2023 Ford Explorer comes with Everest-like taillights, massive screen

Ford has taken the wraps off the 2023 Explorer midsize SUV for the Chinese market, sharing a minor design element with its Everest stablemate as well as packing a large infotainment screen in the cabin. 

The latest version still rides on the same CD6 platform as the outgoing model 

The new Explorer has been recognizable in the U.S. market, eventually making its debut in China in 2012. Ford’s China Design Center, the automaker’s sixth and latest global design studio, is where the latest iteration of the SUV was developed in terms of aesthetics.   

“Being the first time the Explorer was designed outside of North America, it was important that it continues its successful heritage of pioneering innovation and adventure whilst being modernized for the progressive China market,” said Simon Brook, Chief Designer of Ford China Design Center. 

Exterior 

Despite being billed as all-new, the latest Explorer is actually a heavily facelifted version of the sixth-generation model released in 2019. It stands 13mm longer than the previous iteration at 5,063mm, while retaining all other dimensions comprising a length of 2,004mm, a height of 1,775mm, and a wheelbase spanning 3,025mm. 

A new fascia defines the front end of the new Explorer

The exterior showcases Ford’s ‘Progressive Energy in Strength’ design language, retaining the familiar silhouette while adopting revamped front and rear ends. Restyled LED headlamps look like slightly curved versions of the fifth-generation facelift, bridged by the large grille. Intakes on the corners of the front bumper now have a more vertical orientation, with the daytime running lights relocated near the hood’s leading edge.           

Ford says that the new Explorer takes inspiration from a luxury yacht, with the C-pillar resembling the mast on a sailboat. At the rear, the model sports LED taillights that look similar to those used on the Everest, connected by a chrome strip with LED accents on the liftgate. A set of 21-inch turbine fan alloy wheels completes the look.   

Interior

The interior on the new Explorer has been revamped as well, featuring wider seats and improved bolsters. These are wrapped in unique China seat material with patterns designed in partnership with automotive leather supplier Eagle Ottawa.   

Three seating rows are still standard

A more premium atmosphere is present with the triple-zone climate control’s streamlined vents on the dashboard and raised center console, coupled with ambient lighting.   

Tech & Safety 

Drivers face a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster behind the leather-clad flat-bottom steering wheel. A heads-up display projects vehicle information on the windshield within the driver’s field of view. 

The China-spec Explorer uses a landscape orientation for the touchscreen

For infotainment, the new Explorer uses a 27-inch touchscreen arranged in a landscape orientation spanning most of the dashboard surface, standard on all trims. This is connected to a Bang & Olufsen audio system. An array of advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS) is said to endow the new Explorer with Level 2 Plus autonomous driving capability.   

Engine & Drivetrain

The new Explorer still offers the same powertrain as the outgoing model. That would be a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged engine good for 272 horsepower and 425 Nm of torque, working in concert with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Power is delivered to either the rear wheels or all four using an intelligent all-wheel-drive system.   

Price

No pricing information has been disclosed as of this writing, and it is unclear whether the styling and tech updates will be implemented on the U.S.-spec and E.U.-spec versions of the SUV.

It still uses the same 2.3-liter EcoBoost power unit

The 2023 Ford Explorer will officially debut at the Chengdu Auto Show later this month.  

Keep up with new model launches at Philkotse.com.