2022 Ford Explorer

　　

2022 Ford Explorer Review

byReese CountsVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　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.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Ford Explorer 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$158/mo  for Explorer Base

　　Explorer Base

　　4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $35,510 MSRP4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $37,510 MSRPXLT 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $38,570 MSRPXLT 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) (Most Popular) - $40,570 MSRPST-Line 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $45,760 MSRPST-Line 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $47,760 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $47,070 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $49,070 MSRPTimberline 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $48,320 MSRPST 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $49,260 MSRPST 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $51,260 MSRPLimited Hybrid 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid 10A) - $52,060 MSRPLimited Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (3.3L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid 10A) - $54,060 MSRPPlatinum Hybrid 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid 10A) - $52,375 MSRPPlatinum Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (3.3L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid 10A) - $54,375 MSRPKing Ranch 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $53,630 MSRPKing Ranch 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $55,630 MSRPPlatinum 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $53,775 MSRPPlatinum 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $55,775 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　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 zzdcar' 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.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.4

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　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

7.0/10

　　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.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below