The Ford Explorer is one of the best selling three-row SUVs in America, selling twice as many units as either Chevy’s Tahoe or Traverse, and was once the best selling SUV in the 90s and 2000’s. The Explorer has become one of the most upscale mid-size SUV options. Right now Ford is pushing a number of incentives to move unsold trims of the Explorer. You just might be able to get an amazing deal on a brand new SUV.
The mid-size Explorer comes in eight trims, starting with the Explorer base model rear-wheel drive with seating for seven. Standard features include rear parking sensors, a power lift gate, and a “Terrain Management System” to help with slippery, trail, snow/sand (four wheel drive only), or regular conditions. A 2.3L four cylinder turbo / 10 speed automatic is standard which hits 60 miles per hour in 6 seconds with 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Standard wheels are 18 inch five spoke aluminum. LED headlamps and taillamps are standard, alone with dome lights in all three rows, Ford MyKey, power locks and windows, manual tilt/telescoping steering wheel, and rear view camera. Four wheel drive is a $2,000 option.
XLT trim starts at $38,750 msrp and adds body color door handles, chrome bars on the front grille, ActiveX synthetic leather seats, keyless entry with push button start, chrome accent bodyside cladding, and leather wrapped steering wheel. The ST-Line steps up starting price to $46,355 with a Bang and Olufsen 12 speaker sound system (including a subwoofer), Ford Co-Pilot360 driver assistance, and Red-Stitched synthetic leather seats with inserts from Italian designer Miko. It also adds LED fog lamps, chrome exhaust tops, rain sensing wipers, body color rear spoiler, ST-Line scuff plates, wireless phone charging pad, Ford SYNC 3 with 10.1 LCD touchscreen, front heated seats, and power adjustable front seats.
The next level of trims steps the Explorer up to the option of six cylinders, with trim-dependent engine choices. A 3.3L V6 hybrid motor with 318 horsepower is available on either the Limited or Platinum trims, for an additional $5,935. The Limited trim, starting at $47,420 for four cylinder, adds genuine leather trimmed seats, which are both heated and ventilated in the front row, with micro perforated inserts, as well as power folding rear seat, and all the equipment from the ST Line model.
A 3.0L twin-turbo V6 with 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque is the standard motor on the ST ($50,005 msrp), Platinum ($54,270 msrp), and King Ranch ($54,525 msrp) trims. The ST trim gets a performance inspired interior as well as a special silver stitching throughout, along with a stiffer suspension to make it handle a bit less like the large SUV that it is. The Platinum model has an available twin panel moonroof that opens above both front and rear seats. Platinum branded embroidery are on the tri-diamond perforated leather seats. In contrast, the King Ranch offers 20 inch aluminum King Ranch branded wheels, as well as Del Rio leather with King Ranch Lasso perforated inserts.
Right now Ford has a number of incentives to move Explorer models. These include low APR’s as well as special lease deals for 39 and 48 months; Ford has even been spotted leasing the higher-level Explorer XLT for less than the regular Explorer. Be sure to search local dealers for current offers on unsold Explorer, Explorer XLT, and Explorer Limited models.
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