The Bottom Line: What is an Explorer? The Explorer is the number one best selling 3 row SUV sport utility vehicle from the Ford Motor Company in the United States, and Ford builds and sells around 200,000 Explorers a year. In 2020, CNBC reported that the Ford Explorer nameplate is the best selling SUV of all time in America.
The Ford Explorer is a midsize 3 row SUV with room for six or seven, depending on seating configuration, and is offered with RWD rear wheel drive, or 4WD four wheel drive. The base engine is a 300 HP horsepower, turbocharged 2.4L liter 4 cylinder engine, and a turbocharged 3.0L liter V6 engine that makes 365 HP is optional. Both engines are bolted to a 10 speed automatic transmission. A hybrid drive train rated at 318 total HP is also available.
The competition for the Ford Explorer is large, and includes the: Kia Telluride, Subaru Ascent, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Palisade, Toyota Highlander, Chevy Traverse, Mazda CX-9, GMC Acadia, and the Volkswagen Atlas. As you can see, this segment of the 3 row midsize SUV class has 10 strong competitors vying for your hard earned cash, and the Ford Explorer is the top pick among all of them.
To prove their point, this week Ford sent me a 2021 Ford Explorer XLT 4WD SUV to test drive and review. The base window sticker price for this model is $37,075. The options on the test SUV are: the Popular Equipment Group for $3,540, the metallic tinted paint for $395, the self sealing P255/55R 20″ tires for $195, the cargo area management system for $165, the Ford Co-Pilot 360 assist package for $895, and the XLT sport appearance package for $1,795.
Adding in the $6,985 in options, plus the destination charge of $1,245, the total MSRP manufacturer’s suggested retail price came to: $45,305. Next add in the state and local sales tax, plus the DMV and dealer fees, and the total purchase price is: $50,968.
This price point at just around $50,000 is the sweet spot in the midsize SUV class. You can spend a lot more, even with Ford, but you can’t buy better than this nicely equipped 2021 Explorer XLT model for the price.
So, what do you really get for your $50 Grand? The list of standard features on the Explorer 4WD 4 wheel drive XLT model is over 50 lines long, and includes the 2.3L liter EcoBoost 4 cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, that’s bolted to a 10 speed automatic transmission. Power is then routed into an AdvanceTrac 4WD system for positive safe traction at all 4 wheels, in all weather conditions.
Comfort comes from the front power and heated front seats, a leather wrapped tilt and telescopic steering wheel, tri zone electronic temperature controls, a rotary gear shift dial, and 12 volt and USB ports for all your gadgets. Safety is enhanced with multiple air bags for the front, knees, sides and canopy, plus the child latch safety system, perimeter alarm, and the SOS automatic call for help through the post crash alert system.
Overall safety is from the Ford Co-Pilot 360 Assist+ Plus systems, and includes adaptive cruise control, a voice activated touch screen navigation system, and evasive steering assist. These systems work seamlessly with the Advance Trac 4WD traction system, the trailer anti-sway control system, and the 4 wheel anti-lock disc brake system to maintain positive steering, braking and traction control in all weather and road conditions. If you’re towing a boat, or just going to Tahoe skiing, Explored has your back, front, and rear end covered with a 360 degree safety system looking out for you 24/7.
Peace of mind continues with Explorer winning a 5 Star Safety Rating from the NHTSA National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is the highest safety rating you can get. Add that to the 27 MPG highway, 20 MPG city, with a combined 23 MPG fuel economy rating, and you have a nice, safe, affordable SUV for you and your family for right around $50,000. At this price you can see why the Ford Explorer is the best selling midsize 3 row SUV for sale today.
When you’re ready to buy a new family SUV the Explorer should be at the top of your ride and drive list, as it’s the best midsize SUV for sale today. Call, click or visit your local Ford dealer for a test drive, and a Bottom Line price review, on a new 2021 Ford Explorer. And remember that the base window sticker price for a new Explorer starts at only $32,925.
A word to the wise is sufficient: Be Smart, Stay Safe, and Just Breathe. Remember, “You Are What You Drive ©” And maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should “Drive one, Buy one, Today ©”.
This Bottom Line new vehicle review is a Nut & Bolt and Dollars & Sense © editorial provided by Tony Leopardo. “Tony the Car Guy” is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have a question, or comment for Tony, send it to tonyleo@pacbell.net and visit AutoWire.Net at www.autowire.net
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