HERE'S WHAT THE 2024 FORD EXPLORER REALLY NEEDS TO CONTINUE ITS LEGACY

In this day and age, even with mid-size and compact trucks making a return, the automotive landscape is still ruled by bigger vehicles. Full-size four-door trucks are still king, and even SUVs followed suit in increasing size. This is perhaps no more reflected than in the plethora of mid-size three-row SUVs on the market now, of which the venerable Ford Explorer belongs, a vehicle that is for Ford to SUVs what the F-150 is to trucks. Now in its sixth generation, the OG Explorer launched back in 1990 and has ruled the mid-size SUV segment at the time. But, fast forward to modern day and the the F-150 is the bestselling vehicle period, while the Explorer battles with many top-notch options and often loses. These include the top-rated Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, and Jeep Grand Cherokee L, among many others.

The thing is, the Ford Explorer is not a bad vehicle, as it's plenty capable with a good amount of available options.The vehicle is good-looking too, especially in the off-road geared Timberline trim. It is a comfortable vehicle that will handle the tasks it's supposed to. So then what's the deal? The base issue is that for all these good things one could say, the Ford Explorer is just not exceptional, grading out average among peers that all sail within a red-hot consumer market.

A New Explorer For A New Year

There still isn't an official release date for the 2024 Ford Explorer, but the current gen was just launched in 2020. With a vehicle that has been around for 30 plus years, that exists in a grand market, it's not like it's going away anytime soon. Still, with the 2020 redesign, a mid-cycle refresh for 2024 is not out of the question. Estimated price is expected to start at $38,000, and of course increase, as one moves from the Base trim all the way up to Platinum models. All in all, there are 8 trims to choose from, along with three powertrain options. All engines are paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and offer RWD or AWD.

At present, the engine options include a hybrid, along with an EcoBoost. The base engine is a 2.3 liter turbo-four, with 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid set-up is a 3.3 liter V-6 and electric motor, producing 318 horsepower and 322 pound-feet of torque. Last, but not least, the EcoBoost 3.0 liter twin-turbo V-6 provides 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. We can expect all three engines to get a minor power bump, for 2024 but don't expect the vehicle to get any cheaper. The average price for a new car is over $48,000, as the car market remains wallet-eviscerating. Still, the EcoBoost equipped with the Class III trailer tow package, will pull up to 5,600 pounds.

Is More Luxury The Answer?

Being a mid-size three-row SUV, meaning it can be a people and cargo hauler that's also a 4x4, is all part of what makes an Explorer desirable. Aside from that, it's worth noting that maybe what it needs is more pizazz. Many car manufacturers have their luxury marques, and Ford is no different, as that is what Lincoln is. Ford's premium Explorer equivalent is the Lincoln Aviator. Motortrend compared these two vehicles at the launch of the current Explorer, and the findings may be surprising. As the mainstream model, the Explorer actually had more cargo space between the first and second rows, while the third row was about the same. However, the Explorer also had a slight advantage in third-row legroom.

The features and technology is where the Aviator begins to set itself apart, although the Explorer holds it's own. The Explorer has nice options such a tri-zone climate control, a power lift gate, and WiFi for up to 10 devices. A twin-panel glass moonroof is available, as well as 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, and 12-inch digital instrument cluster display. Of course the Aviator ups the stakes, with a standard 10.1-inch display rather than an upgrade from an 8.0-inch. The seats are 30-way adjustable with massage capability, coupled with a 28-speaker sound system! First and second rows are heated and ventilated, and there's a windshield HUD, and soft closing doors.

Overall, the highly underrated Aviator still takes the win here. Although top-end power generation comes from the same EcoBoost engine, the Aviator is a bit quicker, as a plug-in hybrid takes max available horsepower to 494. Safety is a toss-up, and it goes without saying that the Aviator is more expensive. Therefore, depending on needs, wants, and budget, really either SUV is a valid option.

Note A Page Or Two From China Books

Ford is a worldwide brand, with many North American manufacturing plants, but aside from that, the majority reside in China. There the automaker manufactures vehicles specifically for that market. This includes a different version of the Ford Explorer. Along those lines, Ford just revealed a China exclusive named the Ford Edge L. Not only does this vehicle blow out the nearly deceased American Ford Edge, but it is enough to perhaps supplant the American Explorer altogether. Given the fresh new design looks, with a grand technologically advanced new interior that surpasses what the Explorer has to offer, begs us to ask why the Ford Edge L isn't ferried across the ocean for the American market.

A Raptor Explorer? Okay!

Consider this spit-balling, grasping at straws, wishful thinking, or otherwise utter speculation, but imagine a Ford Explorer Raptor! Given the popularity for Ford's original F-150 Raptor, currently in its third generation, this is definitely a possibility. Especially considering now, that Ford has already developed and released Raptor variants of the new Bronco and the Ranger Raptor. Further building on the Raptor sub-brand popularity, perhaps an Explorer Raptor variant would be all it needs to not only carry on, but surpass the competition.

Still, there are some roadblocks to this, one being that the Ford Explorer does not feature a body-on-frame construction, but rather unibody. Such a frame is traditionally disliked in a rugged off-road rig, making the Expedition a better candidate for such a build, given the former construction. Then again, the Expedition happens to be a massive full-size three-row SUV, making it too big and more than likely to be a serious off-road toy. Not only that, but base XL trims already start at $57,620, significantly more than an Explorer starting price point. In fact, this is nearly as much as the top trim Platinum Explorer starting at $59,495.

Meanwhile, the Platinum Expedition is over $84,000, close to the cost of a Bronco Raptor. This would probably push an Expedition Raptor into six figures, where it would be hard to see someone picking one over the "Predator" powered F-150 Raptor R. Other pitfalls are that Raptors target a very specific audience, and although very exciting, the capabilities and associated cost often exceed the needs of the average consumer. Oftentimes, this means most buyers will choose other options of the same vehicle, as in regular trim F-150s, Broncos, and Rangers, over the sexy Raptor types. People also could prefer the more choices inherent to those trims, as Raptors come standard with all the options, but are restricted to certain drivetrains and body styles for example.

Given that the Explorer exists in the three-row mid-size SUV market, those buyers may be seeking other options apart from an extreme off-road vehicle such as Raptor variants. Therefore, the cost coupled with the enthusiast targets of a Raptor, may not result in increased sales for the Explorer, making such a variant possibly quite unlikely. The vehicle would require a massive overhaul and all-new body configuration, which is perhaps, just what it needs.

So to summarize, in order for Ford to win back customers in the fiercely competitive mid-size three-row SUV segment, it will have to have to carry out a pretty substantial mid-cycle makeover inside out. Will the massive screens that we've seen on the Chinese model make it over Stateside? Probably not, since spy shots of the 2024 Explorer suggest a more conventional setup. The Explorer also hasn't ranked well in reliability studies and the Blue Oval will need to iron out these issues on the next model.

2023-05-27T18:05:44Z dg43tfdfdgfd