2014 Ford Explorer

The 2014 Ford Explorer gets standard automatic lights, while rear heated seats are now available from Limited trim onwards. The 2014 model is available in 4 trim levels with the current iteration and the prices start from $30,910 for the ‘Base FWD’ trim and go all the way up to $42,570 for the ‘Sport AWD’ trim. It competes with the Chevrolet Traverse, the GMC Acadia, and the Mazda CX-9 in the affordable full-size SUV class.

The 2014 Ford Explorer is available in 4 trim levels as well as 2 drivetrain options for all trim levels except the ‘Sport’ trim. The base trim level comes with a host of standard features while the upper features such as the XLT and Limited trim levels add premium features to the interior. The Sport trim, as the name suggests, comes with sports-oriented features including a higher tuned twin-turbocharged powertrain unit and only an AWD drivetrain as an option.

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The 2014 Ford Explorer Limited trim level is the best available trim level in the lineup as it adds a lot more premium interior features at a price tag just below the $40,000 mark. While the Sport trim is also an impressive one, it costs around $1,500 more than the Limited trim and the bigger engine won’t be a favorable option for everyone.

The 2014 Ford Explorer comes with two powertrain options with a 3.5L naturally aspirated V6 powering the Explorer for the first three trim levels while the ‘Sport’ trim gets the same engine configuration but with a twin-turbocharging setup. The base engine configuration puts out 290 horsepower and 255 lb-ft of torque while the twin-turbocharged setup helps the engine create 365 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. 

Both the engines are mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission setup that works seamlessly to ensure the Explorer is in the right gear every time to help aid your driving experience and comfort. The Explorer is not supposed to be a serious off-roader and nor is it a sports-oriented SUV and hence the drivetrain and gearbox are tuned in a specific way to help it perform the best in the city environment. The Explorer comes equipped with both FWD and AWD drivetrains depending upon the spec that you choose but the ‘Sport’ trim is the only trim level that doesn’t offer an FWD drivetrain. It is fairly responsive to throttle and takes 7.5 seconds to the 60mph mark.

The Ford Explorer’s performance is moderate when compared to the rest of the rivals. The Mazda CX-9 is the best performing SUV clocking 7.4 seconds to the 60mph mark in the class despite being the least powerful in terms of horsepower. Its high torque and lesser curb weight help it accelerate impressively. The Chevrolet Traverse is one of the higher-priced vehicles but performs underwhelmingly and lurks at the bottom of the table, while the most expensive GMC Acadia clocks 7.7 seconds and lies midway in the segment.

For a mid-size SUV, the 2014 Explorer provides a decent fuel economy with a combined fuel economy of 20 miles per gallon which is the highest in the class. The city and highway fuel economy are 17 and 24 MPG respectively. While the fuel economy is almost similar to that of the rest of the SUVs in its lineup, the Explorer’s fuel tank capacity seems to be its drawback.

With an 18.6-gallon fuel tank, the Explorer offers the lowest fuel tank capacity in its class. What this translates to is the fact that despite the good fuel economy figures, it can’t offer an excellent fuel range compared to its rivals. The range seems decent for an SUV but with a larger fuel tank capacity, the Explorer could have been the best option in its class in terms of fuel efficiency and range.

The Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia are corporate siblings of one another and hence share a lot of similarities including the powertrain, fuel economy, and fuel range. They both offer the longest driving range despite an average fuel economy due to their large gas tank on offer. The Ford Explorer is the most frugal of the lot while the Mazda CX-9 has fuel efficiency similar to that of the GM SUVs but employs a much smaller fuel tank.

The 2014 Ford Explorer comes with a feature-rich interior that is both comfortable and practical for a full-size SUV. It is available with both a 7-seater and 8-seater option that can be availed as per your requirements. The overall interior design and quality are pretty modest and worth the price tag. The dashboard design layout is simple and subtle, yet classy in its way. All the buttons and infotainment controls are easily accessible to the driver and the black interior adds to the overall aesthetics.

The second-row seats are both available as pilot seats and bench seats and have a decent amount of space for two to three occupants to be seated comfortably. There is also an optional heating feature for the second-row seats. The third-row seats are 50-50 split-bench seats and spacious enough for two to three kids. Although adults can manage to sit in the third row, being seated for long journeys will prove to be uncomfortable as the third row offers low shoulder room and legroom for three adults to be seated comfortably.

The standard cargo capacity of 21 cu-ft is moderate compared to what its counterparts offer. It offers a maximum cargo capacity of 80.7 cu-ft which adds to its practicality in a major way. The boot can easily accommodate large luggage comfortably even when all seats are in use and folding down the third row of seats should open up more than enough space to carry a week's worth of luggage for an entire family on a road trip. 

The Explorer’s only drawback when compared to the rest of the SUVs in its class is its low shoulder room in the third row. The rest of the cabin space is pretty remarkable for an SUV of its caliber and certainly adds to its worth. The Chevrolet Traverse and the GMC Acadia have the largest standard cargo capacity at over 24 cu-ft. The Mazda on the other hand has the smallest trunk and also has the most cramped third row of seats. 

Some of the standout interior features are as follows:

• Power 10-way driver’s seat including power 4-way lumbar adjust
• Leather-wrapped tilt/telescoping steering wheel
• Premium leather-trimmed seats
• Heated front seats
• Voice-activated dual-zone automatic climate control

How intuitive is the 2014 Ford Explorer’s infotainment system?

The 2014 Ford Explorer gets the latest and best of Ford’s MyFord infotainment system and gets a touchscreen infotainment display unit as well. The multimedia features include a 12 speaker Sony audio system, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth audio and phone connectivity, and WiFi internet access hotspot.

Some of the highlights of the infotainment system are as follows:

• Sony audio system with 12 speakers
• MyFord infotainment unit with a touchscreen multi-information infotainment display
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio w/6 month prepaid subscription
• HD Radio
• GPS based turn-by-turn directions
• AppLink
• Bluetooth Connectivity

The 2014 Ford Explorer is a handsome SUV with exterior design cues that make it aesthetically more appealing than its counterparts. Its wide grille with halogen projector headlamps that complement its tall boy looks as well as the tall and masculine side profile make it aesthetically appealing as a full-size SUV. The exterior also comes with premium features for the Limited and Sport trim such as 20-inch alloy wheels, blacked-out exterior body elements, and LED tail lamps to name a few.

The Explorer has a curb weight of 4,534 lbs, and a wheelbase of 112.6 inches. Having the shortest wheelbase in its class, the Explorer manages to provide you with excellent handling capabilities and stability without compromising the interior space. The Mazda CX-9 offers the highest ground clearance while the Chevy Traverse rides the lowest to the ground, that being said, the difference between all of them is very minute. 

Some of the standout exterior features are as follows:

• Fully Automatic Projector Beam Halogen Headlamps
• Front Fog Lamps and Perimeter/Approach Lights
• LED taillights
• Heated rearview mirrors w/Convex Spotter and Turn Signal Indicator
• Roof Rack Rails and Lip Spoiler
• Chrome Door Handles, Bodyside Insert, and Black Bodyside Cladding
• 20” Alloy wheels on Sport trim level

The 2014 Ford Explorer is the safest car in its class when it comes to safety quotient and ratings. As per the NHTSA records, the Explorer has managed to achieve an excellent safety rating of 5 stars and similar ratings from agencies like the IIHS. Apart from its strong chassis integrity and safety quotient, the Explorer also hosts several safety features that include a rear parking sensor, top speed limiter, tire pressure monitoring system, side-impact beams, and a lot more that help makes the Explorer the best option in the class concerning safety.

Some of the standout safety features of the 2014 Ford Explorer are as follows:

• AdvanceTrac Traction control w/Roll Stability Control Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 
• Terrain Management System
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Passenger sensing airbags
• Mykey System
• Rear parking sensors
• Back-Up Camera

The 2014 Ford Explorer proves to be the best value for money option in its class as it is cheaper than the rest of its counterparts by a small margin and still provides a lot more comfort, fuel economy, and practicality along with excellent safety ratings and interior space. The Ford Explorer strives to be the best option in its class and has won the trust of many customers that explains its high sales figures compared to its rivals.