A 2022 Ford Explorer Buyer’s Guide
Do you know what’s one hundred and twenty years old and is doing better than ever? Ford. When Ford was around ninety years old, it released the venerable Ford Explorer––the SUV that laid the foundation for all future Ford SUVs, such as the Edge and Escape. If you’re looking for a Ford Explorer dealership, we have a 2022 buyer’s guide to teach you everything you need to know before you take a trip to DePaula Ford. Within our Ford Explorer buyer’s guide, we’ll briefly discuss trims and pricing and follow up with the powertrain selection and some optional features worth seeking.
The 2022 Ford Explorer starts at an MSRP of $35,510 for the base trim, aptly named the Explorer.[a] The base Explorer is a worthwhile investment with its plethora of standard features ranging from comfort and luxury to technology and safety. Base-trim SUVs rarely reach the heights the 2022 Explorer reaches, but this model––as much as its base configuration impresses––only gets better when working your way up the trim ladder. Options include the XLT, ST-Line, Timberline, Limited, ST, King Ranch, and Platinum. The Explorer’s price varies depending on the trim level you purchase, but there isn’t an available Explorer model that isn’t worth the money. Are you ready to discuss performance? Read on, and we’ll tell you everything you must know.
Three Is a Magic Number
If the standard engine doesn’t cut it, maybe one of the other two options will. For the 2022 Explorer, your SUV’s powertrain is based mainly on the trim level you’ve purchased. For example, the standard engine equipped in trims from the base to the Limited is a turbocharged 2.3L I-4 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. However, if you invest in the Limited trim, you can opt for a hybrid powertrain instead of the standard engine. It’s worth mentioning the 10-speed automatic transmission comes equipped with all three powertrains, which is advantageous for more cost-effective models such as the base Explorer.
The base turbocharged 2.3L I-4 engine we mentioned prior gives the trims with this powertrain 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. The 2.3L I-4 engine provides ample power, especially for the Explorer’s base model. With a maximum towing capacity of 5,300 lbs, it sits between the other two options with enough grunt to complete light to moderate towing tasks. We recommend sticking with the turbocharged 2.3L I-4 engine if it checks all the boxes for what you need: performance, efficiency, towing prowess, etc. Otherwise, there are still two options available to you.
Before we speak about the following two engines, it’s crucial to mention fuel efficiency. The uptick in towing capacity between the hybrid powertrain and the base one doesn’t prevent the turbocharged 2.3L I-4 engine from pumping out incredibly similar highway mileage to the hybrid powertrain in both RWD and 4WD forms. For example, the turbocharged 2.3L I-4 engine garners EPA-estimated ratings of 21 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway with RWD, and the 4WD drivetrain outputs 20 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway. The 3.3L V6 hybrid powertrain has better city mileage, but not highway mileage, with its EPA-estimated ratings of 27 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway with RWD, or 23 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway with 4WD.
What performance can you expect from the 3.3L V6 hybrid powertrain? The 3.3L V6 hybrid creates 318 hp and 322 lb-ft of torque, which is a larger output than the base powertrain, albeit towing is capped at a slightly lower 5,000 lbs. The hybrid powertrain is only available with the Limited and Platinum trims, but your choice comes down to what you care more about––better towing or better mileage. The third and final engine for the 2022 Explorer is a twin-turbo 3.0L V6 available on the ST, King Ranch, and Platinum trims. This option creates 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque with a maximum towing capacity of 5,600 lbs. It’s the best of the best for those who are interested in having more power.
Features You Must Consider
We can’t write a buyer’s guide without discussing the standard features you can find in your Explorer at no additional cost. The base Explorer leaves a lasting impression, especially with its focus on interior comfort from the get-go. For example, the base model comes equipped with an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat––an amenity rarely found standard. But here, it’s the least exciting feature, if you can believe that. The base Explorer also includes heated seats in the second row––and every chair will be shrouded in stitched cloth. The only downside to the base Explorer is that the front passenger has to make do with only a four-way manual seat.
The base trim is undoubtedly a jaw-dropper in many ways, but purchasing the next available trim enhances the experience. The following trim, the XLT, swaps out the driver’s seat for a 10-way power-adjustable version, and the front-seat passenger gets a four-way power-adjustable seat, which is far better than the base model’s offering. The front-seat passenger in the 2022 Explorer XLT can even be treated to an optional eight-way power-adjustable seat equal to the driver’s seat offered on the base trim. Stepping up one more trim level to the ST-Line gives the front-seat passenger this eight-way power-adjustable seat standard.
The trim level you opt for changes multiple facets of the experience, from the powertrains to comfort, driver-assist features, and more. We’ve discussed the competent powertrain and some interior amenities, but the trim level you choose also dictates the type of infotainment experience you get with your Explorer. The base Explorer impresses again with a SYNC 3 infotainment center displayed on an eight-inch screen. A more than respectable screen is the icing on the cake, considering it has features such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and others.
The XLT offers much the same as the standard model, but the ST-Line improves upon things with a premium 12-speaker audio system courtesy of Bang & Olufsen. Some trim levels, such as the Limited, can be configured to include a 10.1-inch screen to replace the standard eight-inch display. The Limited has the 12-speaker B&O audio solution we mentioned as a standard feature but also offers an available upgrade path that adds two more speakers to the mix and increases the power output to an astonishing 980 Watts. If you want the intensity of a home theater in the cabin of your SUV, then B&O has the speaker system for you, and with the help of a Ford Explorer at DePaula Ford, it can be yours today.
Unlike Your Last Vehicle
Shopping for a vehicle means making decisions. The vehicle you purchase has to check the boxes of what you want in a car, whether it’s style, performance, tech, or driver-assist features. The 2023 Explorer should fit the bill for many types of drivers. Between its standard features, luxurious amenities, respectable performance, and impressive fuel efficiency, the 2023 Explorer is anything but lacking. Depending on the vehicle you’re coming over from, the chances are that the 2023 Explorer will be unlike your last car, especially if you’re coming from an older vehicle––SUV or not. We love the Explorer here at our dealership and know you will too. That’s why we invite you to purchase yours from DePaula Ford today!
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