The Ford Explorer has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1991. Over three decades, it has transformed from a rugged, utilitarian SUV into a refined and well-mannered crossover. In the Philippines, it’s both a status symbol and a practical choice.
The Ford Explorer has pretty much everything you’d need from a family-friendly road trip machine. From a spacious cabin, lots of safety features, and a bunch of tech to keep you entertained on the go, it’s safe to say that the 2024 Ford Explorer is better than ever before. So, just how good is it? Well, we recently took it for a road trip to Subic to get a feel of what it’s like both in the city and on the open road.
4.2 / 5
Performance
Engine Output (HP), Acceleration, Transmission, Handling 4.0/5
Engine Output (HP), Acceleration, Transmission, Handling 4.0/5
Design
Exterior & Interior Design, Quality, Fit and Finish, Ergonomics 4.0/5
Exterior & Interior Design, Quality, Fit and Finish, Ergonomics 4.0/5
Ride Comfort
Cabin Comfort, Suspension, NVH Insulation 4.5/5
Cabin Comfort, Suspension, NVH Insulation 4.5/5
Safety and Technology
Convenience Technologies, Active and Passive Safety Features 4.5/5
Convenience Technologies, Active and Passive Safety Features 4.5/5
Value for Money
Amount of the vehicle you get for the price, Fuel Efficiency 4.0/5
Amount of the vehicle you get for the price, Fuel Efficiency 4.0/5
What You Will Like
- Smooth ride
- Punchy performance
- Roomy interior
What You Won't Like
- Slightly dated infotainment system
- Very sensitive driver aids
Exterior
On the outside, the 2024 Ford Explorer looks imposing. It’s large, wide, and long, making it stand out from the sea of mid-size SUVs and crossovers we frequently see plying the streets of the Metro. However, unlike those other SUVs, the Ford Explorer isn’t as rugged. Instead, it exudes an aura of sophistication, class, and elegance. It’s relatively low-slung, so it’s easy for passengers to get in and out.
Up front, the 2024 model gets a redesigned fascia with a cleaner look that sees the headlights and grill flow seamlessly with the car’s body lines. At the base of the bumpers, it gets flat-black cladding that extends to the sides and rear of the vehicle, giving it an adventurous touch. Meanwhile, on the sides, the Explorer retains its familiar lines that blend both sporty and elegant design elements.
When it comes to the vehicle’s dimensions, it’s slightly longer and wider than the Ford Everest, with a length of 5,049mm and a width of 2,268mm. So it’s important to keep that in mind when driving through tight city traffic and parking in less-than-ideal parking spaces.
Interior
Moving on to the interior, the Ford Explorer features a well-designed cabin full of premium materials you’d come to expect from a vehicle of this price point. The Explorer comfortably seats seven adults, with the front seats even featuring cooling and heating functions. The second row, meanwhile, gets reclinable seats, while the third row gets standard seats—all of which are upholstered in leather, of course.
As for the controls, well, the Explorer drives and rides very much like a car rather than an SUV. You get the feeling of being inside the cockpit rather than on it, thanks to the vehicle’s unibody construction. At the back, window shades allow passengers to keep the sun away from their eyes and have a sense of privacy when on the go. There are also AC vents and a USB type-C charger at the back for extra comfort and convenience.
Performance
At the heart of the Ford Explorer is a 2.3-liter, four-cylinder, EcoBoost engine. It’s the only engine option for the local market, with Ford Philippines discontinuing the V6 version for the local market. Nevertheless, it’s a substantial powerplant, with 300 horsepower and 420 Nm of torque at its disposal. It sends power to all four wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission.
The Ford Explorer offers seven driving modes via its Terrain Management System. Out on the highway, we tested it in Sport mode, and found that it had a healthy amount of power—more than enough to make overtaking maneuvers a breeze.
Tech and Safety
The Ford Explorer comes with a touchscreen LCD monitor, which, to be completely honest, feels a bit dated, especially when compared to the more high-tech display we find in the Ranger and Everest. The head unit comes with Ford's proprietary SYNC 3 system that features navigation. It also has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but it’s important to note that these systems aren’t wireless, but instead, require you to use a USB Type-A connector—yet another thing that makes this car’s tech package feel somewhat dated.
With that being said, the Ford Explorer also features a suite of advanced driving aids such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and blind spot monitoring. It is, however, pretty sensitive in that you need to keep putting inputs into the steering wheel for it to remain active. As we were cruising along the highway, the system would chime and alert me to keep my hands on the wheel, even when I was doing exactly that.
Other than that, however, the Explorer’s advanced driver assistance features, such as the Adaptive Cruise Control and Blind Spot monitoring, worked like a charm.
Price
Here in the Philippines, the Ford Explorer is offered in just one variant: the 2.3 EcoBoost Limited. It carries a starting price of P3,498,000, giving it an edge against its competition such as the Hyundai Palisade and Mazda CX-90. But again, its tech features could use some updating. Other than that, however, the Explorer remains a solid choice in the segment, promising impressive performance, a comfortable ride, and just the right amount of features to keep you entertained on longer trips.
If the Ford Explorer is a car that catches your fancy, why not check out all the details in our comprehensive car guide on AutoDeal.com.ph? Click on “Get Quote,” and receive dozens of official quotes from trusted dealers near you.
Specifications
Engine
2.3 LFuel Type
GasolinePerformance
300 hp @ 5,500 rpmTransmission
Automatic-
Summary
-
Name Ford Explorer 2.3 EcoBoost Limited 4x4 AT Body Type Crossover Price ₱3,498,000 Transmission Category Automatic -
Engine
-
Engine Size 2.3 L Displacement 2,300 cc Number of Cylinders 4 Number of Valves 16 Transmission Type 10-speed Automatic -
Performance
-
Drivetrain Four-Wheel Drive Max Output (hp) 300 hp @ 5,500 rpm Max Torque (nm) 420 Nm @ 3,500 rpm *estimated -
Economy & Environment
-
Fuel Type Gasoline Emissions Standard Euro 4 Fuel Capacity 70.4 L Combined Fuel Consumption 9.7 km/L *estimated -
Dimensions
-
Length 5,049 mm Width 2,268 mm Height 1,783 mm Wheelbase 3,025 mm Turning Circle 11 m Ground Clearance 208 mm Trunk Capacity 445 L Number of Doors 5 Number of Seats 7 -
Safety & Security
-
Driver's Airbag Front Passenger's Airbag Side Airbags Curtain Airbags Knee Airbag Auto Brake System Electronic Brake Distribution Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) Reverse Brake Assist
Immobilizer Security Alarm Stability Control Electronic Door Locks Speed Sensing Door Locks ISOFIX Lane Departure Warning System Blind-Spot Detection System -
Features
-
Cruise Control Front Parking Sensors Rear Parking Sensors Leather Upholstery Push Start Button Wheel Size 20 in Wheels Metal Type Alloy Airconditioning System Three-zone Electronic Automatic Temperature Control Entertainment System 8-inch Capacitive Touchscreen Connectivity SYNC3 with Bluetooth, USB, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto Navigation Ready Warranty 3 Years (100,000 km) Keyless Entry Roof Rack Sunroof Electric Adjustable Seats Power Steering Power Windows Power Outlet Steering Wheel Audio Control -
Technology
-
Active Park Assist Hill Start Assist AWD Modes Deep Sand, Eco, Normal, Sport, Tow Haul, Trail, and Slippery, Tire Pressure Monitoring Heads-up Display Power Liftgate Start-stop System
Colors
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