The 2019 Ford Explorer continues to shine in the heavy populated sea of crossover SUVs. Entering its final production year in the current generation, the 2019 Ford Explorer is available in five trims. This SUV is packed with impressive technology, offers multiple powertrain options, and features a slew of packages that can customize it seemingly any way you’d like.
What's New for 2019
The 2019 Explorer adds a few new packages, and active safety features are more widely available. Blind-spot monitoring and power and heated side mirrors are standard on all trims except the base. The Explorer Sport and Platinum gain paddle shifters, while a power tailgate is newly standard on the XLT.
Choosing Your Ford Explorer
For 2019, consumers can opt for one of five trim levels: base Explorer, XLT, Limited, Sport, and Platinum. The base engine is a 3.5-liter V6 that delivers 290 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque and is paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. The EPA rates this engine at 17 miles per gallon city, 24 mpg highway, and 20 combined. It comes standard on the base and XLT and is available on the Limited.
Standard on the Limited and available on the base and XLT (for an extra $895) is a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 280 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy estimates improve to 19/27/22 mpg (city/highway/combined) with front-wheel drive. Finally, the Sport and Platinum trims come exclusively with a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine that bangs out 365 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy drops to 16/22/18 mpg.
Front-wheel drive is standard on the base, XLT, and Limited, while the Sport and Platinum receive standard all-wheel drive. All-wheel drive can be added to the base, XLT, and Limited for $2,150 extra.
The 2019 Ford Explorer is the last of its current generation, as the model is due for a complete redesign in the 2020 model year. For the money, the Limited trim is the best value on the board for the 2019 lineup. Consumers living in cold weather climates should add all-wheel drive to any Explorer they choose.