Drivers who would like their SUV to have guts and looks love the 2021 Ford Explorer. Built for families or a crowd, this three-row SUV comes with a bevy of gear, including a hearty turbocharged inline-4 engine. From the onset, Ford’s latest Explorer makes a daring statement as a family dream machine that focuses on elegance, power, and value – with the lineup starting the bid at a reasonable $32,225 MSRP.
4 Things Drivers Love About the 2021 Ford Explorer
1. Plenty of Room for Passengers and Cargo
The 2021 Explorer can seat up to seven people in its standard three-row arrangement. Comfort is at its best, with 43.0 inches of front-row legroom, 39.0 inches of second-row legroom, and 32.2 inches of third-row legroom. Thanks to a new mechanism for shifting the second-row seat out of the way, the new Explorer has made it easier to get into the standard third row.
Regarding cargo space, the SUV offers 18.2 cubic feet when all its seats are upright. When the second and third-row seats are folded down, cargo capacity expands to 87.8 cubic feet. Each trim gets a power liftgate as standard, plus another 2 add-ons: a cargo management system and a hands-free liftgate.
2. Diverse Powertrain Choices
From the Explorer’s Base trim through to the ST, there’s a powertrain to satisfy every driver. Base, XLT, and Limited trims are motivated by a 2.3-liter turbo-4 engine that cranks out 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. A 10-speed automatic transmission comes standard across trims. Rear-wheel-drive is standard with this engine, but many Explorers can have an optional all-wheel-drive platform. Both the Platinum and ST trims use a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine.
In Platinum, this engine generates 365 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, while in the sporty Explorer ST, the same engine version has been tuned to churn out 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. All-wheel-drive is also standard with this powertrain. For 2020, the Explorer Limited introduces a hybrid edition that combines a 3.3-liter V6 engine with an electric motor and hybrid battery pack for a total output of 318 horsepower.
3. Unbeatable Fuel Economy and Performance
The 2021 Explorer records great EPA fuel-economy ratings. RWD Explorers with the basic 2.3-liter engine return 21/28 mpg city/highway, while AWD versions with the same engine return 20/27 mpg city/highway. Regardless of driven wheels, Explorers equipped with this base engine can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.8 seconds.
Platinum and ST trims with a 3.0-liter engine are EPA-rated at 18/24 mpg city/highway. The Explorer ST’s 0-60 mpg acceleration is recorded at 5.3 seconds. The rear-drive Explorer Hybrid is the thriftiest, with EPA ratings of 27/29 mpg city/highway. Engaging the AWD in the Hybrid reduces the ratings to 23/26 city/highway. In our testing, the AWD Explorer Hybrid accelerated from 0-60 mpg in 7.7 seconds. All 2021 Explores can tow up to 5600 pounds without struggling.
4. Intelligent Terrain Management System
A lot of drivers are raving about the Explorer’s Intelligent 4WD with Terrain Management System. Ford engineers seem to have burnt the midnight oil upgrading last year’s standard AWD into an intelligent 4WD system. The updated version is capable of monitoring your driving styles and road conditions, thus redistributing torque accordingly.
With a terrain management system, drivers can tackle serious off-road challenges, including rocks and mud. Additionally, the 4WD system has been designed to calibrate and adjust the relevant electronic systems to offset different terrain-related challenges, such as snow and sand.
To be honest, the 2021 Explorer impresses with its refined drivability as well as all the nuts and bolts every driver with a large family will love. Safety is also guaranteed as Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite of driver-assist amenities comes standard. Stop by Crain Ford Jacksonville today and let our dedicated team help you choose the right Explorer for your family needs and lifestyle.
