2023 Ford Explorer

The Ford Explorer is one of the oldest and best-known names in the SUV business and has been around since 1991. Now in its sixth generation, the Explorer continues to post strong sales figures and boasts a wide range of trims, some impressive engine options, and all the practicality you'll ever need. Under the hood, the Explorer offers a 300-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder or a potent V6 engine with 400 horses. A hybrid model with 318 hp is also on offer. Inside, the Explorer provides plenty of space for the first two rows and an impressive feature list, including Ford's excellent SYNC 3 infotainment system. It sits on Ford's comparatively fresh CD6 rear-/all-wheel-drive platform that also underpins the Lincoln Aviator, and that blesses it with a very good ride/handling balance. However, the new 2023 Ford Explorer SUV's competitors have not been resting on their laurels either. Ford's midsize SUV competes in an extremely tough class, which includes established rivals such as the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, and Hyundai Palisade, as well as excellent newcomers, such as the new Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The price of the Ford Explorer has a massive span of more than $20,000 between the base trim and the range-topping Platinum. The base model can be yours for only $36,760 excluding tax, registration, and a destination fee of $1,495. The XLT carries an MSRP of $38,570, with the new ST-Line costing $46,005 and the Limited commanding a massive $47,070. Adding AWD to any of these four-pot models adds an extra $2,000 to the asking price of a new Ford Explorer.

The Timberline costs $48,480 but includes 4WD as standard, while a step up to the RWD 3.0-liter V6 ST changes the price tag to $49,505. At the top of the order, the Platinum costs $52,875 and the King Ranch $54,130. If you want a hybrid, it only comes in two trims. The Hybrid Limited is expensive at $52,060, while the Platinum version retails for $52,875.

When the Explorer first made an appearance over 30 years ago, its handling could best be described as boat-like, but SUVs have come a long way since then. The latest Explorer drives more like a car than anything else, thanks to its unibody construction and modern suspension setup, making it the perfect family vehicle. The Explorer feels planted on city streets, highways, and light dirt trails and soaks up low-speed bumps with ease. If you're keen on off-roading, we'd suggest going for the Timberline, which adds off-road-ready features such as a limited-slip rear diff and a seven-mode Terrain Management System. The standard Explorer's handling is far from sporty but still utterly composed and well-balanced; it remains a large SUV focused on providing comfort above handling. All Explorers come standard with multiple drive modes. The engines are class-leading and even the base 2.3-liter four-cylinder pulls with vigor thanks to its 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. It's more than sufficient and we think the potent 400-hp/415-lb-ft 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 is overkill. The ten-speed automatic both are mated to can be a bit indecisive at times and hunt unnecessarily. If you're keen on on-road performance, the ST has sport-tuned suspension and offers surprisingly athletic handling, at the cost of a stiffer ride.

Ford sells the most popular truck in the USA and its evergreen Explorer is only outsold in the midsize SUV class by the Toyota Highlander and new Jeep Grand Cherokee - and not by much. So Ford knows what its buyers want. The Explorer is the most famous name in the SUV world and is trusted by families, cops, and many other government employees across the nation. It is a handsome yet innocuous vehicle that neither inspires nor offends, which is a great part of its success story: it's not the best, but well-balanced. The engine options are impressive, especially that turbocharged V6, and the feature list is good enough. We did find that some interior materials are not up to scratch, and the third row is tight, but the ample space in the front two rows and the ample trunk compensate. This SUV drives like a car and offers massive practicality at a reasonable price, as long as you stay away from the expensive top trims. Its breadth of abilities and proud heritage will keep it selling strongly, but a quick review of the Ford Explorer's rivals reveals that the new Jeep Grand Cherokee is simply more polished, and the impressively resolved Koreans beat it in the reliability ratings. It's still an excellent SUV, but no longer a class leader.

The Explorer offers different packages for a broad spectrum of budgets, including different seating configurations, drivetrain options, and features. If you're purely in it for the large seating capacity, then the base model will do just fine, and if you're flush with cash, then the top-tier Platinum is the best one to go for, especially now that it has the extra power only the ST used to offer. For everyone else, we'd suggest going for the Limited, which feels much more premium than the XLT thanks to leather seating, wireless charging, and that Bang & Olufsen 12-speaker sound system. If you fall into the specific niche that needs a three-row off-roader, the Timberline is remarkably good value, albeit with the less-powerful engine.