Ford · 1990–present

Ford Explorer

The Ford Explorer is a range of SUVs manufactured by the Ford Motor Company since the 1991 model year. The first five-door SUV produced by Ford, the Explorer was introduced as a replacement for the three-door Bronco II. As with the Ford Ranger, the model line derives its name from a trim package previously offered on Ford F-Series pickup trucks. In 2020, the Explorer became the best-selling SUV in the American market. Currently in its sixth generation, the Explorer has featured a five-door wagon body style since its 1991 introduction. During the first two generations, the model line included a three-door wagon (directly replacing the Bronco II). The Ford Explorer Sport Trac is a crew-cab mid-size pickup truck derived from the second-generation Explorer. The fifth and sixth generations of the Explorer have been produced as the Ford Police Interceptor Utility (replacing both the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor and the Ford Police Interceptor Sedan). The Explorer is slotted between the Ford Edge and Ford Expedition within North America's current Ford SUV range. The model line has undergone rebadging several times, with Mazda, Mercury, and Lincoln each selling derivative variants. Currently, Lincoln markets a luxury version of the Explorer as the Lincoln Aviator. For the North American market, the first four generations of the Explorer were produced by Ford at its Louisville Assembly Plant (Louisville, Kentucky) and its now-closed St. Louis Assembly Plant (Hazelwood, Missouri). Ford currently assembles the Explorer alongside the Lincoln Aviator and the Police Interceptor Utility at its Chicago Assembly Plant (Chicago, Illinois).

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Ford Bronco II

All Ford Explorer data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years → + Compare

First generation (UN46; 1991)

The Ford Explorer was introduced in March 1990 as an early 1991 model to replace the Bronco II. As Ford sought to balance off-road capability with family use of the vehicle, the Explorer underwent design changes from its predecessor while still retaining mechanical commonality with the Ranger pickup truck. Growing in size from the compact Bronco II (similar to its 1960s namesake), the Explorer was a mid-size SUV, competing directly against the Jeep Cherokee (XJ) and Chevrolet S-10 Blazer. To compete against both model lines, three-door and five-door body styles were launched (introduced in the same month as the five-door S-10 Blazer and seven years after the Jeep Cherokee XJ started the five-door SUV trend). The Explorer's wider body allowed for three-across rear passenger seating in the five-door version built on an extended wheelbase. The traditional exterior-mounted swing-away spare tire carrier was deleted in favor of an underfloor location. Like the Ford Taurus station wagon, the rear liftgate had a flip-up rear window. Chassis. As with the Bronco II, the first-generation Explorer (design code UN46) shares its chassis underpinnings with the 1983–1992 Ford Ranger. The three-door version uses a 102.1 in (2,593 mm) wheelbase (8.1 in (206 mm) longer than the Bronco II) while the new five-door features a 111.9 in (2,842 mm) wheelbase. As with the Ranger, the UN46 Explorer has a Twin I-Beam (4×2) or Twin-Traction Beam (4×4) coil-sprung front independent suspension and a leaf-sprung solid rear axle. Brakes are discs in the front with drums in the rear. Anti-lock (ABS) was only on the rear axle during early years, with four-wheel ABS available by 1994. Powertrain. The first-generation Explorer was equipped with a 4.0 L Cologne V6, an optional engine for the Ranger and the

Second generation (UN105/150; 1995)

For the 1995 model year, Ford released a second generation of the Explorer. Following the success of the first generation, the redesign of the exterior was largely evolutionary, with the model line receiving front bodywork distinct from the Ranger. Rear-wheel drive remained standard, with part-time four-wheel drive offered as an option, and all-wheel drive was introduced as an option. To better compete against the Jeep Grand Cherokee, a 4.9 liters (302 cu in) V8 was introduced as an optional engine. The Explorer went from lacking airbags to having dual airbags (a first for an American-brand SUV). The Lincoln-Mercury division introduced its first SUV for the 1997 model year, the Mercury Mountaineer. In contrast to the Mazda Navajo, the Mountaineer was sold only as a five-door. For 2001, Ford introduced the Ford Explorer Sport Trac mid-size crew-cab pickup truck based on the five-door Explorer. Following the introduction of the third-generation Explorer for 2002, the three-door used the second-generation body style through the 2003 model year. Chassis. The second-generation Ford Explorer is based upon the Ford U1 platform shared with its predecessor, adopting the UN105/UN150 model codes. Introducing key chassis upgrades that were also shared with the 1998 Ford Ranger, the long-running Twin I-Beam/Twin Traction Beam front suspension was retired in favor of a short/long-arm (SLA) wishbone front suspension configuration in order to accommodate larger engines. Along with more compact packaging of front suspension components (allowing for a lower hoodline), the design allowed for improved on-road handling/feel. In line with the Ranger and F-Series trucks, the rear suspension remained a leaf-sprung live rear axle. The standard four-wheel ABS of the previous generation returned;

Third generation (U152; 2002)

The third-generation Ford Explorer went on sale in January 2001 for the 2002 model year. Undergoing the first complete redesign since its introduction, the Explorer ended its direct model commonality with the Ford Ranger in favor of a purpose-built SUV design. Following a decline in demand for three-door SUVs, Ford developed the third-generation Explorer solely as a five-door wagon; the three-door Explorer Sport from the second generation continued production through the 2003 model year. The primary objective behind the development of the model line was to make the Explorer more competitive in both domestic and export markets. Along with tuning the vehicle for higher-speed European driving, Ford also benchmarked the model line against the Lexus RX300 and the (then-in-development) Volkswagen Touareg. The Lincoln-Mercury division marketed the third-generation Explorer, with Mercury introducing a second generation of the Mercury Mountaineer; Lincoln offered its first version of the Explorer, marketing the Lincoln Aviator from 2003 until 2005. Chassis. The third-generation Explorer (design code U152) marked a major change in the model line, ending chassis commonality with the Ford Ranger. While still retaining body-on-frame construction, the U152 chassis was developed specifically for the third-generation Explorer (and its Lincoln-Mercury counterparts). The wheelbase was extended slightly, to 113.7 inches. Along with rear-wheel drive, the third-generation Explorer was offered with both four-wheel drive and permanent all-wheel drive. Following the redesign of the front suspension of the previous-generation Explorer, Ford redesigned the suspension layout of the rear axle, replacing the leaf-sprung live rear axle with an independent rear axle located by two half-shafts (simila

Fourth generation (U251; 2006)

The fourth generation Explorer entered production in July 2005 for the 2006 model year. While the Mercury Mountaineer also returned for 2006, the fourth generation Explorer did not have a Lincoln Aviator counterpart, as it was dropped following the 2005 model year. Bearing large similarities to the outgoing model, the fourth generation Explorer was marketed as all-new by Ford despite sharing its roof line, overall body, glass, drive-train, and several other major components with its predecessor. In contrast, it rides on a new, stiffer frame produced by Magna International rather than Tower Automotive. Along with this new chassis, Ford updated the front and rear fascias, side profile, interior, and redesigned the rear suspension. Moreover, the problematic two-piece tail gate design from the outgoing model was replaced with a one-piece tail gate design. Also, a tire pressure monitoring system and electronic stability control became standard equipment for improved safety. Unlike previous generations, there was no right-hand drive option available for order, causing Ford to market Explorers in Japan in left-hand drive configuration. The LHD Explorers were desirable there, as LHD vehicles are considered prestigious in Japan. This generation Explorer would be the last to use traditional body on frame construction. Beginning for the 2011 model year, the Explorer switched to unibody construction. In addition, this would be the last generation of the Explorer to be produced at the Louisville, KY and St. Louis, MO assembly plants. The 210 hp (157 kW) 4.0 L 12-valve SOHC V6 was once again the standard engine, paired to the five-speed 5R55S automatic transmission. A 292 hp (218 kW) 4.6 L 24-valve SOHC V8, similar to the Fifth-generation Ford Mustang's engine, was available as an op

Fifth generation (U502; 2011)

The fifth generation 2011 Explorer featured a unibody structure based on the D4 platform shared with the Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT — a modified version of the D3 platform. The fifth generation Explorer features blacked-out A, B, and D-pillars, sculpted body work, stepped style headlamps and tail lamps, and a variant of the corporate three-bar design with upper and lower perforated mesh work. Chief engineer Jim Holland led the development of the fifth generation Explorer from February 2008 to October 2010, during a period when Ford's Premier Automotive Group also owned Land Rover — for which Holland was also a chief engineer, heading development of the Land Rover Range Rover (L322) 2005 facelift from December 2001 to December 2004. Holland also worked on the Ford Expedition (U324) during its initial development. Ford presented the fifth generation Explorer on July 26, 2010, via Facebook. Assembly of the fifth-generation Explorer moved to Ford's Chicago Assembly plant commencing December 1, 2010, where it was manufactured alongside the Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS. The Louisville plant, where the previous generation was manufactured, was converted to produce cars based on Ford's global C platform (potentially including the Ford Focus, Ford C-Max, and Ford Kuga). Like the Escape, Ford continued to market the Explorer as an "SUV" rather rather than a "crossover SUV". It formally went on sale in December 2010, after pre-launch sales had totaled around 15,000 by the end of November 2010. The EPA rated fuel economy of 20/28 mpg city/highway for the four-cylinder EcoBoost engine option. Features. Available features on the fifth generation included intelligent access with push button start, remote engine start, power liftgate, SecuriCode keyless entry keypad, power adjustable ped

Sixth generation (U625; 2020)

The sixth-generation Ford Explorer debuted on January 9, 2019, ahead of the 2019 North American International Auto Show. The 2020 Ford Explorer uses the rear-wheel-drive based CD6 platform shared with the new Lincoln Aviator. The turbocharged 2.3 L EcoBoost inline-four is the standard engine, with 300 hp (224 kW) and 310 lb⋅ft (420 N⋅m) of torque. It comes with a 10-speed automatic transmission and either rear- or all-wheel drive. Its maximum tow rating is 5,300 lb (2,404 kg). An optional twin-turbocharged 3.0 L EcoBoost V6 makes 365 hp (272 kW) and 380 lb⋅ft (515 N⋅m) of torque, while the ST with the same engine makes 400 hp (298 kW) and 415 lb⋅ft (563 N⋅m) of torque. It also mates with a 10-speed automatic and sees an increase in towing capacity, to 5,600 lb (2,540 kg). Explorer vehicles purchased by fleet buyers were also given the option to equip their vehicles with a 3.3L V6 gasoline engine. An Explorer Hybrid is also available in the US with a detuned 3.3 L V6 and 1.5 kWh lithium-ion battery producing a combined 318 hp (237 kW). In Europe there is an available plug-in hybrid version that includes a 350 hp (261 kW) 3.0 L V6 petrol engine, 100 hp (75 kW) electric motor, and 13.6 kWh lithium-ion battery for a combined output of 450 hp (336 kW) and 600 lb⋅ft (813 N⋅m). It will have a fuel consumption of 3.4 L/100 km (83.1 mpg‑imp; 69.2 mpg‑US) and can tow 2,500 kg (5,512 lb). The 2020 Explorer comes in four trim levels: XLT, Limited, ST (replacing the previous generation's Sport trim), and Platinum. The unnamed Base trim level is marketed primarily to fleet buyers, and will not be available for retail sale. Thousands of initial Explorer and Aviator vehicles were shipped to Ford's Flat Rock Assembly Plant for repairs due to quality control problems. Later models have b

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Ford Explorer

Manufacturer

Ford

Production

1990–present

Model years

1991–present

Class

Compact SUV (3-door/Sport) (1991–2003), Mid-size SUV (1991–2010), Mid-size crossover SUV (2011–present)

Predecessor

Ford Bronco II

Successor

Ford Territory (Oceania)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q598084CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_ExplorerCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1377824928 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2025_Ford_Explorer_Active_(facelift),_front_12.20.24.jpgCC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Kevauto · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Manufacturer website (link only) — https://www.ford.it/auto/explorerLink only; no content copied · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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