Exploring the Ford Explorer

The two variants of the Explorer and what Ford has given them to play with

Ford has always been of the mind that toughness and ruggedness need not look shabby, worn out and certainly dated. One look at the Ford Explorer and you immediately get the picture.

As solidly built as these vehicles are for hauling and crawling, it doesn’t hurt that they’re easy on the eyes as well.

Manufactured with a Terrain Management System to take the guessing out of off-roading, this handsome SUV will take you and friends to the wild blue yonder in GQ-style that will make James Bond look like Bear Grylls.

There are two variants of the Explorer that Ford has made available in the Philippines, the Explorer 3.5L V6 EcoBoost Sport AWD (all-wheel drive) AT (automatic transmission) and the entry-level Explorer 2.3L Limited EcoBoost AT.

Here’s an in-depth look at both.

Ford, just last year, updated the fifth-generation Explorer even as Detroit launched the 2020, sixth-generation model in January 2019.

These were but minor update – the three-bar grille was redesigned and given more slats, the front bumper reshaped and enhanced with a black lower accent, and the fog lamps design was revised.

Save for its highly noticeable large dimensions – 5,006mm in length, 2,004mm in width, 1,788mm in height, with a 2,860mm wheelbase – and the prestige the nameplate stretched across the front of the hood (Sport model only) brings, it carries a largely simple and plain design.

Most noticeable of all is its. From any angle, it simply looks massive and all the heft from the front carries over along the sides and out to the rear in very impressive fashion. Even at first glance, it really does leave quite an impression.

It comes with auto on/off LED (light-emitting diode) low beam and halogen high beam reflector headlamps with LED daytime running lamps, and LED taillights.

Standard is a shark’s fin antenna, lower bodyside cladding, speed-sensitive, intermittent front wipers and two-speed rear wiper with defroster, privacy glass is installed as standard as well for the second and third row, a rear bumper step pad molded in black with bright black paint finish, and Easy Fuel capless fuel filler.

To distinguish between the two variants the 2.3L Limited EcoBoost comes with chrome door handles, dual exhaust tips with chrome finish, silver-painted chrome bars on the grille, chrome liftgate with embossed Explorer badge, chrome roof rails, and body-colored side mirrors with power-fold/auto-dimming/driver’s memory with integrated spotted/LED turn signals/puddle lamps.

The 3.5L Sport V6 EcoBoost has high-gloss black door handles, quad exhaust tips, high-gloss black grille, blacked-out LED taillights, black liftgate with embossed Explorer badge, black roof rails, black side mirrors with power-fold/auto-dimming/driver’s memory with integrated spotted/LED turn signals/puddle lamps, and another Explorer badge on the hood.

Driving the 2.3L Limited EcoBoost is a 2.3L inline-four EcoBoost engine with 270hp and 408Nm of torque sent to the front wheels via a six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

On the 3.5L Sport V6 EcoBoost is a 3.5L V6 EcoBoost engine with 365hp and 475Nm of torque routed to an all-wheel-drive system through a six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

The chassis of both get four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock braking system (ABS), panic brake assistance and electronic brakeforce distribution, electric power-assisted steering, and 20-inch aluminum wheels with 255/50 R20 tires.

What’s different between the two are the independent front MacPherson struts and independent multi-link rear suspension, a mini spare tire, and luster nickel color of the wheels on the 2.3L Limited EcoBoost. The 3.5L Sport V6 EcoBoost has sport-tuned front and rear suspension, and 18-inch mini spare tire, and dark tarnish painted wheels.

Both variants get remote keyless entry key fobs.

Inside, shared equipment and features include all-weather floor mats, ambient lighting, a premium audio system by Sony with twelve speakers (with subwoofer for the 3.5L Sport V6 EcoBoost), dual panel moonroof, dual zone electronic automatic temperature control, electrochromic rearview mirror, 180-degree front camera with washer, front and rear lights, front map lights, front passenger and second row outboard grab handles, hands-free tailgate, intelligent access with push-button start, leather shift knob, leather-wrapped with secondary audio control, load floor tie-down hooks, MyKey, overhead console, PowerFold third row seat, one touch Up/one touch Down front power windows, rear cargo area light, rearview camera with washer, remote start, color-keyed sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors, Sync3 voice-activated communications and entertainment system with MyFord Touch, and Sync Connect.

For a more premium feel, the 3.5L Sport V6 EcoBoost gets red stitching on the perforated, leather-trimmed, heated and cooled 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with power recline and power lumbar, and 10-way power-adjustable, heated and cooled passenger seat. The 2.3L Limited EcoBoost does not get the red stitching.

Also exclusive to the 3.5L Sport V6 EcoBoost are DVD headrests, illuminated scuff plates and adaptive cruise control. The 2.3L Limited EcoBoost gets only the plain cruise control feature.

Both variants have a 110V power outlet, accessory delay – power windows and audio, two auxiliary power points, Bluetooth connectivity, two coat hooks, and eight-inch LCD (liquid crystal display) color touchscreen display on the center stack, a 4.2-inch driver configurable color LCD display on the instrument cluster, power door locks, two smart charging USB ports, and an SD (secure digital) card slot.

As far as safety and security features come, both boast of the same features. The two variants have four-wheel ABS, Advance Trac with Roll Stability Control, second-generation driver and front passenger airbags, side seat and front passenger knee airbag, belt-minder system, BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) with cross traffic alert, front park assist, inflatable rear seatbelts, LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for Children), perimeter alarm, reverse sensing system, SOS post-crash alert system, Safety Canopy side curtain airbags, seatbelt with pretensioners and height adjusters in the first row, SecuriCode keyless entry keypad, SecuriLock Passive/Active anti-theft system, tire pressure monitoring system, and Traction Control.

The Explorer 2.3L Limited EcoBoost AT is priced at P2.798 million while the Explorer 3.5L V6 EcoBoost Sport AWD AT goes for P3.178 million.

Photos from Ford Philippines