Everyone likes an old favorite. And whether discussing Ford as a manufacturer or the individual vehicles within its lineup, such as the F-150 pickup truck or the Explorer SUV, "old favorite" is correct. American automotive manufacturers are the proverbial backbone of our nation, and companies like Ford have provided citizens and the government with some incredible automobiles. Today, there is no shortage of Ford vehicles to purchase. And whether you choose an SUV, EV, or pickup truck, every Ford model is highly customizable, thanks in no small part to the many available trim levels. One of the best vehicle and trim combinations in the Ford lineup is the 2022 Ford Explorer Limited. The Explorer has been on the market for over thirty years, and to say it has had a substantial impact on the industry would be an understatement.
The Explorer Limited isn't the priciest Explorer trim, but it provides a stark upgrade over the base model. Between a more robust set of safety features than the lower-tier trims, a tremendous amount of interior technology, and luxurious amenities such as heated seats for second-row passengers, the 2022 Explorer Limited has plenty to offer. The Explorer Limited is comparable to the pricier Explorer Platinum in terms of features but lacks the more powerful engine of the higher trim. What drivers get with the Explorer Limited is quite respectable for its MSRP of $47,070, which is noticeably less than the Platinum, which sits at an MSRP of $52,375.[a]
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The Explorer Limited retains the same drivetrain options as the other trims of the 2022 Explorer, meaning rear-wheel drive comes standard, and four-wheel drive is optional. Notably, the four-wheel drive system that is available with the Explorer Limited is Ford's patented Intelligent 4WD––a dynamic four-wheel drive system that activates when you need it most without any driver input.
There are also two different engine options available for the 2022 Ford Explorer Limited. While several Explorer trims only have a single engine option, the Explorer Limited offers an available hybrid powertrain for added fuel efficiency. The stock engine is a 2.3L turbocharged I-4 paired with the same 10-speed automatic transmission used in every Explorer. With this engine installed, the Explorer Limited outputs a respectable 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque––plenty for a midsize SUV. The turbocharged 2.3L I-4 engine inside the Explorer Limited allows drivers to tow a decent 5,300 lbs.
An advantage to the turbocharged engine is better fuel economy ratings than non-turbocharged engines. In the case of the 2022 Explorer Limited, its 2.3L engine also provides superior fuel efficiency ratings than the larger turbocharged 3.0L V6 engine seen on higher-tier trims, which is par for the course when pairing a smaller engine against a larger one.
The stock engine in the 2022 Explorer Limited earns EPA-estimated ratings of 21 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway with rear-wheel drive. Upgrade to four-wheel drive, and those numbers go down slightly to 20 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway. This eclipses the 3.0L engine seen in other trims, such as the Platinum, which maxes out at 18 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway when paired with rear-wheel drive.
Opting for the available 3.3L V6 hybrid engine on the 2022 Explorer Limited increases the SUV's power output to 318 hp and 322 lb-ft of torque, but the clear benefit is its increased fuel efficiency. With the hybrid powertrain, the Explorer Limited earns EPA-estimated ratings of 27 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway with rear-wheel drive or 23 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway with four-wheel drive. The hybrid powertrain also offers an impressive maximum towing capacity of 5,000 lbs, only losing 300 lbs of towing power compared to the stock turbocharged engine.
There's much that separates the interior of the 2022 Explorer Limited from the Explorer's more affordable trim levels. Technology and high-quality materials complement a driving experience that's robust, entertaining, and supremely comfortable. The 2022 Explorer Limited even comes with heated leather captain's chairs in the second row––a rare find at this price point. Another distinction between the 2022 Explorer Limited and its entry-level siblings is an 8-way power-adjustable passenger's seat. What about the driver? The driver gets treated to a stunning 10-way power-adjustable seat.
However, the Explorer Limited is not merely luxurious––it is also extremely practical and has room for all of your cargo. With all three rows of seats upright, this midsize SUV offers 18.2 cu.ft. of cargo space in the trunk. But by folding down the rear row of seats, you will get 47.9 cu.ft. of space for your belongings. At its most spacious, the 2022 Explorer Limited allows for 87.8 cu.ft. of available space if the second and third-row seats are folded down.
The 2022 Explorer Limited has some of the best tech available in the Explorer lineup. While the model comes standard with a capable eight-inch SYNC 3 infotainment center, there is an available 10.1-inch touchscreen with some unique tricks up its sleeve. The 10.1-inch display in the 2022 Explorer Limited is in a portrait orientation, which means it is taller than it is wide. With added pinch-to-zoom functionality to intuitively navigate the built-in GPS navigation, it's not too dissimilar to the modern-day tablet experience. The driver's Instrument Panel Cluster in the 2022 Explorer Limited also has a 6.5-inch screen instead of the 4.2-inch screen standard on lower-level trims.
Because of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, the infotainment center gains more versatility through smartphone integration and third-party apps. There's also plenty of wireless technology to enjoy within the 2022 Explorer Limited. For example, the vehicle comes with a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and a wireless charging pad for phones is standard even though it is optional or unavailable on most other trims. The 2022 Explorer Limited also comes standard with a premium 12-speaker audio system courtesy of Bang & Olufsen, pairing a dozen speakers with an impactful subwoofer––a noticeable inclusion. Drivers looking for more can opt for an upgraded 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system with an immense 980W output.
The 2022 Explorer Limited is one of the safest trims in the Explorer lineup. Not only does the Explorer Limited come with the industry-famous Ford Co-Pilot360 driver-assist suite, but it includes a couple of extra features not found on lower trims, such as the Forward Sensing System and Reverse Sensing System. The Forward Sensing System emits audible warnings to the driver when approaching a stationary object in front of your vehicle while parking, making it a far safer process. The Reverse Sensing System does the opposite and warns the driver of obstacles located behind the vehicle.
As part of Ford Co-Pilot360, every 2022 Explorer Limited comes with Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking. With these features, the Explorer Limited protects the vehicle's occupants and makes the roads safer for pedestrians and other drivers. Pre-Collision Assist warns the driver of an impending impact, while Automatic Emergency Braking stops the vehicle if the driver fails to do so in time, with the end goal of preventing accidents or minimizing their severity.
The 2022 Explorer Limited has additional safety features such as a Lane Keeping System and a Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert. The Lane Keeping System has a couple of uses. Firstly, it will warn the driver if the vehicle drifts away from its lane. The Lane Keeping System can also bring the car back into its intended lane if needed by combining subtle steering and braking inputs. The Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert is helpful on the freeway or any multi-lane road. If a vehicle is approaching in the blindspot of the Explorer Limited, an illuminated symbol will appear on the corresponding side-view mirror. Once the light turns off, you can safely switch lanes.
At DePaula Ford, we pride ourselves on being not just one of the best dealerships in the greater Albany area but on the passion and effort that our team puts into each sale. We have taken it upon ourselves to change how New York drivers think about dealerships, and our staff knows all about the latest Ford offerings. If you're looking for an F-150, Escape, Mustang, or Explorer, DePaula Ford can get you behind the wheel of any of these best-selling models at a competitive price.
Our used car selection includes options from multiple manufacturers, so if you're looking for something unique, you will find it here. DePaula Ford is located at 799 Central Ave, Albany, NY, so visit us today if you're looking for a new or used Ford vehicle to drive or simply need your car maintained at our on-site service center. That's right, we have an on-site service center with certified technicians, and we'll service your vehicle no matter where you purchased it. Visit us today for all of your automotive needs!
[a]MSRP may change without notice. See dealer for complete details.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
