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2013 Ford Explorer consumer reviews

$29,100–$31,100 MSRP range
side view of 2013 Explorer Ford
(212 reviews)
84% of drivers recommend this car
Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.6
  • Interior 4.5
  • Performance 4.4
  • Value 4.2
  • Exterior 4.6
  • Reliability 4.4
Explore the 2013 Ford Explorer
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Best vehicle i've ever owned

This SUV not only gets you way more bang for the buck than any of it's competitors but it is so quiet and smooth you almost think it's a cdddilac. I got the base FWD model with the my touch sync stereo system and i love it. The only thing i would change is the gas tank size, not a big deal but i had a 96L tank on my 2004 freestar and a 70L tank on something that gets at best 30gpm on the highway needs something bigger. My fiance and i both fell in love with it and the kids think it's the best! Looking forward to seeing how it handles in the snow.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 4.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Transporting family
  • Does recommend this car
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Wow.. this is a Ford?

The one thing I get when I share my new 2013 Explorer Limited is "wow this is a Ford?". The look is new, sleek model for Explorer. It has some amazing options on the Limited (like collision warning/blindspot,etc). The Sync and leather interior gives the cabin a nice, refined feel. I have had no problems with the sync. It works very dependably. This car is big though.. so if you are like me and coming from a sedan (Acura TL here), you will need some time to get to know the car, the size and how to back up and navigate. This is a great vehicle... and I was impressed with the drive, the feel, and the features.. there is a big difference between the standard adn Limited on cost and features.. but for me.. so worth it.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 4.0
  • Exterior 4.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
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Explorer surprised me

Pros: Looks, Leather, Mytouch, SYNC, Room, Elevated 3rd row seats, back up camera, smooth ride. Cons: Could use more power, large columns in back that create a blind spot. My wife and I were looking for a new car. After looking at vehicle after vehicle we found our Explorer. I swore I would never buy another American car about five years ago and Ford has made me eat my own words. For the price of foreign base models you can have a loaded XLT with mytouch, back up camera, leather, and SYNC. Turn by turn directons work great. The ride is one of the smoothest, even beat the highlander. We picked ours up for low $30k, which was much cheaper than the competition. Drove the Edge, but it was nothing like the Explorer. Check it out you won't be disappointed.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 3.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
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My Ford Touch/ Sync BIG issues

The car itself is lovely BUT if you want the MyFord Touch/ Sync system to actually work then don't buy this car. The system started playing up 3 days after we got it, in the 4 months we have had it it has been back to the garage 8 times and it is still not fixed. It freezes constantly, won't connect, the navigation works only some times - Fords solution for that they would buy us a Garmin! We are paying $$$ for a car where one of the main features doesn't work, we have been in constant communication with Ford and they refuse to do anything.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 2.0
  • Exterior 4.0
  • Reliability 1.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Does not recommend this car
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smoothest and most quiet ride I've driven

The 2013 Ford Explorer is beyond my expectations. It was very well thought out. The ride is smooth the interior comfort is great. I would recomemd this car to all my friends.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Transporting family
  • Does recommend this car
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Great family vechilce

Purchased a 2013 Ford Explorer XLT 4WD. This vehicle has plenty of room for my family which includes 3 kids. Lots of room, great styling, and fun to drive! Can't wait till this winter to see how it handles in the snow! Very happy with My Ford Touch and the Sync system.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 4.0
  • Exterior 4.0
  • Reliability 4.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Transporting family
  • Does recommend this car
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Rented the Explorer

I just drove 1200 miles in 2-days in the 2013 Explorer XLT and thought others might benefit from my impressions. First, its a very compitant vehicle - drives easy and smooth. Handled the mountains of Western MD, WV and PA with easy. I drove mainly on highways, but also through some patches of rural Route 40 and in downtown Indianapolis. 9 hours behind the wheel was a breeze. Overall - I still am not a SUV fan. It had less room than our old minivan, comfort is comparable to sedans costing $10k less, and the range on a tank of gas is pathetic. In my opinion, if your hauling "stuff" - a mnivan offers more cargo space (with the seats removed). If your hauling people - ditts. For every day driving, why would you put up with the gas mileage? Nits: 2 digital clocks, but no temp or RPM gauge? Not a fan of the turn signal - you have to force it, otherwise it assumes your just changing lanes and cancels after 2 blinks. Gas tank is far to small! THis is actually a biggie in my book. I'm guessing its around a 17 gallon capacity. Range was 400 miles, which means 275 to 325 unless you don't fear back-ups on the highway. This trip usually only requires 4 stops for fuel, the Explorer required 6. Bottom line - if you have your heart set on a SUV - this is a very good vehicle. For my money, even post kids I'd probably look at a minivan - but I still think driving a "practical" every day car and renting when you need the massive size is more cost effective.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 3.0
  • Exterior 4.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Having fun
  • Does recommend this car
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Love it.

We bought our Explorer about a month ago and have love it. The ride is awesomely smooth with little road noise. The handling is very responsive. The MFT is great - make sure you get the Gen3 update though. Fuel mileage is really a plus considering we were driving an 2006 Expedition. Not 100% sure why they moved some of the items on the vehcile though. For example, the fuel tank is now on the right and the wideshield wiper controls are on the right of the steering wheel - minor inconviences. Great Vehcile.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Transporting family
  • Does recommend this car
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Just getting started

I recently purchased a 2013 Ford Explorer Base. Traded in my 2007 Chevy Tahoe (loved that truck). The base model leaves a lot to be desired (no auto lights, plastic door handles, and for pete's sake I have hub caps again). Did I mention the base version costs close to 30K. Not very costly items that most car manufaturers include on their base versions. Pretty roomy for mid-size, a huge plus. Love the integrated third row seats, and easy to use. Driver side door arm rest is quite a bit far from driver, makes using arm rest a bit combersome. Ride is pretty good, but have to give the edge to Chevy on that one (like floating on a cloud). Explorer has a very attractive exterior, hard to not look at it. Service has been great thus far from dealership. The one good thing about the base version is that not a lot of electrical stuff to go wrong. The 4WD system is interesting and I look forward to trying it out this winter.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 3.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 3.0
  • Value 3.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 3.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Does recommend this car
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Thanks for the warnings

The other review from the diehard Ford owner is such that I will go look at the Nissan Murano, which has excellent reviews. I like the ads with Mike Rowe from Dirty Jobs, but I like the reality of the reviews here much better. Again, thanks for the warning!

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 3.0
  • Interior 2.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 2.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Having fun
  • Does recommend this car
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