely annoying and aggravating as you are trying to warm up the vehicle and its interior and need to exit in and out of the car. 8) Multimedia and instrument screen controls are needlessly complicated. It took me awhile to literally figure out how to do even the simplest things such as browing the folder structure on the MP3 CD or to reset the trip odometer. There were absolutely no hints or labels on the controls to suggest that they would accomplish this or that feature. 9) Locking the car. Till the last day I could not figure out exactly how to easily lock the car by using touch feature. Sometimes I would have to touch it twice, sometimes I would have to hold my hand there for a couple seconds, sometimes it would refuse to lock altogether no matter what I did and I would have to use the remote. 10) Only one charge port upfront ???!!

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  Ford Help! - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By ober1 - September 20 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this E.B. Explorer 6/2002, for my wife who only drives it to the office and back home. 9/04 it only has 16500 miles. Many under warranty problems such as window motor, water pump, belt tentioner, rear lift gate split down the middle,rear air conditoner problems, hood paint bubbling up,leaking right rear shock,defective rear compartment latch, all outside plastic (black) molding had to be replaced due to pealing, third brake light defective. I hope that F.M.C. opens their eyes to the many problems. Other than the above problems my wife loves her Ford Explorer and will not let me trade it in.

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  Exploder is what it should be called! - 2000 Ford Explorer
  By Exploder2000 - September 19 - 2:00 am

  I traded in my 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder so I could get a dependable SUV...what a mistake I made. I have only had this car for 11 months and have had nothing but problems. Timing chain (3 times), transmission (3 times), stalls out when you shift into gear, EGR Valve, and countless others. I hate this car!

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  Well it,s a Ford! - 1998 Ford Explorer
  By Steelersrule - September 18 - 2:00 am

  I hated Ford since the purchase date because they promised repainting due to "acid rain issue" but never followed through. Overall my XL served well but no options causes a quick lack of interest. Choose wisely.

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  Great Experience - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By civicadk4 - September 18 - 2:00 am

  I am very happy to have purchased this truck. I used to tell myself that Is never buy American, and would never buy a Ford. Well as soon as I saw and drove the 2003 Explorer I wanted it. It has a good amount of power, a lot of room and rides like a dream...much better then a 4runner.