What's New in the 2017 Ford Explorer?
A new Sport Appearance package is now available for the XLT trim. The unloved MyFord Touch infotainment interface is replaced by
Ford's easier-to-like (and use)
SYNC 3 setup.
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What We Like In general, the whole driving experience -- the cabin is tranquil and upscale, the ride is serene; in particular, useful fuel economy from the 2.3-liter
EcoBoost
turbo
4-cylinder engine and impressive power from the 3.5-liter turbo
V6; the terrain-responsive intelligent
all-wheel-drive system is another plus.
Which Explorer is the Best?
It all depends on budget. The Sport version is a great all-rounder and still comfortable. The XLT offers the best value. The fuel-efficient turbocharged 4-cylinder engine is worth considering in any of the lower trims.
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How Much Does a 2017 Ford Explorer Cost?
The 2017 Ford Explorer is offered in base, XLT, Limited, Sport and Platinum trims. Many of the standard features in the higher levels are available as options in the lower trims. The
Base ($32,605) comes with a decent list of standard equipment, including 18-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting front and rear, a rearview camera (with a washer), Bluetooth, USB ports, a tilt-telescopic steering wheel and a 4.2-in display. The
XLT ($34,720) brings fog lights, heated side mirrors, rear parking sensors, upgraded brakes, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, push-button start and satellite radio. The XLT Sport Appearance Package includes 20-in alloy wheels, bespoke grille and mirror caps, plus black side cladding and a roof rack. The cabin gets dark-grey leather front seats with suede seatback inserts, contrast stitching, door trim inserts and a few more cosmetic additions. The
Limited ($42,620) has leather upholstery, 20-in wheels, a hands-free power tailgate, a front-facing camera (with a washer), an 8-in touchscreen, power adjustment for the steering wheel and pedals,
dual-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a power-folding function for the third seating row, a 110-volt outlet, navigation and an 8-in touchscreen. The
Sport ($46,300) has 20-in wheels of a different design than the Limited version's. It also has a sportier suspension tune and standard all-wheel drive. Some of the Limited's equipment is optional in the Sport, like the navigation system and power tailgate. The
Platinum ($54,180) gets pretty much everything listed up to this point, along with a heated steering wheel, a dual sunroof, adaptive cruise control, parking assist for perpendicular/parallel spaces, higher-grade cabin materials, 12-speaker Sony audio and all the available safety features, like blind spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist and rear cross-traffic alert. The only options here are power-folding captain's chairs for the second row and a rear entertainment system.