Here's What We Love About The Ford Explorer's Interior (And Why Its Our Favorite Feature) - HotCars

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If there's one vehicle that's established itself in the midsize SUV segment over the last 30 years, it's got to be the Ford Explorer. It entered its sixth generation in the 2020 model year, and it carried over into 2021, mostly unchanged with modest updates. It is fair to say that this Ford SUV has had quite a lengthy history.

Back in the 1990s, the first generation Explorer SUV debuted for the 1991 model year with a 4.0-liter V6 engine, and the second generation version was upgraded with a V8 engine in 1996.

The V8 engine remained in the Explorer going into the new millennium, but the third generation vehicle stretched longer and wider and featured a lower frame height. For the 2006 model year, Ford introduced standard electronic stability control, as well as a new 4.6-liter V8 engine, joined to a six-speed automatic transmission.

As the 2010s approached, Ford decided to provide the fifth-generation vehicle that was released in 2011 with a new unibody construction and a Terrain Management System.

There are plenty of different versions of the Explorer to purchase, but the cheapest one to buy is the Base model at $34,170, and the platinum hybrid costs $54,330.

With so many distinguishable features, it was tough deciding which one was the best of all, but we decided that ultimately, the interior is its best feature, and here's why.

Let's Explore This Ride's Neat Interior

Car and Driver suggest that the Explorer's interior can be described as close to uninspired, but who cares when it has such a functional and comfortable cabin? Nobody opts for midsize SUVs because of their amazing interior or exterior designs, and yet the former is the Ford model's best feature for a plethora of reasons.

Because of a mechanism that moves the second-row seat out of the way at the touch of a button, getting into the standard third row is a lot easier. In fact, passengers can fit four carry-on suitcases behind the Explorer's third row, and Car and Driver's Drew Dorian managed to squeeze a total of 31 bags with both back rows folded flat.

But it's the Explorer's infotainment system that really helps the interior distinguish itself. An 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display is standard and comes with, as expected, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, as well as a WiFi hotspot. The infotainment system is attractive and responsive, but what exactly you get will depend on the trim you choose.

For instance, to get your hands on the optional 10.1-inch vertically oriented screen, it's recommended that drivers upgrade to either the Platinum or ST. The good news is that every model is available with voice-activated navigation and a rear-seat entertainment system. Aside from the base Explorer, a 12-speaker B&O audio system is standard. Looking at the photo above, though, the interior does look nifty.

There's More To Love About The 2021 Ford Explorer

U.S. News refers to the Explorer's performance as 'poised and powerful', and they're not wrong. There are three engine options for the Explorer: a 300 hp turbocharged four-cylinder base engine and two available twin-turbocharged V6s capable of 365 and 400 hp, respectively. All of them are joined to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

The base engine moves this vehicle easily and never feels low on power. Regardless, the V6 options are much faster off the line. The automatic transmission shifts smoothly but cautiously, which is great.

The rear-wheel-drive Explorer that features the base engine gets above-average fuel economy ratings for a midsize SUV: 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. Vehicles with the twin-turbo V6 get worse gas mileage estimates of 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway, and that's pretty much why the engine was not ranked as the Explorer's best feature in this article.

Despite its massive size, the Explorer's handling is superb, and its sharp steering makes it feel somewhat more athletic than many other competitors. Its softer suspension means the driver will feel a certain amount of body movement on twisty roads.

On the plus side, when properly equipped, the Explorer can tow up to 5,600 lbs.

For anyone anxious about safety, the good news is that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Explorer an overall safety rating of five out of five stars, with five stars in the frontal and side crash tests and four stars in the rollover test.

Standard advanced safety features include driver drowsiness monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist, a rearview camera, and more.

So what's not to love about the 2021 Ford Explorer? If anyone reading this piece fancies a new car and has a minimum of $32,225 to burn, they should get their hands on this model.

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About The Author

Matthew Snape (102 Articles Published)

Matt Snape is a freelance journalist and a news executive based in Evesham, Worcestershire, UK. He's written for numerous publications such as Inside Over/Il Giornale, the i Paper, the Metro, Blasting News, and more. As he has been monitoring Nissan's content in his role as a news executive, he will be specialising in Nissan for Valnet, Inc. Many of his hobbies include film, 90s and 00s music, reading and gaming.