2021 Ford Explorer trim levels explained
Base to top
$21,675
- 19 trims. $32,925 to $54,600.
- Base: RWD. Top: King Ranch 4WD.
All 19 trims
| Trim | MSRP | Destination | Engine | hp | Drivetrain | Transmission | MPG | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RWD | $32,925 | $1,245 | 2.3L 4cyl | 300 hp | RWD | 10-speed automatic | 24 mpg | 7 |
| AWD | $34,925 | $1,245 | 2.3L | 300 hp | AWD | 10-speed automatic | 23 mpg | 7 |
| XLT RWD | $35,075 | $1,245 | 2.3L | 300 hp | RWD | 10-speed automatic | 24 mpg | 6 |
| XLT 4WD | $37,075 | $1,245 | 2.3L 4cyl | 300 hp | 4WD | 10-speed automatic | 23 mpg | 6 |
| Police Interceptor Utility AWD | $37,315 | $1,245 | N/A | N/A | AWD | 10-speed automatic | 19 mpg to 23 mpg | N/A |
| Hybrid Police Interceptor Utility AWD | $40,845 | $1,245 | 3.3L 6cyl | 318 hp | AWD | 10-speed automatic | 25 mpg | N/A |
| Limited RWD | $45,255 | $1,245 | 2.3L | 300 hp | RWD | 10-speed automatic | 24 mpg | 6 |
| Timberline 4WD | $46,015 | $1,245 | 2.3L 4cyl | 300 hp | 4WD | 10-speed automatic | 21 mpg | 6 |
| Limited 4WD | $47,255 | $1,245 | 2.3L 4cyl | 300 hp | 4WD | 10-speed automatic | 23 mpg | 6 |
| ST 4WD | $49,000 | $1,245 | 3.0L 6cyl | 400 hp | 4WD | 10-speed automatic | 20 mpg | 6 |
| Hybrid Limited RWD | $50,105 | $1,245 | 3.3L 6cyl | 318 hp | RWD | 10-speed automatic | 27 mpg | N/A |
| Hybrid Limited AWD | $52,105 | $1,245 | 3.3L 6cyl | 318 hp | AWD | 10-speed automatic | 25 mpg | N/A |
| Limited HEV 4WD | $52,430 | $1,245 | 3.3L 6cyl | 318 hp | 4WD | 10-speed automatic | 25 mpg | 7 |
| King Ranch RWD | $52,600 | $1,245 | 3.0L | 365 hp | RWD | 10-speed automatic | 20 mpg | 6 |
| Platinum RWD | $52,730 | $1,245 | 3.0L | 365 hp | RWD | 10-speed automatic | 20 mpg | 6 |
| Platinum 4WD | $53,335 | $1,245 | 3.3L | 318 hp | 4WD | 10-speed automatic | 25 mpg | 6 |
| Platinum HEV 4WD | $53,335 | $1,245 | 3.3L 6cyl | 318 hp | 4WD | 10-speed automatic | 25 mpg | 6 |
| Hybrid Platinum AWD | $53,335 | $1,245 | 3.3L 6cyl | 318 hp | AWD | 10-speed automatic | 25 mpg | N/A |
| King Ranch 4WD | $54,600 | $1,245 | 3.0L 6cyl | 365 hp | 4WD | 10-speed automatic | 20 mpg | 6 |
What changes at each step
Gas trims
RWD to AWD: +$2,000
RWD $32,925 to AWD $34,925.
- Drivetrain: RWD to AWD.
- MPG: 24 mpg to 23 mpg.
No added standard equipment listed.
AWD to XLT: +$2,150
AWD $34,925 to XLT 4WD $37,075.
- Seats: 7 to 6.
Adds as standard: Heated front seats, Hill descent control, Alarm system, Push-button start, Leather steering wheel, Heated mirrors, plus 1 more.
XLT to Police Interceptor Utility: +$240
XLT 4WD $37,075 to Police Interceptor Utility AWD $37,315.
- Cargo: 18.2 cu ft to 47.9 cu ft.
No equipment data.
Police Interceptor Utility to Limited: +$9,940
Police Interceptor Utility AWD $37,315 to Limited 4WD $47,255.
- Cargo: 47.9 cu ft to 18.2 cu ft.
No equipment data.
Limited to Timberline: -$1,240
Limited 4WD $47,255 to Timberline 4WD $46,015.
- MPG: 23 mpg to 21 mpg.
No added standard equipment listed.
Timberline to ST: +$2,985
Timberline 4WD $46,015 to ST 4WD $49,000.
- Engine: 2.3L 4cyl to 3.0L 6cyl.
- Power: 300 hp to 400 hp.
- MPG: 21 mpg to 20 mpg.
Adds as standard: Leather seats, Alloy wheels, Power-folding mirrors.
ST to King Ranch: +$5,600
ST 4WD $49,000 to King Ranch 4WD $54,600.
- Power: 400 hp to 365 hp.
Adds as standard: Power liftgate or trunk, Premium audio, Heated rear seats, Garage door opener, Folding rear seat, Power-folding third row, plus 4 more.
King Ranch to Platinum: +$130
King Ranch RWD $52,600 to Platinum RWD $52,730.
Same specs. Equipment only.
Adds as standard: Leather seats, Front and rear parking sensors, Alloy wheels, Adaptive headlights.
Hybrid trims
Hybrid Police Interceptor Utility to Hybrid Limited: +$11,260
Hybrid Police Interceptor Utility AWD $40,845 to Hybrid Limited AWD $52,105.
Same specs. Equipment only.
No equipment data.
Hybrid Limited to Limited HEV: +$325
Hybrid Limited AWD $52,105 to Limited HEV 4WD $52,430.
Same specs. Equipment only.
No equipment data.
Limited HEV to Platinum HEV: +$905
Limited HEV 4WD $52,430 to Platinum HEV 4WD $53,335.
- Seats: 7 to 6.
Adds as standard: Front and rear parking sensors, Adaptive headlights.
Which trim has each feature
- Cheapest trim with leather seats: Limited RWD, $45,255.
- Cheapest trim with heated front seats: XLT RWD, $35,075.
- Cheapest trim with a heated steering wheel: Limited RWD, $45,255. Optional from XLT RWD, $35,075.
- Cheapest trim with a 360 camera: Limited RWD, $45,255.
- Cheapest trim with blind spot warning: RWD, $32,925.
- Cheapest trim with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto: RWD, $32,925.
- Cheapest trim with a power liftgate or trunk: RWD, $32,925.
- Cheapest trim with a third row: RWD, $32,925.
- Cheapest trim with navigation: Limited RWD, $45,255. Optional from XLT RWD, $35,075.
- Cheapest trim with premium audio: Limited RWD, $45,255.
- Cheapest trim with remote start: Limited RWD, $45,255. Optional from XLT RWD, $35,075.
- Cheapest trim with heated rear seats: Limited RWD, $45,255.
- Not on any trim: a panoramic roof.
S standard. O optional. N not available. Blank: no data.
| Feature | RWD | AWD | XLT | Limited | Timberline 4WD | ST 4WD | King Ranch | Platinum | Limited HEV 4WD | Platinum HEV 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leather seats | N | N | N | S | N | S | N | S | S | N |
| Heated front seats | N | N | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
| Heated steering wheel | N | N | O | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
| 360 camera | N | N | N | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
| Blind spot warning | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
| Apple CarPlay or Android Auto | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
| Power liftgate or trunk | S | S | S | S | S | O | S | S | S | S |
| Third row | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
| Navigation | N | N | O | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
| Premium audio | N | N | N | S | N | O | S | S | S | S |
| Remote start | N | N | O | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
| Heated rear seats | N | N | N | S | S | O | S | S | S | S |
| Panoramic roof | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
No equipment data: Police Interceptor Utility AWD, Hybrid Police Interceptor Utility AWD, Hybrid Limited RWD, Hybrid Limited AWD, Hybrid Platinum AWD.
Cheapest trim with
- AWD or 4WD: AWD, $34,925.
- Hybrid: Hybrid Police Interceptor Utility AWD, $40,845.
- 7 or more seats: RWD, 7 seats, $32,925.
- The most hp: ST 4WD, 400 hp, $49,000.
- The best mpg: Hybrid Limited RWD, 27 mpg, $50,105.
New for 2021
Compared with 2020. Trims matched by name.
- Added: Timberline 4WD, King Ranch RWD, Platinum RWD, Platinum HEV 4WD, Hybrid Platinum AWD, King Ranch 4WD.
- Dropped: none.
- Carried over with a price: 13 trims. Median change: -$2,425.
| Trim | 2020 | 2021 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| RWD | $32,765 | $32,925 | +$160 |
| AWD | $34,765 | $34,925 | +$160 |
| XLT RWD | $36,925 | $35,075 | -$1,850 |
| XLT 4WD | $38,925 | $37,075 | -$1,850 |
| Police Interceptor Utility AWD | $37,085 | $37,315 | +$230 |
| Hybrid Police Interceptor Utility AWD | $40,615 | $40,845 | +$230 |
| Limited RWD | $48,380 | $45,255 | -$3,125 |
| Limited 4WD | $50,380 | $47,255 | -$3,125 |
| ST 4WD | $54,740 | $49,000 | -$5,740 |
| Hybrid Limited RWD | $52,530 | $50,105 | -$2,425 |
| Hybrid Limited AWD | $54,725 | $52,105 | -$2,620 |
| Limited HEV 4WD | $55,050 | $52,430 | -$2,620 |
| Platinum 4WD | $58,250 | $53,335 | -$4,915 |
Compare two trims
What this cannot tell you
Prices exclude options, packages and destination.
Equipment comes from one source and can lag.
- 2 or more sources
- 1 source
- Model-level, rule or estimate
- Sources disagree