The Ford Explorer: Perfect for Families

Shopping for an SUV isn’t always easy, but choosing the right dealership makes things a lot simpler since you get to work with people who are dedicated to helping you find what you need. While we’re always happy to help you here at Pauli Ford, we also know that doing research ahead of time on your own helps make your car-buying experience as straightforward and hassle-free as possible. The Ford lineup includes a variety of excellent SUVs for you to choose from. You have great options, but that can also make it tricky to decide which one is right for you. If you need a large SUV for a growing family, then you should be looking for a Ford Explorer for sale to meet your needs. Not sure if the Ford Explorer is right for you? Then, let’s take a closer look and see what it has to offer:

Efficient Engines for a Great Ride

Whether you’re fed up with constantly fluctuating gas prices or simply want to avoid interrupting your life as much as possible, if you’re anything like us, you want a vehicle that keeps you on the road longer. While a large SUV like this isn’t going to be quite as efficient as a compact model, the Ford Explorer does a fantastic job of giving you great features while also helping you avoid stops for gas for a good long time. There are two engines offered on the 2024 Explorer—while they’re both quite efficient, there are important differences between them.

The standard engine on the Explorer is a 2.3L I-4 with good power packed into it to ensure you have a great time while you’re driving. With this engine, a 2023 Explorer can get an EPA-estimated 26 MPG in the city, 28 MPG on the highway, and 24 MPG of combined fuel economy. If you’re looking for something with more kick, then the available 3.0L V6 engine delivers improved performance, but sacrifices a bit of efficiency. This available engine gets an estimated 18 MPG in the city, 26 MPG on the highway, and 21 MPG of combined fuel economy.

Our point, however, is that both of these engines are extremely efficient, providing you with an SUV that offers seating for seven people inside while letting you skip the gas pump more often than not. We should note that these numbers are for a model with rear-wheel drive. If you prefer all-wheel drive for dealing with the winters in Michigan (we don’t blame you), then you’ll lose just a bit of efficiency. Still, the Explorer is a terrific choice for going longer without needing to stop, making it perfect for getting through your daily commute, running errands, and enjoying road trips with your friends and family.

A Spacious and Functional Interior

Although not the largest SUV in Ford’s lineup, the three-row Explorer is a terrific choice if you want something with plenty of room inside, but you don’t want to go overboard with a vehicle that won’t easily fit into your life. You get room for up to seven passengers in the Explorer: two up front, two in the middle, and three in the rear seats. With the available PowerFold second-row seats, your passengers won’t just be incredibly comfortable, but it’s also easier to shift the seating for loading up with passengers and cargo alike.

Speaking of which, you get plenty of room to take advantage of in the Explorer, making it an ideal choice for a day of shopping, getting people and luggage to the airport, or stocking up with camping supplies. You get more than 18 cu.ft. of cargo space just in the rear of the Explorer, with nearly 48 cu.ft. of cargo volume behind the second row of seats and almost 88 cu.ft. of total cargo space behind the front seats. That’s a ton of room for the things you need to bring with you; if you need even more, then the standard engine can handle up to 5,300 lbs of maximum towing capacity, letting you haul a camper, trailer, or boat behind you with ease.

Keeping You and Your Passengers Comfy

There are eight different trim levels available for the Ford Explorer, which can make it difficult to narrow down your options. Fortunately, you can’t go wrong with any of them, but it’s still important to prioritize which is right for you. The starting trim features an eight-way power driver’s seat, with cloth seating inside and more. Tri-zone electronic automatic temperature control is standard, ensuring everyone inside remains comfortable.

Looking at something like the King Ranch model, you’ll find a number of upgrades and additional features to make for an even more enjoyable ride. For example, the King Ranch has Del Rio leather seating inside with perforated inserts for added comfort, featuring a 10-way power driver’s seat, an eight-way power front-passenger seat, and heated and ventilated front seats for incredible comfort. Going all the way up to the Platinum trim level takes things even further with leather seating surfaces featuring Tri-Diamond perforated inserts, an available twin-panel moonroof, and much more.

Advanced Tech Features to Enjoy

Of course, not all of the impressive features in the 2024 Ford Explorer come down to comfort. Far from it. Ford’s designers and engineers have been hard at work making an SUV with fantastic tech features and options throughout, keeping you connected to your devices and making your daily drive better than ever. Looking to the King Ranch again, we find a big 10.1-inch Infotainment display, joined by a 12.3-inch Digital Productivity Screen for you as the driver. There’s a 12-speaker B&O sound system (though a 14-speaker system is available if that’s not enough), plus you get numerous USB ports throughout the interior for charging devices, along with a wireless charging pad and multi-color ambient lighting for an added touch of style.

Remarkable Safety Features

No matter what else you are looking for in your vehicle, nothing is more important than how well it can keep you and your loved ones safe on the road. Fortunately, Ford understands this, which is why every Explorer comes with the Ford Co-Pilot360 Technology standard—a remarkable suite of advanced safety technologies. This package includes Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, which can detect a potential collision and help you avoid it, along with Adaptive Cruise Control to make highway driving easier and safer.

You get a Lane-Keeping System that warns you if you start to drift lanes plus Auto High-Beam Headlamps that come on in low light and automatically dim when oncoming traffic is detected to avoid blinding other drivers. This suite includes a Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert to warn you when someone is hiding in your blind spot or when something is about to pass behind you while you’re backing up at low speeds. You can even take safety further with more available features like Front Parking Sensors to help with parking, and a 360-Degree Camera to give you a virtual look around your Explorer during low-speed maneuvering.

Is the Ford Explorer Right for Your Family?

As you can see, the 2024 Ford Explorer has a lot to offer, which is why it’s no surprise that so many people are choosing this as the SUV for their family. Whether you’re most interested in great fuel economy, spacious and comfortable interior design, innovative technology, or advanced safety features, the Explorer has you covered. There are eight different trim levels available, which means even if you know the Explorer is right for you, you still have some important decisions to make. That’s why it helps to choose a dealership that will put your needs first and work tirelessly to ensure you drive away in a vehicle you love. No matter what you are looking for, here at Pauli Ford, we will help you find a Ford Explorer perfect for daily driving, making memories on vacation, and everything in between.