Used 2021 Ford Explorer Consumer Reviews
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What a Ride!
CLH Drussel, 12/07/2021
updated 06/12/2023
2021 Ford Explorer ST 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
We have the ST Explorer which has been SO fun to drive. We did the ST experience in Park City, UT, which was courtesy of Ford. It was a great course which helped us have a lot of confidence in ourselves as drivers, but also with what this vehicle can handle! It can screech around sharp curves and barely even lean because it is so stable. It has excellent steering and braking capabilities as well as a very powerful 400 hp engine. We took it off road where it has great traction, where each tire is communicating with the others for extra traction and stability. We've used all the modes; the Sport mode for extra get up and go, Normal for city driving, Wet/Slick/Icy for traction, Off Road, Eco for short trips. They've all been great. It's a very responsive vehicle with many comfort additions built in such as heated and cooled front seats, heated second row seats, and massage for the front seats as well. Massage has been awesome when I've done something to strain my back! We love the screen. Ford put a lot of options back into the "regular" type of controls, but we love having the big screen for navigation! It is beautiful at night, too. This is our second Explorer since the body change. We loved the Ecoboost engine of the previous model, but we are really appreciating the response and energy built into this vehicle. This Explorer continues to be an awesome SUV. It has been trouble-free. It handles so well and has such a powerful engine that it makes it fun to drive especially on long drives. We've had this SUV for two years now and still love it. Its handling, responsiveness and comfort are still wonderful!
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Better Than Journalists Described
Eric, 02/09/2022
2021 Ford Explorer Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
Wife and I bought our Explorer XLT two months ago and has just over 2000 miles on it. We didn't want the sport appearance package or leather, so ours cost just under 40k USD. Plenty of power for everyday use, snow mode is capable enough for the Tahoe snow, and decent fuel economy (we get about 22 mpg with 70/30 city/hwy driving). Now for comments on the transmission. In every mode except sport mode, it shifts like a mid size truck when starting off and buttery smooth after that. The only times it hasn't been smooth has been the few times we tried sport mode. Both upshifts and downshifts are jerky. While we're unsure of how this affects the longevity of the transmission, we don't put it in sport mode because of the jerky shifts. Everything else has been incredible about the vehicle. Amazing room in all three rows, the folding rear seats are easy to operate, and a surprising amount of fun to drive considering it's a midsize SUV. It's been a great vehicle so far and I can happily say I'd buy it again.
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Overall, been a great vehicle
Sams Ford Review, 02/24/2023
2021 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
We bought our 2020 Explorer XLT in November of 2019 when they were still giving killer deals on it. For the XLT, RWD, basically fully loaded, it was out the door for 36k. This is after the 10k incentives they threw in, 3k negotiated off the top and before the trade in for our car. Review written at 30k miles Pros: Drives great. We are used to german cars (audi, bmw, Merc, Vw) and have been impressed with this one overall. It handles well with daily driving and can be pushed on the hwy easily. Plenty of power from the 2.3 turbo. If you're not happy with it, theres plenty of tuners that can get another 60-85hp easily out of it. Very spacious inside and fits my family very well, PLUS, everything we need to haul (dads wheelchair, baby carriage, etc) MPG is great. We average 25mpg combined and I tend to push it harder than others would. The interior overall is very comfortable and it does well in the FL heat all day with the a/c. The car also looks amazing. We bought it in White with a black interior and they compliment eachother very well. Cons: Transmission isnt as clean as Id like it to be. Shifting from 1-2 is jerky, but not always. Its kind of odd. The trans does gear hunt a bit on roads, but on the hwy is phenomenal. Fit and finish leaves a bit to be desired. For what we paid, Im ok with it. If you paid full retail, I would be pissed. Brakes need to be reviewed. Theyre not bad, but for an suv this size, when loaded with people and cargo, its good not great at braking. We upgraded to carbon ceramic pads and the issue has disappeared. Dealerships arent that great with Ford. We're used to the brads I mentioned earlier which provide great service and customer support (MB is probably the BEST at this) while Fords service centers leave a bit to be desired. Communication is hit or miss with many, so if you find a good one, stick to them. OVERALL: This is a great family suv. I wouldnt go crazy with it and get the ones that have all the bells and whistles since I dont 100% think ford has it together when it comes to electronics, but they did a great job with the SUV and its pretty fun to drive and haul the family in. I would definitely buy it again.
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Our 3rd Explorer and they still keep improving
Nate J, 09/09/2021
2021 Ford Explorer ST 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A)
17 of 20 people found this review helpful
We’ve had a 2013 Limited which was a great vehicle and LOADED with features. Then we got a 2017 Explorer Sport with all those features and a twin turbo 365HP engine. We didn’t think it could get better til we test drove the new Explorer ST with 400HP and way more interior space for the family. The new set up inside the cabin is more convenient and well thought out to maximize space and increased leg room. The twin turbo engine has multiple driving modes from “eco” mode (low power/high gas mileage) to “sport” mode (lots of power/lack of gas mileage… but who buys a twin turbo SUV and worries about gas mileage). We test drove Durangos, Traverse/Acadias, and some foreign luxury 3 row SUVs. None could compete with the features for the price of the Ford.
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2021 Ford Limited 2.3L
msb, 09/21/2021
2021 Ford Explorer Limited 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
16 of 19 people found this review helpful
Originally purchased the 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid. After a week of driving, I knew I made a mistake: rough starts and shifting from a stop and the regenerative braking wasn't my cup of tea (weird feeling when you brake). Traded it back for a the Explorer Limited 2.3L trim level. Now I am a totally satisfied customer. Drives smoothly, *very* peppy acceleration for a 2.3L V4, good gas mileage, and I like the dash and interior. I would buy one again and certainly recommend. I'd avoid the Hybrid. There was little availability on the Platinum or ST when I went back. The ST did tempt me greatly although for some odd reason, the seats felt firmer (maybe my imagination). My fears about an underpowered V4 with the Limited were unfounded. It isn't a "race car" like the ST, but the 2.3L Ecoboost is amazing for its size and capacity. I did drive every other mid-size SUV there is out there ... over many months. The key for me in addition to ride was front driver comfort. I tested vehicles that had fancy 12 position plus multi-adjustable seats which were cool, but not comfortable. And few of the other vehicles I tested had the combination of leg room and seat comfort as did the Explorer. I was coming down from a Ford Expedition, so those were big shoes to fill comfort wise. I don't feel I lost anything going to the 2021 Explorer. Tough decision choosing a new car, so good luck!
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