2023 Ford Explorer

In the thirty years since its 1991 introduction, the Ford Explorer has woven itself into the daily fabric of suburban American life. Its current sixth-generation version arrived for the 2020 model year, and the 2023 model carries over unchanged from 2022. It continues to be a big seller for Ford, thanks largely to its versatility. In its purest form, it’s essentially an updated version of the venerable family station wagon, but it can also be optioned as the light-off-roading Timberline or the performance SUV ST version; there’s even an Explorer designed for fleets, police and first responders.  

For 2023, the Explorer is available in eight trims. The most affordable is the Base model, which is priced at $38,335 (including $1,595 destination charge), followed by the XLT ($40,165), ST-Line ($47,600, new for 2022), Limited ($48,665), off-road themed Timberline ($50,575), performance-oriented ST ($51,600), Platinum($56,060) and the luxurious King Ranch ($57,125 including destination fee).

Though it essentially invented the affordable, four-door mid-size SUV segment, the competition wasted little time joining the race. The names have changed in the ensuing decades, but the current pack consists of models like the Chevrolet Traverse, Toyota Highlander, Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride, among others. The Explorer is well-matched with much of the competition in terms of size, interior space, fuel economy and performance and stands out in one notable area: engine options.

The Explorer is available with three different powertrains. Specifically, Explorer buyers can choose between a 300-horsepower 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine (standard on Base, XLT, ST-Line, Limited and Timberline models), a 318-horsepower 3.3-liter hybrid engine (optional on Limited models only) or the 400-horsepower 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 (standard on ST, Platinum and King Ranch models). In contrast, the Traverse’s most powerful option is a 310 horsepower V6, while the Palisade and Telluride both offer 291 horsepower. All engine options are coupled to a ten-speed automatic transmission, which helps improve fuel economy figures. 

One of the keys to the Explorer’s longevity is its easily configurable interior. There’s room for seven passengers—as long as the third-row occupants are small and friendly—and 18.2 cubic-feet of cargo space behind the third row of seats. Need to haul stuff? Fold the second and third rows flat, and you’ve got 87.8 cubic-feet of cargo space. Skis, kayaks and other outdoor gear can be secured to the roof-rack, and it can tow as much as 5,600 pounds when properly equipped. On the downside, its interior feels a little dated compared to the Palisade. 

Ford’s Co-Pilot360 safety package is standard across the lineup. It includes crucial safety features, including blind spot warning, lane keeping assistance, automatic high beams, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard equipment across the model lineup; still, if you want some of the more advanced tech features, as well as the safety features that are part of the Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package, without spending too much time pouring over the option sheet we suggest starting with the Limited.

Performance: 12/15

The Explorer offers three engines: A 2.3-liter EcoBoost inline-four good for 300 horsepower, a 3.3-liter hybrid rated for 318 combined horsepower and a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 rated for 400-horsepower in the performance-oriented ST trim. Thanks to the turbocharging in the four and six-cylinder units and the electric assist in the hybrid, all are responsive and provide lively acceleration with plenty of power on tap for maneuvers on and off the highway.

The 2.3 four-cylinder and 3.3-liter hybrid come standard with rear-wheel drive with 4WD optional. 4WD is standard on the Timberline and trims equipped with the 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6. A ten-speed automatic transmission is standard across the board, although the hybrid gets a modified version to better facilitate the merging of the gasoline and electric power sources. 

Handling is decent for a mid-size SUV, and light-years ahead of Explorers from just a couple generations ago. While the standard powertrains operate discreetly, we did find the transmission on the hybrid model seems confused at times. Shifts could be slow and clunky, and the integration of the two power sources wasn’t as seamless as in some other hybrids. Of course, competitors like the Highlander Hybrid uses a CVT in place of traditional automatic, so it may just be operating characteristic of the Explorer hybrid. 

Models equipped with four-wheel drive and the EcoBoost V6 engine are rated to tow a maximum  of 5,600 pounds. The Timberline does offer a little bit of extra off-road swagger, particularly on slippery gravel, light snow and forest roads, but it isn’t ever going to challenge the Toyota 4Runner or Ford’s own Bronco off-road.

Fuel Economy: 10/15 

Fuel economy numbers for the Explorer are on par for the segment. According to the EPA, the average fuel economy numbers, across the entire Explorer lineup (all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive models combined) is 19 mpg in the city, 25 mpg on the highway and 21 mpg combined.

That’s very much in line with competitors like the Chevrolet Traverse, Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride. The Traverse delivers 18 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway and 21 mpg combined. The Palisade is rated at 19 mpg in the city, 25 mpg on the highway and 22 mpg combined. Kia’s Telluride has very similar numbers: 20 mpg in the city, 25 mpg on the highway and 22 mpg combined.

The hybrid is the most efficient Explorer, EPA rated for 27 mpg combined and city and 28 mpg highway (23, 23 and 24, respectively, with all-wheel drive). The turbo four returns a best of 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 28 highway, while the 3.0-liter V6 is rated for 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 26 highway. All-wheel driver reduces mileage slightly in all instances; the Timberline extracts a few additional mpg due to its higher profile, more aggressive tires and other factors.

Safety & Driver Assistance Tech: 14/15

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the Ford Explorer a Top Safety Pick+, its highest safety rating: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hasn’t done a full evaluation of the Explorer and lacks an overall and frontal crash ratings. However, the NHTSA has enough data to award it a five star side crash rating and a four star rollover rating. 

The standard Co-Pilot360 safety package includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, post-impact braking, blind spot warning with cross traffic alerts, lane keeping assistance, hill start assist and automatic headlamps with automatic high beams. 

The optional Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package (available on XLT trim and up) adds a number of features to the basic safety package, including adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane-keeping assistance and evasive steering assist.

Standard safety equipment includes front, side and knee airbags for front-row occupants, as well as safety canopy side-curtain airbags that cover all three rows and deploy during a rollover.

Comfort & Room: 10/15

Explorers have always been comfortable and roomy, and the current model falls in line with the competitive set. Front legroom measures 43 inches ,edging out than the Telluride (41.4 inches) and the Traverse (41.0 inches). The script flips slightly in the second row, the Explorer’s 39 inches of legroom falling just behind the Telluride (41.4) and Palisade (42.4) but slightly more than the Traverse’s  38.4 inches. 

The Explorer’s 32.3-inches of third-row legroom also tips the Telluride and the Palisade (both offer 31.4 inches), but Traverse shines here with 33.5 inches. The Volkswagen Atlas has even more with 33.7-inches). As a side note, the cushions in the Explorer’s third row are the hardest of the bunch, making it uncomfortable for longer trips.

That’s not true of the comfortable and supportive driver and front passenger seats, as well as the outboard second-row passengers. The middle seat in the second row is uncomfortable and seems to be made of a harder material.

Leather seats (heated and ventilated for the front row; heated for the second row) are standard on the Limited trim and up. Base and XLT models get cloth.

Infotainment: 11/15

The Base model comes with a 4.2-inch screen that’s part of the instrument cluster and includes an onboard message center, outside temperature display and trip computer. The center stack has an 8-inch touchscreen that serves multiple purposes and works well with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which are standard equipment. Two USB ports are available in the first row.

The XLT trim gets a larger 6.5-inch instrument display, which grows to an impressive 12.3 inche unit in the ST model. ST buyers can also opt for a 10.1-inch touchscreen for the center stack.

While the touchscreen can be used to control the heating and cooling system, as well as audio functions, there are also physical knobs and buttons. That makes it much easier to make adjustments without having to dig down into menus on the screen.

Cargo Space & Storage: 13/15

Cargo space is an Explorer strong point, and both the second and third row fold flat in the Explorer making for a flat cargo floor. Offering 18.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 47.9 behind the second and 87.8 with the third and second rows folded, cubic-feet of space behind the first row, it has more cargo space than the Kia Telluride or Hyundai Palisade. However, Chevrolet’s Traverse (admittedly larger on the outside overall) takes the win with an impressive 23 cubic-feet behind the third row, 57.8 behind the second and 98.2 total. 

The passenger compartment includes numerous storage bins and compartments for smaller items like purses, wallets, phones and the like. The storage bin in the center console is large and comes with a tray for coins and other easily-lost items.

Style & Design: 7/10

The Explorer has been a part of the American landscape for many years. It’s a big seller for Ford, and it’s popular with both consumers and police departments alike. Don’t expect to turn heads while driving the Explorer, unless you’re mistaken for local law enforcement. It’s a nice vehicle, but with so many on the roads, it blends into the background.

Although it’s well-built and solid, it’s not designed to coddle the occupants or pamper them with the kind of luxurious amenities you’d expect in a more expensive of high-end SUV. This is a workhorse that delivers on the promise of practicality and capability. It will get seven passengers to where they need to be, and they’ll be able to bring all the stuff they need for their journey, thanks to the cargo capacity and towing ability of the Explorer.

Is the 2022 Ford Explorer Worth it? Which Explorer is the Best Value? 

The Explorer is available in eight different trims, which means there’s something for every budget, need and desire. While the Base model starts at an attractive $38,335 (including $1,595 destination charge), it lacks a lot of the creature comforts and amenities most drivers want in a vehicle today.

At the other end of the spectrum is the King Ranch model, which comes with a sticker price of $56,315, including the destination fee, but you’re paying for a lot of luxury items that are nice, but not really necessary to get the most out of this vehicle.

The sweet spot is the Limited model, which sells for $48,655, including destination. At this level you’re out of cloth seats and into leather, and that leather is both heated and ventilated. Plus, you’re taking advantage of included niceties like the Bang & Olufsen sound system with 12 speakers, ambient lighting, a heated steering wheel, a surround-view camera and the added safety features that are part of the Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package.

How Much Does it Cost to Insure the Ford Explorer? 

Insurance costs for the Explorer are slightly higher than for the competition. According to our data, the average 30-year-old female driver with a good record can expect an average annual premium of $2,129. The Chevrolet Traverse, on the other hand, costs an average of $2,095 to insure, the Hyundai Palisade an average of $2,025, and the Kia Telluride $1,985. To get a more accurate picture of your potential insurance expenses, see our car insurance calculator.