2021 Ford Explorer Review

Name: 2021 Ford Explorer Review
Brand: Ford
Price: 21412 USD

2020 Ford Explorer Limited Hybrid 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

2020 Ford Explorer Platinum 4dr SUV Exterior

Ford Explorer King Ranch 4dr SUV Exterior

Ford Explorer Limited Hybrid 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

+395

The Ford Explorer has uncommonly good balance and poise for a midsize three-row SUV. It's not the roomiest, but its standard infotainment and safety tech offerings are competitive. Two things hold it back: subpar materials quality and high pricing.

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2021 Ford Explorer Review

byMark Takahashi^{Correspondent
Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the Edmunds YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.}

Pros

Strong engines for quick acceleration
Rear-wheel-drive platform improves handling and towing
Roomy cargo area

Cons

Too much wind noise at highway speeds
The price can get frighteningly expensive in a hurry
Lackluster interior material quality

What's new

New Sport Appearance package available on XLT trim
More affordable version of the Explorer ST debuts
Platinum trim is now available for the Hybrid model
New off-road-themed Timberline debuts midway through the model year
Part of the sixth Explorer generation introduced for 2020

Overview

Ford redesigned its Explorer last year and is giving this midsize three-row SUV a few more updates for 2021. New to the roster is the King Ranch trim; it slots between the Limited and the top-trim Platinum in terms of price and equipment. There's also the new Timberline. Its lifted ride height, all-terrain tires, limited-slip rear differential and steel skid plates combine to make this the most capable Explorer for going off-road and getting out into nature.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$181/mo

$254/mo

Avg. Large SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

But what if you aren't in the market for one of these seriously well-equipped models? Even budget-friendly versions of the 2022 Ford Explorer are notable for a variety of reasons, including this SUV's rear-wheel-drive layout. Most competitors, such as the Honda Pilot and Kia Telluride, have a front-wheel-drive layout.

Ford has gone with traditional rear-wheel drive (all-wheel drive is optional) for a few reasons. Handling and overall balance improve dramatically when you stop trying to steer and power a vehicle from the same end. Towing stability and powertrain selection also benefit. Indeed, the Explorer is one of the better choices in the midsize three-row SUV class for towing. But while Ford Explorer is a pleasure to drive and has a big cargo space, it's kept in check by its comparably expensive sticker and an interior that doesn't meet the standards set by its price. Check out our in-depth Explorer Expert Rating below to learn more.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Average

7.4

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

8.0/10

How does the Explorer drive? The Explorer is the three-row SUV to get if your priorities include balanced handling and strong acceleration. Unlike a lot of other SUVs in this class, it feels eager and light as you drive around turns. There's a lot of grip too.

The latest Explorer can handle lots of power, and Ford takes full advantage. The sturdy turbocharged four-cylinder base engine easily outpaces the competition. And there's a bonkers turbo V6 in the Explorer ST for those who believe too much is never enough. Both are helped along by a 10-speed transmission. It kicks down faithfully when you need it to, but in city traffic, when you're just lightly getting on and off the gas, its shifting is too indecisive.

Comfort

7.0/10

How comfortable is the Explorer? The Explorer's front seats are nicely shaped and comfortable. But we don't recommend the optional massaging ones — the mechanism behind the massaging can make the seats feel lumpy when it's off. Seat comfort gets progressively less cushiony as you move back to the second and third rows. Our Explorer Limited test vehicle rode smoothly most of the time, but smaller road imperfections were a little more noticeable than in some other SUVs.

Operating the automatic climate control system can require more manual adjustments than expected; the air vents won't pump out as much air as you want when you lower the temperature, for instance. Another drawback is that the Explorer isn't as quiet as it should be. The sound of the engine isn't well masked, and you can hear gusty wind noises at even moderate highway speeds.

Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? Things look decent from the driver's perspective. Front-seat space is abundant, and the driving position is nicely adjustable. It's generally easy to see out thanks to adequate glass area and good-size mirrors.

But middle- and rear-seat passengers aren't as well taken care of. Middle-row knee room and legroom are not up to the standard set by others in the class, and the third row is unlikely to impress taller-than-average adults. Rear door access can be clumsy if the doors can't be opened past the first detent because space is tight between the large door map pockets and the prominent rear wheel arches. The third-row power-folding mechanism is nice, but raising the row for passengers must be done from the hatch area.

Technology

7.5/10

How’s the tech? Every Explorer comes with an 8-inch touchscreen, the Sync 3 infotainment system, and support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Limited comes with built-in navigation and a strong-sounding Bang & Olufsen premium audio system. Do not be tempted by the optional 10.1-inch vertical touchscreen. Its skinnier profile does not work well with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and the display of the rearview camera.

The Explorer is well equipped with driving safety aids. All Explorers come standard with automated emergency braking, lane keeping assistance, cross-traffic and blind-spot monitoring, and automatic high beams. The Limited also has adaptive cruise with lane centering. These systems work well. However, the alerts sound overly similar, and the lane centering system may falsely accuse you of taking your hands off the wheel.

Storage

8.0/10

How’s the storage? The Explorer's cargo hold is generous. With the third-row seats up, it's a bit tighter than in some other SUVs, but you can still fit three or four rolling suitcases back there. There's a good amount of small-item storage up front for your odds and ends, and child seats are easy to install in the middle row.

The Explorer's rear-drive architecture makes it especially well suited to towing, even if the rating of 5,000 pounds isn't particularly distinctive. The Trailer Tow package comes with an easily accessed receiver hitch, four- and seven-pin wiring, full support for an add-on electric trailer brake controller, a tow-haul transmission mode, and an enhanced blind-spot monitoring system that covers the length of the trailer.

Fuel Economy

7.0/10

How’s the fuel economy? On paper, the turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine has slightly better EPA fuel economy estimates than its closest competition. The rear-wheel-drive version gets 24 mpg combined, and the all-wheel-drive model gets 23 mpg combined. Depending on what you compare it to, that's generally 1 or 2 mpg better.

But we could not match these figures in practice, possibly because this turbocharged engine feels overeager. Our test average was 21.1 mpg, and our driving included a long freeway stretch. This number lined up more or less exactly with lower-rated competitors that we drove in the same way.

Value

6.0/10

Is the Explorer a good value? You don't have to look very far or very hard to see plasticky interior plastics, unsightly gaps and mediocre design details. These would be understandable if this vehicle was a bargain, but it's not. The competition's very well-equipped top-level models cost less than a lowly Explorer XLT with minimal options. What's more, the Explorer's stiffest competition offers stronger warranty coverage.

You'd have to be the sort who puts a high premium indeed on mountain road agility and powertrain performance to offset these drawbacks. On paper at least, the 2.3-liter EcoBoost will reward you with better fuel economy. But we found it hard to replicate the EPA ratings in the real world, and in our tests the Explorer came out no better than its rivals.

Wildcard

8.0/10

You'll still peg the latest model as an Explorer, but this new one has a strong stance and sleek proportions that suggest motion. And this is no hollow promise because it offers a much better driving experience than any previous Explorer — or the majority of its competition. It's fast, it has poise and balance, and it likes to be hustled through corners. This Ford is the one to get if your daily drive includes mountain roads or interesting corners.

Which Explorer does Edmunds recommend?

The base Explorer is generously appointed, but we suggest stepping up to the XLT trim for its nicer interior and additional convenience features. If the Limited trim didn't have such a big price jump, that would have earned our recommendation for its added safety and luxury features.

2021 Ford Explorer models

The 2021 Ford Explorer is a midsize three-row SUV with seating for seven (six if you opt for the second-row captain's chairs). The Explorer is available in base, XLT, Limited, ST, King Ranch and Platinum trim levels. Most models receive a four-cylinder engine, while the top trims get a more powerful V6. A 10-speed automatic is the only transmission offered and drives the rear wheels. All-wheel drive is available as an option. There is also a hybrid variant that's covered in a separate review.

Base
Even in its entry-level trim, the Explorer comes with a lot of standard features that include:

A turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine (300 horsepower, 310 lb-ft of torque)
Power liftgate
Tri-zone automatic climate control
Power-adjustable driver's seat
35/30/35-split folding second-row bench
50/50-split folding third-row seats
8-inch touchscreen
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
In-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot
Remote monitoring and control via a smartphone app

Every Explorer also comes with these advanced safety features:

Frontal collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)
Lane keeping assist (steers the vehicle back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Trailer sway control (adjusts vehicle brakes to help control trailer movement if a trailer begins to sway)

XLT
The XLT receives improve interior materials and several convenience items that include:

Roof rails
Keyless entry/ignition and an exterior keypad
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Heated front seats
Power-adjustable driver's seat
Second-row captain's chairs
Second-row USB ports

Limited
The midrange Limited dresses up the interior with higher-quality trim pieces. It also adds:

Interior ambient lighting
Leather upholstery
Heated steering wheel
Ventilated front seats
Power-folding and heated second-row seats
Second-row sunshades
Wireless charging pad
Navigation system with voice control
12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system
Additional safety features that include:

Front parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of the vehicle when parking)
Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the vehicle and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
Lane centering system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)

ST
The ST is the sporty Explorer. Models produced earlier in the model year built off the Limited's features, removed the roof rails, and added unique styling treatments. Halfway through the model year, Ford introduced a new, less expensive version referred to as the ST Enthusiast that built off the XLT's features. Most of the Limited's features could be added via the new 401 package.

All 2021 Explorer STs, regardless of when they were produced, include:

A turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine (400 hp, 415 lb-ft)
Sport-tuned suspension
Paddle shifters
Digital instrument panel
Sport front seats

King Ranch
The new King Ranch trim builds off the Limited equipped with its 301A option package. Besides the turbocharged V6, it adds:

Wood interior trim
Digital gauge cluster display
Unique leather upholstery
Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)

Platinum
The top-of-the-line Platinum trim gets a positively luxurious interior. It has the turbocharged V6 but forgoes the ST's sporty touches. It adds:

Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves)
Class 3 Trailer Tow package
Digital gauge cluster display
Extended leather upholstery
Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)

Many features are available on supporting trims as options. Other add-ons are dependent on trim levels and include:

Sunroof
Hands-free liftgate
Upgraded brakes (ST trim only)
Power-folding third-row seats
Massaging front seats
A larger 10.1-inch touchscreen
14-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system
Dual-screen rear entertainment system

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

3.5/5Above Average

#23 out of 32 among Midsize SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Ford Explorer from 2008-2022.}

$556/yr

vs. $485/yr
for Average Midsize SUV

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

1.07x/yr

vs. 1.18x/yr
for Average Midsize SUV

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

16.8%

vs. 13.5%
for Average Midsize SUV

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Ford Explorer.

5 (62%)

4 (4%)

3 (11%)

2 (10%)

1 (13%)

3.9

53 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Serious issues

Jarrod , 02/22/2021

2021 Ford Explorer Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)

Hit 660 miles Feb 9th, check engine light comes on with every warning the truck could possibly give. Grinding noise, steering wheel shaking and lost all acceleration. Coasted to almost stop and truck abruptly stops and completely shuts off. Will not restart. Towed to dealer they couldn't find anything wrong. Hit 890 miles today and boom exact same issues. Recorded it this time. …

Great features but build quality is lacking

Sawgrass Road Ranger, 02/12/2021

2021 Ford Explorer Limited 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)

As someone who has driven a 2020 Dodge Durango, GMC Acadia and the Ford Explorer over the past year, I got a pretty good comparison between the different models. The Ford Explorer just reached 30,000 miles around a month ago. First the good. I think the Explorer handles nice, the Ecoboost 2.3L engine gives you enough power and the fuel economy was pretty good, I averaged around 26Mpg … on the highway cruising around 75Mph. I think Ford is definitely ahead both GM and FCA in technology and features. The LED headlights were great, the Adaptive Cruise with Lane Keeping Assist keep the vehicle in the lane and a comfortable distance from cars ahead. I really like the Auto Hold feature which holds the brake pedal at stop lights, the kick to open tailgate I used quite a bit, the ambient lighting was a nice feature. Overall, the vehicle is definitely well thought out with nice technology features throughout. Now for the bad. There is little mystery that Ford was having major quality control issues building this vehicle, with significant numbers requiring rework at their IL plant. This vehicle is a all new design and we all know cars are known to have issues in the first couple of years of a new model. Mine was no exception. I had random gremlins pop up on the vehicle. Here is the list: Auto Hold would fault out at random. It would then recover on its own with no explanation. The backup camera started working intermittently, then mostly not working at all. The camera quality is definitely poor, especially at night. I could barely see my driveway at night when backing up when it was working. It was so snowy and grainy at night it was practically unusable. The GPS on the car would randomly stop working. Looking at built in Navigation system, it was comical seeing that I was driving over water and out to see or into the Everglades. I just got used to seeing a GPS with a Red circle and a line through it at random. I have always been neutral on the SYNC system Ford uses in their vehicles. It was never stellar but never bothered me much either. This one uses SYNC Version 3. This one however is painfully slow. I'm not talking about nit picky slow. I'm talking sloooooooow. Countless times I had started the car and left the parking lot, and was literally driving down the road, and the system was still booting up. It is obvious the system CPU is completely inadequate to run this system. Bluetooth system. Since travel a lot on the road, I transition in and out of the car on the phone a lot. The Bluetooth on this car would most of the time pick up the call and transfer it to the car system, but you had no audio. You would have to disconnect and then reconnect the call most of the time. It was clunky, unreliable and frustrating. Compare than to the GM cars I have driven, and the Bluetooth transfers calls seamlessly, every time. And now the worst part. The 10 speed transmission on the Explorer is brand new and untested. I thought it was a bit busy but mostly competent, although a tad sluggish and reluctant to up shift in Normal mode. Its main function in life is to keep the fuel economy respectable, and it accomplishes that. It has one major problem however. It is notoriously unreliable. The transmission on my car started making grinding and howling noises around 27,000 miles. Mostly in the lower gears, 1st, 2nd and 3rd. The problem got progressively worse over the next 3000 miles. At around 30,000 miles on a chilly day (upper 30's), the car gave me a Transmission Fault and refused to go into gear. It eventually recovered after I let the engine run and drove with its usual noises. I drove it another 300 miles or so and it got progressively worse until it sounded like metal crunching and was dropping out of gear and slipping. It basically had a complete transmission failure at 30,000 miles. Since this vehicle was a company issue and I would have swapped it out at around 36k miles, I ended up switching early to another vehicle. So, I just wanted share my experience with it here. I drive mostly highway miles and the miles reflected about a year worth of driving. My personal opinion is that the transmission would have lasted fewer miles in typical city driving and I never towed anything with the vehicle and it mostly carried only myself on board, so minimal passenger load. I hope Ford figures out the issues, especially the transmission problem. Until they do, I can't recommend anyone buying this vehicle or owning it out of warranty. These transmission issues are common and well known. Hope this helps for anyone considering putting this vehicle on their shopping list.

Lots of BUGS, but generally a Good truck.

M King, 04/29/2021

2021 Ford Explorer Limited Hybrid 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid 10A)

High level takeaway- it’s fine. Comfortable, plenty of power when you need it, lots of room for a family of 5 road tripping and the hybrid system gets decent mileage. It’s not “fun” to drive, but it’s comfortable and confident on the road. With more than 2,500 miles in 2 months the average mpg has settled at 25mpg of both highway and local driving. I drive in the eco mode 90% of the …

In Love with my Explorer Hybrid

Doug G., 08/23/2021

2021 Ford Explorer Limited Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (3.3L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid 10A)

Shopping for a good SUV I've always held Explorer near the top of my list from past experience — and because no one (other than the VW Atlas) seems to give the driver enough basic space. Explorer's do. What I didn't expect was to fall in love with the Hybrid. This car is smooth, quiet, fuel efficient, runs like a dream, well built, and all around great. That means I get really mad when …

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2021 Explorer Highlights

Type:

SUV

Trim:

Base

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$32,925
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	24 MPG
Cost to Drive	$181/month
Seating	7 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	18.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Explorer models:

Lane Keeping System: Alerts the driver as the Explorer starts to drift out of its lane. Also applies pressure to the wheel to guide the car back into the lane.
Post-Collision Braking: Applies the brakes after a collision to reduce the effects of a secondary collision.
Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control: Maintains the distance between the Explorer and the car in front. Also includes a system that keeps the Explorer centered in the lane.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover14.7%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Good
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2021 Ford Explorer Review

2021 Ford Explorer Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Explorer does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Ford Explorer models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Serious issues

Great features but build quality is lacking

Lots of BUGS, but generally a Good truck.

In Love with my Explorer Hybrid

2021 Explorer Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}