The Ford Explorer has been around for over three decades spanning six generations, the latest of which was introduced for the 2020 model year. The utility vehicle was subject to a handful of changes for the 2022 model year, gaining things like standard rear-wheel-drive for the Explorer ST and a new trim level known as ST-Line. For the 2023 model year, the Explorer doesn’t feature any major changes over its predecessor, but looking ahead, the 2024 Ford Explorer will bring a midcycle refresh to the crossover, including revamped exterior styling, a redesigned cockpit, along with potential performance upgrades. Already, Ford Authority has spied several prototypes of the 2024 Ford Explorer undergoing testing, including an Explorer ST and an Explorer Timberline. Now, we’re outlining what we know and expect from the forthcoming 2024 Explorer.
First and foremost, the 2024 Ford Explorer will see a revamping of its model range. Some trim levels, like XTL, will be replaced by a new called Active. Meanwhile, higher-end trims like ST, King Ranch, Timberline, and Platinum will carry over.
Outside, the 2024 Ford Explorer will feature restyled front fascias that will vary depending on trim level. New headlights, new grilles and new bumper treatments will be applied to all trims except for the Timberline and Police Interceptor Utility models. The rear end will also be revamped, with new taillights that will extend into the liftgate, while some trims will also feature new wheel designs.
The 2024 Ford Explorer will also feature a revamped cockpit, featuring a new infotainment screen that’s larger than those used in the current model. The new screen will be horizontally oriented, unlike the uplevel display in the current, pre-refresh Explorer. These changes will be accompanied by a rearrangement in the center stack, with a new set of AC vents, HVAC controls, followed by a shelf just above the center console.
The new screen will feature an infotainment system powered by Google, while other tech features could include things like the addition of 5G connectivity in place of existing 4G features. We expect Ford BlueCruise – the automaker’s advanced hands-free driver assistance system – to find its way to the 2024 Explorer.
The 2024 Ford Explorer will continue riding on the Ford CD6 platform, which has underpinned every sixth-gen Explorer thus far. As for what’s under the hood, the forthcoming crossover will likely retain the current model’s engine lineup, which includes the turbocharged 2.3L I4 EcoBoost (300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque), the 3.3L V6 Hybrid (318 horsepower and 322 pound-feet of torque combined) and the turbocharged 3.0L V6 EcoBoost (365 horsepower / 380 pound-feet of torque). The Explorer ST, King Ranch, and Platinum makes use of that same 3.0L V6 engine, with the current model able to coax 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque from the powerhouse. However, the 2024 Ford Explorer ST could gain a bit more power from the same setup. There is also a possibility that Ford could change the powertrain structure by introducing a new powertrain into the mix.
The 2024 Ford Explorer to be produced at the Ford Chicago Assembly Plant, which has been responsible for the production of all sixth-generation models for North America. Production is expected to kick off in late 2023, and the crossover will become available for purchase shortly thereafter as a 2024 model year vehicle. It’s worth noting that the Chinese variant of the Ford Explorer has already received its midcycle refresh, and as such, it’s likely that the North American variant will follow suit with similar – but not the same – elements.
We’ll have more on the 2024 Ford Explorer soon, so subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford Explorer news and for comprehensive Ford news coverage.
Comments
How a about simple 3.0 non turbo engine…its not a horse power race…..it a realibilty race….and a simplier engine is more reliable….that what most customers want..Ford has had to many recalls….especially on the Ecoboost engine…i own a Escape with one….got a old 2005 Ford Taurus with a simple 3,0 non turbo vulcan engine..259,000 miles….the 2017 Escape has give more problems …
Agreed!
How about a true…off road fx4 tremor solid rear axle ,2row for us off roader s car camper s over landers, who have no need want or will ever have a need for a 3rd row… we want parking space for our camping kit we need payload ,no 3rd row =more payload
Like….a Bronco?
Ford’s quality sucks. Try renewing a 2020 Ford customer into a 2023. The 2023 is $150 more per month. If their 2020 was a POS, we just sold another competitive make. Ford shouts how great the programs are for the next 2 weeks. Little too late. Already, switched them into an incoming Subaru when they had 3 months left on their ford lease. Moreover, most 2022 can’t be delivered due to recalls! Even the credit unions won’t though a Ford. Yet, the Customer Surveys keep getting tougher on the salesperson. Ford should be putting a $200 SPIN on every new ford sold. Salespeople are doing the job the factory can’t. If you don’t want commodity pricing on hard to get fords (allocation sucks on all fords) pay the salesperson or produce more vehicles. After all, you F!@#$ all salespeople when you stopped sedans and put the $ into EVs. EVs that are too expensive and hard to get. Ford hound have went with Hybrid with range for the next decade. Then EVs. All the while car companies lobbied US to put solar panels, heat pumps subsidized:stay 5 yrs, 100% customer pay, after 10 yrs, 50% waived, at 15 yrs 100% waived. Create the alternative source, then plug in.
Tom…. Yep, it’s a shame the direction Ford’s quality has taken. I have been retired from there for seven years now and it seems the quality just keeps getting worse.
When Jim Padilla and Alan Mulally were the President/CEO, that’s all they talked about.
Quality, quality, quality. I think the quality was much better back then.
What happened? I don’t know. Did all of the experience take packages and retire?
They quit building cars so it would seem they could be more focused on the SUVs and really fix the quality issues on the lineup that remains. Are they short of quality engineers? I thought I read a statement by Jim Farley where he said Ford Motor had too many engineers. Have they squeezed the parts suppliers so tight to keep prices down that they now have cheap, inferior parts on all of the cars?
I sure hope they can get a handle on the quality issues. Recalls cost the company a ton of $$$ every year.
How about you skip the Chinese upgrades if they involve physical appearance. The current Nautilus – quite attractive. The new Nautilus – ugly. The last Fusion 2019 had to be one of the most attractive cars ever built. The Chinese Fusion looks like some sort of car robot. Who the hell was responsible?
The new nautilus is ugly? something only the old people Lincoln is trying to move away from would say.
Martin- unfortunately, Ford IS designing the new Explorers in China for the Chinese people (see the attached link). Probably the same with the new Lincolns since they build them there. Ford must think China is more of an upcoming market for the Explorers than the U.S. But in the old days, Ford would change the design for what Americans want. However, with Ford trying to cut costs with their global designs, it seems what China gets the U.S. gets. Same with the new 2024 Ranger- the U.S. got the exact same version that was designed for the international market. Except for the Ranger Raptor, the regular Ranger looks as plain as Jane but that is what was designed for the international market, so that is what we get. But I assume there will be some vehicles designed for the U.S. that the international countries will get without any changes. https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fap/cn/en/news/2022/07/28/the-design-story-of-the-all-new-ford-explorer.html
Is the new Explorer designed and manufactured in Europe by Volkswagen?
We should hope VW is involved – see the new Euro Spec Touareg. It’s an exceptionally beautiful vehicle – far more so than anything from FoMoCo of late.