2024 Ford Explorer: Which Trim Level Should You Buy?

An updated 2025 Explorer will be going on sale this summer, with freshened styling inside and out and new driver-assistance tech. But there are plenty of 2024 models still on dealer lots, which means it’s a good time to try to score a deal on existing inventory. Consider it an act of service, as you’ll be helping clear room for the new model. With three rows of seating for up to seven, eight trim levels, two engine choices and rear- or all-wheel drive available, the 2024 Explorer lineup has something to offer for almost everyone, but which one is right for you?

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Base

Starting at $38,455 (all prices include $1,595 destination fee), the entry-level Explorer doesn’t even have a trim-level designation, but it does get LED exterior lighting, a power liftgate and 18-inch wheels. The grille, door handles, side mirrors and lower body trim are black. It also features tri-zone automatic climate control, an 8-inch touchscreen and six speakers. Standard safety equipment includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure steering assist, blind spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert and rear parking sensors.

The 2024 Explorer is powered by a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 300 horsepower and 310 pounds-feet of torque; it’s paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The combo returns an EPA-rated 21/28/24 mpg city/highway/combined with RWD or 20/27/23 mpg with AWD. AWD costs an additional $2,000 on all trims except for the Timberline, which it comes standard on.

XLT

The first step up the ladder, the $40,265 XLT, adds chrome accents to the grille and rocker trim, as well as body-color door handles and roof spoiler. It gains keyless entry and start, trades the second-row bench seat for a pair of captain’s chairs and includes heated front seats.

ST-Line

The ST-Line has the sporty swagger of the ST but without the more powerful engine, for a savings of $3,650. Starting at $48,050, it rides on 20-inch wheels and features a black grille and exterior trim, as well as faux skid plates front and rear, and dark-tinted head- and taillights. Inside, the ST-Line gets synthetic leather upholstery with simulated suede inserts, ambient lighting and additional tech features, including navigation, a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, wireless phone charging and a 360-degree parking camera system. The standard safety suite is upgraded with lane-centering steering, emergency steering assistance and adaptive cruise control.

Limited

With heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel and leather upholstery, the $49,115 Limited is where luxury equipment starts creeping into the Explorer. It rides on unique 20-inch wheels and gets front parking sensors and a larger 10.1-inch touchscreen.

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Timberline

This off-road-oriented Explorer is the only trim level with standard AWD. The Timberline, which starts at $51,025, gets a raised suspension for better ground clearance, real skid plates front and rear, front tow hooks, a limited-slip rear differential and all-terrain tires on black 18-inch wheels. Its content otherwise mirrors that of the XLT, but with the upgraded tech features from the ST-Line and a standard towing package.

ST

A 400-hp, twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 is standard in the ST and higher trim levels. Depending on the optional equipment, the engine either returns 18/26/21 mpg or 18/25/20 with RWD, while every AWD Explorer with the six-cylinder is rated at 18/24/20 mpg. In addition to the powerful V-6, the sporty ST includes a more aggressive suspension tune, paddle shifters, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and leather upholstery. It starts at $51,700.

King Ranch

The Explorer line splits at the top into two distinct takes on luxury: the Platinum is modern and urban, while the King Ranch has a more rustic, country feel. The King Ranch starts at $56,220 and comes with real wood trim and two-tone brown leather upholstery with hand-stitched King Ranch logos. It also gets rear automatic braking.

Platinum

Where the King Ranch goes rugged, the $56,365 Platinum looks clean, with a satin-aluminum grille and exterior trim, 21-inch wheels and adaptive headlights that turn with the steering wheel. It gets a different wood trim and leather with perforated inserts.

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