The 2022 Ford Explorer is part of the sixth generation of Explorer, which was launched back in 2020. Being a mid-size SUV that comes with decent interior space and a value-for-money price tag, the Ford Explorer has also been a sale success in the United States, making it one of the preferred monikers among car-buying families. With the launch of the updated 2022 model, it has received quite a few more upgrades, helping it to retain its position in the market rather well.

Coming at a base MSRP of $48,540, the 2022 Ford Explorer gets the new ST-Line trim, which offers impressive features and the performance of the coveted ST trim. The ST model, which is the most sporty version of the Explorer, also can be had with the rear-wheel-drive drivetrain. A few interior and safety features additions are on board too. Competing with the likes of the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, and Hyundai Palisade, here are 10 things you need to know before getting the 2022 Ford Explorer​​.

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10 Supremely Comfortable Ride Quality

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Via: Edmunds

Ever since the launch of the sixth-generation Ford Explorer back in 2019, it has been famous for its impressive ride quality, especially in comparison to the rivals of the mid-size SUV segment. The same cushy suspension system that does a great job in tackling the city and highway roads with ease has been retained with this 2022 iteration as well.

2022 Ford Explorer
via Ford

The front end of the 2022 Explorer comes with strut suspension and the rear end gets a sophisticated multi-link suspension. Coil springs and anti-roll bars are offered on all four corners, too. With independent front and rear suspension on board, the 2022 Explorer glides over the broken road at low speeds. Even at higher speeds, the vertical movement is minimal.

9 A Reasonably Spacious 6-Seater

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Via: NetCarShow

Being a mid-size family SUV that is priced very competitively, the 2022 Explorer is also one of the best-selling propositions of the segment. The main reason for its sales success has to be the spacious interior, especially for the first two rows. It can be had in both 6-seater and 7-seater configurations as well, which adds to its versatility.

Red 2023 Ford Explorer SUV on the road
Ford

The front occupants would be happy with its excellent headroom and legroom, both of which are better than the Honda Pilot. Even the second row has more than enough space for the passengers, and that makes it a great tool for hitting the highways. The third row is better suited for kids since the seat is fixed close to the floor. However, the legroom and headroom are better than the Hyundai Palisade and Toyota Highlander.

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8 Cargo Capacity Is Among The Best In The Segment

Rear 3/4 view of the Explorer ST on the move
Ford

The cargo capacity of this mid-size SUV is much superior to the likes of the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, and Hyundai Palisade. With the third-row seat up, the 2022 Ford Explorer offers 18.2 cubic feet of cargo space, and that manages to store about 4 carry-on suitcases with ease.

Ford Explorer Limited Hybrid
Via: wheels.ca

If you fold down both the second and third row, the 2022 Ford Explorer offers an impressive 47.9 cubic feet of cargo space, which is more than enough to take in a bike. In comparison, with all the seats upright, the Hyundai Palisade came close to the Explorer with 18 cubic feet of cargo space, which is followed by the Honda Pilot and the Toyota Highlander.

7 Interior Design And Quality Are Adequate For The Price

The Stylish Interior Of The Ford Explorer
Via FordFd

If you are looking for an SUV that offers the luxury of some of the premium mid-size SUVs, the 2022 Ford Explorer may not be the one for you. However, the interior quality and refinement are similar to the rivals. The dashboard and door cards come with soft touching plastic for the most part and don't feel cheap like the older generation of the Explorer.

2022 Ford Explorer ST's Interior
Via autoblog.com

There are enough leather inserts in the cabin, which helps in accentuating the overall ambiance of the cabin. The silver and chrome accents look and feel impressive, too. However, the interior quality is not as good as the Honda Pilot since there are some areas, like the lower dashboard and footwell, which come with hard plastics.

6 Comes With Multiple Engine Options

Red 2022 Ford Explorer
Via: Facebook

The 2022 Ford Explorer comes with many engine options, depending on the trim that you choose. For the Base, XLT, and Limited trims, the 2022 Explorer gets the 2.3L EcoBoost turbocharged inline-4 motor producing 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. The more expensive King Ranch, Platinum, and ST trim come with the 3-liter twin-turbo V6 motor producing 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque.

Silver 2022 Ford Explorer Platinum
Via: Facebook

The base 2.3-liter motor is more than adequate for daily use, as it returned decent gas mileage and impressive performance. The turbo lag is well under control too. However, if you want even better mid-range performance, the 3-liter V6 motor is the one to go for. For the ones expecting superb fuel efficiency numbers, there is also a Hybrid variant that comes with a 3.3-liter V6 mated to an electric motor producing 318 hp.

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5 Hybrid And ST Variants Are Available Too

The 2022 Ford Explorer ST
Via: Ford

The Hybrid variants of the Ford Explorer came to the United States market back in 2020 and have been retained in this 2022 model with no changes. This variant is powered by the 3.3-liter V6 with an electric motor and comes mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. It is a fairly capable motor, producing 318 hp and 322 lb-ft of torque, and offers 26 MPG of combined gas mileage.

2021 Ford Explorer King Ranch Edition: A Three-Row SUV
Via: NetCarShow

If you are a driving enthusiast, the coveted ST trim is also offered with the 2022 Ford Explorer, which comes at a base MSRP of $48,540. This trim gets the most powerful motor under the hood. The suspension is set to the stiffer side, and that equates to an SUV that is reasonably fun to drive. All the bells and whistles that are needed are offered as standard with this trim, too.

4 Not The Most Fun SUV To Drive

2021 Ford Explorer Timberline SUV
Via: NetCarShow

Being a heavy mid-size family SUV, the handling and driving dynamics is not the most noteworthy aspects of it. In comparison, we found the Honda Pilot to be a bit more fun to drive, especially when put against the regular Explorer variants. The turn-ins are lazy, and the handling feels a bit sloppy too.

Black 2021 Ford Explorer ST
Via: Facebook

The suspension is set to the softer side and the body roll is quite prominent. The electric power steering is not going to excite anyone with its excellent feel and feedback too. However, it is reasonably direct. If you wish to have a bit more fun, the Explorer ST could be an excellent option, as it comes with stiffer springs, making it more composed around tight corners. The understeer is also well masked with the ST variant.

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3 Not A Gas Guzzler

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Via: Edmunds

Coming with the turbocharged inline-4 motor, the 2022 Ford Explorer is a notch above the rivals in terms of gas mileage. It offers a city gas mileage of 20 mpg and a highway gas mileage of 28 mpg, which equates to combined gas mileage of 24 mpg. However, the 17.9-gallon fuel tank is smaller than the Hyundai Palisade and the Honda Pilot, making it not the best in terms of tank range.

2022 Ford Explorer
Via: Facebook

In comparison, the 2022 Honda Pilot and the 2022 Hyundai Palisade offered a slightly lower combined gas mileage of 23 mpg and 22 mpg, respectively. If you want even better gas mileage, the Explorer Hybrid is a great option, offering 23 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. This is also the only hybrid offering of the segment.

2 Comes Loaded With Tech And Features

The 2022 Ford Explorer ST In A Desert
Via Google/ Motor1.com

Ford hasn't skimped on the features offered, and that makes it stand apart from the more bland offerings of the segment. Even the base trim of the Explorer comes with many impressive and relevant features like a powered tailgate, tri-zone automatic climate control, powered seats, 18" alloy wheels, and many more.

2022 Ford Explorer ST
Via autoblog.com

The Limited trim turned out to be the most value-for-money trim of the lot since it offers a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, 20" wheels, heated and powered steering, leather upholstery, many driver-assistance features, etc. as standard. If you want even more features, the Platinum and King Ranch trims are offered for a higher price, too. Many optional features and packages are offered by Ford as well.

1 Braking Performance Is Superb

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The sharp and sure-footed braking performance remains unchanged from the outgoing 2021 model. The 2022 Ford Explorer comes with the same braking hardware, which is 13.6" front rotors and 12.6" rear rotors. All the braking features like ventilated rotors, brake assist, hill hold control, electric parking brakes, etc are standard too.

The front of the Explorer ST on the move
Ford

The brakes offered superb initial bite and that is all that is required for a comfortable stop in the city driving conditions. The brake pedal offers excellent feedback too. Stomp on the brakes from a higher speed, and you would realize the impressive braking progression on offer, helping the car to stop with minimal effort. The brake fade is negligible too.