Ford Explorer:Review the specs, features and pros & cons

Ford Explorer Safety

The Ford Explorer has eight standard airbags, including ones overhead and at knee level. Depending on the model, you’ll find advanced safety features available like programmed parking assistance and a blind-spot information system. One slight downside is that while braking support helps slow the vehicle evenly, the Explorer doesn’t support automatic braking at all. This means the car won’t apply the brakes on its own if it detects an imminent collision. Though, newer models come with a range of useful safety features, including: 

• Adaptive cruise control, which automatically adjusts your speed to ensure your distance is spot on
• Lane-keeping systems, which signals a departure warning if you veer out of your lane
• Automatic high-beam headlights

Ford Explorer Interior

Older models put practical function above style, so they might not be to the taste of every driver—plus some report limited outward visibility due to large pillars. However, controls and displays are perfectly usable, and you can upgrade to a newer model if you want that sleeker look. The most recent Explorers impress with a polished design and superior build quality, plus handy perks like air conditioning for both the front and back seats. Optional upgrades on models spanning the last decade include heated front seats, satellite radio and leather trim.

Ford Explorer Technology

Expect user-friendly tech in even the Explorer’s older generations. Base models as early as 2011 come standard with LCD screens and remote keyless entry. On 2017 models and up, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility lets you make calls, send texts and access apps without taking your hands from the wheel. Other features in these recent models include: 

• SYNC voice-activated systems
• Touchscreen display
• Foot-activated liftgate to open the trunk when your hands are full
• Fordpass Connect, which enables a Wi-Fi hotspot, remote locking and a parking locator

Ford Explorer Space

With three rows of seating in total, you get room for the whole family in the Explorer. The second and third-row seats can be folded down should you need extra trunk space for transporting cargo. Legroom is on the small side in the third-row seats, due in part to the cavernous storage space right behind them.

Ford Explorer Comfort

Prepare for a range here: Older Explorers can feel a little basic, while the most recent models—especially those with higher-end trims—can verge on luxurious. If you’re after a balance between comfort and a bargain price tag, look for an older model with good lumbar support in the driver’s seat. In terms of performance, the Explorer's a powerful and easy-to-handle all-wheel drive vehicle across generations.