2021 Ford Explorer

You can choose among five trims with the 2021 Explorer: base, XLT, Limited, ST, and Platinum. The base trim has LED headlights and 18-inch alloy wheels, while the ST trim adds a black grille mesh and optional 21-inch alloy wheels. The top-of-the-line Platinum trim includes a satin-aluminum finish on the grille and sides, as well as four chromed exhaust outlets.

All three engine options available with the 2021 Explorer come mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. The base 2.3-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine produces 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. These numbers are better than many other competitors' V-6 engines. The other two engines are 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-6. The Platinum trim's engine produces an impressive 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, while the ST trim's engine gets 400 horsepower and the same torque.

The 2021 Explorer gets above-average gas mileage when compared to others in its class. When you have rear-wheel drive and the base engine, expect to get an estimated 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. All-wheel drive lowers those numbers by 1 mpg. Both V-6 engines achieve 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. Also, the Explorer has a maximum towing capacity of 5,600 pounds when properly equipped. Four-wheel drive comes standard in the two highest trims, but you can add all-wheel drive to the other trims. The all-wheel-drive system disconnects the front axle on the highway to improve fuel economy and can send as much as 50% of power to the front wheels if you encounter slippery roadways.

With its standard configuration set for seven people, the Explorer does offer optional second-row captain's chairs, which reduces the capacity to six passengers. Few midsize SUVs boast as much cargo space as the 2021 Explorer. You get almost 20 cubic feet behind the third row, but folding down this row expands the number to almost 50. Folding the second and third rows allows for almost 90 cubic feet of space. The easy-to-use SYNC 3 infotainment system is mated with an 8-inch touch-screen display. Other standard features include satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hot spot, four USB ports, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. You can opt for the larger 10.1-inch touch-screen display, wireless device charging, and a rear-seat entertainment system.

Standard active safety features include a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and forward automatic emergency braking. It also includes Ford's MyKey system, which lets you set speed and audio limits for secondary drivers. The Explorer achieved a perfect five-star overall safety rating as well as five stars in the frontal and side crash tests from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.