2022 Ford Explorer Overview

The Ford Explorer is the vehicle that practically invented the family SUV segment, and it still outshines rival models today. The 2022 Ford Explorer is popular with customers at the Flagstaff Ford dealer, thanks to its comfortable ride, spacious cargo area, and powerful engines. Buyers also appreciate the Explorer’s long list of technology and driver assistance features. For 2022, the Ford Explorer gets a new ST-Line trim, which gets the same look as the ST trim, albeit with a fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine under the hood. The ST-Line features 20-inch wheels, black exterior touches, black badging, synthetic suede seats with red stitching, and a sport steering wheel. According to the Ford dealer near Flagstaff, buyers can now get the ST trim with rear-wheel drive. The V6 powering the King Ranch and Platinum trims gets a horsepower boost to 400 hp. These models can now get a second-row bench seat or captain’s chairs at no extra charge. The Timberline trim can also get a second-row bench. The automotive media gives the 2022 Ford Explorer high marks, with Edmunds writing: “While it may not be as revered as the Mustang or Bronco, the Ford Explorer earns plenty of credit for being one of Ford’s most versatile vehicles. Slotting between the midsize five-passenger Ford Edge and full-size Expedition, the three-row Explorer is well suited for family hauling duty. It also boasts strong towing capabilities for its class and an engine lineup that should satisfy whether you’re looking for high fuel efficiency or sporty performance.” The 2022 Ford Explorer seats up to seven passengers in three rows. It’s available in eight trim levels: base, XLT, Limited, ST-Line, Timberline, ST, King Ranch and Platinum. The base, XLT and Limited trims are powered by a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 300 horses and 310 lb-ft of torque. The King Ranch, Platinum and ST are equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 that develops 400 hp and 415 lb-ft. There’s also a hybrid Explorer that combines a 3.3-liter V-6 engine with an electric motor to produce a total of 318 horsepower.

All powerplants are mated to a ten-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available. When properly outfitted, the Explorer can tow up to 5,600 pounds. The base Explorer trim comes with alloy wheels, LED headlights, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, a 35/30/35-split folding second-row bench seat, 50/50-split folding third-row seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, a power liftgate, rear parking sensors, and a rearview camera. Also standard is an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a six-speaker stereo, satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, two USB ports, and MyKey. The Ford Co-Pilot360 safety suite features lane departure warning, lane keep assist, a pre-collision warning and braking system, rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, and a driver attention monitor. The 2022 Ford Explorer is very safe. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named the 2022 Explorer a Top Safety Pick+, its highest award. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has yet to review the 2022 Ford Explorer as of this writing. However, the 2021 model received the agency’s highest overall safety rating of five stars. We expect identical scores this year.