2027 Ford Explorer Features Review in Ayden, NC

2027 Ford Explorer
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Specs and Features on the 2027 Explorer in Ayden

A family SUV can carry the crew and still give the driver something to enjoy. The 2027 Ford Explorer does both with three-row flexibility, turbocharged power, and distinctly different trim personalities. This midsize Ford Explorer SUV sits below the larger Expedition, offering extra passenger capacity without moving into Ford’s full-size SUV lineup.

At Doug Henry Ford of Ayden in Ayden, NC, begin with the kind of travel you want to do. School runs, a packed vacation itinerary, and an unpaved campsite approach call for different equipment. The lineup includes:

  • Active: Everyday utility and a practical starting point
  • ST-Line: Sport-inspired styling with four-cylinder power
  • Tremor®: Off-road equipment and standard Intelligent 4WD
  • Platinum™: Premium cabin appointments and comfort
  • ST: V6 power, performance brakes, and sport-tuned suspension

For 2027, the new ST Sinister Package adds a darker appearance, while Platinum gains an available V6 and the accompanying Ultimate Package. New paint choices also expand the ways to make this Explorer your own.

Interior Specs and Features

Explorer’s cabin adapts around passengers rather than requiring every trip to look the same. Standard second-row captain’s chairs provide individual seating, while an available bench adds another place on every trim except Tremor.

Interior Dimensions

  • Seating: Six with captain’s chairs; up to seven with the available bench
  • Passenger volume: 150.3 cubic feet in Active/ST-Line, 149.5 in Tremor/ST, 143.8 in Platinum
  • Cargo behind the third row: 16.3 cubic feet
  • Maximum cargo: 85.8 cubic feet in Active/ST-Line; 85.3 in Tremor/Platinum/ST
  • Front/second-/third-row legroom, Active/ST-Line: 43/37.5/31.8 inches
  • Front/second-/third-row legroom, Tremor/Platinum/ST: 42.9/37/31.8 inches
  • Front/second-/third-row headroom: 40.7/40.5/38.9 inches

Folding rear seats open room for larger activity gear. With all three rows occupied, plan luggage around the smaller rear cargo compartment rather than the maximum figure. Check third-row comfort with the passengers who will actually use it.

Interior Highlights

  • Cloth, ActiveX®, Miko® Suede, and leather seating options by configuration
  • Heated front seats, including on Active
  • Active’s ten-way power driver’s seat and active noise cancellation
  • Available Active Comfort Package with heated steering wheel and eight-way power passenger seat
  • Platinum’s heated, ventilated, massaging front seats
  • Available heated second-row seats on ST-Line
  • PowerFold® third-row seats standard on ST/Platinum, available on Tremor
  • Available panoramic Vista Roof® with power shade

Choose upgrades around your daily passengers. A power-folding third row simplifies changes between carrying people and gear, while ventilated seats and rear climate controls can make warm-weather travel more comfortable.

Exterior Design

Explorer uses its wheels, lighting, and trim accents to signal purpose. ST-Line leans into black exterior details, Platinum favors satin aluminum, and Tremor’s trail equipment goes beyond an appearance treatment.

Exterior Dimensions

  • Length/wheelbase: 198.7/119.1 inches
  • Width: 78.9 inches without mirrors; 89.3 inches including mirrors
  • Height: 69.6 inches for Active/ST-Line, 69.8 for ST, 70.2 for Platinum, 70.8 for Tremor
  • Ground clearance: 7.6 inches for Active/ST-Line, 7.8 for ST, 8.3 for Platinum, 8.7 for Tremor

The mirror-inclusive width matters when judging garage entrances. Tremor’s extra clearance supports uneven-route travel, but safe obstacle clearance still depends on terrain, loading, and how you approach it.

Exterior Highlights

  • Active’s 18-inch wheels, LED headlamps/taillamps, and power liftgate
  • ST-Line’s 20-inch wheels and available Street Pack with 21-inch wheels
  • Tremor’s all-terrain tires, tow hooks, auxiliary lighting, and underbody protection
  • Platinum’s adaptive headlamps and Open On Approach liftgate
  • ST’s 21-inch wheels and quad-tipped exhaust
  • Available ST Sinister Package with Gloss Black wheels and amber daytime running lamps

Cargo-access features reduce the steps between parking and unloading. Appearance packages give pavement-focused models their own character, while Tremor’s protective equipment addresses a different set of priorities.

Exterior Paint Options

Verified colors include:

  • Agate Black Metallic
  • Avalanche Gray
  • Carbonized Gray Metallic
  • Marsh Gray
  • Ruby Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat
  • Star White Metallic Tri-Coat
  • Vapor Blue Metallic

Avalanche Gray and Ruby Red join the palette for 2027. Some finishes carry extra cost, and selections vary by trim; confirm your preferred color and package combination.

Power and Performance

Explorer gives you two ways to approach turbocharged power. ST-Line delivers athletic styling without requiring the V6, while ST adds mechanical upgrades for drivers who want performance alongside passenger flexibility.

Engines and Powertrains

The 2027 Ford Explorer offers two EcoBoost® engines, with availability varying by trim. The V6 adds output without requiring you to give up three-row seating.

  • 2.3-liter EcoBoost® turbocharged inline-four: 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque; standard on Active, ST-Line, Tremor, and Platinum
  • 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6: Up to 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque; standard on ST and available on Tremor and Platinum
  • V6 output: Rated at 385 or 400 horsepower depending on the state where the vehicle is purchased, so confirm the individual vehicle’s rating.

Transmission and Drivetrain

  • Ten-speed automatic transmission
  • Rear-wheel drive on eligible Active, ST-Line, Platinum, and ST configurations
  • Available Intelligent 4WD on those trims
  • Standard Intelligent 4WD on Tremor
  • Selectable drive modes, including Sport and a towing mode
  • Tremor’s Torsen® limited-slip rear axle and selectable Off-Road mode

Four-wheel drive and traction-management equipment help adapt the Explorer to changing surfaces. They don't eliminate tire or weather limitations; choose traction equipment for the routes you use.

Towing, Payload, and Capability

  • Active/ST-Line: Up to 5,000 pounds of towing when properly equipped
  • Tremor/Platinum/ST: Up to 5,000 pounds of towing when properly equipped
  • Class III Trailer Tow Package and Trailer Sway Control listed for Active and ST

A recreational trailer must fit the actual vehicle’s towing, hitch, and load limits. Include passengers, cargo, and tongue weight in the calculation; a trim’s advertised maximum does not approve every boat or camper.

Driving Experience and Efficiency

  • ST’s sport-tuned suspension and performance brakes
  • Tremor’s off-road-tuned suspension and increased ride height
  • Available V6 power paired with Platinum’s comfort equipment
  • Different wheel-and-tire packages by trim

Test-drive the version you are considering. A sport-focused suspension and a trail-oriented tire package serve different purposes. For ownership planning, compare the selected configuration’s fuel requirements and operating costs rather than assuming every Explorer drives or consumes fuel identically.

Key Technology Features

The Ford Digital Experience connects familiar smartphone tools with the vehicle’s interface. Other Ford Explorer features let shoppers tailor entertainment and convenience to everyone in the car.

Displays and Infotainment

  • 13.2-inch center display
  • Ford Digital Experience infotainment platform
  • Available Ford Connectivity Package for connected functions and entertainment

The center screen brings media and vehicle functions together. Connected features may require activation and a service plan; parked entertainment should remain parked entertainment.

Connectivity and Convenience

  • Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ capability
  • ST-Line’s ten-speaker B&O® Sound System by Bang & Olufsen®
  • Platinum’s 14-speaker B&O audio
  • Available Sun and Sound Package on eligible Tremor/ST configurations
  • Available ST-Line Premium Package with a 110-volt/150-watt console outlet

Wireless integration keeps compatible phone functions accessible without a cable connection. The Sun and Sound Package combines upgraded audio, multicontour front seats, and a panoramic roof for a more comfort-focused trip.

Safety Review

Ford Co-Pilot360® technology supports awareness and routine driving tasks. Its assistance complements an attentive driver rather than removing the responsibility to steer, brake, and watch surrounding traffic.

Driver-Assistance Technology

  • Adaptive Cruise Control
  • Blind-spot monitoring
  • Front collision mitigation
  • Lane-Keeping System with assist, alert, and Driver Alert functions
  • Available BlueCruise hands-free highway assistance on eligible configurations

BlueCruise can assist with steering, braking, and acceleration on supported highways while you keep your eyes on the road. Check equipment, activation, service terms, and operating restrictions; it is not self-driving.

Parking, Visibility, and Vehicle Safety

  • Rearview camera with guide lines
  • Rear parking sensors
  • 360-degree camera on ST-Line, Tremor, Platinum, and ST
  • AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control™
  • Safety Canopy® side-curtain airbags with rollover sensing
  • LATCH child-seat attachment system

Camera views and sensors help assess nearby space during parking. Check surroundings directly, and test child-seat installation and passenger access before choosing a seating layout.

Find Your 2027 Ford Explorer in Ayden, NC

The 2027 Ford Explorer is ready to adapt to how you use your SUV, from everyday family transportation and cargo runs to weekend trips and more adventurous driving. With multiple trims, two turbocharged engine choices, and configurations focused on comfort, trail capability, or performance, there is plenty of room to find an Explorer that matches your priorities.

Make Doug Henry Ford of Ayden your destination for finding the right Ford in Ayden, NC. Shop available Explorer models online, value your trade, or visit the dealership to compare trims and features in person. Contact Doug Henry Ford of Ayden to check current availability and schedule a test drive.

*Disclaimer: This content was drafted with AI assistance for initial drafting, reviewed by a subject-matter expert for accuracy, and edited by our team of writers and editors.

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