2023 Ford Explorer

The 2023 Explorer base model blends classic curves with substantial SUV proportions, which are accentuated by premium LED lights and sleek black body-side cladding. The XLT announces its arrival with a mesh grille featuring a black finish and chrome bars, and it has signature lighting and chrome-accented cladding. The ST-Line adds LED fog lamps, headlights and taillights featuring a blackout treatment, and exhaust tips with a dazzling chrome finish. On the Timberline, you'll find a Carbonized Gray-painted grille, steel skid plates, and recovery hooks. Ford equips the Limited with a silver-finished mesh grille and roof rack side rails with a Satin Aluminum finish, while the ST gets a hood decal and quad exhaust tips with a chrome finish. The King Ranch features a Stone-Gray-painted grille and King Ranch decals, while the Platinum has a Satin Aluminum grille, matching cladding, and adaptive headlights.

Lower Explorer trim levels come equipped with a 300-horsepower, 2.3-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine that generates 310 pound-feet of torque. This incredible output enables a 5,300-pound towing capacity. If you go with the ST, King Ranch, or Platinum, you can take advantage of a 400-horsepower 3.0-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6 that puts out 415 pound-feet of torque. With the V-6 under its hood, the Explorer can tow 5,600 pounds. Select models also let you equip your Explorer with a 318-horsepower 3.3-liter naturally aspirated hybrid V-6 with an output of 322 pound-feet of torque.

Every engine in the 2023 Explorer lineup teams up with a 10-speed automatic transmission that improves engine response while delivering smooth gear shifts for precise acceleration and sharp handling. The nimble rear-wheel drive makes it easy to zip around crowded city streets, conquer tight corners, and merge onto busy highways. An available four-wheel-drive system enables the Explorer to constantly monitor road conditions to distribute torque to all four wheels depending on changes in terrain and weather. The system also features hill descent control and seven selectable driving modes.

The 2023 Explorer is available as a six- or seven-seater SUV, with both configurations featuring plenty of passenger space, comfy seating surfaces that are easy to clean, and premium accents. When the rear seats aren't in use, fold them flat for 87.8 cubic feet of cargo space. Select models feature amenities like tri-zone automatic temperature control, adjustable ambient lighting, and wireless device charging. The cabin's centerpiece is a 10.1-inch LCD portrait touchscreen featuring Ford's SYNC 3 infotainment software.

Ford equips the 2023 Explorer with pre-collision assist that can detect vehicles and pedestrians as they enter your path and apply the brakes as necessary. A blind-spot information system lets you know when vehicles enter your Explorer's blind-spot zones and can sense oncoming traffic when the vehicle is in reverse. If your Explorer starts to drift, the lane-keeping system will help steer it back into place.