Ford has taken the wraps off the 2023 Explorer midsize SUV for the Chinese market, sharing a minor design element with its Everest stablemate as well as packing a large infotainment screen in the cabin.
The latest version still rides on the same CD6 platform as the outgoing model
The new Explorer has been recognizable in the U.S. market, eventually making its debut in China in 2012. Ford’s China Design Center, the automaker’s sixth and latest global design studio, is where the latest iteration of the SUV was developed in terms of aesthetics.
“Being the first time the Explorer was designed outside of North America, it was important that it continues its successful heritage of pioneering innovation and adventure whilst being modernized for the progressive China market,” said Simon Brook, Chief Designer of Ford China Design Center.
Exterior
Despite being billed as all-new, the latest Explorer is actually a heavily facelifted version of the sixth-generation model released in 2019. It stands 13mm longer than the previous iteration at 5,063mm, while retaining all other dimensions comprising a length of 2,004mm, a height of 1,775mm, and a wheelbase spanning 3,025mm.
A new fascia defines the front end of the new Explorer
The exterior showcases Ford’s ‘Progressive Energy in Strength’ design language, retaining the familiar silhouette while adopting revamped front and rear ends. Restyled LED headlamps look like slightly curved versions of the fifth-generation facelift, bridged by the large grille. Intakes on the corners of the front bumper now have a more vertical orientation, with the daytime running lights relocated near the hood’s leading edge.
Ford says that the new Explorer takes inspiration from a luxury yacht, with the C-pillar resembling the mast on a sailboat. At the rear, the model sports LED taillights that look similar to those used on the Everest, connected by a chrome strip with LED accents on the liftgate. A set of 21-inch turbine fan alloy wheels completes the look.
Interior
The interior on the new Explorer has been revamped as well, featuring wider seats and improved bolsters. These are wrapped in unique China seat material with patterns designed in partnership with automotive leather supplier Eagle Ottawa.
Three seating rows are still standard
A more premium atmosphere is present with the triple-zone climate control’s streamlined vents on the dashboard and raised center console, coupled with ambient lighting.
Tech & Safety
Drivers face a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster behind the leather-clad flat-bottom steering wheel. A heads-up display projects vehicle information on the windshield within the driver’s field of view.
The China-spec Explorer uses a landscape orientation for the touchscreen
For infotainment, the new Explorer uses a 27-inch touchscreen arranged in a landscape orientation spanning most of the dashboard surface, standard on all trims. This is connected to a Bang & Olufsen audio system. An array of advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS) is said to endow the new Explorer with Level 2 Plus autonomous driving capability.
Engine & Drivetrain
The new Explorer still offers the same powertrain as the outgoing model. That would be a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged engine good for 272 horsepower and 425 Nm of torque, working in concert with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Power is delivered to either the rear wheels or all four using an intelligent all-wheel-drive system.
Price
No pricing information has been disclosed as of this writing, and it is unclear whether the styling and tech updates will be implemented on the U.S.-spec and E.U.-spec versions of the SUV.
It still uses the same 2.3-liter EcoBoost power unit
The 2023 Ford Explorer will officially debut at the Chengdu Auto Show later this month.
Keep up with new model launches at Philkotse.com.
Know more about Ford Explorer 2024
Currently in its sixth generation, the Ford Explorer 2024 is a five-door midsize crossover SUV. It was introduced globally in 2019, and then Ford Philippines launched it for the local market in December 2021 for the 2024 model year. In the local market, the Explorer's sole variant is the Limited 2.3 EcoBoost 4WD AT, which comes with a Php 3,498,000 price tag.
Under the hood of the Ford Explorer is a 2.3-liter inline-4 turbocharged gasoline engine that's capable of making up to 300hp and 420Nm of torque. The said engine is then linked to a 10-speed automatic gearbox which sends power to all four wheels.
Size-wise, the all-new Explorer is 5,049mm long, 2,268mm wide, and 1,783mm in height. It also has a wheelbase length of 3,025mm and a ground clearance of 208mm.
In the Philippines, the Ford Explorer rivals the likes of the Mazda CX-9, Hyundai Santa Fe, and the Kia Sorento.
>>> New and used Ford Explorer 2024 for sale in the Philippines
Ford Explorer Launch
Ford globally introduced the Ford Explorer in the 1990s as the brand’s very first four-door full-size sports utility vehicle. Since then, it maintained its place as one of the best-selling Ford models in its parent country – the United States of America.
The current Explorer is the sixth-generation model, which was introduced globally back in 2019 at the North American International Auto Show.
In 2021, Ford Philippines brought in the all-new Explorer for the 2024 model year. For the local market, the said model only has one variant: the Limited 2.3 EcoBoost 4WD AT.
Ford Explorer Exterior
The exterior features of the Explorer 2024 include LED headlamps, LED taillights, LED front fog lamps, a twin-panel moonroof, a rear spoiler, roof rails, body-color door handles with chrome inserts, silver-painted faux skid plates, as well as a silver-colored mesh grille decorated with chrome bars.
Ford Explorer Interior
Inside, the new Explorer Philippines comes standard with three rows. The second row gets an armrest, the third row has a 50:50 split folding function, and the front row seats have ventilation. The said seats are then clad in Leather with micro-perforations for breathability, as well as accent stitching.
Furthermore, the Explorer's interior is also equipped with a triple-zone automatic climate control system, ambient lighting, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, power-folding and power-adjustable side mirrors, a push-to-start button, 10 cupholders, rain-sensing wipers, a hands-free foot-activated tailgate, a 12-volt accessory outlet, and plenty of tie-down points and hooks for the trunk.
Technology & Safety Features
To entertain its occupants, the 2024 Ford Explorer is kitted out with an SYNC3 eight-inch touchscreen headunit. This unit also has plenty of connectivity options including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, USB ports, and Bluetooth. The said screen is then connected to a 12-piece Band and Olufsen sound system.
For the driver, the Explorer also provides a 6.5-inch LCD screen. It also gets a wireless smartphone charger.
Safety-wise, the Explorer gets seven airbags, stability control, anti-lock braking with electronic brake-force distribution, hill-start assist, hill descent control, the SecuriCode keyless entry keypad, a post-crash alert system, LATCH child-seat anchors, a car alarm, tire pressure monitoring, among others.
Also assisting the driver of the all-new 2024 Ford Explorer is the latest version of the Ford Co-Pilot 360 Assist. This includes technologies like reverse braking assist, autonomous emergency braking, pedestrian detection, pre-collision warning, evasive steering assist, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control with stop and go function, lane centering, automatic high-beams, auto on/off for the LED headlamps, front and rear sensors, among others.
Lastly, the Explorer also comes with a 360-degree view camera.
Platform & Chassis
Ford Explorer 2024 is a five-door crossover that can comfortably accommodate seven occupants. It comes with a length of 5,049mm. It is also 2,268mm wide, and 1,783mm in height. Its wheelbase length then measures 3,025mm long, and it has a ground clearance of 208mm.
Suspension-wise, the all-new Explorer uses a Macpherson strut for the front and an independent integral link suspension for the rear. Braking is then handled by disc brakes for all wheels. It also uses an electronic parking brake with an auto-hold function.
Of note, the all-new Explorer, like its predecessor, is a unibody crossover SUV with a transverse-mounted engine.
Engine & Drivetrain
For the Philippine market, Ford offers the 2024 Explorer with one engine option: a turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-4 gasoline mill capable of making up to 300 horsepower and 420Nm of torque. The said engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic gearbox, which then sends power to all four wheels.
The new Explorer's 4WD system comes with a terrain management system with specific modes. This includes a mode for towing, trail, slippery terrain, deep sand, Eco, Normal, and Sport.
Ford Philippines offers the 2024 Ford Explorer in eight color options. There are Agate Black, Carbonized Gray, Iconic Silver, Star White, Oxford White, Rapid Red, Stone Gray, and Atlas Blue.
In comparison to its competitors, the all-new 2024 Ford Explorer offers the most in terms of engine output. Then again, foreign reviews have said that its engine is not that thrifty when it comes to fuel. As said though, this Ford crossover SUV is more than capable of running circles around its competitors. Well, at least on paper. Apart from that, it also has enough features to compete even against the top-spec Mazda CX-9. Furthermore, it might also be the largest vehicle in its class. This means more in the way of cargo room and passenger room.
Ford Explorer Pros & Cons
Pros
- Peppy engine
- Feature-rich
- Lots of interior room
- Versatility
Cons
- Filipinos might not like the fact that this large vehicle uses gasoline
Ford Explorer 2024 Price List
| Variants | Price |
|---|---|
| Ford Explorer 2.3 EcoBoost Limited 4x4 AT | ₱3,498,000 |
| Ford Explorer 2.3 EcoBoost Limited 4x4 AT (Star White) | ₱3,513,000 |
Ford Explorer FAQs
1. Does the Ford Explorer come with 5 seats?
No, all variants of the Ford Explorer come with 7 seats.
2. How much is the Ford Explorer 2024?
3. Is a sunroof available on the Ford Explorer?
Yes, the sunroof comes as standard on both variants of the Explorer.
4. How big is the Ford Explorer 2024?
The Ford Explorer 2024 measures 5049 mm in length, 2268 mm in width, and 1783 mm in height
5. What type of drivetrain is the Explorer 2024?
The Ford Explorer 2024 is a rear-wheel drive vehicle.
6. How many engine options are available for the Ford Explorer in the Philippines?
The Philippine-spec Ford Explorer comes with only one engine option: the 2.3L 4-cylinder turbocharged EcoBoost.
₱ 3,498,000
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