What Is the 2023 Ford Explorer?
The Ford Explorer is a three-row SUV with room for six or seven people, depending on seating configuration. It’s available with rear- or four-wheel drive. The base engine is a 300-horsepower, turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder, and there’s an available turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 that makes 365 or 400 hp. Both engines work with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and a hybrid drivetrain rated at 318 total hp is also available. Competitors include the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander and Kia Telluride.
What’s New on the 2023 Ford Explorer?
The 2023 Explorer is a carryover model with no significant changes.
What Features in the 2023 Ford Explorer Are Most Important?
Standard features include:
- 18-inch aluminum wheels
- Power liftgate
- Tri-zone automatic climate control
- 8-inch touchscreen multimedia system
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity
- 4G LTE Wi-Fi hot spot (data subscription required after free trial)
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane departure warning
- Blind spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert
- Automatic high-beam headlights
- Rear parking sensors
Available features include:
- 20- or 21-inch aluminum wheels
- Panoramic moonroof
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Heated second-row seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Second-row captain’s chairs
- Power-folding third-row seat
- Second-row sunshades
- Digital instrument panel
- 10.1-inch vertically oriented dashboard touchscreen
- 360-degree camera system
- Navigation
- B&O premium stereo
- Wireless device charging
- Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability
- Lane-centering steering assist
- Front parking sensors
Should I Buy the 2023 Ford Explorer?
The Explorer offers eight trim levels and a choice of three powertrains to appeal to different buyers; we like the performance its gas engines offer. This Ford’s standard touchscreen multimedia system is intuitive, and the cabin has good storage space. Seat comfort, however, isn’t great, and the third row is small.
