Ford Explorer
Ford
Photo: Kevauto / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Ford Explorer: The SUV That Defined a Segment
The Explorer is Ford's enduring midsize SUV, a vehicle that helped ignite the SUV boom and remains a three-row family staple.
Introduced in 1990, the Explorer played a huge role in popularizing the SUV in America, becoming one of the best-selling SUVs of the 1990s. Early models were rugged, body-on-frame trucks, but the modern Explorer moved to a more refined unibody platform.
Today the Explorer is a three-row midsize SUV offering V6 and turbocharged power, hybrid options, and the sporty ST performance variant. Rear- and all-wheel-drive layouts suit a wide range of family needs.
Across its long life, the Explorer has remained one of Ford's most important models, synonymous with the family SUV.
Frequently asked questions about Ford Explorer
When did the Explorer launch?
The Ford Explorer launched in 1990 and helped popularize the SUV in America.
Does the Explorer have three rows?
Yes, the modern Explorer is a three-row midsize SUV.
What is the Explorer ST?
The ST is a sporty performance variant of the Explorer.
Is the Explorer body-on-frame?
Early Explorers were body-on-frame, but the modern version uses a unibody platform.
Does the Explorer offer a hybrid?
Yes, the Explorer offers hybrid options alongside V6 and turbocharged engines.
