2017 Ford Explorer SUV 4WD

Introduction

When it comes to hauling a larger family around, shoppers who don't want to go the minivan route often turn to midsize SUVs. And in the world of three-row SUVs, the 2017 Ford Explorer is one of the most well-rounded.

The new model year sees the introduction of a package available on XLT model Explorers called the Sport Appearance package. Added features include dark gray accents on the 20-inch wheels, grille, mirror caps and rear bumper appliqué along with black side moldings, roof rails and an Explorer hood badge. The package gives buyers the look of a Sport model without having to make the jump to the large turbocharged engine and Sport-level hardware. Inside, the package adds two-tone seats and door trim done up in dark gray leather and suede, as well as logo floor mats. 

Additionally, XLT and higher grade models have the option to upgrade to Ford’s new Sync 3 infotainment system, which is more intuitive and quicker responding than the previous MyFord Touch system. The touchscreen uses swipe and pinch gestures and enhanced voice recognition with Siri integration. And when updates are available, the system will automatically update over Wi-Fi.

The Explorer spans a wide price range, from the low $30Ks for a base model to nearly $60K for the fully loaded Platinum trim, and its road mannerisms vary about as much as well. Where the base model makes do with less power and drives bigger than it looks, the Sport trim’s sharper handling and punchy turbo V6 engine shrink the Explorer from behind the wheel. There’s seating for up to seven passengers, which falls behind others in the segment that will carry eight, but it offers an above-average towing capacity of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.

Naturally, there are other good options for three-row SUVs to consider. If you’re looking to maximize your cargo space and towing capability, the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse is worth checking out. There’s also the all-new 2017 GMC Acadia, which is slightly smaller than the previous model but more efficient. Both the Honda Pilot and the Toyota Highlander are excellent options thanks to their big cabins and comfortable rides.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

Standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED headlights, LED taillights, rear privacy glass, roof rails, a rearview camera, cruise control, air-conditioning, rear climate controls, a 60/40-split second-row seat, 50/50-split third-row seat, an eight-way power driver seat (manual recline), a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a 4.2-inch dashboard display screen, Sync (Ford's voice-activated phone/entertainment interface), Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player and USB/auxiliary audio inputs.

The XLT trim adds upgraded brakes, body-color door handles, LED foglights and signature lighting, silver roof rails, front and rear silver skid-plate details, heated exterior mirrors, rear parking sensors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a keyless entry code pad and push-button ignition, a 10-way power driver seat, a six-way power front passenger seat and satellite radio.

For the XLT, option packages include Equipment Group 201A, 202A and the new Sport Appearance package. The 201A bundle adds a foot-activated liftgate, dual-zone automatic climate control, remote start, a 10-way power passenger seat, a nine-speaker sound system and the Driver Connect package (auto-dimming rearview mirror, an 8-inch touchscreen display with new Sync 3 interface, configurable gauge cluster displays, an SD card reader and upgraded Sync functionality). The 202A package includes all of the 201A equipment plus leather upholstery, heated front seats and front parking sensors. The new Sport Appearance package includes a dark gray treatment for items including the 20-inch wheels, grille, mirror caps and rear bumper appliqué. Inside, the package adds leather and suede two-tone seats and door trim done up in the same dark gray, along with Explorer logo floor mats.

Additionally a new XLT Technology Feature package adds navigation with satellite traffic info, blind-spot monitoring and an auto-dimming driver-side mirror.

The Limited gets the XLT 202A's equipment, plus 20-inch wheels, chrome exterior trim, power-folding exterior mirrors, a new 180-degree front-view camera, a hands-free power liftgate, remote-control front windows (and moonroof if equipped), driver memory settings, power-adjustable pedals, ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a power-folding third-row seat, an eight-way power passenger seat, a heated and power-adjustable tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a 110-volt power outlet, dual USB chargers for the second row, a navigation system, and a 12-speaker Sony sound system with HD radio.

Available to the Limited is the 301A package (303A when equipped with four-wheel drive), which includes automatic high beams, automatic wipers, an auto-dimming driver-side mirror, an automatic parallel- and perpendicular-parking system, lane departure warning/intervention system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, massaging front seats and inflatable seat belts for second-row outboard passengers. Stand-alone options include a tow package and adaptive cruise control with forward collision warning and brake priming.

The Explorer Sport is equipped similarly to the Limited, but some of the Limited's standard features are optional here. You get different 20-inch wheels, a sport-tuned suspension and unique interior and exterior trim details. The Sport's 401A package adds power-folding mirrors, 180-degree front-view camera, 110-volt outlet, driver memory settings, power-adjustable pedals, a navigation system, a premium Sony audio system, ventilated front seats, a power-adjustable and heated steering wheel, ambient lighting, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, inflatable seat belts for outboard second-row passengers, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Adaptive cruise control with forward collision warning and brake support is again optional.

Other options for the XLT, Limited and Sport include a dual-panel sunroof, second-row captain's chairs (with available power-assist fold) and a rear-seat entertainment system with dual headrest-mounted displays.

At the top of the Explorer food chain is the Platinum. It includes the Sport's 401A package items plus satin chrome exterior trim, a dual-panel sunroof, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with brake support, active parking assistance, lane keeping assist, rain-sensing wipers, upgraded leather upholstery, and aluminum and wood interior trim. The only options for the Platinum are the rear entertainment system and the second-row captain's chairs with power-assist fold.

Powertrains and Performance

Standard on the base and XLT trim levels is a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 290 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque. With this engine, you have your choice of standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. The latter gets hill descent control, hill start assist and Ford's Terrain Management System, which is a driver-selectable system that optimizes traction for a variety of driving situations.

According to the EPA, a front-wheel-drive 2017 Explorer with the V6 will deliver 20 mpg combined (17 city/24 highway). With all-wheel drive, the V6 drops slightly to 19 mpg combined (16 city/23 highway). In Edmunds testing, an AWD Explorer Limited with the base V6 went from zero to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds, which is about average for this size of vehicle.

Optional on base, XLT and now standard on Limited Explorers is the fuel sipper of the group, a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 280 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic and front-wheel drive are standard; all-wheel drive is optional. Fuel economy rises to 22 mpg combined (19 city/27 highway) with front-wheel drive and 21 mpg combined (18 city/25 highway) with AWD. Properly equipped, the four-cylinder Explorer can tow 3,000 pounds.

The Explorer Sport and Platinum trims come with a turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine rated at 365 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic and all-wheel drive are standard. The EPA says to expect 18 mpg combined (16 city/22 highway). Properly equipped, an Explorer with either of the V6 engines can tow 5,000 pounds. In Edmunds testing, the Sport and Platinum models delivered a zero to 60 mph time of 6.3 seconds, which is very quick for this segment.

Safety

Standard safety equipment for the 2017 Ford Explorer includes stability and traction control, trailer sway control, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags, a front-passenger knee airbag and MyKey, which allows parents to specify limits for vehicle speed and stereo volume. The Explorer's stability control system also includes Ford's Curve Control, which can monitor speed carried into a corner and decelerate if necessary.

A rearview camera is standard on the Explorer, while a 180-degree front camera is optional. Rear parking sensors are also standard on all but the base Explorer. Optional on the Limited and Sport but standard on the Platinum is a forward collision warning system with brake priming (bundled with the adaptive cruise control), lane departure warning and lane-keeping assist (Limited only), a blind-spot monitoring system (with rear-cross traffic alert) and inflatable seat belts for second-row outboard passengers. You can now get blind-spot monitoring with rear-cross traffic in the XLT this year as well.

In Edmunds testing, an AWD Explorer Limited with all-season tires came to a stop from 60 mph in 118 feet, a few feet shorter than average. An Explorer Sport with summer performance tires stopped in just 108 feet, a remarkable stopping distance for a vehicle of this size and weight.

In government crash tests, last year's Explorer earned a five-star rating (out of a possible five) for overall crash protection, with five stars for total front-impact protection and five stars for total side-impact protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave its top score of Good for the Explorer's performance in moderate-overlap front-impact, side-impact and roof strength tests. It received the second-lowest rating of Marginal in the small-overlap front-impact test. Its seat belts and head restraints earned a Good rating for whiplash protection in rear impacts.

Interior Design and Special Features

While the Explorer has the commanding ride height expected of an SUV, its thick roof pillars, high hood and tall dash limit outward visibility. Even with all of the available parking aids and cameras, the Explorer can still be a handful in tight spaces. From a fit and finish perspective, though, the interior is well-trimmed and tightly assembled. The materials used are attractive and luxurious, with a soft-touch dashboard and precise-feeling controls. The front seats welcome a wide variety of body types, and the cabin is exceptionally quiet as well.

The newly available Sync 3 interface further contributes to the Explorer’s premium vibe, with its high-resolution touchscreen, modern touch-gesture interface, and quick responses. Two additional screens within the gauge cluster also display a host of information. This is Ford’s most user-friendly system to date, and it’s a significant improvement over previous ones.

The Explorer's seating could be a bit disappointing for families looking for maximum space. Second-row comfort is decent, but overall it's not as roomy (particularly for installing rear-facing child safety seats) as you’d expect for a vehicle of this size. The third-row accommodations, meanwhile, very much depend on the second-row design. If you get the standard fixed bench, there's not much third-row legroom, allowing only small children to fit comfortably. Opting for the sliding second-row captain's chairs opens up considerably more legroom; however, we’d note the Explorer is reduced to six seat belts in that configuration. Cargo space in the Explorer is great with the seats in place but less competitive when all the seats are folded.

Driving Impressions

The Ford Explorer has a smooth ride quality on the highway with good composure that's only slightly affected by the available 20-inch wheels. It's also exceptionally quiet, so it's an excellent road-trip vehicle. It performs acceptably in typical driving situations, but overall it feels larger and less maneuverable than similarly sized rivals.

The Explorer Sport, on the other hand, feels much more fleet of foot, thanks to its sport-tuned suspension and steering that reacts quickly to inputs. And though the Sport gives up a bit of that cushy ride quality, it's still comfortable for this class of vehicle.

The Sport and Platinum trims also come standard with the turbocharged V6, and its V8-like power numbers result in quick acceleration that's unbeatable in the large crossover segment. The regular V6 isn't as peppy but should still readily meet the expectations for most three-row crossover shoppers. As for the turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder, it's the least powerful of the three engines and can struggle to hold a gear on grades or authoritatively help you merge with freeway traffic. We have yet to subject it to instrumented testing, though, so check back later for specific details.