When you say Ford, the first vehicles that come to mind would probably be the Mustang, Ranger, Ranger Raptor, and the EcoSport. These Ford vehicles come with features that helped them stand out in their respective segments.
Then there’s the Ford Explorer. It was launched in the local market way back in 2011 and is performing relatively steady in consideration to the other Ford vehicles in its local lineup.
2020 Ford Explorer - Review & Road Test
*Disclaimer: This video is the current Ford Explorer available in the market. Check out for your reference!
Looking at the specs of the Ford Explorer, it features a V6 engine, a spacious interior, along with a clean design finish. With that being said, we can expect that Ford Philippines could be bringing in the all-new 2021 Ford Explorer for next year to further stabilize its place in the local market. As of this writing, Ford Philippines hasn’t released any word regarding the new Explorer. However, here are some of the features we can expect for its next release.
2021 Ford Explorer: Exterior
The new Ford Explorer is said to be the largest among its predecessors, spanning 5,050 mm in length. The current Explorer offered by Ford Philippines spans 5006 mm in length. The Explorer is already known for its spacious interior. But with the few additions in dimensions, the Explorer could further expand its market as a vehicle with large amounts of space.
Looking at the front, the headlights have been revamped to look sleeker and they are designed to extend through the grille. The grille, however, is not updated. But it comes with a different appearance due to the revamped headlights.
The fog lights are also redesigned to look sleeker and narrower. All these changes upfront gave the new Explorer an aggressive look that could help it stand out even more in the local segment.
The sporty-looking Ford Explorer ST variant
Going to the side, the body lines are intensified that create more depths. This disrupted the neat design of the PH-spec model. The blacked-out a-pillar, black trims on the wheel arches, and the wheel design are still retained in the new Explorer.
The rear end of the new Explorer also got few updates. The chrome or black trim that stretches along both ends of the taillights is replaced with a shorter black trim that still sports the ‘Everest’ badge. The boomerang lights that consist of turn signal lights and reverse lights are now reshaped to a split-type design.
In the U.S., the Ford Explorer ST variant is making the most noise in its market. It comes with black trims that provide a sporty feel to the midsize crossover. At the back, the Explorer ST sports quad exhausts that add to the overall sporty design.
This variant could be a great addition to Ford’s local lineup. It seems like going for a sporty look is the likely trend in today’s new cars. The Ford Explorer ST variant could surely cater to that need if introduced by Ford Philippines.
2021 Ford Explorer: Interior
Inside, the new Explorer offers wood trim in the dashboard for all variants. The wood trim now runs across the entire dashboard while the PH-spec Explorer only uses wood trims above the glove box and the top of the steering wheel for higher-end variants.
The vertical touchscreen sure looks innovative
The steering wheel design and the black interior scheme is still retained for the new Ford Explorer. Nonetheless, the new interior changes in the Explorer did not disappoint as the on-board tech got significant changes which we will get into in a second.
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2021 Ford Explorer: Engine and Performance
The 2.3-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged EcoBoost engine is still carried over for the lower-end Explorer variants. This engine is capable of making 270 hp and 408 Nm of torque. The PH-spec Explorer uses a 6-speed automatic transmission for the local Limited and Sport variants.
Meanwhile, the Ford Explorer ST variant is equipped with a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine capable of producing 400 hp and a whopping 563 Nm of torque. Ford claims that the Explorer ST variant can run from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.5 seconds.
The sporty aesthetics of the Explorer ST is just admirable
The new Explorer is also offered with a hybrid variant that uses a 3.3-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine paired to an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack. The new engines could be a potential selling point for the Explorer if they were to be introduced by Ford Philippines.
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2021 Ford Explorer: On-board tech and safety features
One of the most notable changes in the new Explorer is the new 10.1-inch vertically oriented touchscreen. There is also an 8-inch touchscreen offered for the lower-end variants. To make way for the vertically oriented touchscreen, the a/c vents are moved to the side of the touchscreen.
The new Explorer is now equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel that is available for the higher-end variants. It helps drivers see one of the seven drive modes selected in a more convenient and more innovative fashion.
The current Ford Explorer offered in the Philippines
As for safety, the new Explorer is offered with the Co-Pilot360 that offers forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning, automatic high beams, lane-keeping assist, and a rearview camera. The higher-end variants are offered with Co-Pilot Assist+ that offers more safety features.
It’s hard to tell whether Ford Philippines will integrate the Co-Pilot360 in the PH-spec Explorer as it will increase its price tag. The PH-spec Explorer is currently equipped with hill launch assist, front park assist, SOS post-crash alert system, SecuriCode with keyless entry keypad, Ford’s MyKey system, and more.
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2021 Ford Explorer: Final thoughts
The Ford Explorer got some tough competition in the local market, rivaling the likes of the Hyundai Palisade, Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, Mitsubishi Pajero, among others. With the updates inside and out of the new Explorer, it can go head-to-head against its competitors.
In addition, the Ford Explorer ST could also be a game-changer if it were to be introduced in the local market. But as said earlier, we would still have to wait for further announcements from Ford Philippines.
2021 Ford Explorer: Expected price
The new Explorer comes with a huge price reduction for 2021. The reduction ranges from $600 to $4,000 (or Php 28,908 to 192,720 excluding local taxes), depending on the variant. Ford confirms the new prices but hasn’t explained the reason for it.
We hope to see this new Ford Explorer next year
This could help Filipino car buyers to get the Explorer at a more affordable price. If the price reduction is indeed applied in the upcoming 2021 Ford Explorer Philippines, the top-spec variant that comes with a P3.2-million price tag could be cut down to P2.9-million.
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