The new Ford Explorer offers the best value among Ford SUVs. It has undergone various upgrades. The exterior and interior designs remain largely unchanged. However, improvements in configuration, features, and power are significant. Let’s explore its changes.
The new Ford Explorer maintains two exterior designs. The Kunlun Peak edition features a more aggressive look. It uses an all-black grille design. Compared to other versions, it has additional daytime running lights. This enhances the vehicle’s recognition.
Other models feature a more stable and elegant design. The grille uses horizontal chrome strips. This adds depth and visually widens the front. The headlights adopt a continuous design, which enhances recognition.
The front bumpers of the two cars feature different designs. The Kunlun Peak Edition has a more aggressive bumper. It uses a large area of contrasting colors. The two front tow hooks also use orange. Other models adopt a more understated design. They lack standout features, but they perfectly complement the overall vehicle.
The side shape of the car maintains the current design style. The two-tone color remains classic. As an American SUV, the raised wheel arches are essential. The dual waistline design adds to the car’s sense of power and muscularity.
The Kunlun Peak Edition will feature all-black wheels. The factory equips it with AT tires. This setup ensures comfort and improves off-road capability. Other models retain traditional wheel designs and tires. They focus on better cost performance.
The rear design remains unchanged. Both models use C-shaped taillights. The lit sections do not connect. However, the black transition in the middle looks smooth. This design makes the rear appear fuller and more layered.
The rear bumper of the Kunlun Peak Edition features a unique design. It has an opening cover in the center. Beneath it lies a square factory trailer hitch. This hitch allows for various trailer couplings. The Kunlun Peak Edition comes with a towing capacity of 2.1 tons. This is much safer than aftermarket trailer hitches.
The interior design follows the current model’s style. The right-side dual-screen design remains. Importantly, the new Ford Explorer upgrades include this dual-screen. The car’s system will upgrade to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 automotive-grade chip. This upgrade boosts processing speed and adds 5G connectivity.
The vehicle navigation system upgraded to Baidu Maps version 5.2. Navigation will become more accurate. The new car system added CarPlay. This gives users more connectivity options. Besides these upgrades, the system improved voice interaction. It now recognizes continuous commands. This makes the system smarter and more user-friendly.
The steering wheel, instrument panel, and air conditioning controls in the car match existing models. They are easy and convenient to use.
The seats perform well. The front seats wrap around the body nicely. They provide good lumbar and thigh support. The seats offer electric adjustment. They also feature heating and ventilation. Their practicality is high.
The second-row seats can move forward and backward. They also adjust the backrest. This meets the needs of each passenger. The car offers a seven-seat version. When the third-row seats are up, the space remains spacious. Adults can sit comfortably without feeling cramped.
The new Ford Explorer will continue to use the 2.3T engine. Compared to the current model, the new engine gets a slight boost. The maximum power increases to 213 kW. The maximum torque rises to 445 N·m. It still pairs with the in-house 10AT transmission. The fuel tank size grows from 73L to 81L. This change provides a longer driving range.
We tested the new Ford Explorer on-site. We assessed its acceleration, cornering performance, and towing capability. During the acceleration test, the vehicle delivered strong power. It felt robust in both the initial and mid-to-late stages. The 10AT transmission performed well, making gear shifts smooth and seamless.
Don’t be fooled by its SUV appearance. The suspension system excels during continuous corner tests. Even at 50 km/h, the vehicle offers excellent support. We experienced minimal body roll inside. This performance is truly commendable.
The new Kunlun Peak Edition adds towing capability. Its 2.1-ton towing capacity stands out among competitors in the same price and class. This vehicle not only allows towing but also enhances safety. To address the common “death wobble” during towing, the new Ford Explorer Kunlun Peak Edition features a rare trailer sway control system. When the vehicle detects trailer sway, it selectively brakes and adjusts engine power to maintain control.
Summary: The new Ford Explorer has not changed much in exterior and interior design. However, it has significant upgrades in configuration, power, and features. The Kunlun Peak Edition even includes towing capability, making it one of the few in its price range. If you enjoy road trips and light off-roading, will you choose the new Ford Explorer?