2015 Ford Explorer Base 4WD 0-60 Times, Top Speed, Specs, Quarter Mile, and Wallpapers

The 2015 Ford Explorer Base 4WD is a 4-wheel drive Sport Utility. It can accommodate up to 7 passengers. It has 5 Doors and is powered by a 3.5L V6 DOHC 24-valve engine which outputs 290 hp @ 6500 rpm and is paired with 6-speed automatic transmission with manual mode gearbox. The 2015 Ford Explorer Base 4WD has cargo capacity of 594 Liters and the vehicle weighs 2131 kg. In terms of ride assists, the 2015 Ford Explorer Base 4WD has stability control and traction control in addition to anti-lock brake system (ABS). The vehicle has an optional engine as well It offers Reverse Sensing System and. Safety features also include Driver side front airbag and Passenger side front airbag. The front suspension is Front independent suspension while the rear suspension is Rear independant suspension. The car also features a Low tire pressure warning It has 18'' painted aluminum wheels as standard. Electronic features include Cruise Control. For convenience, the car has Power windows and Power door locks. There is also a remote keyless entry feature. Moreover, the car has. The steering wheel has audio control buttons. In terms of performance, the car has 317 N.m of torque and a top speed of 243 km/h. The 2015 Ford Explorer Base 4WD accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds and hits quarter mile at 14 seconds. Fuel consumption is 14.9 L/100km in the city and 10.7 L/100km in the highway. The car price starts at $ 34,499

2015 Ford Explorer Used Price Estimates

The 2015 Ford Explorer isn't as versatile or roomy as some other large, three-row crossover SUVs, but is still a respectable pick in this class, thanks to its high-end cabin and long list of advanced features.

One of the original SUVs, the Ford Explorer has been providing family transportation for nearly 25 years. Today's 2015 model, the largest and most luxurious yet, provides three rows of seating, three different engine choices, decent cargo space for the kids and their stuff and a sleek and handsome profile. As such, this Ford is certainly a good fit for almost any family's garage.

Driving the Explorer on a daily basis is pleasant, thanks to its quiet interior and comfortable ride. You'll also likely be pleased with the interior's high-quality materials and big collection of standard and optional features. For power, the standard V6 should be good for most owners, but Ford also offers a couple of engine options, which is unusual for this class. For enhanced fuel economy, there's a turbocharged four-cylinder that will get you an EPA-estimated 23 mpg combined. Or, for quicker acceleration and stronger performance when towing, there's a turbocharged V6 on the Explorer Sport model.

Unfortunately, there are some things that this tenured professor of SUV University doesn't do extremely well. While some crossovers have mastered the ability to drive smaller than they are, the Explorer is a bit the opposite and feels bulky and difficult to see out of and park. The interior isn't very roomy for this class of vehicle, either. Headroom in the second row is limited, and legroom in the optional third row isn't enough for anyone other than small children. Cargo capacity is adequate, but you'll be able to fit more stuff inside most other comparable rivals.

Luckily, there is no dearth of options in this segment. The Toyota Highlander is efficient, powerful and very comfortable. As such, it's one of our top picks. The Dodge Durango features a high-quality interior, along with some great user-friendly tech features. Also worth checking out is the roomier 2015 Chevrolet Traverse (or its twin, the GMC Acadia), the sporty Mazda CX-9 or Ford's own wagonlike Flex. Overall, we think the .com "B" rated 2015 Ford Explorer is a respectable choice that can provide you with the right kind of utility and some extra style, but it's worth looking around in this ever-expanding segment before you make up your mind.

The 2015 Ford Explorer is a large three-row crossover SUV available in four trim levels: base, XLT, Limited and Sport.

Standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, rear privacy glass, roof rails, cruise control, full power accessories, air-conditioning, a 60/40-split second-row seat, 50/50-split third-row seat, a six-way power driver seat (manual recline), a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a 4.2-inch display screen and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack.

The XLT adds upgraded brakes, foglights, rear parking sensors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a keyless entry code pad, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, Sync (Ford's voice-activated phone/entertainment interface), a six-way power front passenger seat, satellite radio and a USB port.

For the XLT, the Equipment Group 201A package adds a rearview camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, a nine-speaker sound system and the Driver Connect package, which includes an auto-dimming rearview mirror, an 8-inch touchscreen display (MyFord Touch), two USB ports, an SD card reader and upgraded Sync functionality. The 202A package includes all of the 201A equipment, plus leather upholstery, heated front seats and an eight-way power driver seat with power-adjustable lumbar. With the 202A package equipped, the Appearance package becomes available, and it adds 20-inch alloy wheels, body-colored door handles, leather seats with suede inserts and unique floor mats.

The Limited gets the XLT 202A's equipment, plus 20-inch wheels, keyless ignition and entry, remote engine start, driver memory settings, power-adjustable pedals, a 110-volt power outlet and a 12-speaker Sony sound system with HD radio. Optional for the Limited is the 301A package, which includes a power liftgate, a power-folding operation for the third-row seat, an eight-way power passenger seat, a heated and power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, ventilated front seats and a navigation system.

To this, the 302A package adds xenon headlights, automatic high-beam control, automatic windshield wipers, an automatic parallel-parking system, lane-departure and lane-keeping assist, a blind-spot warning system, rear cross-traffic alert and inflatable seatbelts for second-row outboard passengers. Adaptive cruise control with frontal-collision warning and brake priming is a stand-alone option. When the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine is equipped, the 302A package becomes the 303A package, but the equipment is the same.

The Explorer Sport is equipped similarly to the Limited, but some of the Limited's standard features are optional here. You get different 20-inch wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, front sport seats (with extra lateral bolstering) and unique interior and exterior trim details. The Sport's 401A package adds keyless ignition and entry, a power liftgate, 110-volt outlet, a front power passenger seat, driver memory settings, power-adjustable pedals, navigation system, ventilated front seats, a power-adjustable and heated steering wheel and the Limited's optional safety features. The adaptive cruise control is again optional.

Other options for the XLT, Limited and Sport include a dual-panel sunroof, second-row captain's chairs and a rear-seat entertainment system with dual headrest-mounted displays.

The 2015 Ford Explorer lineup offers a wide range of powertrains, allowing one to prioritize performance or fuel economy. As such, EPA fuel economy estimates range from fair to fairly impressive.

All 2015 Ford Explorers, except for the Sport, come standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine. It produces 290 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque and is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. With this engine, you have your choice of front-wheel drive or optional four-wheel drive (there is no low-range gearing). Four-wheel-drive models get hill descent control, hill start assist and Ford's Terrain Management System, a selectable four-mode system that optimizes traction electronically for different conditions.

In testing, a four-wheel-drive Explorer Limited with the base V6 accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds, while a lighter 4WD XLT model was slightly quicker at 8.1 seconds -- these are average times for a large crossover SUV. A front-drive V6 Explorer returns an EPA-estimated 20 mpg combined (17 city/24 highway), and four-wheel drive lowers mileage to a still-respectable 19 mpg combined (17/23). We managed to earn 20 mpg on .com's 120-mile evaluation route.

Optional on all front-wheel-drive Ford Explorers is the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 240 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. It also uses the six-speed automatic transmission. In testing, a four-cylinder-equipped Explorer went from zero to 60 mph in 9.1 seconds, which is on the slow side for the class. Fuel economy, however, is much more impressive at 23 mpg combined (20 city/28 highway).

The Explorer Sport is 4WD only, and it comes with a turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine and the six-speed automatic. The turbo V6 puts out 365 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque, and the EPA estimates it will return 18 mpg combined (16 city/22 highway).

Properly equipped, an Explorer with either of the V6 engines can tow 5,000 pounds. With the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, max towing capacity is only 2,000 pounds.

Every 2015 Ford Explorer comes standard with stability and traction control, trailer sway control, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags, a front passenger knee airbag and MyKey, which allows parents to specify limits for vehicle speed and stereo volume. The Explorer's stability control system also includes Ford's Curve Control, which can monitor speed carried into a corner and decelerate if necessary.

Rear parking sensors are standard on all but the base Explorer. A rearview camera is standard on the Limited and Sport and optional on the XLT. The Limited and Sport can also be had with impending frontal-collision warning and brake priming (bundled with the adaptive cruise control), lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist, a blind-spot warning system (with rear-cross traffic alert) and inflatable seatbelts for second-row outboard passengers.

In brake testing, both the 4WD Explorer XLT and the Limited V6 stopped from 60 mph in 118 feet -- a good performance for a large crossover SUV. Meanwhile, the four-cylinder Explorer XLT did it in 130 feet, which is longer than average for this class.

In government crash tests, the Explorer earned a five-star rating (out of a possible five) for overall crash protection, with five stars for total front-impact protection and five stars for total side-impact protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave its top score of "Good" for the Explorer's performance in moderate-overlap frontal-offset, side-impact and roof-strength tests. It received the second-lowest rating of "Marginal" in the small-overlap frontal-offset test. Its seatbelts and head restraints earned a "Good" rating for whiplash protection in rear impacts.

The 2015 Ford Explorer has a very smooth ride quality on the highway, with good composure that gets only a little busier with the Limited model's 20-inch wheels over broken pavement. It's also particularly quiet on the inside, an added benefit for any highway journey. It handles securely in typical driving situations, but overall, it feels larger and less maneuverable than similarly sized rivals.

The same is true of the Explorer Sport, but thanks to its sport-tuned suspension and steering, it reacts more quickly to inputs and generally imparts greater driver confidence. And while the Sport gives up a bit of that cushy ride quality, the ride is still well within the realm of acceptability for this class of vehicle.

The Sport also comes with the turbocharged V6, which offers V8-like acceleration. But the reality is that the base V6 is powerful enough in most situations. The turbocharged four-cylinder engine is a viable option, too. It may seem a bit small for an SUV this large, but it provides adequate acceleration for daily use and, of course, better fuel mileage than you'd get with the V6.

Considering the price, the Explorer's interior is pretty well-trimmed. Materials are attractive and luxurious, with a soft-touch dashboard and precise-feeling controls. The front seats are very supportive, and the cabin is particularly quiet as well.

The optional MyFord Touch interface contributes to the premium vibe, as it adds a high-resolution display screen (plus two additional screens for the gauge cluster) and touch-sensitive audio and climate "buttons." We haven't been fond of this system in the past, as it was often slow to respond to inputs. However, ongoing year-to-year system improvements have made a difference, and in our most recent tests, MyFord Touch worked reasonably well. We also continue to like the usefulness of the Sync voice commands. That said, some rival infotainment systems are still easier to use.

The Explorer has 80 cubic feet of maximum cargo space, making it less spacious than the Dodge Durango and well below the Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia. The third row is short on legroom and will fit only small children. The Explorer's second-row seats may be a bit disappointing for families as well, as there's not as much room to install rear-facing child safety seats -- something you'd expect to do with ease in a vehicle of this size. And while the Explorer has the commanding ride height expected in an SUV, its thick roof pillars and tall dash limit outward visibility. Even with all of the available parking aids, it's a handful in tight spaces.

From behind the wheel, the 2015 Ford Explorer feels much more like a car than an SUV. The comfortable and quiet ride isolates you from the road in the same way as a luxury sedan, and the Explorer never bangs over bumps or rattles over railroad tracks like its truck-based forebears. With the 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine or the standard 3.5-liter V6, the Explorer is never speedy, but the twin-turbocharged V6 in the Explorer Sport gets this nearly 5,000-pound SUV moving quickly. While visibility to the front and sides is good, you'll be thankful for the wide-view side mirrors and blind-spot detection that compensate for the lousy view toward the rear. Likewise, that comfortable ride also means the Explorer lumbers around town, and its outward bulk makes it ponderous in parking lots. The 4-wheel-drive system offers a terrain-management system that helps this big SUV tackle various surfaces.

TWIN-TURBOCHARGED V6 ENGINEThe Explorer Sport comes with a 365-horsepower twin-turbocharged V6 engine, and it's by far the best thing about the package. With the extra juice, the Explorer transforms from a lumbering brute into, well, a more fleet-footed brute. Surprisingly, fuel economy takes only a moderate hit compared to the standard V6.TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEMWhile the Explorer's hardcore off-road days are long gone, the Terrain Management System allows drivers to optimize the Explorer's 4-wheel-drive system for snow, mud, or ruts with the twist of a dial.

For the most part, the 2015 Ford Explorer puts its bulk to good use inside, offering three rows of seating for up to seven passengers. Surprisingly, the 2-passenger third row offers enough room for adults. The second row comes as either a 3-person bench, or it can be had with two bucket seats. Both seats can be equipped to power-fold flat, and when down, you have 80.7 cubic feet of cargo area. Throughout, the Explorer's width is put to good use too, maybe too good, as some shorter drivers may find it's a stretch to rest an arm on the door.

Nobody could call the 2015 Explorer "sleek," although its streamlined shape does a good job of hiding its overall bulk. Bulges in just the right places hint at muscularity, and the long horizontal creases along the sides convey motion. New this year is a sport-appearance package for the mid-level XLT, which adds bigger wheels, a darker grille and other touches to give the Explorer a sportier look. However, it's not as bold as the Explorer Sport, which adds a black grille, big wheels, and a don't-mess-with-me demeanor.

You can get the 2015 Ford Explorer in base, XLT, Limited and Sport models. The $ 31,000 or so you'll pay for a base model gets you a V6 engine, single-zone climate control with rear auxiliary climate control, and a power driver's seat. The standard 6-speaker audio includes auxiliary inputs. It also comes with Ford's MyKey, which allows drivers to program top speed and other parameters to help prevent young drivers from behaving recklessly. Standard safety features include Roll Stability Control and Curve Control, the latter of which can slow the vehicle if it senses you're taking a corner too quickly.

Base-model Ford Explorers are limited in their option selections to just the basics: a towing package, Sync and satellite radio. The mid-level XLT is a good value, expanding the options list to include leather seats, navigation, blind-spot detection with inflatable rear seatbelts, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Limited and Sport models offer a luxury-seating package, active cruise control, and heated and cooled front seats. All V6 models can be equipped with 4-wheel drive – it's standard on Sport models – and a smaller, fuel-efficient 4-cylinder can replace the V6 in all but Sport models.

The standard 290-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 on the Ford Explorer won't blow you away, but it's adequate for most people's needs. It's available with front-wheel drive (FWD) or 4-wheel drive (4WD). Optional is a smaller, turbocharged 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine with a 28-mpg highway rating, however, we're not sure the economy gain is worth the sluggish acceleration. Sport models come exclusively with 4-wheel drive and a turbocharged 365-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost. Regardless of engine, all 2015 Explorer models have a 6-speed automatic transmission, and V6 models get Ford's SelectShift that enables drivers to shift gears manually. Sport models get steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Regular-unleaded gasoline works for all Explorers, although both EcoBoost models prefer premium. The 4-cylinder can tow 2,000 pounds, while V6 models can haul 5,000 pounds.2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4240 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm270 lb-ft of torque @ 3,000 rpmEPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/28 mpg3.5-liter V6290 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm255 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpmEPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/24 mpg (FWD), 13/18 mpg (FWD E85), 17/23 (4WD), 12/17 mpg (4WD E85) 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6365 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm350 lb-ft of torque @ 3,500 rpmEPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/22

The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $ 31,500 gets you into a base 2015 Ford Explorer, but the XLT's wider availability of options makes it a better place to start at $ 33,500. The Limited model starts around $ 39,000, and the powerful Explorer Sport begins at about $ 43,500. This is all before options get added, and they can add up quickly. The 4-cylinder EcoBoost is a $ 995 option, for example, and 4-wheel drive adds $ 2,000. That's in line with competitors like the Chevy Traverse, Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota Highlander, and Honda Pilot, but both the Hyundai Santa Fe and 7-passenger Dodge Journey start below $ 30,000. Check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to get the best deal in your area, and note that the Explorer's resale value holds up quite well – better than the Durango, less than the Highlander, and right in line with the Traverse and Pilot.

2015 Ford Explorer Consumer Reviews