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.
There are no significant changes to the 2010 Explorer.
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
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
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
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
