2023 Ford Explorer Review, Ratings, Specs, Prices, and Photos

What kind of car is the 2023 Ford Explorer? What does it compare to?

The 2023 Ford Explorer three-row SUV competes with other family haulers such as the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Chevy Traverse, Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride and so many others. 

Is the 2023 Ford Explorer a good SUV?

Review continues below

It’s fine, but Ford keeps increasing prices on a model that hasn’t changed and trails the competition in terms of value. Good safety and a roomy cabin lift it to a TCC Rating of 6.5 out of 10.  (Read more about how we rate cars.)

What’s new for the 2023 Ford Explorer?

Nothing, though Ford showed off a fresh Explorer in China, complete with a 27-inch touchscreen spanning the dash.

Ford sticks with what’s worked in its home market by casting the widest net possible with eight trims, and each intended to show off a distinct character. The ST-Line hints at the muscle car cues embraced by the performance ST grade; the Timberline adds black cladding and off-road enhancements for the adventuring sort; and the top King Ranch borrows from the F-150’s executive board. The inside shares much of the Ford DNA found in other vehicles, with a low dash, horizontal vents, and an uncluttered center console. 

The muscular Explorer appears to lean back on its rear-wheel-drive haunches, and the trim variety is matched by a range of powertrain options. The base 300-hp turbo-4 does just fine for family detail, but shoppers thirsting for more performance can step up to a 400-hp turbo V-6 in top trims. The 10-speed automatic can get a bit confused by all that power, however, with some questionable shift points. The 318-hp hybrid V-6 and its 25-mpg combined rating with AWD can’t keep pace with the Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

Last redesigned in 2020, the Explorer pushes sportiness over practicality, and only the base model seats seven passengers. Other models seat six people with second-row captain’s chairs, and the third row is best served down since it accommodates gear better than people. 

The Explorer comes with automatic emergency braking, active lane control, and blind-spot monitors, and it earned a Top Safety Pick+ honor from the IIHS for withstanding as well as avoiding crashes. 

Other standard equipment includes cruise control, power features, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but we’d recommend taking at least one step more to the XLT to get power front seats that are heated and second-row captain’s chairs, but the vast majority of Explorer shoppers opt for the $3,540 High package that includes synthetic leather seats, a heated steering wheel, satellite radio, remote start, and 20-inch wheels.  

How much does the 2023 Ford Explorer cost?

The base model costs $38,255, including a $1,495 destination fee. Our recommended pick costs $43,605, and all-wheel drive adds another $2,000. Then things get expensive, with the ST-Line priced just below $50,000, and the Limited Hybrid at $54,500. The Platinum is the only other trim sold with the hybrid powertrain and adding in all-wheel drive brings the price to $57,315, which is $255 less than the fully loaded King Ranch with the turbo V-6.

Where is the 2023 Ford Explorer made?

On the Southside of Chicago, like Bad, Bad Leroy Brown.