The 2022 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.
While it may not be as revered as the Mustang or Bronco, the Ford Explorer earns plenty of credit for being one of Ford's most versatile vehicles. Slotting between the midsize five-passenger Ford Edge and full-size Expedition, the three-row Explorer is well suited for family hauling duty. It also boasts strong towing capabilities for its class and an engine lineup that should satisfy whether you're looking for high fuel efficiency or sporty performance.
Jeff Wyler Nissan of Louisville is honored to offer this terrific 2022 Ford Explorer XLT in Stone. ** ALL WHEEL DRIVE/AWD **, ** BLUETOOTH **, ** NAVI...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
23 Combined MPG (20 City/27 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 1FMSK8DH6NGA18322 Stock: 32T10565 Certified Pre-Owned: No Listed since: 08-15-2025
At Carvana, we go miles beyond the extra mile. That's why we provide you with a convenient, fast, and hassle-free car buying experience that puts you ...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
23 Combined MPG (20 City/27 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 1FMSK8DHXNGC17650 Stock: 2003963600 Certified Pre-Owned: No Listed since: 08-12-2025
Since the Explorer debuted more than 30 years ago, SUVs are more popular than ever. With just about every automaker in America offering at least one SUV in its lineup, the Explorer has plenty of competition. Some of Edmunds' midsize three-row favorites include the Honda Pilot, Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride and Mazda CX-9. The Explorer isn't quite as polished as the class leaders, and prices can get into luxury-car territory on higher trim levels. Still, the Explorer's mix of talents make it worth a look. Check out our test team's Expert Rating to learn more.
Edmunds Expert Rating
edmunds TESTED
by the Edmunds Experts
Average
7.4
out of 10
We drove the 2022 Ford Explorer on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.
Performance
8/10
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
7/10
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 smartphone compatibility. 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
8/10
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
7/10
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
6/10
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
8/10
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.
2022 Ford Explorer trim level differences
The 2022 Ford Explorer SUV is a midsize SUV with three rows of seating. It comes in eight trim levels: base, XLT, Limited, ST-Line, Timberline, ST, King Ranch and Platinum. Most models come standard with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, though a hybrid V6 powertrain and a high-performance V6 are found on higher trims. Feature highlights include:
Which Explorer trim does Edmunds recommend?
There's a lot on offer even on base Explorer models, but we suggest stepping up to the XLT trim. It adds a few more features, including heated seats and keyless entry, for not much more money.
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.
2022 Ford Explorer Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
I purchased my 2022 Ford Explorer Limited at the last of the month in March of 2022. I had been looking for one for some time, but with supply limits it had been a struggle. I held out for the one I wanted - White, no sunroof without having to order it. I had driven a 2015 Ford Explorer XLT prior to buying this one. I'd say they do not have the quality that I would have expected in … the Limited as far as comfort. The 2015 was a better ride and had a more quality feel to it. I had driven the 2022 Explorer Limited for one week and the wrench light showed up, then immediately after that the service engine light lite up. I had no cruse control either. Luckily I was able to get it to the dealership with no problems. With less than 200 miles on the Explorer, I now have to wait (parts supply issues) for a part for Explorer. Who knows how long that will take. I am really disappointed. We also own a 2017 Ford F250 and have spent a ton of money on the "death wobble" issue. Not to mention the frozen door latch and lock issues and the fact that if we plug in to the USB port the truck is prone to not start. As the review title stated "Life Long Ford Owner" may be coming to a quick end if they don't step up their game. I am FRUSTRATED!!!
Can't keep it out of the shop
1 out of 5 stars
Buyer beware, 05/02/2023
2022 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
Had it 6 months. Been in the shop 7 weeks. Network communication errors. Have had 30 check engine lights and 5 transmission faults. Shuts off going down the road. Worst vehicle I've owned by far. Haven't hit 10k miles yet.
Why did I purchase another Ford Explorer!
1 out of 5 stars
Regretting Purchase! , 06/13/2023
2022 Ford Explorer Platinum 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A)
Leather seats are crap! The repairs done to the drivers seat was terrible and now the seat looks 20 years old. Of course, the passenger’s seat leather came loose over the weekend. I requested new seat and was told that was unnecessary. What is unnecessary is the fact that I paid $70,000 for this vehicle and the interior looks like a very well used vehicle. I have friends asking me why my … leather looks so terrible! Unacceptable from such a large company that “prices themselves on customer service”!
Also, cabin filters. Ford needs to make some! I’ve been almost 8,000 miles waiting for Ford to send to the dealer. I purchased the maintenance plan, Ford cannot produce cabin filters. Therefore, they need to purchase an off brand filter and replace!
I owned a 2005 Eddie Bauer Limited Ford Explorer. I had to have 2 rear differentials replaced before 20,000 miles, and of course, “it wasn’t a Ford issue”! I should have learned it lesson I that Explorer. Never, ever again.
Ford’s customer service and quality of products leaves a lot to be desired. I could have and should have purchased the Lexus. They have amazing customer service.
*I have reached out to Ford’s customer service. They have been good at responding to my concerns. However, not very helpful at getting any action taken for my issues.
Plagued with issues
1 out of 5 stars
Michael , 11/25/2022
2022 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
Check engine lights, vibrations, noises, electrical issues. Everytime I take it to the dealer, it's there for weeks and they never know how to fix it quickly and have no interest in working on it. They state its overegineered and not easily serviceable. Huge mistake buying, going back to toyota
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