Ford Explorer Generations: Key Updates Across All Model Years

When a tire blew, the vehicle would experience a sudden sharp jerk, and many drivers reacted by counter-steering in an attempt to regain control. Memos by Ford engineers suggested lowering the engine height, but it would have increased the cost of the new design. The North Face version was available in dark green or silver, with body-colored bumpers, heated leather seats, and a CD multichanger as standard.

Trim

It made 304 hp (227 kW; 308 PS) and 279 lb⋅ft (378 N⋅m) of torque, and was flex fuel capable. Unlike online casinos australia the outgoing CVPI and the Expedition SSV, the FPIU was unavailable with a V8 engine. As such, many mechanical parts, repair techniques, specifications, and vehicle interfaces were intentionally the same between the two vehicles to facilitate easier repairs and user familiarity. Following the end of production of the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (CVPI) in 2011, Ford developed two new models to replace it, as part of their Ford Police Interceptor range. In contrast to the Ranger, the Sport Trac was marketed primarily as a personal-use vehicle rather than for work use. The Chinese market Ford Explorer received a facelift for the 2023 model year and was unveiled in August 2022, with orders received from August 11, and production kicking off on November 7.

For 1996, largely to match the V8 engine offerings of the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Land Rover Discovery, a 210 hp (157 kW) 4.9 L (302 cu in) V8 (marketed as 5.0 L) was introduced as an option for rear-wheel drive XLT five-doors. The I-4 engine was not available with the optional 6-speed 6F SelectShift automatic, and was only available in front-wheel drive. A 292 hp (218 kW) 4.6 L 24-valve SOHC V8, similar to the Fifth-generation Ford Mustang’s engine, was available as an option, paired to a new 6-speed 6R automatic transmission, built by Ford and based on a ZF design.

Initially producing 155 hp (116 kW), the engine output was raised to 160 hp (119 kW) for 1993. The first-generation Explorer was equipped with a 4.0 L Cologne V6, an optional engine for the Ranger and the Ford Aerostar. Anti-lock (ABS) was only on the rear axle during early years, with four-wheel ABS available by 1994. The three-door version uses a 102.1 in (2,593 mm) wheelbase (8.1 in (206 mm) longer than the Bronco II) while the new five-door features a 111.9 in (2,842 mm) wheelbase.

The fifth generation Ford Explorer earned the 2011 North American Truck of the Year award. Ford claims it will be released as an option and to introduce inflatable seat belts on other Ford models eventually. Other optional safety features include BLIS blind spot information system with rear cross traffic alert, forward collision warning with brake support precrash system, Auto high-beam, Roll Stability Control (RSC), Electronic stability control (ESC) and Curve Control. That is 1,500 lb (680 kg) greater than the towing capacity stated for the Explorer America concept and 2,115 lb (959 kg) less than the outgoing Explorer’s towing capacity, although that was only available with the 4.6 L V8 engine. Low hanging running boards are no longer offered from the factory to help increase side obstacle clearance. In the right conditions, the Explorer can keep moving even if only one wheel has traction.

However, a new manual pursuit mode has been added to supplant the automatic pursuit mode feature; it enhances drive-ability and power delivery in heavy-traffic emergency response driving situations. Mechanically, power-trains were carried over, with the 3.3L Hybrid V6 returning as the standard engine choice. Additionally, Ford’s new Upfit Pro Integration System is now standard, which streamlines the up-fitting process for interior emergency response equipment on new police vehicles. According to Ford, this was done to streamline up-fitting and reduce costs so that agencies can directly swap equipment from previous model years (such as emergency lights and push bumpers) to a new vehicle.

Second-Generation Explorer Production Years

As with the Bronco II, the first-generation Explorer (design code UN46) shares its chassis underpinnings with the 1983–1992 Ford Ranger. As Ford sought to balance off-road capability with family use of the vehicle, the Explorer underwent design changes from its predecessor while still retaining mechanical commonality with the Ranger pickup truck. The Ford Explorer was introduced in March 1990 as an early 1991 model to replace the Bronco II. The first five-door SUV produced by Ford, the Explorer, was introduced as a replacement for the three-door Bronco II. We have over 30 passenger and commercial vehicle dealerships in WA and can handle all of your car servicing needs no matter the make or model.

• Along with the standard rear-wheel drive, the Explorer was offered two configurations of part-time four-wheel drive at its launch using a Borg Warner 13–54 transfer case.
• Following a decline in demand for three-door SUVs, Ford developed the third-generation Explorer solely as a five-door wagon; the three-door Explorer Sport from the second generation continued production through the 2003 model year.
• Off-road electronics include Hill Descent Control (HDC), Hill Ascent Assist (HAA), four-wheel electronic traction control and Terrain Management.
• The third-generation Explorer was made for the 2002 to 2005 model years with new styling and an appearance that aimed to distance itself as much as possible from its pickup truck roots.

UK models

After skipping the 2006 model year, a second-generation Sport Trac was produced from 2007 until 2010 (derived from the fourth-generation Explorer). Introduced in 2000 as a 2001 model, the Explorer Sport Trac is a mid-size pickup truck derived from the second-generation Explorer, becoming the first mid-size Ford pickup. As the direct successor of the Bronco II, Ford developed a three-door version of the Explorer for the 1991 model year; while 10 inches shorter than its five-door counterpart, the three-door was still nearly 13 inches longer than the Bronco II. The facelift is exclusive to the Chinese market with revised front and rear end designs and the dashboard now accommodates a 27-inch touchscreen. For 2026, this was increased to six; the Tremor (replacing the pre-facelift’s Timberline) and the lower-end Active 100A which slots below the standard Active, were introduced. The ST Line offers an optional Bang and Olufsen premium surround sound audio system with an external amplifier, which was previously only offered on Limited trims and above.

The original Explorer featured a body-on-frame design, similar to a traditional truck, and was available in both two-door and four-door configurations. Five-speed automatic transmissions transmitted the drive via either 2WD or 4WD drivetrains. Both RWD and AWD drivertrains were available and the transmission was now a 10-speed automatic. For six generations, the Ford Explorer has been one of America’s favorite mid-size SUVs, with the first Ranger-based body-on-frame UN46 generation going on sale in 1990 and not missing a model year since. In January 2024, Ford began the process of urging a recall of nearly 1.9 million Explorer SUVs between the 2011 and 2019 model years amid reports that trim pieces of vehicles could fly off.