| Pros | Cons | What's New |
|---|---|---|
Rugged and attractive design both inside and out | Limited third row and cargo space | New Sport model with the new EcoBoost V6 |
Plenty of engine options | Slow and unintuitive infotainment system | Updated MyFord Touch infotainment system |
Tops the safety charts | Ecoboost V6 is limited to the Sport trim | |
Great handling dynamics without compromising ride quality | Can get expensive with some options |
$31,100
price290 hp @ 6500 rpm
horsepower255 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm
torque6-Speed Shiftable Automatic
transmission3.5L 6cyl AWD 6A
engine-
basic warrantyUsually regarded as the crossover that kickstarted the revolution in America, the Ford Explorer still manages to hold the crown, several decades after its introduction. The 2013 Ford Explorer manages to offer a lot for the money, including excellent dynamics, an array of capable powertrains, and a feature-laden cabin. The appeal is even stronger now after Ford gave the Explorer a major update two years ago with revised styling, new engine options, and a new unibody platform.
Looking from a value standpoint, the mid-level XLT trim is the pick of the lot with plenty of standard features like 18-inch aluminum wheels, automatic headlights, an upgraded infotainment system with satellite radio, power-adjustable front seats, voice control, and a lot more. The XLT model can also be equipped with a dual-pane sunroof, second-row captain seats, and plenty of other options, making it the pick of the lot.
Ford keeps showering the Explorer with updates, and for 2013, the Explorer finally gets the capable Ecoboost V6 engine under the hood, although it’s limited to the range-topping Sport model. The rest of the lineup also gets the latest version of Ford’s SYNC infotainment system. The Ford Explorer continues to go toe-to-toe with crossovers like the Dodge Durango, Toyota Highlander, and Honda Pilot. Perfectly bridging the gap between smaller crossovers like the Escape and the bigger Expedition, the Explorer hits the sweet spot, offering the perfect mix of size and practicality.
The 2013 Ford Explorer is available in four trim levels, including the new Sport trim. Right from the base model, the Explorer is well equipped with features like a power-adjustable driver’s seat, projector headlights, air conditioning with rear controls, and a capable audio system with 6 speakers and a CD player. The new range-topping Sport model misses out on some luxuries like leather upholstery, keyless entry, and power-adjustable pedals compared to the Limited model. However, it does get the new Ecoboost engine as standard along with a four-wheel drive and a lot of performance upgrades.
|
Trim |
Base |
XLT |
Limited |
Sport |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MSRP (FWD) |
$29,100 |
$32,680 |
$38,100 |
- |
|
MSRP (4WD) |
$31,100 |
$34,680 |
$40,100 |
$40,780 |
|
Key Features |
17-inch steel wheels with covers |
In addition to or replaces Base trim features with: |
In addition to or replaces XLT trim features with: |
Replaces Limited trim features with: |
|
6-way power-adjustable driver’s seat |
6-way power-adjustable front seats |
20-inch painted aluminum wheels |
20-inch aluminum wheels |
|
|
CD player with a 6-speaker audio system |
Premium cloth upholstery |
Leather upholstery |
Sport front seats |
|
|
MyFord 4.2-inch information display |
Ford SYNC voice control |
Heated front seats with lumbar adjustment |
Unique interior and exterior trim |
|
|
Bi-functional projector headlamps |
SiriusXM satellite radio |
Push-button and remote start system |
Unique suspension tuning |
|
|
LED taillamps |
Automatic headlamps |
Dual-zone automatic climate control |
Standard AWD |
|
|
Air conditioning with rear controls |
18-inch painted aluminum wheels |
Premium 12-speaker audio system from Sony |
We Recommend
Looking from a value standpoint, the mid-level XLT trim is the pick of the lot with plenty of standard features like 18-inch aluminum wheels, automatic headlights, an upgraded infotainment system with satellite radio, power-adjustable front seats, voice control, and a lot more. The XLT model can also be equipped with a dual-pane sunroof, second-row captain seats, and plenty of other options, making it the pick of the lot.
Although it's limited to the new range-topping Sport model, the 2013 Ford Explorer finally gets the 3.5L Ecoboost under its hood, producing an impressive 365 hp and 360 lb-ft of torque. The rest of the lineup continues to get the 3.5L V6 engine as standard that produces 290 hp and 255 lb-ft of torque. The regular models are front-wheel-drive with four-wheel-drive available as an option. Ford has included their terrain management system with four-mode traction control, hill descent control, and hill start assist.
Customers looking for better efficiency can opt for the 2.0L Ecoboost engine producing 240 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque with the front-wheel-drive models. With some options, the V6 engine-equipped models can tow up to 5,000 pounds. The base 3.5L V6 sprints to 60 MPH in just 8 seconds and takes 16 seconds to cross the quarter-mile, while the new EcoBoost engine cuts the times down to 5.9 and 14.5 seconds.
|
Models |
2013 Ford Explorer |
2013 Dodge Durango |
2013 Honda Pilot |
2013 Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MSRP |
$29,100 |
$29,795 |
$29,520 |
$29,020 |
|
Engine |
3.5-liter Naturally Aspirated V-6 |
3.6-liter Naturally Aspirated V-6 |
3.5-liter Naturally Aspirated V-6 |
2.7-liter Naturally Aspirated Inline-4 |
|
Drivetrain |
FWD |
RWD |
FWD |
FWD |
|
Transmission |
6-speed automatic |
5-speed automatic |
5-speed automatic |
6-speed automatic |
|
Power |
290 hp |
290 hp |
250 hp |
187 hp |
|
Torque |
255 lb-ft |
260 lb-ft |
253 lb-ft |
186 lb-ft |
|
0-60 MPH (seconds) |
8.0 |
9.0 |
8.1 |
9.6 |
|
Quarter-Mile (seconds) |
16.1 |
16.7 |
16.3 |
17 |
|
Top-Speed (MPH) |
130 |
130 |
130 |
130 |
In terms of performance, the Ford Explorer can match the Honda Pilot. The Dodge Durango takes the third spot, while the Toyota Highlander with its small inline-4 engine comes in dead last. However, when you consider real-world performance tests like acceleration runs, one gets to see that the Ford Explorer and the Honda Pilot are the most competitive.
The base V6 engine returns average figures of 18 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway, which is cut down by 1 MPG when equipped with the four-wheel-drive system. Opting for the smaller 2.0L Ecoboost will return the best-in-class ratings of 20 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway. Unfortunately, tank capacity is below average at just 18.6 gallons, limiting the highway range to 446 miles.
|
Models |
2013 Ford Explorer |
2013 Dodge Durango |
2013 Honda Pilot |
2013 Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MPG (City) |
17 |
16 |
18 |
20 |
|
MPG (Highway) |
24 |
23 |
25 |
25 |
|
MPG (Combined) |
20 |
19 |
21 |
22 |
|
Fuel Capacity (Gallons) |
18.6 |
24.6 |
21 |
19.2 |
|
Range (City/Highway/Combined, in Miles) |
316/446/372 |
393/566/467 |
378/525/441 |
384/480/422 |
The Toyota Highlander is the most efficient crossover in this comparison thanks to its efficient inline-4 engine, while the Honda Pilot takes the second spot. Both the Ford Explorer and Dodge Durango get more powerful V6 engines, which limits their efficiency. However, since the Highlander is a very slow car, these figures do not really impress us.
The interior of the 2013 Ford Explorer is on par with its competition due to plenty of space and three-row seating. Build quality is excellent, and the overall design looks modern and upscale with some rugged design elements thrown in. The center fascia inside is dominated by the MyFord touchscreen infotainment system placed above the climate controls, flanked by silver accents similar to the dashboard.
Higher variants get plenty of luxuries like heated front seats with power adjustment, leather upholstery, keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, and a lot more. The ergonomics are well sorted, although the touch-sensitive buttons have a learning curve. Like most crossovers in this segment, the seating capacity is limited to 7 passengers with plenty of headroom in all three rows. Both the second and third rows can be folded flat to increase cargo capacity from 21 to 81 cubic feet.
|
Models |
2013 Ford Explorer |
2013 Dodge Durango |
2013 Honda Pilot |
2013 Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Seating Capacity |
7 |
7 |
8 |
7 |
|
Front Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Leg Room, in inches) |
41.4/61.3/40.6 |
39.9/58.5/40.3 |
40/61.5/41.4 |
40.6/59.7/43.2 |
|
Middle Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Leg Room, in inches) |
40.5/61/39.8 |
39.8/50.4/38.6 |
39.8/62.2/38.5 |
40.1/59.5/38.3 |
|
Rear Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Leg Room, in inches) |
37.8/50.8/33.2 |
37.8/50.4/31.5 |
38.2/58.9/32.1 |
36.3/55/29.9 |
|
Trunk Capacity (cubic feet) |
21 |
17.2 |
18 |
10.3 |
Thanks to Honda’s clever engineering, the Honda Pilot can squeeze another passenger in the third row and offers similar space as the Ford Explorer in the first two rows. The Dodge Durango takes the third spot, followed by the Toyota Highlander. However, when it comes to real-world use, the Explorer is the most spacious. Some standout interior features include:
For 2013, the Explorer gets the latest version of the MyFord Touch infotainment system which gets all the latest features like SiriusXM satellite and HD radio, Bluetooth, an SD card reader, and audio/video input jacks on all trims. The Limited and Sport models also get dual 4.2-inch configurable displays on the instrument cluster along with the central 8-inch display and a premium 12-speaker audio system from Sony. The base and XLT trim levels get a more rudimentary setup with 6-speakers and a CD player. Ford also offers a rear-seat entertainment system with dual headrest displays and a DVD player as an option. Some standout features include:
Like the interiors, Ford has managed to bring the iconic Explorer design to the modern age with an edgy and elegant design that stands out from the crowd. The unique three-bat grille is carried over from the Taurus SHO sedan along with other elements like the winged tail lights. Additions like black cladding and silver roof rails give the Explorer a rugged design. Ford has also put a lot of thought into the glass design, and the rear windows merge to give a seamless look. But, unfortunately, the thick C pillars hinder visibility.
|
Models |
2013 Ford Explorer |
2013 Dodge Durango |
2013 Honda Pilot |
2013 Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Curb Weight (lbs.) |
4534 |
4756 |
4299 |
3946 |
|
Length (inches) |
197.1 |
199.8 |
191.4 |
188.4 |
|
Width (inches) |
78.9 |
75.8 |
78.5 |
75.2 |
|
Height (inches) |
70.4 |
71.6 |
71 |
68.1 |
|
Ground Clearance (inches) |
N/A |
8.1 |
8 |
7.8 |
|
Wheelbase (inches) |
112.6 |
119.8 |
109.2 |
109.8 |
Thanks to the new unibody platform, the Explorer is a lot lighter than before. But it is in no way similar to the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander in terms of heft and weight. As expected, the Dodge Durango is the heaviest and largest of the group with the longest wheelbase. All cars in the segment offer decent ground clearance and hence remain easy to use off the road as well. Some notable exterior features include:
From the safety standpoint, the 2013 Ford Explorer continues to achieve top marks with a full 5-star overall rating in the NHTSA tests and a "Good" rating in most of the IIHS tests. The standard safety feature list includes traction and stability control, trailer sway control, and more. Higher trims also get blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert, collision warning, brake support, and lane departure warning. Also included as standard is Ford's MyKey system which allows parents to specify limits for vehicle speed and stereo volume and Ford's curve control which monitors speed on a corner and decelerate if necessary. Some standard safety features include:
The 2013 Ford Explorer continues to top the charts with its impressive performance and practical cabin. Other than the excellent dynamics, the feature list is also expansive with unique additions like voice control and a capable infotainment system with all the modern features. However, the interface is still slower than its competitors. The interior space is also average, especially in the third row. Overall, if you're in the market for a three-row crossover that is fun-to-drive and practical, the Explorer remains one of the best options, especially when equipped with the modern Ecoboost V6 engine.
Car Name | 0-60 MPH | Quarter Mile | Top Speed | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2013 Ford Explorer Ranked #9 | 7.4 sec | 15.8 sec | 132 mph | |||
2013 Land Rover Range Rover Ranked #1 | 5.8 sec | 14.2 sec | 130 mph | |||
2013 BMW X5 Ranked #2 | 6.1 sec | - | - | |||
2013 Lincoln MKX Ranked #3 | 6.5 sec | 15.1 sec | - | |||
2013 Ford Edge Ranked #4 | 6.8 sec | 15.4 sec | 122 mph | |||
2013 Jeep Wrangler Ranked #5 | 6.9 sec | - | - |
Car Name | MPG City | MPG Highway | MPG Combined | Fuel Tank Capacity | Range (C/H) | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2013 Ford Explorer Ranked #6 | 17 mpg | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | 18.6 gal. | 316.2/446.4 mi. | |||
2013 Chevrolet Equinox Ranked #1 | 22 mpg | 32 mpg | 26 mpg | 18.8 gal. | 413.6/601.6 mi. | |||
2013 GMC Terrain Ranked #1 | 22 mpg | 32 mpg | 26 mpg | 18 gal. | 396/576 mi. | |||
2013 Nissan Rogue Ranked #2 | 23 mpg | 28 mpg | 25 mpg | 15.9 gal. | 365.7/445.2 mi. | |||
2013 Honda Crosstour Ranked #2 | 22 mpg | 31 mpg | 25 mpg | 18.5 gal. | 407/573.5 mi. | |||
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Ranked #3 | 21 mpg | 29 mpg | 24 mpg | 17.4 gal. | 365.4/504.6 mi. |
Car Name | Length | Width | Height | Ground Clearance | Wheelbase | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2013 Ford Explorer Ranked #9 | 197.1 in. | 78.9 in. | 70.4 in. | 7.6 in. | 112.6 in. | |||
2013 Nissan Armada Ranked #1 | 207.7 in. | 79.3 in. | 77.2 in. | 9.8 in. | 123.2 in. | |||
2013 Chevrolet Traverse Ranked #2 | 203.7 in. | 78.5 in. | 69.9 in. | 7.2 in. | 118.9 in. | |||
2013 Chevrolet Tahoe Ranked #3 | 202 in. | 79 in. | 76.9 in. | 9.1 in. | 116 in. | |||
2013 GMC Yukon Ranked #3 | 202 in. | 79 in. | 76.9 in. | 9 in. | 116 in. | |||
2013 Buick Enclave Ranked #4 | 201.9 in. | 79 in. | 71.7 in. | 7.6 in. | 118.9 in. |
Car Name | Trunk Capacity | Passenger Volume | Max Trunk Volume | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2013 Ford Explorer Ranked #7 | 21 cu.ft. | 151.7 cu.ft. | 80.7 cu.ft. | |||
2013 GMC Yukon Ranked #1 | 16.9 cu.ft. | - | 108.9 cu.ft. | |||
2013 Chevrolet Tahoe Ranked #1 | 16.9 cu.ft. | 39.2 cu.ft. | 108.9 cu.ft. | |||
2013 Lincoln MKX Ranked #2 | 32.3 cu.ft. | 108.4 cu.ft. | 68.6 cu.ft. | |||
2013 Toyota Highlander Ranked #3 | 10.3 cu.ft. | 145.7 cu.ft. | 95.4 cu.ft. | |||
2013 Chevrolet Traverse Ranked #4 | 24.4 cu.ft. | 150.8 cu.ft. | 116.3 cu.ft. |
Car Name | Cargo Volume | Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area | Max Cargo Volume | Bed Length | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2013 Ford Explorer Ranked #1 | 83.1 cu.ft. | 21 cu.ft. | 80.7 cu.ft. | - | |||
2013 Nissan Rogue Ranked #2 | 57.9 cu.ft. | 28.9 cu.ft. | 57.9 cu.ft. | 99 ft. | |||
2013 Ford Edge Ranked #3 | 83.1 cu.ft. | 32.2 cu.ft. | 68.9 cu.ft. | 98 ft. | |||
2013 Lincoln MKX Ranked #4 | 97.1 cu.ft. | 32.3 cu.ft. | 68.6 cu.ft. | - | |||
2013 Mazda CX-9 Ranked #5 | 59.7 cu.ft. | 17.2 cu.ft. | 100.7 cu.ft. | - | |||
2013 BMW X5 Ranked #6 | 26.3 cu.ft. | - | 63.4 cu.ft. | - |
Car Name | Towing Capacity | Payload Capacity | Weight | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2013 Ford Explorer Ranked #6 | 5000 lbs. | 1661 lbs. | 4534 lbs. | |||
2013 GMC Yukon Ranked #1 | 8500 lbs. | 1633 lbs. | 5467 lbs. | |||
2013 Chevrolet Tahoe Ranked #1 | 8500 lbs. | 1633 lbs. | 5467 lbs. | |||
2013 Nissan Armada Ranked #2 | 8200 lbs. | 1728 lbs. | 5372 lbs. | |||
2013 Volkswagen Touareg Ranked #3 | 7716 lbs. | 1287 lbs. | 4711 lbs. | |||
2013 Land Rover Range Rover Ranked #3 | 7716 lbs. | 1290 lbs. | 4850 lbs. |
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User Overall Rating
Posted On: June 10, 2024
I've had this car for over well 10 years, it used to work fine until it started breaking down. First off, it made noises that sound unusual. Second, one tire had to have the air fixed and it took over 48 hours for the tiny computer to have it notified. Not to mentioned that the air conditioning isn't all that. As hot as it is, it's the bare minimum. I've never been so upset over a damaged piece o...
