2017 Ford Explorer

The 2014 XLT comes standard with a 3.5liter V6 engine putting out around 290 horsepower and 255 lbft of torque, which gives it plenty of muscle for highway merges, towing, or carrying family gear. It seats seven people and offers generous cargo capacity about 21 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding up to ~80.7 cu ft with rear rows folded. That makes it versatile for hauling passengers and luggage, especially for road trips and family use. In terms of comfort and tech, the XLT trim includes some nice amenities like an 18inch alloy wheel setup, fog lamps, rear parking sensors, a leatherwrapped steering wheel, poweradjustable front seats, and a keyless entry pad. These features help it feel more upscale than basic trims. Fuel economy for a vehicle of this size isn t bad either the V6 versions manage about 17 city / 24 highway mpg . It s not supercompact car efficient, obviously, but decent for a 7seat SUV with that kind of power. Safety and driving manners are also strong points. The Explorer gets solid crash test ratings, with features like stability control, good brake feel, and optional driverassist systems in higher trims. The ride tends to be smooth and comfortable especially on highway stretches.