Ford hit the jackpot with the fifth-generation Explorer: transitioning the popular SUV from a body-on-frame to a unibody setup has allowed The Blue Oval to transition the popular nameplate into a 21st-century full-size crossover, and the market has reacted with enthusiasm: with 20,346 units sold, Explorer sales topped the 20,000 units mark for the first time to hit the milestone since July 2005 in May 2014. For the 2015 model year, Ford is giving its biggest crossover some notable enhancements that should drum up even more excitement.
The 2015 Explorer will include new colors and features, along with a new sport-oriented appearance package, allowing buyers of the Explorer XLT to configure their full-sizer with the same sinister exterior details currently seen on the Explorer Sport. These include 20-inch machined aluminum wheels with painted pockets, black body-side cladding and roof rack rails, a Magnetic Metallic painted grille, mirror caps and liftgate appliqué, as well as “EXPLORER” hood badge and body-color door handles.
The package continues to add value into the interior, with details such as leather-trimmed, heated front seats featuring Miko suede inserts and contrast stitching, floor mats with special badging, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Technology upgrades include SYNC with MyFord Touch, two 4.2-inch color LCD screens in the instrument cluster, an 8-inch color LCD touch screen in the Meteorite Black center stack, two USB ports and an SD card reader.
“Customers asked for more and this is our answer,” said Matt Zuehlk, Ford Explorer brand manager. “We know consumers love the look of Explorer Sport; with this package, you get that for Explorer XLT. It looks bold and rugged, and offers impressive technology at a surprising value.”
The new appearance package will be available later this month.
Meanwhile, other updates for the 2015 Explorer consist of new 18-inch aluminum wheels that are now standard on the base model, a Class III trailer tow package that’s now standard on the Explorer Sport, and three new colors — Bronze Fire Metallic Tinted Clearcoat, Caribou Metallic, and Magnetic Metallic.
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