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1997 Ford Explorer

Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Select a Trim
Select a Trim
1997 XL 2dr 4x2
most popular
Price:   -  From $20,085
1997 Sport 2dr 4x2 Price:   -  From $21,265
1997 XL 4dr 4x2 Price:   -  From $21,485
1997 XL 2dr 4x4 Price:   -  From $22,050
1997 Sport 2dr 4x4 Price:   -  From $23,095
1997 XL 4dr 4x4 Price:   -  From $23,405
1997 XLT 4dr 4x2 Price:   -  From $24,220
1997 XLT 4dr 4x4 Price:   -  From $26,225
1997 XLT 4dr All-wheel Drive Price:   -  From $26,225
1997 Eddie Bauer 4dr 4x2 Price:   -  From $29,065
1997 Eddie Bauer 4dr All-wheel Drive Price:   -  From $30,730
1997 Eddie Bauer 4dr 4x4 Price:   -  From $31,070
1997 Limited 4dr 4x2 Price:   -  From $32,720
1997 Limited 4dr All-wheel Drive Price:   -  From $34,670
1997 Limited 4dr 4x4 Price:   -  From $35,005

Overview

Unless you've spent the past half dozen years doing doctoral research among the Mud People of the Upper Amazon, you have taken note of the phenomenon called the sport-utility vehicle, the SUV to some, the sport-ute to others. You may even be an owner. If so, you are a member of one of the fastest growing clubs in the country. Virtually every manufacturer selling cars in the U.S. offers an SUV, and there are more coming. But none of them, not even Jeep, can come close to the sales champ, the Ford Explorer. One of every four sport-utilities sold is an Explorer. Last year that meant 402,663 units, and that made the Explorer the third best selling vehicle in the country, trailing only a pair of pickup trucks. With the addition of an excellent new overhead cam V6 engine this year, the Explorer's numbers are likely to get even better. The new V6, which has a single cam over each bank of cylinders, with two valves per cylinder, displaces 4.0 liters, produces 205 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque, delivered to the wheels via a new five-speed automatic transmission. The basic 4.0-liter overhead valve V6 and the four speed automatic are still available, as is a 5.0-liter V8. A simple three-position dial on the instrument panel controls the four-wheel-drive system. The normal mode is Auto. This mode continually monitors and adjusts power to the front wheels to minimize slip. The 4x4 High mode electronically locks the transfer case in high gear, providing a 50/50 torque split between the front and rear wheels. This mode is primarily for off road and extreme winter conditions. The 4x4 Low mode switches the transfer case to the lower gear ranges for serious off-roading. Explorer permutations are numerable. They start with a basic two-door, two-wheel-drive XL at $20,610, including destination, and stop with the four-door, 4WD Limited at $35,530. Our tester, a four-door 4WD XLT, equipped the way many are sold, sits in between the extremes at $29,635. Depending on certain option packages, the new V6 with the five-speed automatic can be added to the XLT for $425. The V8, with a trailer-towing package and four-speed automatic, tacks on an additional $1545.

Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Available
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
Standard: 4.0L V-6 / 160 HP / 225 ft.lbs.
Available: 4.0L V-6 / 205 HP / 250 ft.lbs.
Transmission
Standard: 5-spd man w/OD
Available: 5-spd auto w/OD
Drive Type
Rear-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
18 / 23 / 20 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
5
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
Standard: 4.0L V-6 / 160 HP / 225 ft.lbs.
Available: 4.0L V-6 / 205 HP / 250 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Rear-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
18 / 23 / 20 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Rear Suspension
Spare Tire And Wheel
Full-size Steel
Fuel Tank
17.5 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$67
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
69.4 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
Exterior Length
178.6 "
Exterior Width
70.2 "
Exterior Height
66.9 "
Front Headroom
39.8 "
Rear Headroom
39.1 "
Front Legroom
42.4 "
Rear Legroom
36.5 "
Front Shoulder Room
55.7 "
Rear Shoulder Room
57.9 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
3,707 Lbs.
Wheel Base
102 "
Turning Radius
17.3 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
2 Doors
Wheels
15.0 " Steel
Paint
Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Manual / Dual Power Remote
Bumpers
Chrome
Grille Moldings
Chrome
Rear Spoiler
Exhaust
Non Stainless Steel
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
5
Seat Trim
Vinyl / Cloth
Front Seat Type
Bucket / Captain
Heated Front Seats
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
4-way
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
4-way
Front Armrests
4-way
Rear Armrests
Rear Seats
50-50 Bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Am/fm Stereo, Clock, Seek-scan / Premium Am/fm Stereo, Seek-scan / Am/fm Stereo, Seek-scan
Speakers
4 / 4 Performance
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Tilt
Climate Control
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror
Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Driver
Tinted Windows
Light / Deep
Vanity Mirrors
Passenger
Remote Keyless Entry
Power Outlets
2
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Knee Airbag
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Security Systems
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Major Components Months
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
Roadside Assistance Months
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation
60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months
36 Months / 36,000 Miles

Used 1997 Ford Explorer for Sale

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