If you have a large family that is always on the move, you need a large and spacious vehicle. While many families opt for the less expensive vans, for a bit more driving fun, comfort and luxury with your family, consider the Ford Explorer which features a good mix of fuel economy and the luxurious feel of high-end SUVs and is offered at a relatively affordable price.
2017 Ford Explorer Exterior
The 2017 Ford Explorer will be offered in five trim levels which are; Base, XLT, Limited, XLT Sport and Platinum. Expect the new 2017 Ford Explorer to feature extensive changes.
At the front, the vehicle has been modified and features a new grille, bumper, a redesigned hood and new LED headlights. At the back, the Explorer features a new bumper design, new exhaust pipes, LED taillights and modified pillars. The base models will ride on 18-inch alloy wheels while higher trims get 20-inch aluminum wheels.
Higher trims of the 5-door SUV will also get a moon-roof, HID headlights and rain sensing wipers among other features.
2017 Ford Explorer Interior
The interior will be upgraded with quality materials and the latest technologies in the industry. The cabin features a 3- row seating arrangement and accommodates 7 passengers.
The SUV features as standard; cloth upholstery on seats, 60/40 split-folding second row seats, 50/50 split folding third row seats, a 6-way power driver’s seat, cruise control, a 4.2 –inch display screen, Bluetooth connectivity, auxiliary audio inputs, a CD player and a rearview camera.
The XLT trim adds rear parking sensors, 8-way power driver’s seat, a satellite radio, rear parking sensors, keyless entry, keyless ignition and a steering wheel wrapped in leather. The XLT has an optional Equipment Group 201A package which adds a remote start, SD card, leather upholstery, front heated seats, Sync functionality, an 8-inch touch-screen, and a configurable gauge cluster.
The Limited trim bundles all XLT package features and adds perforation on the front seats, a 110 V outlet, a premium Sony audio system, a tilt steering and telescoping steering wheel, driver memory setting and HD radio. The trim also has a 301A optional package which adds adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, automatic high beam, blind spot warning, forward collision warning, brake priming and a massage function on the front seats.
Top trims come equipped with all 301A package features and adds aluminum and wood trims to the interior, captain chairs on the second row, a rear entertainment system and a dual-panel sunroof.
Engine Specs and Performance
The 2017 Ford explorer will be offered in 3 drive-train options. All engines are paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission system which sends power to the front wheels as standard with an option for an AWD for the lower trims (AWD is standard on the Sport and Platinum trims).
To start with, the base, XLT as well as the Limited trims will feature a 3.5 L, V-6 unit which is capable of producing 290 hp and 255 lb-ft of torque.
The second engine is offered on the Sport and Platinum trim levels. It is still a 3.5 L, V-6 engine tweaked to produce 365 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque.
Motorists looking for more economy can opt for the 2.3 L, 4-cylinder engine which delivers 270 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. The engine is optional for the base, XLT and Limited trims. Official EPA ratings are not out but the automaker says that the Explorer returns an estimated 22 mpg on combined drives. Speed and acceleration details are yet to be released; we will inform you immediately such information is available.
2017 Ford Explorer Spy Photo
Price and release date
The 2017 Ford Explorer will hit the market in the second half of 2016. No official information concerning the release date or price has been released by the automaker. As for the price, expect the Explorer to start at around $ 30,000 MSRP for the base model.
Competition
Competition in this segment is high and increasing by the day as every automaker tries to come up with a better model than rivals. The Explorer SUV will face competition from the likes of Dodge Durango, Toyota Highlander, Chevrolet Traverse, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Pathfinder and Honda Pilot.
I love my explorers I’ve had-only complaint is the headlights. I find them not bright enough or wide spread to see into the ditches. We also have a 2006 Ford F-150, the headlights in this truck are AWESOME!!!! Wish they would bring them back for Explorers.
Sincerely,
Deb Tilton
Totally agree-had a 2012 f150….lights were great. 2014 Explorer..lights so bad that I have taken it to dealer convinced something is wrong with them…had the adjusted for height but still not adequate. I even changed the bulbs but have not found satisfaction. Hopefully the 2017 will be an improvement.
wife currently drives a ’13 Sport. Only complaint is the transmission, needs more gears… I was hoping the ’17 would have the new 9/10 speed automatic; guess we’ll wait another year.
My 2014 explorer has had numerous problems with sync
And also battery problems. After many years of driving ford’s am seriously looking at something else.
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“Availability second half of 2016” is a seriously insufficient answer for those of us who are waiting for the 2017 Explorer with Sync3. Come out with a late-2016 version with Sync3, or else get more specific regarding the release date of the 2017’s, and you’ll keep more customers!
Sync3 is currently available in some of the 2016 Platinum models.
My 2015 explorer’s sync is useless, I use waze on my phone. Dealer unable to get correct map GPS info into sync. Need my phone app’s displayed in the Ford car display and talks to me
I hope they have fixed the defective throttle body on the 2016 Explorer – I have read dozens of horror stories about owners who’s vehicle suddenly quit running at around 7000 miles.
We want a 2017 explorer so bad as well but we are waiting to see the reviews after its been out a little while. We’re nervous over the throttle body issue from 2016. I hope they release something saying they fixed it. Guess we just have to wait for the complaints to roll in 🙁