2024 Ford Explorer XLT Colors, Interior, AWD – The Telluride, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, and Honda Passport are just a few midsize SUVs the 2024 Ford Explorer will compete against. The Explorer has a starting MSRP of $36,000 and goes up to $57,000 for its top-of-the-line Platinum model, with seven other trim levels. The base model comes with a turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-four that produces 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. The Explorer can pull up to 5,300 pounds when equipped with this engine. Two different machines are available, so not every package is created equal. The top-tier King Ranch and Platinum models include a 3.0L Twin-Turbocharged V6 engine, good for 400 horsepower. Both of the machines may be paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission.
Located between the XLT and Limited trims, the new ST-Line has the same look as the top-of-the-line ST, including the 20-inch alloy wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, and sporty interior treatment, but with a four-cylinder turbocharged engine. The ST is currently only offered with rear-wheel drive, but an all-wheel industry is still an option. Selecting the XLT Sport Appearance option upgrades the seats with new upholstery in Ebony bolsters and Light Slate inlays. This year also introduced new supplementary accessories like bumper guards and trunk dividers. Timberline models may now get a previously unavailable second-row bench. Lastly, Stone Blue and Burgundy Velvet are presented as alternative exterior color options.
2024 Ford Explorer Redesign
Although it’s stood around for a while, the Ford Explorer has kept its modern appearance and is perhaps more attractive than many other midsize SUVs. The standard external features of the basic model include LED headlights with automatic high beams, LED taillights, a motorized liftgate, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The XLT has a black mesh insert and chrome bars installed in the grille, black roof-rack side rails, and trademark LED lighting. The Platinum trim comes standard with 21-inch bright machined-face aluminum wheels with Luster Nickel-painted pockets. At the same time, the Limited adds slick aluminum roof rails, and the ST receives a special blackout treatment for the head-and taillights. Timberline logos adorn the C-pillar, and the front and back bumpers are explicitly made for this model. Other exterior details include steel skid plates front and rear, Red Ember tow hooks, a dark Carbonized Gray grille, gloss-black 18-inch alloys, and quad tailpipes. Stone Gray mesh grille inserts, chrome bodyside cladding, 20-inch alloy wheels, and King Ranch badging are some of the upgrades that come standard on the King Ranch.
As with previous years, the 2024 Ford Explorer in the United States offers a broad but generally understated range of exterior paint options. Agate Black, Iconic Silver, Carbonized Gray, Forged Green, and Atlas Blue is the only five muted colors available on the basic model, which also gains Forged Green and Atlas Blue in 2024. Stone Gray, Atlas Blue, and the newly introduced Stone Blue are no-cost additions to the XLT, while Rapid Red and the entirely new 2024 Burgundy Velvet cost $495, and Star White cost $795. The rest of the trimmings have to make do with a smaller color pallet, but they can all use Forged Green, which is a perfect complement to the Explorer’s rugged good looks. A few of the outgoing hues include Oxford White and Infinite Blue.
Interior
While the Explorer’s cabin design isn’t the most creative, the first two rows of seats are rather comfy and ideal for long drives. Standard third-row access is simplified by a device that, with the push of a button, slides the seat in the second row forward. However, once in the rear, older children and adults will discover that the heart is shallow. The third-row seats in rivals like the Chevrolet Traverse and Volkswagen Atlas are roomier and more luxurious. With the third seat folded down, we could store four suitcases, and with both rows folded down, we could fit 31 bags in the Ford.
Features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot are included in the 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that comes as standard equipment. While the system’s responsiveness and visual appeal are welcome qualities, the lack of an intuitive interface is frustrating. That’s when a rotatory controller comes in handy. You’ll need to go for one of the Explorer’s top trims if you want the vertically-oriented 10.1-inch screen that comes as an option. Every model may be equipped with a rear-seat entertainment system and voice-activated navigation. A B&O sound system with 12 speakers is standard equipment on all Explorers, excluding the entry-level model.
Engine
Ford offers the Explorer a choice between three different engines. The standard equipment is an EcoBoost four-cylinder generating 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The regular Expedition, the XLT, the Limited, and the Timberline all include this. The King Ranch, Platinum, and ST all use a 3.0L twin-turbo V6. The 365-hp engine, previously available in the King Ranch and Platinum trims and 400 hp and 415 lb-ft in the ST trim, will be phased out in 2024 when all V6 turbocharged vehicles will use the high-output 400-hp engine. The Limited and Platinum trims provide a hybrid drivetrain that combines a 3.3-liter naturally aspirated V6 with electric motors to generate 318 horsepower and 322 pound-feet of torque. Every single one of the available powertrains is coupled to a smooth-shifting 10-speed auto.
The Ford Explorer gets decent gas mileage for a vehicle of its size and weight, and its turbocharged engines are reasonably efficient. However, this varies depending on the model, trim level, and the number of driven wheels. The most fuel-efficient is the hybrid versions, which achieve 27/28/27 mpg in city/highway/combined modes with RWD and 23/26/25 mpg with all-wheel drive. Without electric assistance, the 2.3-liter RWD model gets the best fuel economy (21/28/24) mpg according to the EPA, while the 20/27/23 mpg achieved by the AWD variant is less impressive. The Timberline’s off-road efficiency drops to 19/23/21 mpg, which is astonishingly similar to the 18/26/21 mpg achieved by the more powerful V6 in RWD form. With AWD, your mpg drops to an estimated 18/24/20.
2024 Ford Explorer Release Date and Price
The price difference between the Ford Explorer’s base model and the highest-end Platinum model is almost $20,000. The base model costs $33,245 (excluding taxes, registration, and destination charge of $1,295). The XLT has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $36,145; the new ST-Line costs $44,745, and the Limited commands a whopping $45,495. For the 2019 Ford Explorer, adding all-wheel drive will cost an additional $2,000. This is true for any of the four-cylinder variants. The Timberline starts at $46,245 and comes standard with 4WD, while the RWD 3.0L V6 ST is priced at $47,245. The Platinum model is the most expensive at $55,740, while the King Ranch model costs $53,610. There are just two variants available for the hybrid you choose. The base price of a Platinum model (with regular 4WD) is $54,115, while the Hybrid Limited starts at $50,280. A Ford Explorer will be released in the United States in the summer of 2023.