2023 Ford Explorer XLT

The 2023 Explorer is Ford's three-row family SUV, slotting between the Edge and the Expedition. It competes with the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, and Kia Telluride in the crowded midsize three-row segment. The Explorer drives with a car-like feel for its size, and the rear-wheel-drive platform gives it a balanced, athletic character. The cabin offers seating for up to seven, with a spacious second row and a useful cargo area behind the third row. A large touchscreen with Ford's SYNC infotainment system is standard, along with the Co-Pilot360 suite of driver aids. The XLT is the trim most families gravitate toward, offering the standard powertrain and a strong list of comforts without the sporty ST treatment. Its 2.3L I4 makes 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, routed through a ten-speed automatic and all-wheel drive, and it returns 23 mpg combined. The XLT has 18-inch wheels and all-season tires as standard, so expect a smooth ride rather than the ST's sharper handling.