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2023 Ford Explorer
SUV · 2015–2027
Trims and features
Engines: 2.3L 4-cyl turbo; 3.0L 6-cyl turbo; 3.3L 6-cyl; 3.3L 6-cyl hybrid · Drive: 4WD, RWD
2023 Explorer trims
| Base | King Ranch | Limited | Platinum | ST | ST-Line | Timberline | XLT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seats | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Rows of seats | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Adaptive cruise control | — | Standard | Standard | Standard | — | Standard | Standard | — |
| Automatic emergency braking | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Pedestrian emergency braking | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Rear automatic braking | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Forward collision warning | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Blind-spot warning | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Rear cross-traffic alert | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Lane departure warning | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Lane keeping assist | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Backup camera | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Parking assist | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Automatic high beams | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Adaptive driving beam headlights | — | — | — | Standard | — | — | — | — |
| Headlights | LED | LED | LED | LED | LED | LED | LED | LED |
| Push-button start | — | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
From NHTSA's vehicle database (vPIC), as Ford reports it: base price, seating and driver-assistance equipment by trim. Tech and comfort features (CarPlay, heated seats, sunroof) for Ford aren't in our data yet. "Varies": standard on some versions of the trim.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Collision warning | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 4WD, RWD | 19–23 mpg | 5 of 5 | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| 2026 | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 4WD, RWD | 19–24 mpg | 5 of 5 | 15 | 38 | — | — |
| 2025 | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 4WD, RWD | 20–24 mpg | 5 of 5 | 22 | 102 | Standard | Yes |
| 2024 | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo 3.0L 6-cyl turbo 3.3L 6-cyl | 4WD, RWD | 20–24 mpg | 5 of 5 | 11 | 26 | Some versions | Yes |
| 2023 | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo 3.0L 6-cyl turbo 3.3L 6-cyl 3.3L 6-cyl hybrid | 4WD, RWD | 20–27 mpg | 5 of 5 | 15 | 112 | Some versions | Yes |
| 2022 | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 300 hp 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 400 hp 3.3L 6-cyl, 285–318 hp 3.3L 6-cyl hybrid, 285–318 hp | 4WD, RWD | 19–27 mpg | Not rated | 25 | 268 | Standard | Yes |
| 2021 | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 270 hp 3.0L 6-cyl turbo 3.3L 6-cyl 3.3L 6-cyl hybrid | 4WD, RWD | 19–27 mpg | 5 of 5 | 27 | 437 | Some versions | Yes |
| 2020 | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 270 hp 3.0L 6-cyl turbo 3.3L 6-cyl 3.3L 6-cyl hybrid | 4WD, RWD | 19–28 mpg | 5 of 5 | 34 | 1225 | Standard | Yes |
| 2019 | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 280 hp 3.5L 6-cyl, 290–365 hp 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 290–365 hp | AWD, FWD | 18–22 mpg | 5 of 5 | 6 | 298 | Optional | Yes |
| 2018 | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 280 hp 3.5L 6-cyl, 290–365 hp 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 290–365 hp | AWD, FWD | 18–22 mpg | 5 of 5 | 7 | 730 | Optional | Yes |
| 2017 | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 280 hp 3.5L 6-cyl, 290–365 hp 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 290–365 hp | AWD, FWD | 18–22 mpg | 5 of 5 | 15 | 1703 | Optional | Yes |
| 2016 | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 280 hp 3.5L 6-cyl, 290–365 hp 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 290–365 hp | AWD, FWD | 18–22 mpg | 5 of 5 | 15 | 2457 | Optional | No |
| 2015 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 240 hp 3.5L 6-cyl, 290–365 hp 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 290–365 hp | AWD, FWD | 18–23 mpg | 5 of 5 | 9 | 1797 | Optional | No |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA and aren't adjusted for how many were sold, so compare years of the same model: a tall bar marks a year owners had more trouble with. Collision warning: forward collision warning as NHTSA lists it ("Some versions": standard on some). Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Apple lists CarPlay for: Explorer 2017–2025 (Apple).
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | FORD EXPLORER SUV ICE RWD | 5 | No | No | 0 | 0 |
| 2027 | FORD EXPLORER SUV ICE 4WD | 5 | No | No | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 | FORD EXPLORER GAS SUV N/A 4WD | 5 | No | No | 14 | 38 |
| 2026 | FORD EXPLORER GAS SUV N/A RWD | 5 | No | No | 14 | 38 |
| 2026 | FORD EXPLORER HEV SUV HEV 4WD | 5 | No | No | 1 | 0 |
| 2026 | FORD EXPLORER HEV SUV HEV RWD | 5 | No | No | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | Ford Explorer SUV 4WD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 20 | 101 |
| 2025 | Ford Explorer SUV RWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 20 | 101 |
| 2025 | Ford Explorer HEV SUV 4WD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 2 | 1 |
| 2025 | Ford Explorer HEV SUV RWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 2 | 1 |
| 2024 | Ford Explorer SUV 4WD | 5 | Standard & Optional | Standard | 10 | 21 |
| 2024 | Ford Explorer SUV RWD | 5 | Standard & Optional | Standard | 10 | 21 |
| 2024 | Ford Explorer HEV SUV 4WD | 5 | Standard & Optional | Standard | 1 | 5 |
| 2024 | Ford Explorer HEV SUV RWD | 5 | Standard & Optional | Standard | 1 | 5 |
| 2023 | Ford Explorer SUV 4WD | 5 | Standard & Optional | Standard | 15 | 110 |
| 2023 | Ford Explorer SUV RWD | 5 | Standard & Optional | Standard | 15 | 110 |
| 2023 | Ford Explorer HEV SUV 4WD | 5 | Standard & Optional | Standard | 0 | 2 |
| 2023 | Ford Explorer HEV SUV RWD | 5 | Standard & Optional | Standard | 0 | 2 |
| 2022 | Ford Explorer SUV 4WD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 24 | 267 |
| 2022 | Ford Explorer SUV RWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 24 | 267 |
| 2022 | Ford Explorer HEV SUV 4WD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 1 | 1 |
| 2022 | Ford Explorer HEV SUV RWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 1 | 1 |
| 2021 | Ford Explorer SUV 4WD | 5 | Optional | Standard | 26 | 430 |
| 2021 | Ford Explorer SUV RWD | 5 | Optional | Standard | 26 | 430 |
| 2021 | Ford Explorer HEV SUV 4WD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 1 | 7 |
| 2021 | Ford Explorer HEV SUV RWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 1 | 7 |
| 2020 | Ford Explorer SUV 4WD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 32 | 1221 |
| 2020 | Ford Explorer SUV RWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 32 | 1221 |
| 2020 | Ford Explorer HEV SUV 4WD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 1 | 4 |
| 2020 | Ford Explorer HEV SUV RWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 1 | 4 |
| 2020 | Ford Explorer PHEV SUV 4WD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 1 | 0 |
| 2020 | Ford Explorer PHEV SUV RWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 | Ford Explorer 4 DR SUV FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 6 | 298 |
| 2019 | Ford Explorer 4 DR SUV AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 6 | 298 |
| 2018 | Ford Explorer 4 DR SUV AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 7 | 730 |
| 2018 | Ford Explorer 4 DR SUV FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 7 | 730 |
| 2017 | Ford Explorer 4 DR SUV AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 15 | 1703 |
| 2017 | Ford Explorer 4 DR SUV FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 15 | 1703 |
| 2016 | Ford Explorer 4 DR SUV AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 15 | 2457 |
| 2016 | Ford Explorer 4 DR SUV FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 15 | 2457 |
| 2015 | Ford Explorer 4 DR SUV AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 9 | 1797 |
| 2015 | Ford Explorer 4 DR SUV FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 9 | 1797 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Explorer AWD | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
20–23 |
| 2027 | Explorer RWD | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
20–23 |
| 2027 | Explorer Tremor AWD | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
19–20 |
| 2026 | Explorer AWD | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
20–23 |
| 2026 | Explorer RWD | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
21–24 |
| 2026 | Explorer Tremor AWD | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
19–21 |
| 2025 | Explorer AWD | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
20–23 |
| 2025 | Explorer RWD | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
21–24 |
| 2024 | Explorer AWD | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
20–23 |
| 2024 | Explorer FFV AWD | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 20 |
| 2024 | Explorer RWD | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
20–24 |
| 2024 | Explorer Timberline AWD | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo | 21 |
| 2023 | Explorer AWD | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo, SIDI; Stop-Start Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo, SIDI Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo, SIDI Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo, SIDI; without Stop-Start Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo, SIDI Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo, SIDI; without Stop-Start |
20–23 |
| 2023 | Explorer FFV AWD | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 20 |
| 2023 | Explorer HEV AWD | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 25 |
| 2023 | Explorer HEV RWD | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 27 |
| 2023 | Explorer Platinum HEV AWD | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 23 |
| 2023 | Explorer Platinum HEV RWD | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 26 |
| 2023 | Explorer RWD | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo, SIDI; Stop-Start Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo, SIDI Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo, SIDI Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo, SIDI |
20–24 |
| 2023 | Explorer Timberline AWD | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo, SIDI; Stop-Start Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo, SIDI |
20–21 |
| 2022 | Explorer AWD | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo, SIDI; Stop-Start Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo, SIDI Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo, SIDI Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo, SIDI |
20–23 |
| 2022 | Explorer FFV AWD | Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 19 |
| 2022 | Explorer HEV AWD | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 25 |
| 2022 | Explorer HEV RWD | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 27 |
| 2022 | Explorer Platinum HEV AWD | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 23 |
| 2022 | Explorer Platinum HEV RWD | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 26 |
| 2022 | Explorer RWD | Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo, SIDI; Stop-Start Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo, SIDI Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo, SIDI Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo, SIDI |
20–24 |
| 2022 | Explorer Timberline AWD | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo, SIDI; Stop-Start Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo, SIDI |
20–21 |
| 2021 | Explorer AWD | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
20–23 |
| 2021 | Explorer FFV AWD | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 19 |
| 2021 | Explorer HEV AWD | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 25 |
| 2021 | Explorer HEV RWD | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 27 |
| 2021 | Explorer RWD | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
21–24 |
| 2021 | Explorer Timberline AWD | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo | 21 |
| 2020 | Explorer AWD | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
20–23 |
| 2020 | Explorer FFV AWD | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 19 |
| 2020 | Explorer HEV AWD | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 25 |
| 2020 | Explorer HEV RWD | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 28 |
| 2020 | Explorer RWD | Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo | 24 |
| 2019 | Explorer 2WD FFV | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 20 |
| 2019 | Explorer AWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo |
18–21 |
| 2019 | Explorer AWD FFV | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 18 |
| 2019 | Explorer FWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L |
20–22 |
| 2018 | Explorer 2WD FFV | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 20 |
| 2018 | Explorer AWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo |
18–21 |
| 2018 | Explorer AWD FFV | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 18 |
| 2018 | Explorer FWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L |
20–22 |
| 2017 | Explorer 2WD FFV | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 20 |
| 2017 | Explorer AWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo |
18–21 |
| 2017 | Explorer AWD FFV | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 19 |
| 2017 | Explorer FWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L |
20–22 |
| 2016 | Explorer 2WD FFV | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 20 |
| 2016 | Explorer AWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo |
18–21 |
| 2016 | Explorer AWD FFV | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 19 |
| 2016 | Explorer FWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L |
20–22 |
| 2015 | Explorer 2WD FFV | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 20 |
| 2015 | Explorer AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo |
18–19 |
| 2015 | Explorer AWD FFV | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 19 |
| 2015 | Explorer FWD | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L |
20–23 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.