Hop in the 2024 Ford Explorer for everything from a family-friendly everyday cruise to a sporty jaunt down your favorite off-road trail. As usual, these three-row midsize crossovers deliver incredible interior comfort, thrilling speed, and as many upgrades as you can handle.
Key Takeaways
- Drive home in this three-row crossover SUV for substantial power, sporty capabilities, and all-star comfort.
- Thanks to eight available trim models, there’s an Explorer for every kind of driver.
- Depending on which Explorer trim model you select, these sporty Fords can deliver up to 400 horsepower!
- Choose from seven shades of paint for your 2024 Explorer, including Agate Black and Rapid Red Metallic.
Why choose the 2024 Ford Explorer?
When you’re shopping for a midsize crossover with three rows of seating, over-the-top power, and cutting-edge tech and comfort features, you can’t beat the Explorer. This American icon lives up to its reputation for reliability, too, making it a favorite among families.
For 2024, there’s no hybrid powertrain option. We expect a refreshed Explorer for the 2025 model year, but we don’t yet know whether the hybrid will make a comeback!
Which 2024 Ford Explorer trim model should I choose?
With the Explorer, you certainly have options. Choose from eight trim models: Base, XLT, ST-Line, Timberline, Limited, ST, King Ranch, and Platinum. The one that’s right for you provides features that will improve your daily drive, but also comes with a price that’s well within your budget! Let’s take a look at how each Explorer can enhance your everyday cruising.
Base
The baseline Explorer is a comfortable, high-tech option, with standard features that include:
- Cloth upholstery
- Power-adjustable driver’s seat
- Tri-zone automatic climate control
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Terrain Management System
- Power liftgate
- Rear parking sensors
- Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety aids (including blind-spot warning, lane departure mitigation, and forward collision mitigation)
XLT
Compared to the handsomely equipped base model, the mid-level XLT enhances your ride with Ford’s SYNC infotainment system, comfort upgrades, and a few extra utility features:
- ActiveX seating material
- Heated front seats
- Power-adjustable front passenger seat
- Second-row captain’s chairs
- 6.5-inch digital gauge cluster
- SYNC 3 with 10.1-inch touchscreen
- Intelligent Access with push-button start
- Roof rails
- Heated exterior mirrors
ST-Line
For a great price on sporty styling, there’s the ST-Line. This Explorer builds on the mid-level XLT features with a few luxury features:
- ActiveX seating material with Miko inserts and red contrast stitching
- Ambient interior lighting
- Built-in navigation
- 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound system
- Wireless smartphone charging pad
- Surround-view camera system
- Black grille and exterior trim
- Dark-tinted headlights and taillights
- 20-inch machined aluminum wheels with painted pockets
- Dual chrome exhaust tips
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
- Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+
Timberline
This Explorer adds to the XLT lineup with trail-friendly qualities, like extra ground clearance and all-terrain tires. But it also improves everyday comfort, thanks to soft, faux-leather seating and heated-second row seats. Other Timberline upgrades include:
- Faux-leather upholstery with cloth inserts
- Heated second-row seats
- All-wheel drive
- All-terrain tires
- Limited-slip rear differential
- 8.66-inch ground clearance
- Steel underbody skid plates
- Trailer towing equipment
- Exclusive front-end styling
Limited
With the Limited, you can enjoy family-friendly interior luxury at a reasonable price. Compared to the middling XLT, the Limited adds coveted upgrades, such as leather upholstery and a premium sound system. Other features include:
- Leather-trimmed seats with micro-perforated inserts and accent stitching
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Power-folding and heated second-row seats
- Second-row sunshades
- 12-speaker B&O sound system by Bang & Olufsen, including subwoofer
- Ambient interior lighting
- 20-inch Premium-painted aluminum wheels
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
- Front parking sensors
ST
The high-performance Explorer trim model improves speed with the turbocharged V6 engine, plus an exclusive sport-tuned suspension. The ST is also known for its unique styling and upscale cabin. Features include:
- Leather upholstery with Miko micro-perforated inserts and City Silver accent stitching
- Front sport seats
- Heated steering wheel
- 12.3-inch digital instrument panel
- 3.0L EcoBoost V6 with auto start-stop technology
- Transmission paddle shifters
- Quad chrome exhaust tips
- Trailer towing equipment
- Ford Performance ST SUV Experience Driving School class
- Optional Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package
- Optional ST High package (adds luxury features, like driver’s seat memory, wireless smartphone charging, and a premium sound system)
King Ranch
A luxury-minded cowboy would love the King Ranch styling, which includes exclusive Del Rio leather upholstery, wood cabin trim, and leather-wrapped interior panels. These Explorers also improve the tech setup with a bigger digital gauge cluster and driver’s seat memory settings. Features include:
- Del Rio leather upholstery with lasso-perforated inserts
- Driver’s seat memory
- 12.3-inch digital instrument panel
- Power-adjustable tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
- Power-releasing second-row captain’s chairs
- Leather-wrapped interior panels
- Wood interior trim
- 20-inch 10-spoke aluminum wheels with King Ranch center cap
- Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors with LED turn signal indicators
- Hands-free liftgate
- Rear automatic braking
Platinum
For top-of-the-line luxury, choose the Platinum. It adds to the King Ranch features with unique styling and classy upgrades, including:
- Leather seating with ti-diamond perforated inserts
- Exclusive wood interior trim
- 21-inch bright machined-face aluminum wheels with Luster Nickel-painted pockets
- Adaptive headlights
- Satin aluminum grille and exterior trim
- Exclusive grille with stain aluminum finish
How much horsepower does the 2024 Ford Explorer produce?
In the most powerful version of the Ford Explorer, you’ll enjoy 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque! That’s thanks to a peppy turbocharged V6 engine, which you’ll find in the ST, King Ranch, and Platinum trim models. Properly equipped, these Explorers can tow up to 5,600 pounds, a boon for families with big outdoor toys, like boats or campers.
In the other 2024 Explorer trim models — Base, XLT, ST-Line, Limited, and Timberline — you’ll find a muscular turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Thanks to 300 horses and 310 pound-feet of torque, these midsize crossover SUVs help you zoom around town in style. With optional all-wheel drive (standard in the trail-ready Timberline model), you can prepare any Explorer for the trail. With the base 300-horsepower engine, you can equip your Explorer to tow up to 5,300 pounds!
Check out the 2024 Ford Explorer powertrain specs, depending on trim model:
- Base, XLT, ST-Line, Limited, Timberline: turbocharged 2.3L four-cylinder engine (300 hp, 310 lb-ft)
- ST, King Ranch, Platinum: turbo 3.0L V6 (400 hp, 415 lb-ft)
- 10-speed automatic transmission
- Rear-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive
What are the 2024 Ford Explorer colors?
The latest Ford Explorer is available with seven exterior paint options:
- Rapid Red Metallic
- Star White Metallic
- Iconic Silver
- Agate Black
- Stone Blue
- Carbonized Gray
- Forged Green