Expert Reviews
By Cars.com Staff
Cars.com National August 10, 2009Vehicle Overview
The Explorer is Ford's midsize truck-based SUV that seats five or seven people. There are three trim levels: XLT, Eddie Bauer and Limited. The Explorer competes with the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Kia Borrego and Nissan Pathfinder.
New for 2010
There are no significant changes to the 2010 Explorer.
Exterior
Inspired by Ford's F-150 pickup truck, the Explorer has a prominent grille and liftgate, as well as squared-off taillamps and dual-beam headlamps. An optional XLT Sport Package adds black-accented headlights and grille, a step bar and more aggressive front styling.
- Standard 16-inch wheels
- Standard fog lamps
- Standard capless fueling system
- Optional 17-, 18- or 20-inch wheels
- Optional automatic headlamps
- Optional reverse sensing system
- Optional moonroof
Interior
Seating for five occupants is standard, but an optional flat-folding third-row seat ups seating capacity to seven. The 60/40-split folding second row can be reclined. The navigation system features real-time traffic in select areas and weather updates, and it can find local gas prices, movie times and sports scores.
- Standard cloth seating
- Standard air conditioning
- Standard power locks and windows
- Optional dual-zone automatic climate control
- Optional Sync multimedia system
- Optional navigation system
- Optional leather seats
- Optional rear air conditioning
Under the Hood
When properly equipped, a V-6-equipped Explorer can tow up to 5,395 pounds, and V-8 models can pull 7,310 pounds.
- 210-horsepower, 4.0-liter V-6 with 254 pounds-feet of torque
- 292-hp, 4.6-liter V-8 with 300 pounds-feet of torque
- Five- (V-6) or six-speed automatic transmission (V-8)
- Two-, four- or all-wheel drive
Safety
A trailer-sway control system works with the standard stability system to either apply the brakes or adjust engine response to help keep a trailer in line. Other safety features include:
- Standard front-seat side-impact airbags
- Standard side curtain airbags
- Standard electronic stability control
- Standard four-wheel-disc antilock brakes
- Standard SOS Post-Crash Alert System
- Optional reverse sensing system
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