Used 2021 Ford Explorer SUV Consumer Reviews
Used Explorer for sale
Blue Explorer King Ranch
Rufus T Beauregard, 01/29/2022
2021 Ford Explorer King Ranch 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
My wife and I love our ’21 Explorer. We also own a ’19 Honda Pilot, a ’19 Honda Ridgeline, and a ’20 BMW X3M. We both prefer the Ford for everyday driving and longer trips. Comfortable ride, comfortable interior, roomy, good infotainment system (some knobs, not all touchscreen frustration), good looks (subtle, no ‘look at me!!!’ grill which seems to be all the rage today) , good climate controls, enough power, reasonable fuel economy, parts, fuel and consumables available anywhere in the Americas. Pretty good view in traffic; ‘driving aids’ are helpful without being too intrusive. Adaptive cruise works well and can be switched over to ‘regular’ cruise control if desired. Third row folds down for additional storage space if needed. I agree that a 10-speed tranny is not needed, but every company has to do what they can to meet CAFE standards. The Explorer rides like a typical Ford in that there is some ‘give’ in the body, there’s some body roll going over train tracks, etc. It’s nowhere near as rigid as the BMW, and that’s okay. The BMW can be pretty jarring over imperfect surfaces. I compare the two only to mention that they aimed at different markets/groups. The BMW is built to go fast and clip apexes, while the Ford is built to get you to your destination in comfort. Compared to the Explorer, the Pilot is noisier, Honda infotainment is worse, Honda is less luxurious (as it should be because the Ford cost $20k more), Honda driving aids are more intrusive, Honda did not come with a gear selector beyond P/R/N/D so you can only shift gears with the gas pedal. Our Hondas are good vehicles and the presumption is that they are built to a higher quality standard, but we’ve not had any problems with either of the Hondas or the Ford. We love our Explorer.
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Explorer ST-Good for cops but not the public.
JayC, 05/04/2021
2021 Ford Explorer ST 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A)
55 of 65 people found this review helpful
Your money would be spent better elsewhere. The electronics are horrible in this. The radio stations don't change and lock up all the time and Sync is slow and sporatic. You listen and do what Ford wants, not what you want. The vehicle hits the brakes all the time when backing without a soul around. The ride is absolutely terrible here in Michigan-you feel every expansion joint and every bump and then some in this. I watch my passengers shake while driving. Not a long hauler or daily driver. This family vehicle is begging for some kind of ride control. It's embarrassing having spent so much for this. The plastic trim is coming off around the wheel wells and isn't painted without an option to paint. The street pack 21s are too big for this vehicle-too much unsprung weight. The power is there though. It is a strong puller but you pay at all the pumps. Don't even think of getting 20mpg to the gallon. Not happening. Try 17-18 driving mellow. The seats are not sporty and there's very little bolster support. Steering feels very heavy. Wind and road noise are there, not overwhelming but there. Cheap plastic interior abounds. B & O stereo is good though but not liking the non-integrated ipad someone just threw in there which doesn't work well at all. The HVAC and wipers work well if the electrical is working. Lots of space to put spare parts. Been in for repairs for electronic and tranny related issues. Fingers crossed.
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Pilot or Explorer
Rick Bernard, 12/17/2020
2021 Ford Explorer ST 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A)
61 of 73 people found this review helpful
Had a 2019 Honda Touring awd. Traded on Explorer ST awd In comparison the Explorer has a more stylish interior, more room, better seating, better backup camera, auto hold brakes, way better stereo, Fords Auto adaptive cruise control will bring you to a stop. Honda disengages at 20mph. Explorer looks mean on outside blacked out. paid 10,000 more but have 400hp and everything I described. The ST wont disappoint. What I dont like us the lack of gauges displayed in the digital dash. no oil, volts, trans temp only in tow mode. no launch control.
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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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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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