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Ford — Explorer

The Ford Explorer is a range of SUVs manufactured by Ford Motor Company since the 1991 model year. Introduced as a replacement for the two-door Bronco II, the Explorer was body-on-frame mid-size SUV slotted between the Bronco and the larger Ford Expedition. Through its lifetime, the Ford Explorer has been produced across six generations and has been offered in multiple body styles including a three-door, five-door, and two wagon configurations. Historically one of Ford's best-selling models in the United States, the Explorer has found popularity for its combination of interior roominess, cargo capacity, and contemporary styling matched with traditional truck underpinnings.

Ford — Explorer

In production

Manufacturer:

Ford

Production Years:

1991 - Present

Generations:

6 Generations 1st Generation — 1991-1994 2nd Generation — 1995 - 2001 3rd Generation — 2002-2005 4th Generation — 2006-2010 5th Generation — 2011-2019 6th Generation — 2020 - Present

Class:

• Mid-size SUV (originally classified as a compact SUV in earlier generations)

Comparable Vehicles:

• Chevrolet Traverse • Dodge Durango • Honda Pilot • Toyota Highlander • Kia Telluride • Hyundai Palisade • Jeep Grand Cherokee

Predecessor:

• Ford Bronco II (replaced by the Explorer in 1991)

# of units sold:

8+ million units sold worldwide (as of 2020)

Base MSRP by Year

All figures are $USD and US Pricing

History and Development

The Ford Explorer is a mid-size SUV that has been produced by Ford Motor Company since 1990. It was one of the earliest modern sport utility vehicles to be designed and marketed for families and everyday use, departing from the traditional truck-based SUVs of the time. The first generation Explorer, introduced in 1990 for the 1991 model year, was based on the Ford Ranger pickup truck's chassis and suspension design. It quickly became one of the most popular vehicles in its class, thanks to its combination of passenger-friendly features and truck-like towing and off-road capabilities. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, the Explorer underwent several redesigns and upgrades, growing larger and more luxurious with each generation. By the late 2000s, the Explorer had transitioned from a body-on-frame truck platform to a unibody crossover design based on the Ford D4 platform, shared with other Ford and Lincoln models. This change aimed to improve fuel efficiency and handling characteristics while retaining the Explorer's versatility and cargo capacity. Safety innovations, such as Ford's AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control and Curve Control, were also introduced to address concerns about SUV rollovers. The current sixth generation Explorer, launched in 2019, features a rear-wheel-drive platform and optional twin-turbocharged V6 engine, marking a return to more traditional SUV proportions and capabilities. Over its three-decade history, the Ford Explorer has remained one of the most popular and recognizable SUV nameplates in the United States and has contributed significantly to the growth of the SUV market segment.

Explorer Annual Sales (US only)

All figures are x1000

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