Key Takeaways
- The Ford Explorer goes largely unchanged into the new year, with the main change being the loss of the available hybrid engine in 2024. We are unsure if the hybrid powertrain will return in 2025.
- The Ford Explorer offers a wide array of trim levels starting at around $36,670 and climbing up to about $55,000. Two engines are offered with a base turbocharged 2.3 liter four cylinder engine and a more powerful twin turbo 3.0 liter V6 available on higher trims.
- The gas mileage for the Ford Explorer can be as high as 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway with RWD and the four-cylinder engine, or as low as 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway with an AWD V6.
Will the 2024 Explorer be redesigned?
No, the 2024 Explorer will not be redesigned. The ever popular SUV was originally set to receive a refresh in 2024, but this refresh has been pushed back to 2025. While this disappointed many, the 2025 Explorer is set to debut with a new look in 2025 as some photos have already been released to get the public excited.
It seems that the 2025 Explorer is designed to offer an even more rugged styling as more of the lineup will take on some of the Timberline’s design cues with a more athletic grille and less fuss that distracts from the powerful design of the SUV.
The big news for the 2024 Explorer is that the hybrid powertrain has been removed. Ford stated that because the Hybrid Police Interceptor is in such high demand that unfortunately the public will not be seeing their own hybrid option in 2024.
This likely means that all of the hybrids previously slated for the public in 2024 were rebranded to become police interceptors. While this bodes well for our police force’s gas bills, it likely means that the only hybrid Explorers we will see for a while will most likely come in shades of black, blue and white, with exclusive lights and sirens.
We are unsure if the refresh in 2025 will bring back the hybrid option, but it seems that if the demand for the hybrid Police Interceptor continues, the option will only be available to our officers.
What are the trim levels for the Ford Explorer 2024?
There are quite a few trim levels, in ascending order they are; Base, XLT, ST-Line, Limited, Timberline, ST, King Ranch, and Platinum. Starting prices for each trim are listed below.
The two entry level models are functional in their interior design and standard features. For example, the main features offered on the XLT are 4-door intelligent access with push button start, second row captain’s chairs, and a keyless entry pad. While these features do make the vehicle much more useful the design is not as flashy, and the interior is spartan.
We recommend going for the ST-Line as it comes with Ford Co-Pilot360 assist which is an incredibly beneficial safety feature and offers more peace of mind when hauling your family and cargo around. It also makes the Explorer stand out a bit more with a more athletic design, and adds an improved sound system with 12 speaks and a subwoofer.
Now if you live somewhere in the northern half of our wonderful USA, we might recommend going for the Limited trim which comes with heated front and second row seats that are wrapped in a fancier leather which is easier to clean. For those of you who enjoy a bit more features and want a bit more off-road prowess the Timberline is the trim for you with off-road front struts and rear shocks.
For those of us who want all the features of a Lincoln but enjoy the Explorer frame a bit more, Ford offers the Platinum trim which has more standard and available luxury features than any previous trim.
- Explorer $36,670
- XLT $38,570
- ST-Line $46,355
- Limited $48,260
- Timberline $49,330
- ST $50,005
- King Ranch $54,525
- Platinum $54,670
What is the Gas mileage on the Ford Explorer 2024?
The gas mileage on the Ford Explorer 2024 at its best is 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, and adding all-wheel drive drops those numbers to 20 mpg and 27 mpg respectively. This is on the turbo four cylinder engine which is standard on base trims.
On higher level trims a twin turbo V6 engine is available that gets 18 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway with rear wheel drive. Adding all-wheel drive drops the highway fuel economy to 24 mpg on this engine. Unfortunately the hybrid powertrain is no longer available which saved you the most in town getting up to 27 mpg, but it still only got up to 28 mpg on the highway.
2024 Ford Explorer continues the tradition of excellence
While the Ford Explorer might not be changing much in 2024, it continues to be one of the most popular SUVs out on the market. This is because families have come to trust the vehicle for its comfort and class.
Unfortunately in 2024 the hybrid option might not be on the table but this SUV makes up for it in features as higher end trims feel more like a Lincoln than they do a Ford. While higher trims offer more in terms of class, the Timberline offers more rugged behavior and the ST is athletic and fast. The Ford Explorer has a reputation that is hard to beat, and the 2024 continues this legacy.