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The Ford Explorer was first introduced in 1990 as a replacement for the Ford Bronco II. The Ford Explorer, one of the most popular SUVs in the United States, has undergone several body style changes over the years. It was available with a 4.0L V6 mated to either a manual or automatic transmission.
After skipping the 2006 model year, a second-generation Sport Trac was produced from 2007 until 2010 (derived from the fourth-generation Explorer). Introduced in 2000 as a 2001 model, the Explorer Sport Trac is a mid-size pickup truck derived from the second-generation Explorer, becoming the first mid-size Ford pickup. As the direct successor of the Bronco II, Ford developed a three-door version of the Explorer for the 1991 model year; while 10 inches shorter than its five-door counterpart, the three-door was still nearly 13 inches longer than the Bronco II. The facelift is exclusive to the Chinese market with revised front and rear end designs and the dashboard now accommodates a 27-inch touchscreen. For 2026, this was increased to six; the Tremor (replacing the pre-facelift’s Timberline) and the lower-end Active 100A which slots below the standard Active, were introduced. The ST Line offers an optional Bang and Olufsen premium surround sound audio system with an external amplifier, which was previously only offered on Limited trims and above.
- The first mid-size SUV sold by Lincoln, the model line was slotted between the Mercury Mountaineer and the Lincoln Navigator.
- The fifth-generation Explorer was the first-ever vehicle to be equipped with dual rear inflatable safety belts.
- The model line has undergone rebadging several times, with Mazda, Mercury, and Lincoln each selling derivative variants.
- The XL was distinguished by a black grille (chrome optional) with steel wheels, while the XLT offered a chrome grille and alloy wheels; the Eddie Bauer offered alloy wheels and two-tone paintwork.
- Offered solely in a three-door configuration, only minor design details differed the Navajo from its Ford counterpart.
The first-generation Ford Explorer arrived for the 1991 model year. Introduced for the 1995 model year, the second-generation Explorer grew in size and brought a new exterior appearance. Unlike its predecessors, it was now only available in a five-door SUV body style. The third-generation Explorer was made for the 2002 to 2005 model years with new styling and an appearance that aimed to distance itself as much as possible from its pickup truck roots.
How do I know which Ford Explorer I have?
Automatic emergency braking is now standard along with blind spot monitoring and cross traffic brake assist. Unlike the retail Explorer, the interior was largely carried over from the 2024 model year but with minor updates such as a fully digital gauge cluster, and a larger center stack display with enhanced graphics and advanced OTA (Over the Air) capabilities. For the 2025 model year, the FPIU received several updates; it coincided with the mid-cycle refresh of the retail Explorer. The new hybrid system is based on Ford’s fourth-generation modular hybrid system, which shares up to 90% of its parts with the Escape Hybrid and F-150 Hybrid. The second generation FPIU gains cargo space (even with hybrid batteries on board) over its predecessor.
The 2016 refresh bumped the I4 engine to a 2.3 L EcoBoost four-cylinder engine from the 2015 Ford Mustang. The rear of the Explorer was also refreshed with restyled LED tail lamps and dual exhaust outlets. The Ford Explorer Sport was announced on March 28, 2012, as an option for the 2013 model year and went on sale in June 2012. The rear inflatable seat belts won the 2011 Best New Technology Award from the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada.
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It also came standard with 20-inch polished aluminum wheels, and the fender flares that came on the Explorer and standard Sport Trac were deleted. The model was planned by Ford SVT to be the successor to the F-150 Lightning sports pickup truck. Unlike its predecessor sold through 2005, it featured the V8 engine as an option and was based on this generation Explorer’s platform.
Sixth generation (U625;
The previous Touch-Drive system (electrically operated) was retired and replaced by ControlTrac, an electronically controlled full-time four-wheel drive system with a two-speed transfer case; in place of a center differential, software-controlled multi-disc clutch. A Mazda-produced 5-speed manual was standard with the 4.0 L OHV V6 engine; the SOHC V6 was not offered with a manual transmission until 2000, receiving a heavier-duty version of the Mazda-sourced 5-speed. Introduced as standard equipment for Eddie Bauer and Limited trims, by 1998, the engine became offered on all non-XL trims. The standard four-wheel ABS of the previous generation returned; the rear drum brakes were replaced by disc brakes.
The Explorer was cleared by the NHTSA as no more australian online casino real money dangerous than any other truck when driven unsafely. The tire tread separated and the vehicle had an unusually high rate of rollover crash as a result. 240 deaths and 3,000 catastrophic injuries resulted from the combination of early-generation Explorers and Firestone tires. In 1998, a facelifted Explorer was available with minor cosmetic interior changes and a revised rear tail lift that centered the rear number plate. The first mid-size SUV sold by Lincoln, the model line was slotted between the Mercury Mountaineer and the Lincoln Navigator.
The previous eight trim levels was reduced to four, namely the Active, ST-Line, ST, and Platinum. Added mid-year 2021, the Timberline trim is based on the mid-level XLT, and adds unique heathered cloth and ActiveX (leatherette)-trimmed seating surfaces, all-terrain tires, and unique exterior and interior styling details. The XLT gained a new Appearance Package with unique aluminum-alloy wheels and seating surfaces. Later models have been shipped from the Chicago plant to dealerships; however, many required dealer repairs before they could be sold. Thousands of initial Explorer and Aviator vehicles were shipped to Ford’s Flat Rock Assembly Plant for repairs due to quality control problems. An Explorer Hybrid is also available in the US with a detuned 3.3 L V6 and 1.5 kWh lithium-ion battery producing a combined 318 hp (237 kW).
This action would cause a shift of the vehicle’s weight, resulting in a rollover especially at higher speeds (many reports of rollovers were of vehicles being driven at speeds of 70 mph (113 km/h) and above). Nevertheless, Ford subsequently recommended that front and rear tires should be inflated to 30 pounds per square inch (207 kPa) on all Explorer models and mailed a replacement tire pressure door sticker indicating the same to all registered owners. In Korea, the Middle East, Taiwan, and China, the 2012 Ford Explorer was available in several trims, all with a 3.5 L V6 engine and an automatic gearbox. The rear fascia, however, received new tail lamps and a re-designed hatch filler trim in between the tail lamps. It featured a black front grille with black exterior trim, black steel wheels with chrome center caps or plastic hubcaps, a keyhole on the trunk door, Police Interceptor badging on the trunk door, and no roof rails. Offered solely as a four-door crew cab, the design of the Sport Trac shared commonality with multiple vehicles.