The Ford Explorer is a well-known midsize SUV and was sold predominantly in the United States since 1990. Since the beginning of its production, the Ford Explorer has been the best selling midsize sport utility vehicle. Many credit the Explorer with the current popularity of the SUV by making it less of a specialty vehicle and more of an every day vehicle.
Sold in both the two door and four door models, the Explorer is also available with part time four-wheel drive. The Ford Explorer was launched in March of 1990 as the 1991 model and it replaced the Bronco II in the Ford lineup. Based on the Ford Ranger, the Explorer was powered by a 4.0-liter V6 engine and four speed automatic transmission. Rear wheel and all four-wheel drive were both offered as options this first year. The Explorer came in four different trim levels, which were the XL, the XLT, Sport, and the more luxurious Eddie Bauer. In 1992 a five speed manual transmission was added for the Sport, but it lost horsepower as a result. In 1993 the Limited Edition was also added to the Explorer lineup, which was only offered with four doors and was even more luxurious than the upscale Eddie Bauer edition. The Limited was easy to pick out with automatic headlights, fog lamps, standard automatic transmission, and an auto dimming rear view mirror, special wheels, and an upgraded grille.
In 1995 some big changes were made to the Explorer. The former suspension had been replaced with a more car like suspension for better riding. The lineup was changed to consist of two models for the Explorer, which were the two door Explorer Sport, and the four door Explorer. The trim levels offered were the Limited, which was the high door more luxurious trim, and the two door Expedition. In 1996 a 4.9-liter V8 engine was added along with all wheel drive standard on the Eddie Bauer and Limited versions in 1997. Also offered in 1997 was an optional SOHC engine that would provide more power as well as an optional five speed automatic transmission.
The Explorer received another makeover in 1999, when the XLS took over for the XL trim as the base model. In 2001 Ford introduced the Explorer Sport Trac, which offered a pickup bed in addition to the four door SUV.
In 2002 the Explorer was again refreshed as it lost all of its Ford Ranger associations. Engine availability at this time was either a SOHC 4.0 liter V6, a 4.6-liter V8. Both manual and automatic transmissions were available with either engine as well as two, four, and all wheel drive. Trim lines were changed to the Sport Value, Sport Choice, XLS, Sport Premium, XLT, Eddie Bauer, and Limited. AdvanceTrac and Roll Stability Control became standard for all trim levels in 2005.
The Explorer was again updated in 2006 and received a new frame. Now, the Explorer offers new interior, upgraded suspension, and folding third row seating. A 4.0-liter V6 is the base engine while a 24 valve V8 engine is optional. Ford will add a new Explorer Sport Trac to the lineup for the 2007 model year.
