2027 Ford Explorer

Second-row captain's chairs and a bright Star White Metallic Tri-Coat finish are the first things you notice about this new 2027 Ford Explorer Active 4WD at Michigan City Ford in Michigan City, Indiana. Look closer and you find 20-inch Carbon Gray painted wheels, the Active Comfort Package with remote start and a heated steering wheel, and a 2.3L EcoBoost with a 10-speed automatic. For a family that needs three rows and wants them to feel well thought out, this one deserves a test drive.The original window sticker lists $6,190 in added equipment, or $5,190 after the $1,000 Active Comfort Package discount printed there, as the listed cost when new. The Active Comfort Package at $3,145 does the most for daily life, with a remote start system, LED fog lamps, a heated steering wheel, LED signature lighting and an 8-way power passenger seat, so both front occupants get a more comfortable ride and the driver gets a warm wheel in the dead of winter. The 20-inch Carbon Gray painted aluminum wheels at $1,395 wear P255/55R20 all-season tires and contrast nicely against the white paint. The Star White Metallic Tri-Coat itself is a $795 selection with real depth in the sunlight. A keyless entry keypad at $455 means you can leave the keys inside the gym bag and still get in, and an 18-inch spare wheel and jack kit at $400 gives you a backup plan on a long trip. Second-row captain's chairs, a one-year security package and a one-year Ford connectivity trial are also listed, and Equipment Group 200A sets up the trim.Seating is where this Explorer earns its keep. The captain's chairs give second-row passengers their own space and leave a clear path to the third row, and that third row folds flat in a 50/50 split when the cargo area matters more than the head count. Heated front-row seats, a power driver's seat and tri-zone electronic temperature control help everyone stay comfortable on the way to Grandma's house, and smart charging USB ports keep tablets and phones going. A power liftgate is a real help in a parking lot full of slush, and dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors and a tidy rotary gear shift dial are small details you will appreciate every day.The dash is modern and uncluttered, with a 12.3-inch cluster display and a 13.2-inch center display running the Ford Digital Experience. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connect your phone without a cable, a 5G modem and the Ford app keep you in touch, and an AM/FM stereo with six speakers handles the music. Keyless entry with push-button start and a tilt and telescoping wheel with mounted controls make the daily routine simple. Six selectable drive modes let you adjust the Explorer for snow, rain or a dry highway.Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ and a rear view camera support an attentive driver and do not replace one. The Personal Safety System, the Safety Canopy airbag system, AdvanceTrac with roll stability control, a perimeter alarm and the SOS post-crash alert system add further protection. A Class III tr