If you are in the market for a new mid-size SUV, the 2021 Ford Explorer is a great choice. There is space for transporting cargo, and three rows for passengers, making it versatile and practical. Chosen by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) as a Top Safety Pick Plus, it also has impressive safety features. more The Range There are five different models, from Base to Platinum. The first two models, the base and XLT, have turbocharged four-cylinder engines. Both come with rear-wheel drive, but there is an all-wheel-drive optional extra. The Limited mid-range model has an optional hybrid powertrain model. Both the ST sport model and luxury Platinum models have twin-turbo V6 engines. Prices The base model starts from $32,450 with no optional extras. The Limited model starts from $45,005 with the standard engine. If you want to have the hybrid version instead, the price starts from $50,995. The Platinum top-spec model could set you back $62,440 if you added all the possible extras. However, this top-of-the-range model price starts from $54,480. Safety Features All Explorer models come with fantastic standard safety features. The AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control™ helps the vehicle maintain stability, regardless of the terrain. Safety belts in all three rows will chime if unbuckled so you and your passengers will all be safe. There is also a system for securing child seats better. There are side airbags and a front passenger knee airbag. If the airbags are deployed, the lights and horn will signal for ease of locating the vehicle. Driving Technology Even the base model's standard driving assist technology features are great. These include rear parking sensors and a blind spot sensor that can alert you to a vehicle in that tricky-to-see place. There is also pre-collision assist that will sound an alert if a pedestrian or vehicle is detected as a potential collision. Lane Keeping technology, like the Lane Keeping Assist and Lane Departure Warning, are also standard. New Features For the mid-range models, XLT, Limited, and ST, there is a new cargo organizer option available. For the Limited, ST, and Platinum models, front passenger seats now include eight-way power controls. New for 2021 on the XLT model, one up from the base, heated seats are now coming as standard. Another new optional extra on the XLT is the heated steering wheel, perfect for those chilly winter days. New XLT Trim The XLT has a new trim option for 2021. The Sport Appearance package adds a mesh grille, accented in Ford's Carbonized Gray. The wheels are upgraded to 20-inch aluminum wheels, also coated in Carbonized Gray. The lower-body cladding is changed, dual exhaust outlets added, skid plate elements added, and the interior changed to Light Slate coloring. If you need a safe vehicle with plenty of space, the Explorer is a fantastic vehicle with many customizable options. Call Cloninger Ford of Hickory to book a test drive and discover the Explorer today.
