Ford Explorer 2011–2015 car dimensions: 5006 mm long, 2004 mm wide and 1788 mm high. Braked towing is 2,268 kg.
Base models come with manual air conditioning and standard cruise control plus a 4.2-inch color display. MyFord Touch with 8-inch touchscreen, dual-zone automatic climate, reverse sensing, rearview camera, BLIS blind-spot warning with cross-traffic alert, and collision warning with brake support are available on higher trims. Curve Control and AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control are standard across the range.
Cargo space measures 595 litres behind the third row. Folding the third row opens 1240 litres. Maximum volume with second and third rows folded is 2285 litres on a flat load floor.
Maximum towing is 2268 kg with the optional Class III Trailer Tow Package that adds an engine oil cooler, hitch receiver and wiring. Without the package the limit is 907 kg. Payload capacity is 685 kg. Trailer sway control and hill start assist are standard to aid control when towing.
The cabin seats seven with cloth buckets up front, a 60/40 split-fold second row and 50/50 third row. A 6-way power driver seat with manual lumbar is standard. Best-in-class first- and second-row headroom plus strong second- and third-row legroom give a roomy feel. Four 12-volt points and overhead lights in all rows add convenience. Dual-panel moonroof and 10-way power heated-and-cooled front seats are available on higher grades.
EPA 17 city/25 hwy/20 combined mpg with 3.5L V6 FWD. regular unleaded.
18.6-gallon fuel tank.
Oil changes per Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor, up to 10,000 miles or one year.
IIHS Top Safety Pick with Good ratings in moderate-overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraints.
Standard AdvanceTrac with RSC and Curve Control, four-wheel ABS, dual-stage front airbags, front side airbags and three-row Safety Canopy side curtains.
Available inflatable second-row safety belts on XLT and Limited.
The standard 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 paired with a six-speed automatic delivers 17 city and 25 highway mpg on FWD models for a 20 combined rating. 4WD versions rate 17/23/19. The tank holds 18.6 gallons of regular unleaded. An optional 2.0L EcoBoost four-cylinder was offered later in the generation for better efficiency.
Service follows the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor, which can stretch oil and filter changes to 10,000 miles or one year under normal use. Cabin air filter replacement comes at 20,000-mile intervals. Engine air filter is due at 30,000 miles. Coolant first change is at 100,000 miles or six years, then every 50,000 miles or three years. Spark plugs are replaced at 100,000 miles.
The Explorer earned IIHS Top Safety Pick status with Good scores across moderate-overlap front, side, roof strength and head-restraint tests. Standard kit includes AdvanceTrac electronic stability control with Roll Stability Control and Curve Control, four-wheel disc ABS, dual-stage front airbags, front side airbags, three-row side-curtain airbags with rollover sensor, LATCH anchors, MyKey and trailer sway control. Inflatable rear belts were available on upper trims.
Keeping the vehicle means following the oil-life monitor and scheduled filter and fluid services. Standard hill-start assist and available Terrain Management on 4WD models help with everyday and light off-road use. The unitized body and independent suspension contribute to a controlled ride that holds up with regular tire rotations and brake checks.
Length 5006 mm, Width 2004 mm, Height 1788 mm, Wheelbase 2860 mm (Explorer 2011–2015)
Sources: manufacturer data, Ford 2011 Explorer Technical Specifications and the 2011 Ford of Canada All-New Explorer brochure, Those documents.