2018 Ford Explorer Sporting a fresh new look combined with an accommodating interior and attentive amenities, Explorer turns "want to do" into "can do." Visit Ford.com
Looking for a great three-row crossover SUV with outstanding quietness and quality cabin trimmings? The 2017 Ford Explorer might be a good fit. Here's a quick rundown of what we like, what we don't and the bottom line from the Edmunds editors.
Transcript
MARK TAKAHASHI: I'm Edmunds editor Mark Takahashi. And here's your Expert Rundown of the 2017 Ford Explorer. The Ford Explorer has a ton of trim levels from basic to luxurious. We like the Sport model, in particular, because it's a little easier to drive, while other models feel a bit heavy and overly soft. You get three different engine choices, our favorite being the caboose V6, though fuel economy could be better. Unlike most SUVs in this class, you can have all three rows filled with passengers and still have plenty of room for cargo. Second row, you can get either a bench or captain's chairs. And to add a little convenience, they can be optioned with power folding, so that you don't really have to keep crawling back and forth to get stuff in. Here's the bottom line on the Ford Explorer. We like its space. We like the Sport trim and the V6. It competes well against the Dodge Durango, GMC Acadia, and Honda Pilot.
Vehicle Overview When it comes to hauling a larger family around, shoppers who don't want to go the minivan route often turn to midsize SUVs. And in the world of three-row SUVs, the 2017 Ford Explorer is one of the most well-rounded.
The new model year sees the introduction of a package available on XLT model Explorers called the Sport Appearance package. Added features include dark gray accents on the 20-inch wheels, grille, mirror caps and rear bumper appliqué along with black side moldings, roof rails and an Explorer hood badge. The package gives buyers the look of a Sport model without having to make the jump to the large turbocharged engine and Sport-level hardware. Inside, the package adds two-tone seats and door trim done up in dark gray leather and suede, as well as logo floor mats.
Additionally, XLT and higher grade models have the option to upgrade to Ford’s new Sync 3 infotainment system, which is more intuitive and quicker responding than the previous MyFord Touch system. The touchscreen uses swipe and pinch gestures and enhanced voice recognition with Siri integration. And when updates are available, the system will automatically update over Wi-Fi.
The Explorer spans a wide price range, from the low $30Ks for a base model to nearly $60K for the fully loaded Platinum trim, and its road mannerisms vary about as much as well. Where the base model makes do with less power and drives bigger than it looks, the Sport trim’s sharper handling and punchy turbo V6 engine shrink the Explorer from behind the wheel. There’s seating for up to seven passengers, which falls behind others in the segment that will carry eight, but it offers an above-average towing capacity of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.
Naturally, there are other good options for three-row SUVs to consider. If you’re looking to maximize your cargo space and towing capability, the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse is worth checking out. There’s also the all-new 2017 GMC Acadia, which is slightly smaller than the previous model but more efficient. Both the Honda Pilot and the Toyota Highlander are excellent options thanks to their big cabins and comfortable rides.
Performance and MPG Standard on the base and XLT trim levels is a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 290 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque. With this engine, you have your choice of standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. The latter gets hill descent control, hill start assist and Ford's Terrain Management System, which is a driver-selectable system that optimizes traction for a variety of driving situations.
According to the EPA, a front-wheel-drive 2017 Explorer with the V6 will deliver 20 mpg combined (17 city/24 highway). With all-wheel drive, the V6 drops slightly to 19 mpg combined (16 city/23 highway). In Edmunds testing, an AWD Explorer Limited with the base V6 went from zero to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds, which is about average for this size of vehicle.
Optional on base, XLT and now standard on Limited Explorers is the fuel sipper of the group, a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 280 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic and front-wheel drive are standard; all-wheel drive is optional. Fuel economy rises to 22 mpg combined (19 city/27 highway) with front-wheel drive and 21 mpg combined (18 city/25 highway) with AWD. Properly equipped, the four-cylinder Explorer can tow 3,000 pounds.
The Explorer Sport and Platinum trims come with a turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine rated at 365 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic and all-wheel drive are standard. The EPA says to expect 18 mpg combined (16 city/22 highway). Properly equipped, an Explorer with either of the V6 engines can tow 5,000 pounds. In Edmunds testing, the Sport and Platinum models delivered a zero to 60 mph time of 6.3 seconds, which is very quick for this segment.
Safety Standard safety equipment for the 2017 Ford Explorer includes stability and traction control, trailer sway control, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags, a front-passenger knee airbag and MyKey, which allows parents to specify limits for vehicle speed and stereo volume. The Explorer's stability control system also includes Ford's Curve Control, which can monitor speed carried into a corner and decelerate if necessary.
A rearview camera is standard on the Explorer, while a 180-degree front camera is optional. Rear parking sensors are also standard on all but the base Explorer. Optional on the Limited and Sport but standard on the Platinum is a forward collision warning system with brake priming (bundled with the adaptive cruise control), lane departure warning and lane-keeping assist (Limited only), a blind-spot monitoring system (with rear-cross traffic alert) and inflatable seat belts for second-row outboard passengers. You can now get blind-spot monitoring with rear-cross traffic in the XLT this year as well.
In Edmunds testing, an AWD Explorer Limited with all-season tires came to a stop from 60 mph in 118 feet, a few feet shorter than average. An Explorer Sport with summer performance tires stopped in just 108 feet, a remarkable stopping distance for a vehicle of this size and weight.
In government crash tests, last year's Explorer earned a five-star rating (out of a possible five) for overall crash protection, with five stars for total front-impact protection and five stars for total side-impact protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave its top score of Good for the Explorer's performance in moderate-overlap front-impact, side-impact and roof strength tests. It received the second-lowest rating of Marginal in the small-overlap front-impact test. Its seat belts and head restraints earned a Good rating for whiplash protection in rear impacts.
Additional Information Despite its practicality, a minivan is not every large-ish family's cup of vehicular tea. Some folks prefer a midsize three-row SUV to tote the kids and carry the cargo. Within that genre, the 2017 Ford Explorer stands as a well-rounded choice. Able to seat up to seven, the Explorer comes in a wide range of trim levels and offers a number of powertrains and family-friendly features.
New for this year, Ford's available Sync 3 infotainment system proves more intuitive and responsive than the previous MyFord Touch system. Just like a smartphone or tablet, the Sync 3 touchscreen uses swipe and pinch gestures. It also has enhanced voice recognition with Siri integration. One needn't worry about updating the system, as updates are done automatically via Wi-Fi.
The 2017 Ford Explorer family comprises five trim levels, ranging from the well-equipped base model on up to the plush Platinum. Under the hood, engine choices include a turbocharged four-cylinder and a pair of V6s, with one being turbocharged. Output runs from a respectable 280 horsepower to a muscular 365 horses. Lower trims offer a choice between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD), while upper trims are AWD-only. EPA fuel mileage estimates range from 18 mpg combined (16 city/22 highway) for the turbo V6 with AWD to 22 mpg combined (19 city/27 highway) for the turbo-four with FWD.
Even the base 2017 Ford Explorer comes with niceties such as LED headlights and alloy wheels. Highlights of the Sport trim include the turbocharged V6 and a sport-tuned suspension, while the Platinum pampers with a large dual-panel sunroof and a power-adjustable, heated steering wheel. Newly optional for the XLT trim is the Sport Appearance package, which provides much of the Sport trim level's styling pizzazz but at a lower price point because it does without the Sport's high-performance hardware.
A wealth of standard and optional safety features bolsters the 2017 Ford Explorer's résumé. Depending on trim level and specification, technologies such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control with forward collision warning can help prevent or mitigate accidents.
Although the 2017 Ford Explorer is generally a smooth, quiet and pleasant-to-drive SUV, most versions tend to feel quite large from the driver seat. The Explorer Sport changes that to some extent — its sharper handling, quicker steering and more spirited performance give it a nimbler and more manageable feel on winding roads. On the towing front, the Explorer can handle up to 5,000 pounds, translating to above-average capacity in this regard.
Within the wide-ranging Explorer lineup you're bound to find something suitable. But no matter what your preferences are, Edmunds is ready to help you find the 2017 Ford Explorer that's just right for your needs.
2017 Ford Explorer Overview
The 2017 Ford Explorer is offered in the following submodels: SUV. Available styles include XLT 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 6A), XLT 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A), and Sport 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A). Explorer models are available with a 0-liter flex-fuel (FFV) engine or a 0-liter gas engine, with output up to 0 hp, depending on engine type. The 2017 Explorer comes with front wheel drive or all wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 6-speed shiftable automatic. The 2017 Explorer comes with a 3 yr./ 36000 mi. basic warranty, a 5 yr./ 60000 mi. roadside warranty, and a 5 yr./ 60000 mi. powertrain warranty.
What should I pay for a new 2017 Ford Explorer?
2017 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
The 2017 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 6A) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $34720. The average price paid for a new 2017 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 6A) is trending $6930.5 below the manufacturer's MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $6930.5 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $27789.5.
The average savings for the 2017 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 6A) is 20% below the MSRP.
We are showing 2 XLT 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 6A) 2017 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 6A) vehicle(s) available in the Ashburn area.
2017 Ford Explorer Sport 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A)
The 2017 Ford Explorer Sport 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $46300. The average price paid for a new 2017 Ford Explorer Sport 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A) is trending $9632 below the manufacturer's MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $9632 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $36668.
The average savings for the 2017 Ford Explorer Sport 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A) is 20.8% below the MSRP.
We are showing 2 Sport 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A) 2017 Ford Explorer Sport 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A) vehicle(s) available in the Ashburn area.
2017 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
The 2017 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $36870. The average price paid for a new 2017 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A) is trending $5832 below the manufacturer's MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $5832 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $31038.
The average savings for the 2017 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A) is 15.8% below the MSRP.
We are showing 1 XLT 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A) 2017 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A) vehicle(s) available in the Ashburn area.
Is the 2017 Ford Explorer a good car? Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2017 Ford Explorer and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2017 Explorer featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process All of our reviews are written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
What do people think of the 2017 Ford Explorer? Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2017 Ford Explorer and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2017 Explorer a 4.2 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2017 Explorer.
Vehicle XLT 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
Review I owned this car a year. It drives very nice, very much like a car. It has a bold look on the exterior which I like. The seats are very comfortable. The negatives are the rear seats, very hard to fold seats, takes a good hard yank and the rear seat is hard to access. The remote to start the car and unlock doors is very sensitive. I wish they would recess the panic button, it goes off very easy when I'm my pocket and my horn starts going crazy. I had a GMC Sierra 5.3 V8 crew cab truck before this car, My GMC averaged better gas mileage than the V6 in the explorer. Car has a small tank and gets between 280-300 miles a tank. I drove it 6,000 miles in the 1st year. This car has terrible resale value. The worse of any car I have ever ownwed. It has been in paint shop twice for paint bubbling and the learher seats started to seperate, both were covered under warranty. The vehicle is garage kept and had low miles so poor quality control to be having these defects. I would not recommend this car.
2017 Ford Explorer inventory listings Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2017 Ford Explorer for sale near Ashburn VA. There are currently 1598 new and 1064 used and CPO 2017 Explorers listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as 23980 and mileage as low as 0. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a car from our massive database to find cheap vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the 2017 Ford Explorer. Then select Edmunds special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to 10125 on a new, used, or CPO 2017 Explorer available from one of 2630 dealerships in your area.
How can Edmunds help? Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color
Is the 2017 Ford Explorer safe? The 2017 Ford Explorer earned a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and "GOOD" ratings from the IIHS in the following caregories: Side Impact Test, Roof Strength Test, Moderate Overlap Front Test Results, and a JD POWER overall quality rating of 4.0 out of 5. Among Edmunds' many tools and resources for finding your perfect car are detailed safety ratings and analysis from NHTSA, IIHS, and JD Power, including overall ratings, frontal barrier crash ratings, side impact tests and crash ratings, rollover test results, roof strength tests, rear crash protection and head restraint ratings, side barrier ratings, combined side barrier and pole ratings, and more.
MPG
2017 ford explorer XLT 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 6A), 6-speed shiftable automatic, flex-fuel (unleaded/e85) 20 combined MPG 17 city MPG/24 highway MPG
2017 ford explorer XLT 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A), 6-speed shiftable automatic, flex-fuel (unleaded/e85) 19 combined MPG 16 city MPG/23 highway MPG
2017 ford explorer Sport 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A), 6-speed shiftable automatic, regular unleaded 18 combined MPG 16 city MPG/22 highway MPG
What options are available on the 2017 Ford Explorer?
Available Ford Explorer 2017 Submodel Types: SUV
Available Ford Explorer 2017 Trims: XLT, Limited, Sport, Base, Platinum, Eddie Bauer, XLS, Expedition, NBX, XL, XLS Sport, XLT Sport
Exterior Colors: Shadow Black, Magnetic Metallic, Ingot Silver Metallic, White Platinum Metallic Tri-Coat, Ruby Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat, Blue Metallic, Tuxedo Black Metallic, Oxford White, White Platinum Metallic Tri-coat, Platinum Dune Metallic Tri-Coat, Burgundy Velvet Metallic Tinted Clearcoat, Oxford White Clearcoat, Blue Jeans Metallic, Caribou Metallic, Black Clearcoat, Sterling Gray Metallic, Cinnamon Glaze Metallic, Dark Side Metallic, Deep Impact Blue Metallic, Red Fire Clearcoat Metallic, Bronze Fire Metallic Tinted Clearcoat, Dark Blue Pearl Clearcoat Metallic, Silver Birch Clearcoat Metallic, Smoked Quartz Tinted Clearcoat Metallic, Sterling Grey Metallic, White Suede, Black, Canyon Ridge Metallic, Guard Metallic, Red Candy Metallic Tinted Clearcoat, Kodiak Brown Metallic, Pueblo Gold Clearcoat Metallic, White Gold Metallic, White Suede Clearcoat, Dark Stone Clearcoat Metallic, Kona Blue Metallic, Sunset Metallic, Aspen Green Clearcoat Metallic, Dark Blue Pearl Metallic, Green Gem Metallic, Mineral Grey Clearcoat Metallic, Sangria Red Clearcoat Metallic, Toreador Red Clearcoat Metallic, Blue Flame Metallic, Dark Cherry Clearcoat Metallic, Harvest Gold Clearcoat Metallic, Oxford White Clearcoat (Fleet), True Blue Clearcoat Metallic, White Sand Tri-Coat, Bordeaux Reserve Red Metallic, Brilliant Silver Clearcoat Metallic, Cashmere Clearcoat Tri-Coat Clearcoat Metallic, Ceramic White Tri-Coat Clearcoat Metallic, Cinnamon Metallic, Dark Copper Clearcoat Metallic, Deep Jewel Green Pearl Metallic, Estate Green Clearcoat Metallic, Golden Bronze Metallic, Medium Wedgewood Blue Clearcoat Metallic, Mineral Gray Clearcoat Metallic, Sport Blue Clearcoat Metallic, Torch Red
Interior Colors: Ebony Black leather, Charcoal Black leather, Ebony Black w/Red Accent Stitching leather, Medium Stone leather, Medium Stone cloth, Medium Light Stone leather, Ebony Black premium leather, Medium Soft Ceramic premium leather, Medium Light Camel cloth, Medium Light Stone cloth, Ebony Black premium cloth, Charcoal Black premium cloth, Charcoal Black premium leather, Medium Light Camel leather, Camel leather, Medium Parchment, Charcoal Black w/Sienna Insert leather, Medium Light Camel premium cloth, Medium Light Stone premium cloth, Medium Light Stone premium leather, Pecan premium leather, Midnight Grey, Graphite, Black cloth, Black leather, Black/Camel (Late Availability) leather, Charcoal Black w/Sienna Insert premium leather, Camel cloth, Dark Earth w/Ebony Black leather/sueded microfiber, Medium Stone premium cloth, Stone cloth, Stone leather
Popular Features: Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Rear Bench Seats, Power Driver Seat, Tire Pressure Warning, Stability Control, 5000lb Towing Capacity, Aux Audio Inputs, Trip Computer, Post-collision safety system, Third-row seating, Bluetooth, USB Inputs, AWD/4WD, Alarm, Parking sensors, Back-up camera, Keyless Entry/Start, Upgraded Headlights, Leather Seats, Heated seats, Auto Climate Control, Multi-Zone Climate Control, Power Liftgate/Trunk, Mobile Internet, Remote Start, Navigation, Towing Hitch, Cooled Seats, Apple Carplay/Android Auto, Electronic Folding Mirrors, Sunroof/Moonroof, Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, Pre-collision safety system, Upgraded Engine, 2nd Row Bucket Seats, 6000lb Towing Capacity, Upgraded Stereo, Rear Entertainment System
