We recommend the XLT trim as it finds the perfect balance between luxury and performance. Higher trims, albeit more aesthetically inviting, do not do justice to the upmarket price. This trim gains heated front seats, second-row captain chairs with power-assist fold, and additional USB ports. 

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The Ford Explorer covers all that you’d expect in a well-rounded family vehicle- The Car Connection

With the new ST-Line trim introduced this year, Ford offers the Explorer in 7 trim levels, namely Base, XLT, ST-Line, Limited, Timberline, King Ranch, and Platinum. It has a starting price of $33,100 and it goes up to $55,740 for the top-end model, excluding a $1,245 destination charge. RWD is standard but adds an extra $2,000 for an AWD Explorer. 

Major differences are seen in the aesthetics of the car. The base version, albeit capable for most uses, misses out on a lot of modern features. Going up the trim levels, the luxury quotient definitely sees a substantial increase, so does the price. Unlike other models, the Timberline variant is off-road-focused and comes with a  suspension lift and all-terrain tires. 

Although the Explorer is stuffed with an impressive list of standard features, it is also available with a bunch of optional packages. Ford's Co-Pilot 360 Assist+ adds evasive steering assist, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, traffic sign recognition, and a voice-activated navigation system for $895. There are also some upgradable technological features available. 

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The crossover's handling and power are perhaps the best parts of this Explorer- Autoweek

The standard engine in the Ford Explorer is a 2.3L turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 300 hp and 310 lb-ft. of torque. The 3.0L twin-turbocharged V6 engine in the King Ranch and Platinum trims now gets a power bump to 400 hp and 415 lb-ft. of torque. Both engines are connected to a 10-speed automatic transmission, which feels best in the class. Power is driven to the rear wheels but buyers can opt for an AWD drivetrain. 

The Explorer can tow as much as 5,600 pounds, which is really impressive. The Explorer is enjoyable behind the wheel. The steering has a fair amount of feel to it. At high speeds, the wheels provide a good grip and stick to the road. The vehicle feels planted around the corners. The soft suspension setup makes it comfortable over things like speed breakers or uneven patches. The Explorer can be taken off-road, probably gravel roads but nothing more than that.

No matter which engine you choose, you will be mesmerized by their distinct qualities. The base four-pot delivers jaw-dropping performance while the V6 will surely quench your thirst for power. The Explorer can go from 0-60 MPH in just 5.9 seconds with a quarter-mile time of 14.4 seconds. The V6 will do it in 5.2 seconds only. Those are some serious numbers for a 4345-pound SUV. The Explorer's braking performance is also good and takes 132 feet to stop from 60 MPH. 

The performance numbers from the base engine of the Explorer are just jaw-dropping. Although the Honda Pilot houses an underpowered engine, it is the Kia Telluride with the slowest acceleration. The Chevy Traverse's performance is slightly better than the Telluride. The Pilot has the worst towing capacity here. 

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The Ford Explorer's gas mileage isn't all that bad, especially considering its size, weight, and powerful turbocharged engines- carbuzz

Usually, big vehicles are weak when it comes to fuel economy as they are usually loaded with power-hungry engines. But when it comes to the Ford Explorer, the story is going to be a little bit different. According to the EPA, the Explorer is able to return 21 MPG in the city, 28 MPG on a highway, and 24 MPG combined. 

Tick the AWD option and you will see a drop in fuel economy by just 1 MPG. The Explorer competes with the other V6 powered SUVs, with its turbo-4 engine, which is the reason for its high mileage. In its most efficient form, the Explorer can drive up to 430 miles before refueling. Needless to say, the Explorer is a fuel-efficient SUV. 

The Kia Telluride's fuel estimates are almost similar to the Explorer but they are not efficient as the latter. The fuel economy of the Chevy Traverse is a bit less than the Explorer. The Honda Pilot, with a large fuel tank, manages to offer the best range in the competition. Had the Explorer been fitted with a large tank, it would dominate in this field. 

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While the interior design may border on uninspired, the Explorer's cabin is functional and comfortable-at least for those in the first two rows- CarAndDriver 

The Ford Explorer's interior design is neat and very attractive as you will find smooth curves with the meaningful placement of everything. The two-tone color grading of the interior is soothing. With a beautiful steering wheel to smooth side curves, everything looks welcoming. But once you get closer, the story changes a little bit as the material quality is not the best in its class. The Explorer only has a passenger capacity of 7 or 6 with second-row captain chairs. 

The seats are comfortable and are well-padded. The new ST-LLine trim gives a sporty look to the cabin. It adds faux-suede upholstery with red stitching, a sports steering wheel, and ST-Line logos. The cabin is very spacious, but the comfort level changes as you go from front to back. The front and second-row seats have an ample amount of room, but the second-row seats lack flexibility as compared to the front-row seats. The third-row seats are decent in size.

Two touchscreens of size 8 and 10.1 inches are offered in the Explorer, depending on the trims. Both of them run of Ford's SYNC 3 interface which is one of the best in the business. Both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard offerings. The system is easy to use and supports pinch-to-zoom capability. A rear-seat entertainment system is also available as an optional feature on some trims. The available Bang & Olufsen premium audio system with 14 and 16 speakers is worth upgrading. 

The Explorer offers a usable trunk volume of 18.2 cu-ft, which is decent for a three-row SUV. Fold the rear seats and you get 47.9 cu-ft. of cargo space before you. This further increases to 82.9 cu-ft. once you fold down the second-row seats. There are SUVs in its segment that offer up to 100 cu-ft. but still 82.9 cu-ft. is not that bad. Some other cabin highlights are:

• Heated, leather steering wheel
• Power-adjustable front seats
• Heated & ventilated front seats
• Ambient lighting
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Cloth & leather upholstery
• Hands-free power tailgate
• 8 & 10.1-inch touchscreen w/ smartphone integration
• 6-speaker stereo
• Navigation system

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Coming off a 2020 Redesign, the Ford Explorer looks fresh and is arguably more handsome than many fellow mid-sizers - Carbuzz

The Ford Explorer did get a major revamp, back in 2020. Needless to say, it looks dashing as ever. Every trim level has a totally different grille finish. LED headlights with DRLS are standard equipment but you also get LED fog lamps on higher trims. The wheels range between 18 and 21-inch alloy wheels. Since this is an RWD vehicle, Ford has pushed the wheel wells farther into the corners. 

All Explorers have 7.9 inches of ground clearance which is good enough for a midsize SUV. From the side view, you can say Ford has stretched the proportions of the vehicle, especially near the rear window. The rear design of the vehicle is subtle. The new ST-Line trim differentiates itself from the rest of the lineup with black exterior accents and ST-Line badging. 

The Chevy Traverse is a mid-size SUV but it is larger than its rivals. This can be a problem at tight parking spots. The Honda Pilot's ground clearance is quite low so getting in and out of the vehicle will be easy. The Kia Telluride sports a shorter wheelbase than the Explorer. Therefore, it takes less outside space and also plays role in its acceleration. Some other exterior features are:

• LED headlights, DRLs, taillights
• Fog lamps
• Puddle lamps
• Power-folding, heated exterior mirrors
• Quad exhaust tips
• Black fender lip moldings
• Rear roofline spoiler
• Active grille shutters
• 18,20 & 21-inch alloy wheels

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Ford outfits every Explorer with a host of standard driver-assistance technology- CarAndDriver

The 2022 Ford Explorer is yet to be rated for its safety but since there is no generation change, the 2021 model's ratings are taken into consideration. NHTSA gave it a 5-star rating while IIHS rewarded it with the 'Top Safety Pick+' designation, which is an achievement on its own. This ensures how safe the Explorer actually is.

Ford always focuses on making its vehicles safe, which is why all Explorers come standard with Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite of safety technologies. More driver-assist features are available as you go higher on the trim table. These safety features will keep you safe and prevent the risk of an accident. Some other safety features are:

• Blind-spot assist
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Lane-keep assist
• Driver alert
• Forward collision warning
• Side-wind stabilization
• Pre-collision assist w/ automatic emergency braking
• Trailer sway control
• Adaptive cruise control w/ stop & go
• Lane centering
• Evasive steering assist
• Reverse sensing system
• Rearview camera
• Pedestrian detection
• Reverse brake assist

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2022 Ford Explorer vs 2022 Kia Telluride

The Kia Telluride is very new when compared to the other vehicles in its class, and pretty quickly, it has risen up to be one of the best in its class. The only downside of this SUV is its so-so engine power and acceleration. In the rest of the aspects, the Telluride offers some serious competition to the Explorer, especially when it comes to cabin space, cargo volume, and technology. It also offers a longer list of standard safety techs. 

2022 Ford Explorer vs 2022 Chevrolet Traverse

Similarly priced as the Explorer, the Chevy Traverse houses a powerful V6 but it is less agile. It is also less fuel-efficient than the Explorer. The Traverse offers a roomy cabin and user-friendly technology features but the Explorer's cabin feels more upscale. The Traverse loses some more points with less standard driver aids but beats the Explorer by offering more cargo capacity. Overall, the Explorer seems a better pick. 

2022 Ford Explorer vs 2022 Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot retails at a higher price than the Explorer. Its V6 is fairly powerful and it also delivers a composed ride but the tow ratings are very less for a midsize SUV. The Pilot also lacks standard modern infotainment tech, which is a big downgrade for this SUV. Its cabin is spacious but the design feels aged. Safety-wise, the Pilot matches the Explorer. Bringing all points together, the Explorer wins the battle. 

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As we have mentioned already, the 2022 Ford Explorer is one of the best in its class. It offers extreme performance with a fun driving experience, excellent fuel economy, and stunning visuals. But we would surely want a bigger fuel tank from Ford with this SUV. The popularity is most probably going to stay the same, maybe it will increase further because of the new ST-Line trim. Taking everything into consideration, the Explorer comes out to be a lucrative option in the segment.

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