2023 Ford Explorer

Customizing your Explorer is easy thanks to the eight different trim levels available. With the base level trim, you get 18-inch alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, and a power liftgate. The XLT trim adds roof rails and heated side mirrors. With the ST-Line trim, the exterior is a bit more stylish with 20-inch aluminum wheels and dual chrome exhaust tips. With the Timberline trim, you can enjoy a more off-road-oriented experience complete with front tow hooks and all-terrain tires. Meanwhile, the Limited trim has more convenient features like auto-folding power side mirrors. At the ST trim level, you get 20-inch aluminum wheels and blackout headlights and taillights. Upgrade to the King Ranch, and your Explorer gets unique Western-theme badging along with the convenience of a hands-free foot-activated power liftgate. At the top of the trim levels, the Platinum offers front and rear-painted skid plate elements with 21-inch wheels.

Under the hood of the Explorer, you'll find one of three engine options. The standard engine is a 2.3-liter turbocharged I-4 engine with 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The first upgrade is a hybrid 3.3-liter V-6 engine that offers 318 horsepower and 322 pound-feet of torque. The final engine is a powerhouse with 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque coming from its 3-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 design.

When you get behind the wheel of the Explorer, one of the first things you'll notice is just how easy it is to drive despite its size. Opt for the all-wheel-drive version, and your control over the Explorer increases even further. With a 10-speed automatic transmission, it's easy to harness all the power available from the engine to get where you need to go. Plus, when properly equipped, it offers a towing capacity of 5,600 pounds.

Whether you're carrying cargo or passengers, you'll find plenty of room in the Explorer for both. Three rows of seats offer enough room for seven people, though the capacity drops to six if you opt for second-row captain's chairs. Second-row passengers can also enjoy 39 inches of legroom while third-row passengers still get 32 inches of legroom. When it comes to cargo, this SUV offers a maximum cargo capacity of 87.8 cubic feet.

The new Edge comes standard with a host of safety features, including high-tech driver assist systems like lane departure warning with lane keeping assist and forward collision warning with automated emergency braking. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is standard too, and self-parking assist is available as an optional upgrade. When equipped with bi-LED headlamps, it's also a top safety pick by the IIHS.