Latest News
2024 Kia Soul Review2019 Ford Explorer Review
The 2019 Ford Explorer is showing its age, but it’s still a roomy and competent mid-sized SUV with a great ride. See what we have to say about the Explorer.
What’s New for the 2019 Ford Explorer?
The 2019 Ford Explorer stays mostly status quo in its 8th year. Even though it gets by with some refreshed equipment additions, the Explorer has still come a long way since it debuted on the Ranger chassis in 1991.
There’s a luxury package for the Limited that brings some 20-inch wheels and some driver assistance updates for other trims. However, even with those updates, you need to know that this is the final year of the 2016 redesigned Explorer, and it’s all-new for 2020.
Regardless of the few changes, the 2019 Ford Explorer is still a decent choice for a three-row SUV, and its boulevard cruiser ride will entice you. So, let’s check it out.
2019 Ford Explorer – media.ford.com | Shop 2019 Ford Explorer on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
We like the twin-turbo V6
We like the large interior
We would love a better-quality interior
We would love better gas mileage for the base V6
2019 Ford Explorer Specs
- 290 horsepower from base engine
- 255 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 5 available trims
- 6-speed manual
- 21 cu-ft. of cargo capacity behind the third row
- Towing capacity of 5,000 lbs
2019 Ford Explorer Powertrain
We’ve liked the current edition of the Ford Explorer ever since its visual update in 2016. Part of the reasons has to do with the engine choices. With some manufacturers throwing in a limited horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, Ford still gives you a V6 that provides adequate horsepower for the highway.
You can opt for Explorer Limited’s four-cylinder, of course, but it’s the powerful 2.3-liter EcoBoost with 310 lb-ft of torque and the same horsepower as the base V6, which is a good upgrade.
However, the big boss is the twin-turbo V6 in the Sport, which can hustle to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds. And this engine comes with Ford’s very capable all-wheel-drive and a sport suspension. Unfortunately, we didn’t feel much “sport” from the suspension, although it wasn’t as plush as the base model.
Regardless of the trim you drive, you’ll feel like this is a full-sized SUV, even though it’s not. Handling is a little lazy, and the steering is tuned to filter out too much feel to our taste, but it’s still quick to obey you when asked to turn. For long trips and shopping errands, you’ll feel very comfortable with the ride and handling.
2019 Ford Explorer Fuel Economy & MPG
The reality is that Ford introduced the 2019 Explorer in 2011, and there have been gains in aerodynamics and production techniques to lessen the drag and weight of vehicles. So, your best bet is the 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that isn’t just powerful but also gets up to 23 mpg in the city and 27 on the highway for fuel economy. The standard and optional V6 mpg will range from an EPA estimated 17 to 27 mpg.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
We’ve always thought the 2019 Explorer was comfortable, but that’s not all there is to vehicle useability. When first hopping in, we struggled to locate some controls and generally didn’t like the feel of the buttons, but again, there were no complaints about the driving position or the seats. For everyday use, the Explorer is a quiet and comfortable place to be.
There’s more than enough legroom for adults in every row when it comes to passenger space, and each seat is comfortable. Of course, having space in an SUV isn’t always a given, but you’ll love the Explorer’s care for your family and the plethora of items you can stuff in the cargo areas. We would recommend you get the captain chairs for the second row, too. Even though you lose a seat, having the ability to pass through to the rear seat is a bonus for the kids, and those seats are comfy.
The extra interior space is also a bonus for cargo. Very few midsized SUVs can give you 21 cu ft behind the third row. That’s 50 percent larger than what you get in the trunk of a Toyota Corolla. And it’s even more useful with the automatic liftgate. With nearly 82 cu ft, you can slide in a full-sized mattress when you lay each row flat.
Entertainment & Technology
Once you get past the base model 2019 Ford Explorer, you begin to get some infotainment. The base model has a tiny 4.2-inch screen, but it isn’t touch-capable, and the basic SYNC system doesn’t include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto –you’ll have to upgrade to the XLT for that joy. On the other hand, the XLT and above get Ford’s Sync 3, an easy-to-use and quick-to-learn system that looks good on the 8-inch touchscreen.
You’ll get a 4G WIFI hotspot on equipped models, which allow you to connect up to 10 devices on your camping trips, but again, you’ll need to get the XLT and above for the best features.
If you move up to the Platinum trim, there’s an optional DVD system should you need the extra babysitting services.
Safety Features
The 2019 Explorer is showing its age when it comes to standard safety features. However, we understand that manufacturers spend a lot of money retrofitting their older designed models to the latest driver assists. Unfortunately, Ford wants you to pay for it with extra packages on the Explorer. It’s for that reason that the IIHS gave the 2019 Ford Explorer the lowest rating of Basic for its optional front-crash prevention system.
Crash safety, though, was good with the NHTSA overall safety rating of five out of five stars, with five stars in the frontal and side crash tests and four stars in the rollover test.
2019 Ford Explorer Trims & Pricing
Explorer – starting at $32,365
The base trim Explorer comes standard with a competent but thirsty 3.5-liter V6 engine and front-wheel drive. The EcoBoost four-cylinder is an option. As you get inside, you’ll notice Ford’s nice cloth upholstered seat, 4.2-inch SYNC touchscreen display with a six-speaker sound system, and one USB port. The driver gets an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, plus there’s a rear-view backup camera.
XLT – starting at $34,400
The Explorer XLT comes with some great drivers’ safety assists. You get blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and parking sensors, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and forward-collision mitigation warning. Inside, you get two USB ports, push-button starting, SYNC 3, a seven-speaker audio system, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Limited- starting at $42,765
The Explorer Limited has the four-cylinder EcoBoost engine, and an additional front-view parking camera and sensors added to the driver’s assists. The interior comes with leather heated and ventilated seats, plus the passenger and driver get 10-way power adjustments. The rear seat gets a power-folding function, and the liftgate is hands-free. Ford also adds a 12-speaker Sony audio system and WIFI hotspot.
Sport- starting at $46,625
The Ford Explorer Sport gets the powerful twin-turbo V6 engine, all-wheel drive with hill descent control, a terrain management system, and a sport suspension. Rear passengers will appreciate the two second-row USB ports.
Platinum- starting at $54,165
The Ford Explorer Platinum keeps the twin-turbo V6 and loads you up on the features. You’ll see most of the upgrades on the inside, with Nirvana leather, Sony’s premium sound system, Ford’s entire suite of driver-assist and safety features, including automatic parking assist, plus a sweet twin-panel moonroof.
Warranties
The 2019 Ford Explorer comes with a very average three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty. And even though you may score one or two free regular oil changes with the dealer, Ford isn’t going to help them, or you, out with the costs.
What we think
2019 Ford Explorer – media.ford.com | Shop 2019 Ford Explorer on Carsforsale.com
The 2019 Ford Explorer is roomy, handsome, sporty in the proper configuration, and has an excellent ride quality. But, regardless of those benefits, it lets us down with the interior quality and lack of standard safety features and assists. It’s not the worst in its class, but there are better choices.
Most Popular
