New Car Overview of the Ford Explorer Mid-Size Sport Utility Vehicle

Description: Mid-Size Sport Utility Vehicle
Base MSRP Range: $26,770 - $37,530
Invoice Price Range: $24,330 - $33,907
Where built: USA

Ford's mid-size SUV, consistently ranked as the best-selling sport-ute in the world, comes to the 2005 line in 20 different configurations with multiple choices for powertrain, traction mode and trim. There are rear-wheel-drive (RWD) and four-wheel-drive (4WD) Explorer versions and trim designations of XLS, XLS Sport, XLT, XLT Sport, luxurious Eddie Bauer and elite Limited.

Standard safety equipment on all models for 2005 increases with ABS and Ford's AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control computer-linked anti-skid equipment. Explorer puts a fold-flat seat in the third row for seven-person capacity on all editions.

Explorer's standard engine, a 4.0-liter single-cam V6, delivers 210-hp through to a 5-speed manual transmission or 5-speed automatic. An optional 4.6-liter V8 in single-cam design rises to 239-hp.