The Ford Explorer has been a trusted name in family SUVs for decades. This 3-row crossover has the versatility that people love about SUVs. It can be your daily commuter, a family hauler, a rugged off-roader, and even a sporty enthusiast’s car. The Explorer can also get pretty premium in the upper trims making it a more budget-friendly alternative to a luxury SUV.
A couple of specialty trims of the Ford Explorer will interest specific buyers but aren’t the best value for the average SUV driver. For example, the Explorer Timberline comes with upgrades to improve its off-road capabilities, and the Explorer ST is a performance SUV with a specially tuned, turbocharged V6 engine.
They both come with distinct appearance packages, and provide the look of the Explorer ST with the ST-Line trim at a lower price point without the performance boost.
A King Ranch trim iss priced similarly to the top Platinum model. This is a well-equipped premium trim with a special appearance package similar to the F-150 King Ranch with special wheels, Del Rio leather seating, and King Ranch badging.
Here are the four Ford Explorer trims that will deliver the most value for most drivers.
2022 Ford Explorer (Starting at $33,245)
The most affordable variant of the Ford Explorer is popular as a fleet model, but it can be had by anyone looking for a good bargain on a new midsize crossover. It comes standard with plenty of family-friendly features and modern safety and infotainment technology.
The standard engine is a 2.3-liter inline-4 EcoBoost engine linked to a 10-speed automatic transmission. This turbocharged engine strikes a nice balance of power and fuel efficiency.
Standard 3-row seating accommodates seven occupants thanks to a second-row bench seat and two-seat third row. Your passengers will stay comfortable thanks to tri-zone automatic climate control.
The standard infotainment system is Ford’s SYNC 3 system. It uses an 8-inch touchscreen and comes loaded with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Wi-Fi hotspot capability. Linking up your smartphone gives you access to your contacts, music, maps, and more.
The Ford Co-Pilot360 safety tech suite includes automatic emergency braking, backup camera, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic high beams. These standard features add safety and peace of mind to every drive.
Other than a tow package and 4-wheel drive, there aren’t many options to add to the base trim. If you’re looking to customize your SUV with more options, you’ll want to move up to the XLT trim or higher. The base model is strictly for bargain hunters.
After a $1,245 destination fee, the price of the base Explorer comes to $34,490. If you take out a 60-month loan at 3% interest with no trade-in and no money down, the monthly payment for a base Explorer would be $620. Find a 2022 Ford Explore for sale near you
2022 Ford Explorer includes:
- 3-row seating – Enjoy seating for up to seven with standard 3-row seating.
- SYNC 3 infotainment system – Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are must-have smartphone connectivity features.
- Tri-zone automatic climate control – Everyone in the Explorer is comfortable thanks to this standard feature.
- Ford Co-Pilot360 – This safety tech suite includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and more.
2022 Ford Explorer XLT (Starting at $35,745)
The XLT trim is the most popular model in the Explorer lineup. That’s because it’s arguably the best value. It expands on the base trim with more creature comforts and tech features, plus more options become available that you can’t get on the base model.
Second-row captain’s chairs are a great way to improve comfort and convenience for your passengers. Not only do the second-row occupants get more comfortable seating, but the third row becomes easier to access. Captain’s chairs are standard on the XLT trim and up.
Some excellent creature comforts are added at this trim level. These include upgraded cloth seats, heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, some nicer interior materials, a USB-A and USB-C port in the second row, push-button start, and 6.5-inch productivity screen in the gauge cluster.
The Explorer XLT looks a little nicer than the base model, thanks to body-color door handles, LED signature lighting, some tasteful chrome exterior trim, and roof-rack side rails.
The High Package is a popular upgrade for the Explorer XLT. It adds several features, including ActiveX seating material, heated steering wheel, LED foglights, remote start, and the SecuriCode keyless entry keypad. It also opens up more available option packages like the XLT Sport Appearance Package and Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+, adding full-speed adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, navigation, and speed sign recognition.
You would have a $665/month payment on an Explorer XLT with a 60-month loan at 3% interest using the same math outlined above. Find a 2022 Ford Explorer XLT for sale near you
2022 Ford Explorer XLT Includes:
- Second-row captain’s chairs – These make the second row more comfortable and the third row more accessible.
- Heated front seats – This is a must-have feature for cold climates.
- Rear USB ports – Your passengers can charge their devices without hogging your charging ports in the front row.
- Available Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ – This optional upgrade adds extra safety tech features like adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist.
2022 Ford Explorer Limited (Starting at $45,495)
The Limited model starts to push the Explorer into luxury territory, but without a luxury SUV price tag. The 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine continues to be the standard engine in this trim, but this is where the hybrid powertrain becomes available. The Explorer Hybrid has the distinction of being a fuel-efficient SUV that’s still pretty capable with a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds.
Some tasteful touches to the exterior make the Explorer Limited look like a premium SUV. It has 20-inch wheels, satin roof rack side rails, a bright-silver-painted mesh grille insert with chrome bars, and dual chrome exhaust tips.
What makes this a premium SUV is its well-crafted interior. It has leather seats with micro-perforated inserts and accent stitching. Adding to the comfort are heated and ventilated front seats and heated second-row seats. You also get second-row sunshades, heated steering wheel, chrome sill plates, and ambient interior lighting.
The Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ system that’s optional on the XLT trim comes standard on the Limited model. This adds more driver assistance features like adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and speed sign recognition.
Other tech features include navigation, wireless charging pad, front parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, universal garage door opener, 360-degree camera, and Bang & Olufsen 12-speaker premium audio.
A popular High Package is available for the Limited trim. It adds an AC power outlet, memory mirrors and driver’s seat, hands-free power liftgate, power steering column, power-folding third-row seats. All of this comes standard on the Limited Hybrid model.
Assuming a 6-month loan with 3% interest with no trade-in or down-payment, the Explorer Limited would have a monthly payment of $840. Find a 2022 Ford Explorer Limited for sale near you
2022 Ford Explorer Limited Includes:
- Standard Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ – Drive with safety and confidence with features like full-speed adaptive cruise control, speed sign recognition, and more.
- Wireless charging – Charge your mobile device without fussing with cords.
- Leather seats – These high-quality leather seats are heated and ventilated in front.
- Available hybrid powertrain – Get hybrid fuel economy with the ability to tow up to 5,000 pounds.
2022 Ford Explorer Platinum (Starting at $54,115)
The Ford Explorer Platinum is a full-fledged luxury SUV with a premium look, an elegant interior, and advanced tech features. If the Explorer Platinum fits in your budget, consider cross-shopping it with the Lincoln Aviator.
Like the Explorer Limited, the Platinum trim is available with a hybrid powertrain. However, the standard non-hybrid engine is a twin-turbo V6 engine with a significant performance boost over the 4-cylinder engine that comes in the lower trims.
The Explorer Platinum is a stylish SUV with an attractive satin aluminum exterior trim. It has a unique grille and big, 21-inch wheels. There are also enhanced interior finishes with aluminum and wood trim, more leather upholstery, and tri-diamond perforated inserts in the seats.
Some extra tech features that come standard include adaptive headlights, reverse brake assist, 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and Active Park Assist 2.0. With this parking assist system, the SUV can do its own steering while parallel parking. All you have to do is work the gas and brake pedals.
A Premium Technology Package is available, which adds a 10.1-inch infotainment system with portrait display, upgraded Bang & Olufsen 14-inch audio system, and massaging front seats.
The Platinum trim is the most expensive model in the Explorer lineup, but it’s a deal when you compare it to similarly equipped 3-row SUVs from luxury brands. With a 60-month loan at 3% interest, the payment on an Explorer Platinum would be $995/month. Find a 2022 Ford Explorer Platinum for sale near you
2022 Ford Explorer Platinum Includes:
- Active Park Assist 2.0 – You work the gas and brake pedals, and the car does the rest when parallel parking.
- Digital gauge cluster – A customizable 12.3-inch screen replaces the traditional gauge cluster in front of the driver.
- Leather seating with tri-diamond perforated inserts – These leather seats seem like something you’d find in a more expensive luxury SUV.
- Satin aluminum trim – Unique satin aluminum exterior trim distinguishes the Explorer Platinum from the rest of the lineup.
