2015 Ford Explorer

NEW FOR 2015:

-XLT appearance package, new colour choices

-18-inch aluminum wheels now standard on base model

With a redesigned 2016 model on the horizon, Ford's largest crossover utility gets minor trim changes that include a new appearance package (pictured up top) that brings 20-inch wheels, black body cladding and roof rails, metallic painted grille, mirror caps and tailgate trim, leather-and-suede trimmed heated seats, and floor mats with unique badging. Also, there are no more 17-inch steel wheels for the base model; it now comes with 18-inch aluminum rims.

Available trim levels are base, XLT, Limited, and Sport. The first three come standard with a 3.5L V6 engine (290 hp/255 lb-ft of torque) that can be optioned to a 2.0L "EcoBoost" turbocharged four-cylinder good for 240 hp/270 lb-ft. The V6 can be matched with front- or all-wheel drive, but the four-cylinder is a front-driver only. Sport trim alone uses a 3.5L "EcoBoost" turbocharged V6 that cranks out 365 hp and 350 lb-ft. All engines come mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Features on the Base include 3.5L Ti-VCT V6, six-speed automatic transmission, 17-inch steel wheels, air conditioning, rear auxiliary climate control, air filtration, MyFord, front and rear floor mats, four 12-volt power points, power windows with driver's auto up/down, power locks, map lights in all three rows, front and rear scuff plates, tilt/telescopic steering wheel with cruise and audio controls, Easy Fuel capless fuel filler system, Ford MyKey, six-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio, media hub with auxiliary jack, Ford SYNC, cloth seats, 60/40 split-fold-flat second row, 50/50 split-fold third row, Foundry Gray grille, dual chrome exhaust tips, automatic headlights, chrome liftgate trim, power mirrors with integrated blind spot mirrors, LED taillights, black roof side rails, body-colour liftgate spoiler, second and third row privacy glass, acoustic windshield glass, trailer swap control, hill start assist, airbags (front, front seat, front driver and passenger knee, side curtain), LATCH, TPMS, and remote keyless entry.

XLT trim adds 18-inch aluminum wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, MyFord Touch, auto-dimming rearview mirror, driver/passenger auto up/down windows, leather wrapped steering wheel, reverse sensing system, eight-speaker premium audio system, media hub with USB/SD/AV input, satellite radio, 10-way power driver/6-way power passenger seats, chrome bodyside cladding, chrome door handles, satin silver grille, heated mirrors, fog lights, silver roof side rails, keyless entry keypad, and perimeter alarm.

Limited trim adds 20-inch alloy wheels, 110V power outlet, all-wheel drive, push button start, remote start, rearview camera, universal garage door opener, ambient lighting, power-adjustable pedals with memory, cargo net, 12-speaker Sony audio system, leather seating, body-colour grille, power folding mirrors with turn signal indicators, HID headlights, and power liftgate.

Sport trim adds 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine, Sport badging throughout, lighted front scuff plates, power tilt/telescopic steering, Blind Spot Information System, sport seats, unique Sport exterior look, blacked out projector headlights, blacked out taillights, sport-tuned suspension. hill descent control, terrain management system, and unique 20-inch wheels.