“My 23 Ford Explorer is sporty, yet practical. Small enough to park in downtown high rise areas, big enough to claim its spot on the road with a trailer, heading to the woods! It is all I expected it to be! JK”
2023 Ford Explorer: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2023 Ford Explorer is largely a carryover, not a redesign. Its main change is that premium audio became standard on the King Ranch, Platinum, and Platinum Hybrid, alongside a few smaller trim-level equipment shifts.
About the 2023 Ford Explorer
6th generation (2020-2024), fourth model year and a no-major-change year before the 2025 refresh.
Ford positions the Explorer as a three-row SUV that can stretch across a lot of jobs without changing models. In one lineup, it covers family hauling, towing, off-road use, better fuel economy through hybrid trims, sporty driving in ST form, and near-luxury comfort in King Ranch and Platinum trims. Its main differentiators are rear-drive-based packaging, a wide trim spread, strong towing capability for the class, and a lineup that gives buyers very different personalities without leaving the Explorer range.
The 2023 Explorer ranges from practical three-row family trims to specialized versions with distinct personalities. The Timberline has trail-focused hardware such as standard four-wheel drive, extra ground clearance, and skid plates, while the ST pairs a turbo V6 with a sport-tuned suspension. Limited, King Ranch, and Platinum emphasize comfort and richer cabin materials, and Limited Hybrid and Platinum Hybrid add a hybrid V6.
What changed, by category
Tech and equipment
Premium audio became standard rather than optional on the King Ranch, Platinum, and Platinum Hybrid. Ventilated front seats changed from standard to optional on the ST.
Exterior equipment
Roof rails became standard rather than optional on the ST and ST-Line.
2023 Ford Explorer specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | V6, EcoBoost, Twin Turbo, 3.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, EcoBoost, Turbo, 2.3 Liter | 4-Cyl, EcoBoost, Turbo, 2.3 Liter / V6, Flex Fuel, 3.3 Liter | 4-Cyl, EcoBoost, Turbo, 2.3 Liter | 4-Cyl, EcoBoost, Turbo, 2.3 Liter | V6, EcoBoost, Twin Turbo, 3.0 Liter | V6, EcoBoost, Twin Turbo, 3.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, EcoBoost, Turbo, 2.3 Liter | V6, Hybrid, 3.3 Liter | V6, Hybrid, 3.3 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 10-Spd w/SelectShift | Automatic, 10-Spd | Automatic, 10-Spd | Automatic, 10-Spd | Automatic, 10-Spd w/SelectShift | Automatic, 10-Spd | Automatic, 10-Spd | Automatic, 10-Spd | Automatic, 10-Spd Hybrid Modular | Automatic, 10-Spd Hybrid Modular |
| Drivetrain | 4WD | 4WD | RWD / 4WD | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas / Flexible Fuel | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| MPG City | 18 mpg | 21 mpg | 17–21 mpg | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | 18 mpg | 18 mpg | 19 mpg | 27 mpg | 25 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 26 mpg | 28 mpg | 25–28 mpg | 28 mpg | 28 mpg | 26 mpg | 26 mpg | 21 mpg | 28 mpg | 26 mpg |
| Horsepower | 400 hp | 300 hp | 285–300 hp | 300 hp | 300 hp | 400 hp | 400 hp | 300 hp | 318 hp | 318 hp |
| Torque | 415 lb-ft | 310 lb-ft | 260–310 lb-ft | 310 lb-ft | 310 lb-ft | 415 lb-ft | 415 lb-ft | 310 lb-ft | 322 lb-ft | 322 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 5600 lb | 5300 lb | 5300 lb | 5300 lb | 5300 lb | 5600 lb | 5600 lb | 5300 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 87.8 cu-ft | 87.8 cu-ft | 87.8 cu-ft | 87.8 cu-ft | 87.8 cu-ft | 87.8 cu-ft | 87.8 cu-ft | 87.8 cu-ft | 87.8 cu-ft | 87.8 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 32.2 in | 32.2 in | 32.2 in | 32.2 in | 32.2 in | 32.2 in | 32.2 in | 32.2 in | 32.2 in | 32.2 in |
| Seats | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||||||||||
| Adaptive Headlights | ||||||||||
| Alarm System | ||||||||||
| Automatic High Beams | ||||||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||||||||
| Cruise Control | ||||||||||
| Front & Rear Parking Sensors | ||||||||||
| Hill Descent Control | ||||||||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||||||||
| Park Assist | ||||||||||
| Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers | ||||||||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||||||||
| 360 Camera | ||||||||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||||||||
| Auto-Dimming Exterior Mirrors | ||||||||||
| Fog Lights | ||||||||||
| Heated Mirrors | ||||||||||
| LED Headlights | ||||||||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | ||||||||||
| Power Moonroof | ||||||||||
| Power Close Liftgate/Trunk | ||||||||||
| Power Folding Exterior Mirrors | ||||||||||
| Rear Spoiler | ||||||||||
| Roof Rails | ||||||||||
| Tow Hooks | ||||||||||
| Trailer Hitch Receiver | ||||||||||
| Navigation System | ||||||||||
| Premium Audio | ||||||||||
| Rear DVD Entertainment System | ||||||||||
| Satellite Radio | ||||||||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||||||||
| Subwoofer | ||||||||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | ||||||||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | ||||||||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | ||||||||||
| Folding Rear Seat | ||||||||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||||||||
| Heated Rear Seats | ||||||||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||||||||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | ||||||||||
| Interior Ambient Lighting | ||||||||||
| Leather Seats | ||||||||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | ||||||||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | ||||||||||
| Power Driver Seat | ||||||||||
| Power Folding Rear Seat | ||||||||||
| Power Folding Third Row Seat | ||||||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||||||||
| Remote Start | ||||||||||
| Third Row Seat | ||||||||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | ||||||||||
Frequently asked questions
Was the 2023 Ford Explorer redesigned?
No. The 2023 Explorer remains part of the sixth generation introduced for 2020, with no major changes to its body, chassis, engines, safety suite, or touchscreen hardware.
What is the biggest change to the 2023 Ford Explorer?
The biggest change is standard premium audio on the King Ranch, Platinum, and Platinum Hybrid. It was optional on those trims for 2022.
Did the 2023 Ford Explorer get a new engine or hybrid system?
No. The 2023 lineup keeps the existing 2.3-liter turbo four-cylinder, 3.0-liter turbo V6, and 3.3-liter hybrid V6 powertrains.
What changed on the 2023 Ford Explorer ST?
The 2023 Explorer ST gained standard roof rails, while ventilated front seats changed from standard to optional. Its turbo V6 and sport-tuned suspension carried over.
Is the 2023 Ford Explorer meaningfully different from the 2022 model?
No. The two model years are broadly similar, with the 2023 changes limited to a few equipment adjustments on select trims. The engines, overall styling, structure, safety suite, and main cabin technology carried over.
2023 Ford Explorer Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2023 Ford Explorer.
4.1
2023 Ford Explorer
(245 reviews)
“Have owned about 7 previous Ford Explorers so I knew what I wanted for reliability and performance. This model was the ST V6 with EcoBoost Twin Turbo 3.0 Liter so I knew it had great acceleration. The twin climate control was important for my wife.”
“Vehicle is stylish, sporty, powerful and travels well. Only issue I have is that when traveling with windows are down, vibration seems excessive.”