Used 2019 Ford Explorer ST for sale 

The 2019 Ford Explorer comes in five trims and three engine options. AWD is thankfully available on all trims. The starting price is $32,365 for the base Explorer, which gets you the base spec 3.5L naturally aspirated V6, fabric seats, and the old-school SYNC infotainment. The top-of-the-line Platinum trim has a hefty $54,165 price tag and has Lincoln-rivaling luxury, with the interior draped in real wood and leather.

We Recommend

We believe that the Ford Explorer in the Limited trim offers the most bang for the buck, as it has an efficient yet potent 2.3L EcoBoost engine. It also gets the much-improved SYNC 3 infotainment system, very special ambient lighting, and a host of other feel-good amenities.

The 2019 Ford Explorer gets three engine choices. So, there is a good chance that one of them would suit your requirement. The base 3.5Liter naturally aspirated engine is a low-cost alternative that delivers more towing capacity (5000 pounds with additional equipment) than the more expensive 2.3 L EcoBoost (3500 pounds). However, the 3.5-liter Ti-VCT engine is little low on steam when compared to the 2.3 L EcoBoost with its excellent low-end torque.

If 3500 pounds towing capacity is adequate for your needs, 2.3-liter EcoBoost engines are easy to drive in stop and go traffic. It also lives up as the most fuel efficient engine in the lineup. It's optional in the base and XLT trims, and standard on the Limited trim. The best of the lot is the 3.5L EcoBoost engine. When equipped with the EcoBoost, the Ford Explorer rushes from 0to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds. It's optional on the Limited trim and standard on Sport and Platinum trim. Ford offers only a 6-Speed Automatic on all engines. It's smooth and doesn't hesitate while going through gears.

Honda Pilot and Ford Explorer beat the Subaru Ascent at the horsepower game. Ford's Ti-VCT engine churns out the segment best - 288 horsepower which is closely followed by Honda at second place. The 2019 Toyota Highlander is outclassed by its competition. But when we talk about torque, Subaru takes an obvious lead with its turbocharged boxer engine's 277 lb.-ft. torque output.

Acceleration

The Ford Explorer, when equipped with the 3.5L EcoBoost, is the fastest SUV in this comparison. The closest competitor is the Honda Pilot, which trails the Explorer by 0.3 seconds, taking 6.1 seconds to do 0-60 mph dash but in its base trim it takes a very long 8.2-seconds to achieve a similar feat.

The 2019 Honda Pilot takes the lead with its 6.2-second naught to sixty run. Honda's 6.2-second run is followed by Subaru's 6.9-second. And finally, the Ford Explorer takes the longest 8.2 seconds to achieve similar speed.

Ride and Handling

The Ford Explorer has its priorities set right - comfort over everything else. The suspension has been tuned to offer a supple ride quality. Even on longer journeys your family would be cocooned in comfort. The 2019 Ford Explorer comes with a suspension that can soak up the undulations from bad road surfaces without any drama. High-speed ride quality is composed and there is no nervous body movement at such speeds.

Engaging handling and fun-to-drive characteristics are low on the Ford Explorer`s priority list. Effortless, safe and family friendly characteristics are high on list - good thing for a family crossover. Owing to its large exterior dimensions, the Ford Explorer can be cumbersome to maneuver in the tight spots while driving in town.

Braking

The Ford Explorer has an adequate pedal feel which is backed by an impressive stopping power. It is equipped with identical 12.8-inch rotors at the front and back. Ford Explorer stops from 60 to 0 mph in 108 feet (with stickier tires) - among best in class. This is impressive considering the Explorer is the heaviest crossover in this comparison.

The Ford Explorer manages to score an impressive stopping distance. Honda Pilot's estimated braking distance is 117 ft. However the Toyota Highlander with its estimated stopping distance of 126 ft.

Towing Capacity

The Ford Explorer can comfortably tow up to 5,600 pounds when properly equipped. By properly equipped, we mean you must have the base 3.5 L naturally aspirated V6 or the 3.5 L EcoBoost V6 and you must get the optional Trailer Tow Class 3 package.

The Ford Explorer is certainly not the most fuel-efficient midsize SUV. The Ford Explorer, with the base 3.5L naturally aspirated V6, delivers 17 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway. The result is a combined EPA rating of 20 MPG. Interestingly, the much throatier 3.5L EcoBoost V6 delivers just 1 MPGless in the city and 2 mpg less on highways even with AWD.

The Explorer's base engine isn't the most frugal of the lot. This normally aspirated engine returns a combined 20 miles to the gallon. If you are looking for something more efficient then move up the trim ladder or get the optional turbo-four which offers better fuel efficiency.

Comparing the competition, the 2019 model year Explorer has an average score. The newly introduced Subaru Ascent delivers a segment-best of 23 MPG, which is followed by Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot. While the Ford Explorer's gas mileage figures aren't exactly disappointing, the fuel economy situation does seem underwhelming when compared to the Explorer's primary competition. 

The Ford Explorer comes with a seven-people capacity, which is on the lower side for this segment. Other three-row SUVs come equipped with eight-person seating. The base and the XLT trim come with cloth upholstery. If you want something more premium, then the Limited trim offers leatherette upholstery. One thing that would be appreciated is Explorer's ability to filter out road noise. The cabin is a quiet place to be and is well equipped to take on longer journeys. Additionally, throwing in the Explorer's supremely comfortable ride quality, the SUV properly manages to be a powerful, mile-crunching, touring machine. 

Dual zone automatic climate control is available from XLT onwards and the optional SYNC 3 takes care of the infotainment. You get a leather-wrapped steering wheel in XLT and higher trims. From limited trim onwards, ambient lighting creates a beautiful airliner-like night driving experience. All in all, we're very pleased with what the 2019 Ford Explorer has to offer with its cabin. 

In terms of interior space, the 2019 Ford Explorer manages to offer the most front-row headroom, albeit by a small margin over the Subaru Ascent. At the front, the Honda Pilot has the most shoulder space to offer, while the Ford Exploere comes with the most legroom. In the second row, the Explorer offers the most headroom, while the Honda Pilot comes with the most shoulder space. The Explorer yet again takes the legroom crown in the second row. At the back, things get a bit tighter, with the Honda Polit offering the most headroom and shoulder space. The Exploere manages to offer the most third-row legroom. 

Infotainment System

The base and XLT trims are equipped with Ford's SYNC system which comes with a standard 6-speaker audio system. Ford's SYNC3 system which is a standard feature on the Limited and above trim is available as an option on the XLT trim. SYNC 3 is a user-friendly system.

This interface is intuitive and offers a decent response time.

Interior Features

Ford Explorer comes with a decent list of interior features. Some of these features are listed below:

• Tilting and telescopic steering column
• Heated steering wheel
• Memory driver's seat
• Power driver's seat
• Heated Front Seats
• Cooled Front seats
• Rear-Seat Entertainment

Cargo Capacity

The cargo capacity behind the third row is the best in class. But with folded seats the cargo volume isn't at par with the competition. With the rear seats folded, the Ford Explorer frees up 43.9 cu-ft. of space. With both the rows folded the cargo area increases to 81.7 cu-ft. The higher trims come with hands-free liftgate which can be a boon when you are carrying luggage in both your hands. 

The Explorer can seat seven people with rear bench seats. However, third-row access is compromised with bench seats. Getting Captains chair makes the second row far more comfortable while also allowing an easy third-row access.

The 2019 Ford Explorer is based on an older platform, while the majority of the rivals have undergone major changes recently. The design isn't anything fancy, but it sticks with a conservative styling theme that doesn't command any unwanted attention. Over the decade, the Explorer has received nips and tucks to keep it up to date.

2019 Ford Explorer tips the scales at 4458 lbs. - it surely is the heaviest of the lot. It stretches to 198.3 inches from the front to the back. At 78.9-inches it is also the widest crossover in this comparison. In case you decide to leave the interstate and take the gravel road, the Explorer has a 7.8-inches ground clearance.

Newly updated rivals pose a challenge to the aging Ford Explorer. The all-new Subaru Ascent is surely a prime contender in the three-row crossover segment. It has a best in class ground clearance of 8.7-inches and sits on a wheelbase of 113.8-inches.

The 2019 Ford Explorer comes with state-of-the-art safety equipment that allows it to score well on the safety tests conducted by agencies. The NHTSA has rated the 2019 Ford Explorer with an incredible 5-star rating, which certainly is a big boost to the SUV's resume.  Additionally, the IIHS has awarded the 2019 model year Explorer with "Good" scores under several categories, which speaks volumes about the manufacturer's commitment to safety. Some key safety features offered with the 2019 Ford Explorer have been mentioned below:

• Front, Rear and Third Row Head Airbags
• 4-Wheel ABS
• Post-Collision Safety System
• Traction Control
• Stability Control
• Front and Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes
• LED Headlamp
• Tire Pressure Monitoring

Ford Explorer vs Subaru Ascent

The newly introduced Ascent is powered by a horizontally opposed four-cylinder boxer engine. Transmission duties are taken care of by a CVT automatic transmission. The Ascent is one of the better performing three-row SUVs available in the market. Being the costliest Subaru, Ascent brings a plethora of standard features. Unlike its competitors, it comes equipped with a standard AWD and Subaru's Eyesight safety system.

Ford Explorer vs Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that generates 280 hp and 262 lb-ft. of torque. Pricing for the Honda Pilot starts at $31,450. Honda Pilot has been one of the best vehicles in this segment. The third generation of the Pilot was introduced in 2016. The pilot is a can't go wrong decision in the three-row SUV market.

With the updates received, the 2019 Honda Pilot comes off as more contemporary in design but Honda has addressed many of the shortcomings. The exterior gets some subtle changes. The 9-speed automatic transmission from ZF gets reworked to offer better performance. 

Ford Explorer vs Toyota Highlander

Powered by a 2.7-liter inline-four engine, the Highlander makes a meager 185 hp and 184 lb-ft. of torque. Those numbers are underwhelming for a three-row SUV. With a full load of passengers and cargo, this mill struggles to keep up with other vehicles in its class. The Highlander is priced at $31,330. The Highlander when equipped with the larger V6 engine has enough gusto to get it going even with a full load of passengers and cargo without much drama.

Compared to the V6 powered Explorer, the Highlander is best to be avoided with the base turbo-four configuration. It is thirstier in this form as the base engine constantly works in higher RPMs to satisfy the requirement. Considering the available options and value for the base model. We believe that your money is spent well someplace else.

The 2019 Ford Explorer is the hottest selling three row crossover in the market. the Explorer is the crossover that basically kick started the three-row crossover segment, back in the '90s. It is still the king of the midsize segment, at least by sales volume. It still has a lot going, like a spacious cabin, supple ride quality, a perfectly silent cabin, and several potent engine choices. The Ford Explorer also comes with optional AWD and terrain management system, which ensures that the SUV can handle the backroads. Customers have a lot of good things to say about the 2019 Explorer as well, which definitely adds points in the Explorer's favor. However, the Ford Explorer has aged well and over the years it has held its ground against the onslaught of modern Japanese rivals. The rivals also pack the same goodies for a lower cost and can tow as much as the Explorer. All in all, if you like the Explorer and are ready to pay more than you will pay for a similarly equipped competitor, go get it.