In the United Arab Emirates, the 2019 Ford Explorer range consists of up to eight different variants. These include two Base trims, three XLT trims, two LTD trims, and the EcoBoost variant in the Sport trim. The Blue Oval offers the new Explorer with a choice of two engines, and buyers can choose between front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations. Meanwhile, the base variant is only available with front-wheel drive, just as the top variant can only be had with all-wheel drive. Since it made its debut in late 2010, the fifth generation of the Ford Explorer is classified as a full-size family crossover SUV. In the UAE market, the 2019 Explorer goes up against the likes of the Honda Pilot, Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, Dodge Durango, and GMC’s Acadia.
As for what lies under the hood, the 2019 Ford Explorer Base trims come with a 3.5-liter, naturally-aspirated V6 engine that dishes out a healthy 290 hp at 6,500 revs and 346 Nm of torque at 4,000 revs. It channels its grunt to the front wheels via a 6-speed torque-converter automatic, and is capable of pushing the front-wheel drive Explorer to a top speed of 173 km/h. The heavy mass, coupled to a rather relaxed transmission and FWD layout means hitting 100 km/h takes around 9.0 seconds. Meanwhile, the all-wheel drive variant with the same engine can do the same acceleration run in 8.7 seconds, though that comes at the cost of increased fuel consumption (10.3 L/100 km over the FWD’s 10.0 L/100 km score). The cost of the two Base trims is AED 152,000 (with FWD) and AED 168,000 (with AWD), respectively.
Next up, is the 2019 Explorer XLT variants. These are available as XLT base, XLT Mid Option 1, and XLT Mid Option 2 trims. All Explorer three XLT trims get all-wheel drive as standard fitment, and their priced at AED 184,000, AED 194,250, and AED 195,000 for the Base, Mid Option 1, and Mid Option 2 cars, respectively. The Explorer XLT variant features 18-inch alloy wheels, dual exhaust tips, rear spoiler, roof rails, automatic headlights, keyless entry, cruise control, leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, power-adjustable driver’s seat, parking sensors, and a 6-speaker audio system. There are also seven airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, rollover mitigation, electronic stability control, traction control system, hill-hold assist, and ISOFIX child seat anchor points.
Further on, there’s the Explorer LTD (with FWD) that wears a sticker price of AED 220,000. It remains mechanically identical to the XLT variant, but comes with more convenience and safety features. You now get larger alloy wheels, a power tailgate, front LED foglights, auto-folding door mirrors, chrome door handles and exhaust tips, power-operated front seats with heating & cooling function, lumbar adjustment for the driver, leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, ambient cabin lighting, engine push-button start, auto dimming rear-view mirror, an 8-inch touchscreen head unit with support for Bluetooth, AUX, USB, CD, and a premium Sony sound system with up to 12 speakers. The XLT also comes with blind spot monitoring. The Explorer XLT (with AWD) costs AED 240,000, and for that you get adaptive headlights, rain-sensing wipers, power sunroof, and a built-in navigation system.
The fully-loaded 2019 Ford Explorer is the Sport and costs AED 245,000. Its 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 motor produces 365 hp at 5,500 rpm and 474 Nm of torque at 3,500 rpm. This means a top whack of 200 km/h and a 0-100 km/h time of 6.4 seconds. The Explorer Sport adds features such as 20-inch alloys, sports suspension, adaptive cruise control, electrically-operated third-row seats, a dual-panel sunroof and rear-seat entertainment system. Finally, there’s also rear cross-traffic alert and collision detection with auto-emergency braking.
