Thankfully, the Ford Explorer has an overall reputation for being reliable. The Ford Explorer typically manages to impress critics. Ford might not be a luxury brand, but it does invest in building reliable vehicles. Consumer Reports has a lot of good things to say about the Explorer in general, and the reliability rating is part of that.
Also new among the family of Explorers is the beefy special-edition Timberline, which sits a few inches higher off the ground and also comes with limited-slip differentials and all-terrain tires, making it more apt for off-roading compared to its siblings right out of the box.
As far as features go, the lone major difference is between a new Explorer and those manufactured before is the drivetrain. Historically, Explorers have always been designed with front-wheel drive.
But in , just shy of the SUV's 30th birthday, Ford moved the Explorer's drivetrain from the front to the rear. In general, RWD makes for better handling and improved balance on SUVs regardless of the make and model, which means the vehicle is less likely to tip over and roll. Aside from the drivetrain, the only other major difference to keep in mind between new and used Ford Explorers is an updated infotainment system that's standard on and newer models and equipped with Apple CarPlay as well as Android Auto, whereas older models lack these features.
Over the years, as the trend with vehicles in general often tends to be, the Ford Explorer has grown in length, width and weight, too. New Explorers weigh in between 4, to 4, pounds depending on the specific trim level, which is actually on par with all 21st century model years of the Explorer and other brands of midsize SUVs these days for that matter, too.
But prior to the new millenium, from to , first and second generation Explorers weighed roughly 1, pounds less than their contemporary counterparts. Despite the extra pounds it's put on over the years, the Ford Explorer is still known to pack an impressive punch on the road.
Depending on the trim, the Explorer is fitted with different engine options whose horsepower varies from to Under the hoods of the base model and the XLT comes a turbocharged four-cylinder, horsepower engine that travels 21 mpg on city roads and 28 mpg on the freeway.
The Limited runs on a 3. More power under the hood translates to more weight that can be hitched to the rear, and for the Ford Explorer that equates to 5,, pounds of total towing capacity. The Limited claims bragging rights for being the only hybrid vehicle in its class of midsize SUVs that can tow up to 5, pounds and go fully off-road albeit not necessarily at the same time. The Explorer also sports an ample interior cargo space, which means with the seats folded down, there's plenty of room to fill in the back of the cab, too.
Ford Explorers manufactured after have room for seven people altogether, thanks to a full three rows of seating: two chairs in the front, a three-person bench in the middle and two additional chairs in the rear.
After that point, you will likely need extensive mid-life upgrades of the transmission, suspension, and steering, especially if you use your Explorer as a daily driver. By k miles, you can expect timing chain issues to come up. Dealing with these problems quickly is an important factor if you want your Explorer to enjoy a Methuselaic life.
Another point to call out here is the provenance of the vehicle. If you drive a Ford Explorer, especially model years and later, you can expect rust on it after about four years. Ford used to build Explorers with steel. But in its quest for lighter, more fuel-efficient designs, the company sacrificed the more durable steel for aluminum.
Aluminum is lighter, so it reduces weight while improving fuel economy. But the lighter metal lacks the density and durability of steel. Many Ford Explorer owners complain that the vehicle suffers from premature corrosion.
The problem starts from the hood as paint bubbles and progresses to other parts of the vehicle. There is a class-action lawsuit against Ford concerning the corrosion problem of the Explorer. Since , the company has issued several technical service bulletins TSBs to dealerships on how to deal with rust on Explorers.
If you plan to buy a pre-owned Explorer produced from the year , check the hood and other body parts for bubbles, rust, and peeling paint. Buying a corroded or corrosion-prone vehicle may lead to expensive repairs and reduce resale value. Early model Ford Explorers that have steel panels do not suffer from premature corrosion.
Compared to direct competitors such as the Honda Pilot, Jeep Cherokee, and Chevrolet Traverse, the Explorer can hold its own in terms of reliability and longevity.
Choose among up to seven different modes, like:. For maximum fuel efficiency, you can choose the available Limited Hybrid trim level. Now, if pure off-road might or on-road excitement is your main goal, you can pump up the horsepower with either the Platinum or sporty ST trims.
Of course, at this point, you may be wondering just how much gas you can fill up with when you stop at the pump. This, again, is going to vary based on your trim level:. While the 2. Then reach out to the team at Andy Mohr Ford!
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