2013 Ford Explorer, Ford Explorer Price & Specification

The best-selling SUV in North America in years past, the Ford Explorer's main selling point used to be its rugged reputation. Yet by the early 21st century, as buyers began to shy away from body-on-frame SUVs for more-efficient and better-driving crossovers, the Explorer became an also-ran in the sales race. The latest Explorer seeks to keep up with consumer tastes and reclaim some of its former sales glory with a unibody platform that provides car-like handling and increased fuel economy.

2013 Ford Explorer

Modern accepts SUV....
   The all-new Explorer rides on a unibody platform derived from the automaker's D3 platform rather than the separate frame of the outgoing model. Substantially updated since the platform first debuted, it now underpins the Taurus, Flex, Lincoln MKS and Volvo XC90 in addition to the all-new Ford Explorer.

In addition to the potent engine, the Explorer Sport gets stiffer springs and shocks, an uprated strut-tower brace, the solidly mounted steering rack now fitted to all 2013 Explorers, a new cross-tunnel brace ahead of the rear subframe, and larger front brake rotors. The wheels are unique 20-inch pieces, and at nine inches wide, they’re a half-inch wider than the biggest available wheels on the standard Explorer. A set of 265/45 high-performance summer tires are available.

On a combination of Michigan back roads and freeways, the Sport felt very Germanic, exhibiting tight body control, a supple ride, and a quiet cabin. The electric power steering is accurate and naturally weighted, and its solid mounting does not transfer any shocks or vibration to the steering wheel. The system is a noticeable improvement over the tiller on the XLT that finished second in a comparison test. Only heavily patched pavement reveals any ride harshness, and the chassis is sufficiently refined to be adopted across the Explorer line, so it makes sense that some of the changes will be filtering into mainstream models.