Used 2023 Ford Explorer SUV Trims Comparison

Base
The most affordable Explorer starts you off with:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• LED headlights
• Power liftgate
• Triple-zone automatic climate control
• Cloth seats
• Power-adjustable driver's seat
• 35/30/35-split folding second-row bench seat
• 50/50-split folding third-row seats
• 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
• FordPass Connect services including remote engine start and Wi-Fi access
• Satellite radio
• Six-speaker sound system

Ford also equips every Explorer with these safety features:

• Automatic high-beam headlights
• Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
• Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position)
• Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)
• Trailer sway damping (adjusts vehicle brakes to help control trailer movement if a trailer begins to sway)

XLT
The XLT trim adds the following features:

• Heated exterior mirrors
• Roof rails
• Keyless access with push-button engine start
• Upgraded interior trim
• Power-adjustable front passenger seat
• Heated front seats
• Second-row captain's chairs (reduces seating capacity from seven to six people)
• Second-row USB ports

Choosing the XLT is your ticket to a wider variety of options. A popular one is the XLT Sport Appearance package:

• 20-inch Carbonized Gray wheels
• Carbonized Gray exterior trim
• Black side mirror caps
• Exclusive interior trim

An XLT Technology package is also available, equipping the Explorer with:

• Power-folding exterior mirrors
• Auto-dimming interior mirror
• Wireless smartphone charger
• 12-speaker premium sound system
• Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Explorer and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
• Trailer towing equipment

You can also upgrade the XLT with a Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package that installs:

• Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the MAKE and the car in front)
• Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
• Evasive steering assist (enhances the forward collision mitigation system with steering-based collision avoidance)
• Navigation system

ST-Line
The ST-Line builds on the XLT trim with sporty styling cues and more:

• 20-inch alloy wheels with a machined-finish surface
• Dark-tinted headlights and taillights
• Black grille and exterior trim
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers
• Power-folding exterior mirrors
• Ambient interior lighting
• Simulated leather and suede upholstery
• Navigation system
• Wireless smartphone charging
• 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound system
• Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Explorer and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
• Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ safety features detailed above

Timberline
This is the version you want for exploring off-road. It is based on XLT trim, and it comes with the safety equipment found on the ST-Line. Additionally, the Timberline has:

• All-wheel drive
• Limited-slip rear differential (helps maximize available traction)
• 18-inch black alloy wheels with all-terrain tires
• Off-road suspension tuning with added ground clearance
• Underbody skid plates
• Trailer towing equipment
• Unique front styling
• Front tow hooks
• Simulated leather upholstery with cloth inserts
• Heated second-row seats

Limited
For a little bit of luxury, the Explorer Limited expands on XLT equipment with the infotainment system, premium sound system and safety features found in the ST-Line, plus:

• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Added chrome exterior trim
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers
• Power-folding exterior mirrors
• Ambient interior lighting
• Leather upholstery
• Ventilated front seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Power-folding and heated second-row seats
• Second-row sunshades
• Front parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of the vehicle when parking)

The Limited trim is also available with the Explorer's optional hybrid powertrain.

ST
For enjoying the journey as much as the destination, the performance-tuned Explorer ST expands on the ST-Line model's styling modifications with:

• Turbocharged V6 engine
• Transmission paddle shifters
• Trailer towing equipment
• Quad exhaust outlets
• Sport suspension tuning
• 12.3-inch digital instrument panel
• Sport-bolstered front seats
• Leather upholstery with simulated suede inserts
• Heated steering wheel

Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ is optional, and you can get a ST Street Pack and ST High-Performance packages for this model. They include the same features, except as noted below:

• 21-inch alloy wheels
• Performance brakes (high-performance brakes in the High-Performance package)
• Red brake calipers

The ST High-Performance package requires the ST High package. It adds a long list of upgrades to the standard ST Enthusiast equipment, including Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ and these features:

• Rain-sensing windshield wipers
• Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors with LED turn signal indicators and puddle lighting
• Hands-free power liftgate
• Ambient interior lighting
• Power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel
• Memory for the driver's settings
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Heated second-row seats
• Power-folding third-row seat
• Navigation system
• Wireless smartphone charging
• 12-speaker premium sound system
• Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)
• Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Explorer and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
• Front parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of the vehicle when parking)

King Ranch
The King Ranch is an upscale Western-themed version of the Explorer. In addition to the Limited trim features, it includes:

• Turbocharged V6 engine
• Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors with LED turn signal indicators
• Exterior approach lighting
• Hands-free liftgate
• Wood interior trim
• Leather-wrapped interior panels
• Unique leather upholstery
• Power-adjustable tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
• Memory for the driver's settings
• Power-release second-row captain's chairs
• Power-folding third-row seat
• 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel
• Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)

Platinum
This is the luxury version of the Explorer. In addition to the King Ranch features, it has:

• 21-inch alloy wheels with a polished finish
• Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves)
• Satin aluminum grille and exterior trim
• Exclusive wood interior trim
• Diamond-pattern leather upholstery

The Explorer's hybrid powertrain is available for the Platinum trim. In addition, the ST with the High package, the King Ranch and the Platinum are available with these upgrades:

• Technology package
• 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• 14-speaker premium sound system
• Premium Technology package
• Technology package plus massaging front seats