Originally derived from the Ford Ranger, since 1991 the Ford Explorer has become one of the best-selling SUVs in the world. In 2011, Ford changed the design and gave us today’s Explorer that offers the car-like handling and all the features of a well-equipped sedan. The 2017 Ford Explorer has changed very little from the 2016 model, although Ford has added a Sports Appearance Package to the XLT trim that gives it a more aggressive appearance. As one of the longest marketed SUVs around the globe, the 2017 Ford Explorer continues to please many buyers. The range of trim levels begins their price in the mid-$30,000 range, while an Explorer Platinum breaks the $50,000 mark, placing it in the price range of luxury SUV’s.
2017 Ford Explorer Trims
- Base Explorer
- XLT
- Limited
- Sport
- Platinum Edition
Standard/Base Explorer
Even in its base form, the 2017 Ford Explorer is well-equipped with 18-inch wheels, privacy glass for second and third-row passengers, rear view camera, LED taillights and SYNC®, Ford’s automobile entertainment system. Powered by a 3.5 liter V6 that produces 290 horsepower and 255-pound feet of torque, the Explorer has the power to pull 5,000 pounds when equipped properly. Driving the front wheels through a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission, the estimated gas mileage is 17/27 mpg, city/highway, and all models have the option of being equipped with Ford’s intelligent four will drive system.
Highlights
- Equipped with a powerful V6 engine
- Shiftable six-speed transmission
- Can be equipped with optional towing package
XLT
Powered by the same engine as the standard Explorer, the XLT adds a few more creature comforts, to make your forays around town easier to endure. The 10-way power driver’s seat will have you in the perfect driving position, and the same equipped, optional front passenger seat will make long trips more comfortable for you and your right seat passenger. Four 12-volt power points help you and your passengers keep all of your electronics powered up, and cargo hooks and nets help keep everyone’s gear in place. Standard fog lamps on the XLT will help you find your way in the dark and the reverse sensing system, added to the rearview camera, will help you with backing.
Highlights
- Power driver seat and optional power front passenger seat
- 12-volt power point to keep electronics charged
- Fog lights as standard equipment
Limited
Changing the game a bit, Ford throws a 2.3 –liter EcoBoost® four-cylinder into the 2017 Ford Explorer Limited. This ups the estimated miles per gallon to 19/27, city/highway placing the mileage of the Explorer into Ford Escape territory while giving you the capacity of the larger sized Explorer. The addition of leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, ambient lighting, a hands-free power liftgate, 3rd row PowerFold® split-folding bench seat and SYNC® 3, offer a little more luxury to the Explorer than is found in its two lesser siblings. However, when equipped with the smaller four-cylinder power plant, the towing capacity for the Limited drops to 2,000 pounds.
Highlights
- Powered by a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine
- Leather upholstery
- Hands-free power liftgate
Sport
The 2017 Explorer Sport gets an EcoBoost® engine, too. However, it is a 3.5-liter V6 engine and is connected to Ford’s intelligent four-wheel drive system. The Explorer Sport returns an estimated mileage of 16/22, city/highway. Other standard features include, 20-inch machined aluminum wheels, push-button start, and SYNC® 3.
Highlights
- EcoBoost® 3.5-liter V6
- All-wheel-drive
- 20-inch aluminum wheels
Platinum Edition
The highest priced Ford Explorer, the Platinum offers all that the Sport has and throws in a dual-panel moonroof, and a premium sound system from Sony®.
Highlights
- Dual moon roof
- Four-wheel drive
- Sony® sound system
Conclusion
Having five different trim levels, with a choice of engines and drive transmissions, will give you many choices when choosing a 2017 Ford Explorer. The long list of options gives you the opportunity to customize your Explorer to suit your tastes. Take a test drive today and compare the 2017 Ford Explorer to comparable SUV’s and you will see why the Explorer remains the best SUV on the market.