It’s the refreshed 2016 Ford Explorer, and,
although not all new, it is another positive step in the right direction. The
2016 Explorer has all new sheetmetal from the A-pillar forward. The rear has a
freshened treatment as well. "Athletic" is the term Ford used at the informal
introduction, and it fits -- this is a good-looking SUV. The 2016 Explorer is
available in 2- or 4-wheel drive in the Base, XLT and Limited models, and as a
4WD only in Sport and the all-new Platinum trim level.
The standard engine on the Base,
XLT and Limited models is a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6; available on only
the Sport and Platinum models is a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6.
Ford has gone all-out with
the 2016 Explorer Platinum, and its luxury appointments really are luxury appointments. That’s
ash swirl wood you’re looking at, not a printed plastic substitute, and where
plastic that looks like aluminum appears in many cars, that’s real aluminum in
the Platinum. There's quilted leather on the door panels and on the seats, and
there's a satin chrome finish on just about everything that is not soft or
painted.