Base
The most affordable Explorer starts you off with:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights
- Power liftgate
- Triple-zone automatic climate control
- Power-adjustable driver's seat
- 35/30/35-split folding second-row bench seat
- 50/50-split folding third-row seats
- 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
- Six-speaker sound system
Ford also equips every Explorer with these safety features:
- Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
- Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
- Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position)
- Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)
XLT
The XLT trim adds these features:
- Heated exterior mirrors
- Roof rails
- Power-adjustable front passenger seat
- Heated front seats
- Second-row captain's chairs (reduces seating capacity from seven to six people)
- Second-row USB ports
An XLT Technology package is also available, equipping the Explorer with:
- Power-folding exterior mirrors
- Front parking sensors
- Wireless smartphone charger
- 12-speaker premium sound system
- Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Explorer and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
- Trailer towing equipment
You can also upgrade the XLT with a Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package that installs:
- Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Explorer and the car in front)
- Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
- Evasive steering assistance (enhances the forward collision mitigation system with steering-based collision avoidance)
- Navigation system
ST-Line
The ST-Line builds on the XLT trim with sporty styling cues and more:
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Dark-tinted headlights and taillights
- Black grille and exterior trim
- Power-folding exterior mirrors
- Ambient interior lighting
- Synthetic leather and suede upholstery
- Navigation system
- Wireless smartphone charging
- 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound system
- Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Explorer and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
- Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ safety features detailed above
Timberline
This is the version for exploring off-road. It's based on the XLT and comes with the safety equipment found on the ST-Line. Additionally, the Timberline has:
- All-wheel drive
- Limited-slip rear differential (helps maximize available traction)
- 18-inch black alloy wheels with all-terrain tires
- Off-road suspension tuning with added ground clearance
- Underbody skid plates
- Trailer towing equipment
- Unique front styling
- Front tow hooks
- Synthetic leather upholstery with cloth inserts
- Heated second-row seats
Limited
The Explorer Limited moves into more luxury territory. It expands on XLT features with the infotainment system, premium sound system and safety features found in the ST-Line, plus:
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Added chrome exterior trim
- Leather upholstery
- Ventilated front seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Heated second-row seats
- Second-row sunshades
ST
For enjoying the journey as much as the destination, the performance-tuned Explorer ST expands on the ST-Line model's styling modifications with:
- Turbocharged V6 engine
- Transmission paddle shifters
- Trailer towing equipment
- Sport suspension tuning
- Digital instrument panel
- Sport-bolstered front seats
- Leather upholstery with synthetic suede inserts
- Heated steering wheel
The available ST High package adds a long list of upgrades, including:
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
- Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors with LED turn signal indicators and puddle lighting
- Hands-free liftgate
- Ambient interior lighting
- Power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
- Memory for the driver's settings
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Heated second-row seats
- Power-folding third-row seat
- Navigation system
- Wireless smartphone charging
- 12-speaker premium sound system
- Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)
- Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Explorer and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
- Front parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of the vehicle when parking)
King Ranch
The King Ranch is an upscale Western-themed version of the Explorer. In addition to the Limited trim features, it includes:
- Turbocharged V6 engine
- Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors
- Hands-free liftgate
- Wood interior trim
- Leather-wrapped interior panels
- Unique leather upholstery
- Digital instrumentation panel
- Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)
Platinum
This is the luxury version of the Explorer. In addition to the King Ranch features, it has:
- 21-inch alloy wheels with a polished finish
- Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves)
- Satin aluminum grille and exterior trim
- Exclusive wood interior trim
- Diamond-pattern leather upholstery
Some of the features found on the more expensive trims can be added to the lower trims as options. Depending on the trim level, other notable options for the Explorer include:
- 10.1-inch center touchscreen
- Upgraded front seats with massage feature
- 14-speaker B&O sound system
- Twin-panel sunroof