The Ford Explorer has been around since 1991, when it was originally introduced as a replacement for the Ford Bronco. The Explorer started off with a square body, transitioning to a more modern rounded look over the year. This model has undergone several transitions and changes over the years, including being offered with a pickup truck variant from 2001 to 2010. However, the steady trend has been towards a more comfortable and more attractive vehicle that can better fit the needs of American drivers. The 2021 Ford Explorer is the second model year of the sixth generation, which combines a comfortable crossover body with a traditional rear-wheel drive SUV powertrain. The sixth generation also offers both a powerful turbocharged V6 engine and an efficient hybrid setup.
If you’re looking for an SUV that can carry up to seven passengers in style and comfort, the 2021 Explorer is one of the best midsize options on the market. With this SUV, you will have plenty of space for passengers and cargo, making it a true do it all design. The 2021 Explorer can even haul up to 5,600 lbs, which is significantly more than most other midsize SUVs can offer and allows it to take the place of a truck for many drivers. Finally, the 2021 Explorer is much more visually attractive than in previous model years. Overall, the Explorer has come a long way since it first hit the market in 1991. So, without further ado, let’s look at all the reasons you should be proud to own a 2021 Ford Explorer.
Exterior Aesthetic
The 2021 Ford Explorer comes in nine different colors, including Agate Black, Atlas Blue, Carbonized Gray, Iconic Silver, Infinite Blue, Rapid Red, Oxford White, Stone Gray, and Star White. This provides you with plenty of options to customize your SUV even before considering the available packages and options. Further enhancing its looks, the 2021 Explorer is offered with available 21-inch machined-face aluminum wheels, body-colored bumpers with included inserts, deep-tinted glass, roof rack rails, LED lighting, and more. Overall, the Explorer looks much sportier than its older models, but the 2021 model doesn’t change too much from the 2020 model.
Entertainment And Convenience
The new Explorer also comes with plenty of entertainment features, as well as convenience assets. These include SiriusXM satellite radio availability, Bluetooth wireless phone connectivity, a 10.1-inch tablet-style infotainment display, and the SYNC 3 infotainment software. SYNC 3 is Ford’s entertainment system that comes with 911 Assist, AppLink, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and more. In the event of an accident, 911 Assist can automatically alert emergency services to send help even if you are unable to so yourself. AppLink connects mobile apps to SYNC 3 for easier access, enabling drivers to stream music, listen to podcasts, turn on sports games, and much more safely and securely through the Explorer’s built-in systems.
Further, this SUV offers an available Voice-Activated Touchscreen Navigation System that works with SiriusXM to provide real-time traffic reports and find the best available routes during your travels. It also comes with FordPass Connect and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot that can connect up to 10 devices. Additionally, you can add an available HomeLink garage door transmitter. This not only allows you to remotely close and open your garage door, but that also sends alerts if you accidentally leave the door open or if someone opens it without permission. Lastly, the Explorer offers power windows, power memory seats with heated leather, air filtration, and a perimeter alarm with the Securilock anti-theft system. Overall, it’s safe to say that the 2021 Explorer is fully prepped with entertainment and convenience options.
Safety Additions
While several of the aforementioned convenience options relate to safety, the 2021 Explorer has many driver-assist features that further prevent accidents. These include AdvanceTrac with roll stability control and electronic stability control, a lane keeping alert with lane keeping assist and lane departure warning, and a terrain management system with driveline traction control. Also available are active park assist, pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection, and 360-degree cameras with washers on the front and rear cameras to help keep dust and mud away. Let’s take a closer look at what each of these features can do.
AdvancTrac corrects over and understeering and warns of faulty issues that may lead to loss of traction. Lane keeping alert and assist with departure warning helps keep drivers from unintentionally drifting into the wrong lanes or off the road. These assets help by alerting the driver, redirecting them through automatic steering, and warning drivers when they start to cross over the edge. Next, the terrain management system is essential for all new sport utility crossovers as it comes with different driving modes to match the environment. These include options to help with snow, off-roading, eco-friendliness, and much more.
Moving on, Active Park Assist 2.0 can examine a parking space to pre-judge whether or not it’s safe to park in. Then, it can automatically park for you so that colliding with other vehicles isn’t a worry. Unlike older systems that required you to work the brakes and accelerator, this version of the system is truly automatic – the only action required on your part is to put the vehicle in neutral and press the button on the dash. No more embarrassing yourself with failed parallel parking attempts! Finally, pre-collision assist does exactly what you’d think – it monitors the road to give a heads up of potential accidents, giving you time to safely respond and then automatically applying the brakes on its own.
What’s Under The Hood?
Now that all the fancy stuff is out of the way, let’s take a quick look at the Explorer’s performance. It comes standard with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine producing 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain has come a long way from the original 1991 model, which only offered 155 hp and a 4-speed automatic transmission. However, the base engine is just the beginning for the 2021 Explorer.
For greater fuel efficiency, you can opt for a 3.3-liter V6 hybrid that gets an excellent 25 MPG combined while still providing 318 hp and 322 lb-ft of torque. Alternatively, you can opt for the 3.0-liter EcoBoost engine that provides 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque on the Platinum trim or an incredible 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque on the high-performance ST trim. But no matter which engine you prefer, the 2021 Ford Explorer will provide you with plenty of capability in a highly versatile package.
Why You Should Be Proud To Own A 2021 Ford Explorer
Its new luxurious style combined with its reliable capabilities make the 2021 Ford Explorer a high-value vehicle. With plenty of space for passengers and cargo, as well as the ability to pull a trailer, means the Explorer is ready for anything life throws at you. Its entertainment, convenience, and safety options add to its appeal, and its aesthetically pleasing colors and lines are the icing on the cake. The Explorer has been a staple of the Ford SUV lineup since it first hit the market back in 1991, and it has only been improving with age. No matter which version of the 2021 Explorer you have, you will know that it is something to be proud of.
