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2019 Ford Explorer

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Interior Profile
OEM Exterior
OEM Exterior
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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
2019 Base 4dr Front-Wheel Drive
most popular
Price:   -  From $32,365
2019 XLT 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $34,400
2019 Base 4dr 4x4 Price:   -  From $34,515
2019 XLT 4dr 4x4 Price:   -  From $36,550
2019 Limited 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $42,765
2019 Limited 4dr 4x4 Price:   -  From $44,915
2019 Sport 4dr 4x4 Price:   -  From $46,625
2019 Platinum 4dr 4x4 Price:   -  From $54,165

Overview

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.

Ford Explorer

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.

Ford Explorer

Base

The base Explorer arrives at dealerships starting at $33,360 (all prices include the $995 destination charge). It comes standard with 18-inch wheels and Ford’s 100A equipment group, which includes an air filtration system, single-zone climate control, cruise control, second- and third-row tinted windows, cloth upholstery, and manual-adjustable front seats. The base also features the Sync voice command system and includes a rearview camera. The base comes in four exterior colors and a single interior pattern. The only notable package options are the Trailer Tow Package – Class II ($395) and Trailer Tow Package – Class III ($570).

Ford Explorer

XLT

The Explorer XLT is the second trim option and starts at $35,395. The XLT includes upgrades such as LED running lights, rear parking sensors, chrome body accents, and SiriusXM satellite radio.

The XLT trim opens the door to several Equipment Group upgrades. The 201A Equipment Group ($2,780) adds Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system displayed via an eight-inch LCD touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, two USB charging ports, a seven-speaker sound system, dual 4.2-inch LCD driver displays in the instrument cluster, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, fog lights, a power liftgate, remote start, dual-zone climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and more. The 202A Equipment Group ($6,230) bundles the 201A features and adds a forward sensing system, a heated steering wheel, partial leather seating surfaces, and heated front seats.

The XLT can also be spiced up with several packages. The XLT Desert Copper Package ($1,840) adds 20-inch polished alloy wheels, first- and second-row black leather-trimmed seats, third-row black vinyl-trimmed seats, and chrome mirror caps, while the XLT Sport Appearance Package ($1,595) offers 20-inch wheels, black exterior treatments and badging, roof-rack side rails, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and leather seats. The Ford Safe and Smart Package ($1,020) bundles blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and automatic high beams.

Ford Explorer

Limited

Climbing up the trim ladder, the Limited begins at $43,760 and is arguably the best buy of the Explorer lineup. The Limited includes the 202A Equipment Group features and also adds the 2.3-liter turbocharged engine, leather upholstery, heated and cooled front seats, a 12-speaker Sony audio system, and a voice-activated navigation system. Consumers can opt for the normally-aspirated V6 engine if they choose for $570. The Safe and Smart Package is again available, while the Limited Luxury Package ($1,905) adds 20-inch aluminum wheels, chrome mirror caps, front multi-contour seats, and an upgraded leather steering wheel.

Ford Explorer

Sport

Starting at $47,620, the Explorer Sport gains the 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6, all-wheel drive, and a beefed-up suspension kit. It features perforated leather seating, 20-inch aluminum wheels, a rear spoiler, a power liftgate, chrome quad exhaust tips, the Class III Trailer Tow Package, LED headlights, a high gloss black mesh grille insert, black roof rack side rails, and blackout treatment for the headlights and taillights. The 401A Equipment Group ($2,825) installs rain-sensing windshield wipers, a 110-volt outlet, a universal garage door opener, second-row heated seats, cooled front seats, a power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, a Sony audio system, memory for the driver's seat and side mirrors, inflatable rear outboard safety belts, a front 180-degree camera, two second-row USB ports, and ambient lighting.

Ford Explorer

Platinum

The ultimate Ford Explorer is the Platinum, with an MSRP of $55,160. This range-topper comes with the twin-turbo V6, chrome exterior touches, a twin-panel moonroof, an upgraded Sony audio system, perforated leather seats with quilted bolsters, memory functionality for the pedals, enhanced park assist, and the active safety features from the Safe and Smart Package. The Platinum doesn't have any packages available, as it already comes with nearly every upgrade and option as standard.

CarsDirect Tip

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.

Get your price on a Ford Explorer »

author image
Automotive Editor
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Expert Review

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.

author image
Automotive Editor

The Ford Explorer has seen its fair share of nips, tucks, and powertrain updates since its current generation hit showrooms in 2011. While these updates have been nice, the 2019 Ford Explorer still runs on a nine-year-old platform and design language. Is it worth looking past this lack of change and buying this aging SUV for your family? Keep reading to find out.

Best Value

The 2019 Ford Explorer is available in five trim levels: base, XLT, Limited, Sport, and Platinum. While the Limited and Platinum models are enticing, they're very expensive, so we recommend going with the more reasonable Explorer XLT. This midrange trim comes standard with keyless ignition, LED low-beam headlights, LED taillights, reverse-sensing system, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, SiriusXM, and more.

To help spruce things up, we recommend adding the 280-horsepower 2.3-liter turbocharged engine ($895) and the Driver Connect Package ($2,708). Here's how we'd build it:

  • Model:2019 Ford Explorer XLT
  • Engine: 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder
  • Output:280 hp / 310 lb-ft
  • Transmission: Six-speed automatic
  • Drivetrain:Front-wheel drive
  • MPG:19 City / 27 Hwy
  • Options: 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine ($895), Driver Connect Package ($2,780, SYNC 3 infotainment, eight-inch LCD touchscreen, AppLink, 911 Assist, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, two USB ports, 4G LTE Wi-Fi, two 4.2-inch color LCD displays in the instrument cluster, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, LED fog lights, power and heated side mirrors, LED turn signals, approach lights, integrated blind-spot mirrors)
  • Base Price:$35,395 (including the $995 destination fee)
  • Best Value Price:$39,070

Performance

Ford ExplorerThe 2019 Ford Explorer has three engines that are more than capable of getting this full-size SUV up to speed quickly. Buyers looking for a little fun sprinkled in with their family hauling will find the Explorer Sport a perfect match. And for buyers looking for a balance of performance and fuel economy, the 280-horsepower 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine is just right.

The 2019 Explorer delivers a soft ride that absorbs crater-sized potholes with ease. Even its optional 20-inch wheels aren’t enough to throw off the ride quality. Handling, however, is a sore spot, as the Explorer quickly shows its heft in the corners – even the Sport trim. Fuel economy takes a big hit with both V6 engines, too.

Style

The Explorer’s interior is free of much of the clutter that has riddled the automaker’s cabins as of late. This gives the 2019 Explorer a clean look. Also, in higher trims, the Explorer’s cabin looks downright luxurious.

While the higher trims are convincingly luxurious, the base model is too basic for most buyers. Moving to the outside, the Explorer is far from ugly, but its looks are getting ancient as its last redesign was way back in 2011. Sure, it’s had some mild surgery throughout the years, but it needs a complete overhaul.

The Best and Worst Things

The Explorer’s turbocharged powertrains make things fun in a straight line, and its upscale interior in the Limited and Platinum trims may make you think you’re in a more premium SUV.

The Explorer’s design is ancient and quickly getting lapped by every other SUV in its class. It’s time for a redo.

Right For? Wrong For?

Ford Explorer

SUV shoppers looking for a nice-performing SUV that can tow a medium-sized trailer and haul the entire family in a surprisingly luxurious cabin will love the higher-trimmed Explorer models.

Base-level SUV shoppers will want to avoid the Explorer due to its stripped-down base cabin and thirsty standard V6 engine.

The Bottom Line

The 2019 Ford Explorer still gets the job done as a people- and cargo-hauling SUV, and its upper trims do a nice job of satisfying discerning buyers, but it's time to take that design to pasture. It’s had a great run, but the competition has zipped by it.

Read Less

Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
Standard: 3.5L V-6 / 290 HP / 255 ft.lbs.
Available: 2.3L I-4 / 280 HP / 310 ft.lbs.
Transmission
6-spd SelectShift w/OD
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
17 / 24 / 20 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
7
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
Standard: 3.5L V-6 / 290 HP / 255 ft.lbs.
Available: 2.3L I-4 / 280 HP / 310 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
17 / 24 / 20 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Independent Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel
Compact Steel
Fuel Tank
18.6 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded / Premium Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$71
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
80.7 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
152 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
198.3 "
Exterior Width
78.9 "
Exterior Height
70.0 "
Front Headroom
41.4 "
Rear Headroom
40.6 "
Front Legroom
42.9 "
Rear Legroom
39.5 "
Front Shoulder Room
61.5 "
Rear Shoulder Room
61.0 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
4,443 Lbs.
Wheel Base
113 "
Turning Radius
19.6 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
18.0 " Silver Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote Heated Convex Spotter
Bumpers
Body-colored
Grille Moldings
Metal-look W/chrome Surround
Rear Spoiler
Lip
Exhaust
Stainless Steel With Chrome Tailpipe Finish
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
7
Seat Trim
Cloth
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
8-way (6-way Power)
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
4-way
Front Armrests
8-way (6-way Power)
Rear Armrests
Rear Seats
60-40 Split-bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Am/fm, Seek-scan / Am/fm/satellite, Seek-scan
Speakers
6
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror
Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Driver And Passenger
Tinted Windows
Deep
Vanity Mirrors
Dual Illuminated
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
4
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Passenger
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
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
Reverse Sensing System Rear
Security Systems
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Securilock
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Major Components Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
Roadside Assistance Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation
60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months
36 Months / 36,000 Miles

Used 2019 Ford Explorer for Sale

6 vehicles found within 50 miles of your area
Ford
XLT
Color: Black
Price

$20,860

Mileage

51,784 mi

Map location icon

LA City Cars (4 mi)

Phone: (323) 522-9200
Ford
Limited
Color: White Platinum Metallic Tri-Co
Price

$21,999

Mileage

71,032 mi

Map location icon

Ford of Downtown LA (10 mi)

Ford
XLT
Color: Black
Price

$24,220

Mileage

51,143 mi

Map location icon

Camacho Mitsubishi (49 mi)

Phone: (661) 483-7257
Ford
XLT
Color: Black
Price

$24,492

Mileage

22,785 mi

Map location icon

Audi Ontario (47 mi)

Phone: (877) 893-1323
See All Used Car Listings

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