Ford Explorer has been one of the favorites for people when it comes to mid-sized SUVs. The 2021 model that just came out this year becomes one of the more desirable SUVs in the market for that price range. As such, it’s not surprising to hear people talk about the upcoming Ford Explorer in 2023 despite it just being released.
After all, it’s a fun car, and we want to see it gets better even more. So, here are what we know so far for the 2023 Ford Explorer.
Table of Contents
What’s New?
The biggest news for the 2023 Explorer is that Ford will shift it onto a rear-wheel-drive platform, opposite to before.
This will surely affect many things for the car, especially in the performance section of this article.
2023 Ford Explorer Redesign
Other than the all-new platform that the car will be sitting upon, the Explorer gets a couple of touches here and there to make it sleeker and more modern. More in line with most SUVs these days.
These changes consist of a brand-new grille and a shorter front overhang. The new platform that the car will be using results in more ground clearance which is always a plus in our book.
They also decided to do some touch-up to the sides too by giving it a tapered roofline.
Interior & Features
The interior part of the Explorer lineup has been pretty lackluster and somewhat uninspired these past couple of years, but it’s still functional. Still, looks are a big part of most things in life, vehicle included, so we’re expecting Ford to touch up the interior design a little bit to get it less plasticky and more premium looking.
Other than that, we’re also expecting the 2023 model to have heated seats included in the base model. Previously in the 2021 model, these heated seats were only available on XLT trim, and Ford would be missing their opportunity not to make this an upgrade for the base model of the 2023 Ford Explorer.
Speaking of other trims’ differences, we’re also expecting Ford to give the 2023 Explorer a new, larger touchscreen. Even something along the lines of a 9.5” touchscreen would be fine for the base model. Because on the previous model, if you want to satisfy your infotainment needs, you need to upgrade to either the Platinum or ST model. Which are both quite expensive.
Size & Dimensions
Due to the new platform that the car will be using, next year’s Ford Explorer size and dimensions will be somewhat different from the previous model though it’s hard how much of a difference it would be.
But you can still use the previous model’s numbers as a reference:
- Length: 199”
- Width: 78”
- Height: 70”
2023 Ford Explorer Specs
Following Ford’s way of making their car, we’re expecting at least a turbocharged 2.3l four-cylinder engine that can output 300-hp at max. And like many car brands, Ford often put another powertrain in their other trims. So, expect to see an even more powerful engine on the other trims and even a hybrid powertrain on the Platinum trim.
Performance, Fuel Economy & Towing Capacity
Performance-wise, 2023 should perform similarly to its predecessor, especially if we’re expecting it to have the same engine as it was.
But that’s not necessarily a bad thing, mind you. Even for a mid-sized SUV, the 2021 Ford Explorer scores 5 seconds flat for its 0-to-60 while boasting an 18/24 mpg city and highway fuel economy.
As for its towing capability, we’re expecting the 2023 model to be able to tow more than its predecessor, thanks to its new platform. So, expect it to be able to tow to up to 5500 lbs. when equipped with Ford’s towing package,
2023 Ford Explorer Release Date & Price
We can confidently say that we won’t get to see the 2023 Ford Explorer until at least late next year or the beginning of 2023.
And as for the price, we’re expecting the base model to be sold at around $38,000 to $42,000 if they want to be competitive with their rivals.
So, overall, how do you feel about this lineup from Ford? They’re known for how well they handle the road, so we expect the next model to be even better at that. But for obvious things aside, what do you want to see in the 2023 Ford Explorer?
We’re personally very excited about the possibility of a completely redesigned interior because, as we’ve mentioned above, the way that it is right now, it looks pretty plasticky and cheap. While it has three rows, the third row suffers since it’s pretty tight back there.
Anyway, thank you for reading this article, let us know your thoughts about this lineup, and we’ll see you next time.
