EXPLORER 5TH GEN

About the Explorer 5th Gen

Ford went unibody with the fifth-gen Explorer and it was the right call. The 3.5-liter Duratec V6 made 290 hp, the 2.0 EcoBoost four-cylinder hit 240 hp, and a 3.5 EcoBoost was available making 365 hp. The independent rear suspension replaced the live axle and the ride quality jumped immediately. It drove like a car, which was what most Explorer buyers actually wanted. The interior was a significant step up with available Sony audio, an 8-inch touchscreen, and materials that justified the price. Third-row seating was standard on most trims. The Police Interceptor Utility variant became the default cop car in America, replacing the Crown Vic. That tells you something about how the fifth-gen drove. Ford sold enough of these to keep the Explorer nameplate firmly in the top five SUVs for a decade.