The Ford Explorer emphasizes adventure. It has transformed from an imported model to a domestically produced one. The new Explorer debuted at the 2024 Chengdu Auto Show. It will launch soon. Ford has a strong reputation for mechanical quality and off-road capability. This model is not an extreme vehicle. It remains a spacious, comfortable urban family SUV. It carries Ford’s advantage over rough terrain in its DNA. Long-distance travel suits it well. I tested it in Kashgar, Xinjiang. The front design stands out.
The Explorer’s tall front end stands out among SUVs. The dual front faces enhance its recognition. The model we tested, the Kunlun Peak Edition, features a unique off-road package.
Inside the large hollow mesh, a hexagonal wavy panel stands out. This textured grille enhances the decorative effect. The front features sleek, curved black trim on both sides. This adds strong visual impact. The lower trapezoidal air intake is covered with protective trim. It also includes a tow hook, making it easily recognizable.
The headlight uses an LED light source and adds a lens. The internal structure separates the high and low beams. The top features a continuous light strip. Overall, the headlight has a strong technological feel.
The Explorer’s front and rear overhangs are similar in length. It features a traditional SUV design with balanced proportions. The wheel arches contrast with the body color. The D-pillar window line resembles a wing, adding a strong sporty feel. The new model measures 5063mm in length, 2004mm in width, and 1778mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3025mm. Its over 2-meter width gives it a significant advantage over competitors, enhancing its presence.
It stands tall. The ground clearance is significant. These features indicate a higher demand beyond a city SUV. The rear design exudes more technology than the front. The overall lines appear solid and robust. The exaggerated roof spoiler and the matte silver lower trim with a diffuser add a sporty character. The hidden exhaust layout enhances its dynamic appeal.
The test car features sporty five-spoke wheels. It looks athletic even when stationary. The tires are Bridgestone Dueler H/L 255/65 R18. This all-terrain tire excels on unpaved surfaces. The practical cabin boosts the tech score.
The new Explorer’s interior design shows no major changes. The full LCD instrument panel and the long central and passenger entertainment screen draw attention. The functionality of the central IP layout appears simple but effective. The large screen adds a touch of technology. The materials include hard deep plastic and soft leather. Wood grain trim adds character. The extensive use of double stitching enhances the cabin’s upscale feel.
The full LCD instrument panel UI design is traditional. It lacks strong technological flair but offers better readability. The displayed information is comprehensive. This aligns with the car’s practical and versatile positioning.
The three-spoke steering wheel features a solid design. It balances sportiness with a business-like feel. The grip feels thick and substantial. Multimedia controls, cruise control, Bluetooth phone, voice commands, and instrument panel adjustments sit on the sides around three and nine o’clock.
This 27-inch display can switch between full screen and split screen. It allows the driver and passenger to operate independently. The brightness reaches 1000 nits, making it clear in strong light. The surface coating prevents glare and fingerprints.
The features are rich. The system upgrades to SYNC+3.0. It supports OTA updates. It includes audio resources like iQIYI, QQ Music, and Ximalaya. New functions include Carplay. The voice assistant now supports continuous voice commands.
BlueCruise offers advanced active safety features. It includes the DSMC driver status detection system. It provides active driving assistance. It has lane-keeping smart yielding assistance. It supports lane change with the turn signal lever. These features rank high in the fuel vehicle market.
The automatic air conditioning vents sit at the bottom of the screen. The interface focuses almost entirely on the large display. The system includes an air purification system. It retains traditional physical knobs and buttons for operation. This makes it easier to use while driving. It has six seats, but it suits five travelers better.
The all-new Explorer features well-shaped leather sofa seats. Compared to the old model, the seats have evolved. The seat cushion is 44mm wider and 25mm longer. This upgrade significantly improves support and comfort. The material uses Windsor three-dimensional embossed full-grain leather and Dinamica eco-friendly suede. This choice enhances touch and quality. Both front seats offer 10-way power adjustment and ventilation heating.
The second-row seats match the front row. They offer similar features. Overall, the seating feels very comfortable. The second-row seats fold down and support heating.
The second-row passengers can control the air conditioning independently. The vents sit on both sides of the roof.
The roof has a panoramic sunroof. The front section opens.
The third row features electric folding seats. The legroom is adequate. However, the floor is high. The Explorer does not optimize headroom for the third row. Thus, headroom is average. The seat cushion length and angle are slightly lacking. The seating position is not like a small stool, but comfort still suffers.
The tailgate opens upward. The test vehicle has an electric tailgate. The trunk is flat and the opening is low. With six seats, trunk space is limited. It can only hold luggage for short trips. With four seats, storage space is above average for its class.
The third row supports a 5/5 ratio for electric folding. After folding, you get a flat and highly efficient storage space. Moving becomes easy. The power remains light and agile at high altitudes.
The new car features an upgraded 2.3T engine. Its maximum power increases from 203kW to 213kW. The peak torque reaches 445N·m. It can use 92-octane gasoline. The 10-speed automatic transmission also receives optimizations. The car offers energy-saving, sport, towing, off-road, slippery, and standard driving modes.
We test drove the Kunlun Peak Edition. It features a rear tow hitch with a 2.1-ton towing capacity. It includes a trailer sway control system and BLIS trailer blind spot monitoring. It also has a dedicated towing driving mode.
As an experienced explorer, you may feel some discomfort. This large vehicle responds more nimbly than you expect. It maintains performance well at high altitudes. Its low RPM power is impressive. When the engine exceeds 2000 RPM, you can feel the strong output. The large displacement gives you a push-back sensation even at low RPMs. The throttle response in the initial stage is quite sensitive. A light press on the gas will push you back in your seat.
During the drive, the engine delivers a light and lively feel. This powertrain gradually shows its true potential. The engine propels the over 2-ton vehicle effortlessly. You may not feel an abundance of power reserves, but it provides enough power. You won’t experience any lack of power while driving this car.
The vehicle cruises smoothly on the road. The transmission keeps the engine speed around 1700 rpm. It shifts up early for better efficiency. When you need to overtake, the transmission quickly downshifts. It raises the RPM to 4000 or even 5000. This provides more power. The power transition is brief but efficient.
Except for the base model, all new Ford Explorers come with an intelligent all-wheel drive system. The TMS terrain management system smartly distributes power between the front and rear axles, allowing the rear axle to receive up to 100% of the power. The new Ford Explorer handles light off-road conditions well. Although it features all-terrain tires, it is still not suitable for heavy off-roading.
The chassis features a classic front double wishbone MacPherson independent suspension and a rear multi-link independent suspension. It uses a longitudinal rear-drive platform layout. This setup achieves a 5.9-meter turning radius and a 50:50 front-rear axle load ratio. The driving experience on rough roads meets my expectations for an American SUV. The chassis feels solid. The robust suspension filters out excess bounce while ensuring comfort and providing road feedback.
The steering wheel has a slight delay in response when turning at small angles. The front end shows noticeable play when facing curves, giving a sense of size. However, this does not count as a drawback for the Explorer. It is better described as a “characteristic.” After hitting rough roads, these issues seem to turn into advantages. The Explorer does not need to have overly refined steering. In summary, the new Explorer’s changes are not drastic. As an updated model, it addresses consumer demands and market trends. The upgrades in appearance, power, infotainment, smart driving, and towing capacity are practical. These changes enhance the vehicle’s competitiveness. Interested buyers can visit the dealership to experience the new Explorer’s appeal firsthand.