In the full-size SUV market, the Ford Explorer has long been a dominant player. With the 2017 edition of the popular vehicle, that leading position should continue.
The Explorer can seat six or seven over three rows, and offers comfortable seating, especially in the front and center rows. In the second row, a bench that splits 60/40 is standard, but there are optional captain's chairs available, which our test model had. If you fold the seats down, you get a cavernous 81.7 cubic feet of space.
Other interior amenities include the SYNC audio system, with the optional SYNC 3 multimedia system that includes navigation, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, satellite radio and two USB ports. For comfort, there is a rear climate control system, front ventilated seats and leather/suede trimmed seats.
There are five trim levels available: base, XLT, Limited, Sport and Platinum.
On the exterior, the Explorer has a mesh-style grille and square LED headlights, both of which were added in a refresh from the previous model year. Other features include power side mirrors, power moonroof and a power liftgate.
Under the hood, you'll find a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that makes 290 horsepower with a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel and four-wheel drive systems are available. The front-wheel model gets 17 mpg city, 24 highway and with four-wheel, the numbers are 16 and 23. Also available are a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 280 horsepower and a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 that makes 365 horsepower.
A backup camera is standard, with optional safety features that include lane departure warning system, blind spot warning system and hill descent control.
The Explorer starts at around $32,000 and ranges to about $54,000.
For a comfortable, sporty-looking SUV with handy technology features, it's hard to beat the Explorer.
