The Ford Explorer is a very capable 4 wheel drive family SUV that has been in the market for a long time. Ford Explorers have gone through several changes throughout the years and so it is important to know what sort of features you would be seeing with each generation of the Ford Explorer.
2020-2023 Ford Explorer (6th Generation)
In the 6th generation the Ford Explorer is a bit larger than previous generations. The exterior of the Explorer looks very similar to the other generations, however the wheelbase is longer than before, which creates more cargo room. The standard engine for this Ford Explorer is a 2.3 liter turbocharged. There is also a 3.0 liter twin-turbo engine that is optional for this generation of Explorer.
One of the cool features that Ford has produced is the Ford Terrain Management System, which has seven different modes in all wheel drive trim levels. A stout 10 speed transmission comes with the drivetrain setup, and the vehicle can tow up to 5,300 pounds, which is impressive for an SUV of this size. There is also a hybrid option for the most recent generation that has a 3.3 Liter V6 engine with a 1.5 kWh lithium-ion battery. Combined these two energy sources make 318 horsepower. With the hybrid option the towing capacity is about 2,600 pounds.
2011-2019 Ford Explorer (5th Generation)
The 5th generation of the Ford Explorer saw a major update as Ford moved away from a truck based platform and produced a crossover, unibody platform. In 2016, about halfway through this generation the Ford Explorer got a new front end look to it, improved technology and a new engine. Previous years of the Ford Explorer have a V6 engine, but there are optional V6 turbocharged and 4 cylinder turbocharged engines. You will still see four wheel drive with this vehicle as an option in the higher trims.
With third row seating in this crossover SUV you can seat 7 passengers. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard as well. In the 2011-2019 an awesome feature was introduced, which was the hands-free power lift rear gate. So when hauling the groceries you are able to open the rear gate with a simple swipe of your foot.
2006-2010 Ford Explorer (4th Generation)
At the beginning of this generation the 2006 Ford Explorer was redesigned and was about 4 inches longer and an inch and a half wider. There was a powerful V6 in this generation of Explorers that is paired up with either a 5 speed or 6 speed automatic transmission. An optional V8 was also available in some of the higher trim levels. Ford continued to produce these large SUVs with independent front suspension, giving it a smooth ride and dependable handling.
This generation also continued the power folding third row so that you are then able to carry more passengers. Some of the electronic upgrades that were included during these years are roll stability control, tire pressure monitoring, and electronic stability control.
2002-2005 Ford Explorer (3rd Generation)
In the third generation of the Ford Explorer there are a lot of upgrades from the second generation. In these years four wheel independent suspension was introduced, this allowed the Explorer to have the third option for the first time. As with many of the Ford Explorers a V6 was the standard option for these large SUVs, but there was also the optional V8 to power them as well. The two door SportTrac trim was phased out from the second generation as well as the manual transmission that was previously seen in the first two generations.
This era introduced optional Safety Canopy curtain airbags. This was one of the many safety features that came with the Ford Explorer. There is also AdvanceTrac traction and stability control.
1995-2001 Ford Explorer (2nd Generation)
This Explorer was an upgrade from the 1st generation. While the same chassis was used there were considerable upgrades to the suspension and overall drivability of the Explorers. A V6 engine powered this SUV with both an automatic and a manual transmission available. The interior was also upgraded to offer many more features and dual airbags to increase the safety in the vehicle. An electronic four wheel drive system was also installed on this generation of Explorers to provide more capabilities.
1992-1994 Ford Explorer (1st Generation)
The very first generation of the Ford Explorer was directly derived from the Ford Ranger pickup truck. There was only one engine offered, which was a V6 4.0 Liter engine paired with a four speed automatic transmission. A few different four wheel drive systems were also offered for the different trim levels. There are no airbags that are offered with this generation, however, anti-lock rear brakes were standard on this vehicle.