2022 Ford Explorer Review: Style Meets Substance
Compact crossovers might be the bread and butter of most manufacturers' SUV offerings, but it's midsize offerings like the Ford Explorer that set the tone for brands, showcasing what they can create with a healthier development budget and larger dimensions. For Ford, its three-row SUV is riding high on the back of a full redesign for the 2020 model year, which came at the right time to see the Blue Oval tackle fresh competition like the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade, as well as old foes like the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot. An all-electric variant will join the lineup eventually, but for now, a turbocharged four-cylinder developing 300 horsepower, a turbocharged V6 with up to 400 hp, and a hybrid V6 with 318 hp are the only available powertrains paired to either rear- or four-wheel drivetrains. The Explorer provides an abundance of seating and storage space, along with a contemporary infotainment interface, but is let down by cheap materials, high pricing on the most desirable configurations, and a drive that leaves something to be desired. In a segment as jam-packed as this one, it's tougher than ever to be the best.
2022 Explorer Exterior
Dimensions
| Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 198.8 in | 119.1 in | 70.2 in | 78.9 in | 66.9 in | 66.9 in | 4,345.0 lbs |
2022 Explorer Performance
Handling and Driving Impressions
The modern SUV drives more like a car than a lumbering truck, and consumers expect that type of driving quality when they buy new SUVs. The Ford Explorer, which makes use of unibody construction, manages to deliver a near car-like driving experience. On city roads, the Explorer sucks up bumps and undulations with ease. It feels hugely planted on the highway; a great confidence booster, especially in bad weather conditions. However, the Explorer does sacrifice some off-road capability, and important factors such as wheel travel and axle twist are not as impressive as you'd get on something like the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Timberline trim goes some way towards rectifying this lack of off-road prowess by adding a Torsen limited-slip rear differential, a seven-mode Terrain Management System, and Hill Descent Control. It's mechanically geared for work too, with underbody skidplates, and revised steering, stabilizer bars, and suspension components. With nearly an inch of extra ground clearance and Bridgestone Dueler 18-inch all-terrain tires, it does a good job of bridging the gap between the Explorer and other hardened off-roaders.
On the other side of the coin, the ST trim receives a unique sport-tuned suspension. In any way you choose to spec yours, the Explorer does well to hide its weight around corners and is responsive to steering inputs. Inevitably, body roll and understeer creep in when pushed too hard, and we're disappointed to report that wind noise is more prominent in the cabin at higher speeds than it is in many rivals. All in all, it's a pleasure to drive at any speed and in most conditions, but then again, so is everything else in this segment.
2022 Explorer Interior
2022 Explorer Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
| Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Years / 36,000 Miles | 5 Years / 60,000 Miles | 5 Years / Unlimited Miles | 5 Years / 60,000 Miles |
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
| Side Crash Rating | Rollover Rating |
|---|---|
| 5/5 | 4/5 |
Verdict: Is the 2022 Ford Explorer A Good SUV?
The simple answer here is that you don't become the best-selling SUV in the US ever without being a decent vehicle. But decent isn't the same as brilliant. The Ford Explorer was significantly improved upon in 2020, and that recipe is still working, but it's not the best the midsize segment has to offer. The exterior styling is handsome and inoffensive and arguably looks better than competitors such as the Honda Pilot. The interior is nothing to write home about though. While it might be spacious, the third row is cramped, and some of the material choices really aren't great. It boasts a strong infotainment offering and decent levels of comfort, refinement, and convenience, including Ford's great Sync 3 infotainment system. Under the hood, you get to choose from three competent powertrains, and the Explorer's unibody construction gives it car-like handling characteristics. But this is a segment in which every manufacturer has at least one entry. Being decent at a broad range of things is no longer a USP, and to be truly successful, you have to excel. For us, the Explorer doesn't excel in the same way that the Kia Telluride does. It's a fair effort from Ford, but it's middle of the pack this time.
2022 Ford Explorer Comparisons
2022 Ford Explorer vs Toyota Highlander
Yes, the Explorer might be the best-selling SUV in US history, but the Toyota Highlander isn't far behind, and its track record of more than 20 years shows that people like and trust this vehicle enough to warrant comparison with the Explorer. The 2022 model enjoys all the perks of a full 2020 redesign. It's powered by a tried-and-trusted 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 hp and 263 lb-ft of torque which it sends to the front or all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Highlander lacks the low-down grunt that the Explorer offers, but once up to speed, it can confidently hang around at cruising speeds and will return similar gas mileage figures. Its handling is comfortable, if not terribly exciting. The interior of the Highlander is not flashy, and the dashboard design can seem cluttered to some, but there's lots of space on offer. The Highlander offers more trunk space behind the second row, but the Explorer offers more behind the third row and overall. Standard features are on par with the Explorer and include tri-zone climate control and a power-adjustable driver's seat in base guise. Standard safety features are also good. At $35,205, it is slightly more expensive, but it's a great alternative to the Explorer.
2022 Ford Explorer vs Chevrolet Traverse
The Traverse is one of the Ford Explorer's cheaper competitors and is for sale at a price of $34,895 in base form. The Traverse is powered by a 310-hp 3.6-liter naturally-aspirated V6 engine that fails to deliver the same punch as the four-cylinder in the Explorer, never mind the turbocharged V6 in ST, King Ranch, and Platinum models. Gas mileage is also worse, and towing capacities are down. On the road, the Ford is the more accomplished vehicle, and the interior of the Traverse doesn't feel quite up to the standard of the Ford's. However, the Traverse does impress with its abundance of trunk and cargo space; it offers over ten cubic feet more room behind the first row of seats, and the same goes behind the second row. The Traverse has similar standard features, but we'd stick with the Ford.