Did you know that when it comes to types of cars, pickups and SUVs get the most mileage? If you’re in the market for a new car, then you probably want to get the most bang for your buck!
Perhaps you have kids, so pickups are out of the question. SUVs are excellent as family cars since they have plenty of space and powerful engines behind them. So for those interested in SUVs, we’d highly recommend the 2021 Ford Explorer, as it comes from a strong and reputable American brand.
If you’re looking for a car buying guide when it comes to the 2021 Ford Explorer, then you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll detail everything you need to know to feel confident about your purchase!
The Available Trims
The 2021 Ford Explorer comes in 5 available trims: base, XLT, Limited, ST, and Platinum. Below, we’ll outline what each trim comes with so you have a better idea about which is best for your lifestyle.
Base Trim
What’s fantastic about the base 2021 Explorer trim is that it already comes packed with features. This means that if you’re on a limited budget, you can choose the base trim and not have to worry about it being barebones.
This trim comes with a 2.3L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, which is capable of 300 HP. It also comes standard with rear-wheel drive and a 10-speed automatic transmission.
That’s not all though! Additional standard features include soft cloth upholstery, remote start, push-button start, tri-zone automatic climate control, and a power liftgate.
For the infotainment system, you’ll get SYNC 3, which has an 8-inch touchscreen. This system is compatible with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, USB ports, wifi hotspot, satellite radio, and 6 speakers.
You’ll definitely feel safe with the base trim as well. Standard safety features this trim comes with include blindspot monitoring, lane keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, driver drowsiness monitoring, forward automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, MyKey, and a rearview camera.
The above safety features are part of the Co-Pilot360 suite from Ford, so it gives you a glimpse of what this great automotive brand has to offer!
XLT Trim
The next trim is the XLT trim, which offers slightly more features than the base trim. For the majority of drivers, this is the perfect pick, as it’s not too expensive but still has many features you can enjoy.
Of course, you’ll get everything mentioned above. But the added features you’ll get with the XLT trim include heated front seats, second-row captain’s chairs that have power-assist fold, and more USB ports. This ensures that all your passengers will ride in comfort!
Limited Trim
Next up, the Limited trim is also chockful of features, which means you’ll certainly get the most for your money!
Here, you’ll ride in luxury, as the trim comes with leather upholstery. Not only that, but you’ll also gain a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, and power-folding third-row seats, and a hands-free power liftgate.
For the infotainment system, you’ll be upgraded to a Bang & Olufsen sound system, as well as wireless device charging and a household-style power outlet.
What’s great is you’ll enjoy additional safety features with the Limited trim. They include front parking sensors and a surround-view parking camera system.
But what’s most important is that you gain Co-Pilot360 Assist+. This suite gives you navigation, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and lane centering. So if you needed more peace of mind on the road, you’ll get it with this trim!
ST Trim
Are you a sporty person who needs a vehicle to match your personality? Then you’ll want to take a closer look at the ST trim! This is actually the sportiest trim out of all 5, so you can’t go wrong here.
As you’d expect with a sporty SUV, the ST trim has a more powerful engine. You’ll get a 3.0L twin-turbocharged V6 engine that’s capable of 400 HP.
Other additional features that give it some oomph include 4-wheel drive, a sport-tuned suspension, and sport seats.
And just for fun, you’ll also get parallel and perpendicular park assist, as well as reverse brake assist. Those stressful times trying to get into a parking spot are long gone with the ST trim!
Platinum Trim
For the most luxurious 2021 Ford Explorer trim, you’ll want to go for the Platinum one. As the name suggests, not only is it classy, but it also offers sturdiness and comfort.
For starters, you’ll get the same engine as the one in the ST trim, except it’s slightly less powerful at 365 HP.
Inside, you’ll feel like you’re royalty. The interior materials are all of upgraded quality and you’ll also enjoy a twin-panel moonroof for your road trips.
Additional features include the tow package, which includes front and rear skid plates.
Lots of Room Inside
Many SUVs might look large, but then you open the door, step in, and are disappointed with how cramped it is inside.
You won’t get this shrinking effect with the 2021 Ford Explorer. In fact, this vehicle has far more cargo room than other midsize SUVs!
You’ll get 18.2 cubic feet of space behind the last row of seats. If you fold them down, this increases to 87.8 cubic feet!
Also, this SUV seats 7 people (6 with second-row captain’s chairs). Everyone will feel comfortable, no matter where they’re sitting. So your family and friends can buckle in and settle in without it feeling claustrophobic.
Superior Fuel Economy
We all know that SUVs tend to be gas guzzlers. When you take into account their huge size and solid engines, this definitely makes sense. And fuel economy is something drivers are usually willing to compromise on when they pick an SUV to purchase.
However, you won’t have to make any sacrifices here! With the base engine, you’ll get 21 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway. With the twin-turbo V6 engine, you’ll then get 18 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway.
When you compare the fuel economy of the 2021 Ford Explorer to other midsize SUVs, this vehicle clearly outperforms all the rest. You won’t have to worry about draining your bank account every single time you go to fuel up.
Fantastic Handling
Do you like to go for long road trips? Then handling might be a very important issue for you. Not only should the SUV you choose handle well, but it should also feel like riding on a cloud for your passengers.
You’ll be pleased to know that the 2021 Ford Explorer handles beautifully. Even though it’s an SUV, it actually has sharp steering, which means you’ll feel completely in control when behind the wheel.
In addition, the suspension on this car means that you and your passengers won’t feel the bumpiness of the road, no matter how rough it gets. This means your little ones will have a good night’s rest when you’re in for the long haul.
Great Safety Ratings
As with any car that you’re purchasing, you want to make sure that it’s safe to drive. After all, what good is a vehicle if it won’t protect you from potential crashes? You want to keep both yourself and your passengers as safe as possible.
Well, we’re here with some good news: the 2021 Ford Explorer has received some great ratings from official organizations!
For one, it’s received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from the NHTSA. Here are the scores broken down for you:
- Overall front star rating: 5 stars
- Overall side star rating: 5 stars
- Rollover star rating: 4 stars (15.10% rollover risk)
Over with the IIHS, they’ve actually named this SUV as a 2020 Top Safety Pick+! This vehicle has received Good ratings for all categories except for the headlights, which received an A.
As you can see, the 2021 Ford Explorer is definitely a top contender when it comes to your choices in SUVs. The fact that even the base trim comes with plenty of safety features makes it an even more attractive car, especially when most other base trims come with little to none of these features.
Use This Car Buying Guide to Make a Good Decision
After reading this car buying guide on the 2021 Ford Explorer, you should now have a pretty clear picture of this vehicle. It has 5 amazing trims to choose from, plus gets great gas mileage, and has excellent safety features.
So does it sound like the perfect midsize SUV for your family? Then take the next step by test driving the 2021 Explorer. This will let you truly get a feel for things and see if it’s everything you imagined and more!
Want to test drive a 2021 Ford Explorer in Bolivar, TN? Then schedule one with Bolivar Ford now!
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