All About the 2024 Ford Explorer Features & Configurations

The Ford Explorer has established a reputation as a versatile three-row SUV that’s equally at home carrying a large family as it is hauling a load of cargo. For the 2024 model year, Ford is giving its top midsize SUV an overhaul with some exciting new features.

Here at Brewster Ford in Brewster, New York, we’re looking forward to the all-new Explorer that’ll hit our showroom toward the end of 2023. If you want to stay on top of the latest news about the release date or any new features, don’t hesitate to contact our team and we’ll be happy to help you.

What’s New for the 2024 Ford Explorer?

The sixth edition of the Ford Explorer was released for the 2020 model year, so we’re expecting a few styling upgrades for 2024 as part of a mid-cycle update to keep this three-row SUV looking fresh. We don’t have too many confirmed details yet, but we’re expecting that the infotainment touch screens could be renewed to give you a larger display to work with.

We also think Ford could give the exterior a slight upgrade, with possibly some new designs for the headlights, grill, and other front-end features. One possibility is that the LED light strip across the top of the grill on the new F-150 Lightning could appear on the Explorer.

As we get closer to the release date, we’ll be updating this section with new details about Ford’s popular midsize SUV. Make sure to bookmark this page and check back in the coming weeks and months.

2024 Explorer Engine and Performance

The Explorer has been at the cutting edge of SUV performance since it first appeared 30 years ago, leading the way for many SUVs that followed. In its sixth edition, the Explorer continues to have a powerful engine and capable powertrain. The base engine is a 2.3-liter four-cylinder unit able to put out 300 horsepower. It’s a strong choice if you plan on sticking to city roads for most of your driving, but it’ll also provide enough acceleration for highway trips.

If you want to make the most of the Explorer’s power for long highway drives or tow a heavy load at the rear, the upgraded engine will be your best bet. It’s a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged six-cylinder unit that churns out an excellent 400 horsepower. It helps you access the Explorer’s 5,600-pound towing capacity, which provides you with enough muscle to haul a midsize camper out of town for the weekend.

2024 Ford Explorer Interior

The Explorer can seat up to seven people across its three rows. You’ll need to stick with the standard second-row bench seat to have this maximum capacity. If you’d like a little more comfort in the second-row captain’s chairs, your overall passenger capacity will be cut to six. Both the second and third rows have equipment for installing children’s seats.

The Explorer also excels in cargo capacity, offering one of the roomiest cabins in the midsize SUV class. Behind the third row, you’ll find 18 cubic feet of cargo space, about enough for some groceries from the store. If you’re planning on transporting bulkier items, you can fold down the third row of seats to open up 47 cubic feet of space. With both rear rows folded flat, you get 87 cubic feet of space inside the Explorer.

Explorer Infotainment and Safety Tech

In the 2023 Explorer, the base infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen and a six-speaker stereo. As we noted earlier, a larger screen may be offered in the base setup for 2024, potentially the 10.1-inch unit that was an optional upgrade in 2023. Other base features we expect to stay the same include a Wi-Fi hotspot, smartphone compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and voice recognition.

Ford offers a range of attractive infotainment upgrades for you to choose from. You can make the most of your favorite music with a 12-speaker or 14-speaker premium stereo. The optional 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster makes monitoring your Explorer’s performance on the road much easier. With the rear-seat infotainment system, you can keep your kids or friends entertained on long drives.

2024 Explorer Trims and Pricing

We expect the 2024 Explorer’s starting price to be around $38,000. While the full trim lineup isn’t out yet, we expect the trims to follow the 2023 selection. The only exception to this may be some adjustments in the availability of certain features throughout the trim lineup, which we’ll let you know about closer to the release date.

Eight trims were offered in the Explorer’s 2023 edition: base, XLT, ST-Line, Limited, Timberline, ST, King Ranch, and Platinum. One of the main differences in the lineup is that the first five trims come standard with the base engine, while the ST, King Ranch, and Platinum trims are equipped with the more powerful twin-turbocharged six-cylinder unit.

Stepping up to the XLT trim gains power-adjustable and heated front seats, rear-row USB ports, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The ST-Line has a more upscale cabin with synthetic leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, and multi-colored ambient lighting. The Limited trim is truly luxurious, with genuine leather upholstery, ventilated front and second-row seats, and heated second-row seats.

The ST features sporty styling with a tuned-up suspension and a digital gauge cluster. If you choose the King Ranch or Platinum, you can look forward to upgraded leather upholstery and interior wood trim.

Pre-Order Your New Explorer at Brewster Ford

Would you like to get ahead of the game and pre-order a 2024 Ford Explorer before it hits the showroom? Or do you just want to wait for the release day and take one for a test drive? Either way, you should make Brewster Ford your number-one stop. We’ll keep you updated with all the news about the 2024 edition of Ford’s midsize SUV, including when our pre-ordering option is open. Feel free to contact us today with any further questions about this exciting upcoming release.

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