Among the most iconic SUVs in history is the venerable Ford Explorer. The Explorer owned the US three-row SUV market for a while, then faded a bit, and has returned with gusto. Ford has not slept while the Explorer aged. Rather, the vehicle has been constantly redesigned and improved, and today straddles the body-on-frame and unit-body design, an odd combination, but one that works very well.

The Explorer is a line of vehicles that encompasses inexpensive family transportation, sporty adventure SUV trims, and quite luxurious top trims. Even the police use a variation of the Explorer called the Interceptor complete with bullet-resistant door panels and the ability to withstand a highway impact from the rear.

You’re darn tootin' the Ford Explorer is a good SUV. It had a major role in starting the SUV craze and continues to serve as a benchmark in the industry for three-row SUV excellence. With eight trims and some packages and options to make the vehicle fit your needs, it is impossible not to find an Explorer that suits one’s particular lifestyle. Heading off-road? Timberland. Want a sporty and quick SUV? ST. How about luxury? Platinum or King Ranch will fit the bill. Do you just need to get the kids to school and do so without breaking the bank? XLT.

Ford also has you covered with a wide choice of engines. No Explorer has less than 300 hp, and you can choose from a base four-cylinder EcoBoost engine, a hybrid, and an up-powered six-cylinder EcoBoost engine that produces over 400 lb-ft of torque. We’ve sampled them all and were very impressed with the hybrid.

If you need utility, it is hard to top the Explorer without opting for a ginormous glutton you really don’t want to live with. Explorer is big, but not massive. It can tow up to 5,600 lbs, which is a multiple horse trailer, decent sized boat, or roomy camper. The Explorer could tow a snowmobile trailer up into mountain country without breaking a sweat.

If you owned a Pilot before 2022, be advised the new one is quite different. Larger, more refined, and more capable, the new Honda Pilot comes in a lot of variations, including a very capable trim targeting those who venture off-pavement. The Pilot is hard not to cross-shop in this segment.

The Hyundai and Kia twins clearly peeked at Honda’s homework when they created the Palisade and Telluride. These two are sharing many of the industry awards given to such vehicles. The Hyundai Palisade offers the best warranty and included maintenance package in this segment, and is a hard value to beat.

Fun fact: You can get four trims of the Explorer that are less expensive than a compact Ford Bronco Sport Heritage. Ford’s base Explorer and XLT start at just under $40K. By the pound, those are two of the highest-value vehicles made today. The ST and Limited start at under $50K, the Timberline is priced at around $52K, and a fully-equipped Explorer Platinum (Hybrid) or King Ranch is priced at about $57K. We’ve included the $1,595 Destination and Delivery fee in our price points. Our prices are for 2023 model-year vehicles.

The Explorer was last redesigned for its 2020 model year. It was a big change, and the change prior to that was in 2016. Another big redesign is expected for 2024 but has not been revealed as this story is written in September 2023. There were no changes to the Explorer in 2023.

The Explorer trim you select will determine how it feels. However, we have driven a few of the trims on-road, and they all feel peppy and enjoyable behind the wheel. If you want a sporty one, get the ST with its up-powered 3.0-liter turbocharged engine. We would probably not get that one. There is only so much you can do to make large SUVs feel “sporty.”

We have tested the Police Interceptor versions of the Explorer on closed courses and they all handled very well in emergency maneuvers, hard braking, and acceleration runs. It is amazing how well the Explorer can handle when it needs to. However, it usually doesn’t “need to” do anything more than move you around town or down the highway. Here, the Explorer shines. Comfort and convenience are the main themes.

Saying it plainly, there is no safer automobile in which you and your family can be. The large, heavy Explorer has physics on its side in a crash and modern active safety systems to prevent an accident in the first place. IIHS rated the Explorer a Top Safety Pick+. There is no higher rating. NHTSA has not evaluated the Explorer.

Based on Consumer Reports and J.D. Power data, we must report that the Explorer is one of the least reliable vehicles in its class. The current model year Explorer earns the lowest predicted reliability score from Consumer Reports and has never earned a score higher than a ⅖ in its current or previous generation. The 2023 J.D. Power Dependability Study ranked Ford near the bottom of manufacturers. Only three brands were ranked lower, and one was Lincoln.

Ford has so many variations of the Explorer that it is hard to pinpoint which options to get. If you go off-road, start with the Timberline trim. It has better tires and other gear for your needs. If you are using the Explorer for your everyday family driving, it is hard to overlook the excellent hybrid engine option.

Ford offers one of the shortest warranties in the industry and does not include maintenance in its purchase price. However, the FordPass rewards program does offset some maintenance costs in your first two years of ownership.

• Basic: 3 years / 36k miles
• Powertrain: 5 years / 60k miles
• If buying used, consider an extended warranty

Given the Explorer’s reliability history, we cannot recommend to our readers that they buy a used one. We would suggest owning an Explorer while it is under warranty and purchasing an extended warranty to lengthen that coverage if you plan to keep it beyond the factory warranty.

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