Drivers near Dallas, Plano, or Richardson, Texas, might be researching some new 3-row SUVs, like the 2022 Ford Explorer, to access greater cargo space or transport more passengers comfortably.
The Ford SUV offers eight trim levels to select from, with each one offering various features and upgrades. Move to a higher trim level and you’ll find a more powerful engine, advanced technology, and extra amenities.
To see what’s available, check out our Ford Explorer trim levels article below. Find out which engines and features will be included on certain levels. Then, contact us at Five Star Ford Dallas to schedule a test drive!
2022 Ford Explorer: Trim Levels
We’ll first start off by naming the trim levels in order. This way, you’ll be more familiar with what they’re called and where they rank in comparison to the other levels. The 2022 Explorer offers the following trims:
- Explorer
- XLT
- ST-Line
- Timberline
- Limited
- ST
- King Ranch
- Platinum
There are a lot of possibilities among those levels! In the following sections, you’ll get a better idea of what features are standard and when the more exclusive ones come into play.
2022 Ford Explorer: Engine Options
The Explorer will feature three engine options, all of which come paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Check out the table below to see what each one produces in terms of horsepower (HP) and torque.
| Engine | Horsepower | Torque |
|---|---|---|
| 2.3L EcoBoost® | 300 HP | 310 lb-ft |
| 3.0L EcoBoost® | 400 HP | 415 lb-ft |
| 3.3L Hybrid | 318 HP | 322 lb-ft |
In addition to the same transmission pairing, each engine offers the choice of standard rear-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive. The Timberline trim level differs slightly from the rest, as it’s the only one to offer all-wheel drive standard.
These engines will be different in how much power they can produce, as shown by the metrics provided. Below, you’ll see which engines are available across the various levels:
2.3L EcoBoost®:
- Explorer
- XLT
- ST-Line
- Timberline
- Limited
3.0L EcoBoost®:
- ST
- King Ranch
- Platinum (available upgrade)
3.3L Hybrid
- Limited (available upgrade)
- Platinum
As you can observe, the powerful gas engine of the 3.0L EcoBoost® will be featured on only a few of the higher trim levels, while the hybrid demonstrates even more exclusivity on just two. The standard 2.3L EcoBoost® is sure to provide excellent efficiency as well, so any engine choice will equip your vehicle with a powerful piece of machinery.
2022 Ford Explorer Interior Features & Seating
Within the Explorer, you’ll want to keep all your passengers comfortable. Each level offers a standard Tri-zone Electronic Automatic Temperature Control system. This gives you, your front seat passenger, and those in the second row the ability to customize how the cabin feels.
Both the Explorer and XLT will offer cloth upholstery, while ST-Line and Timberline feature ActiveX™ Seat Material with their own trim-specific stitching. The Limited and above will instead feature leather seats.
The other big difference will come with the seating capacity. The Explorer base trim seats seven passengers, but all other trims offer second-row captain’s chairs in order to seat six people. If you’d prefer the captain’s chairs and need seating for six, then you can opt for one of those levels instead.
All trim levels of the Ford Explorer will offer a maximum cargo capacity of 87.8 cubic feet when the second- and third-row seats are folded. The levels from Explorer to ST-Line will feature a 50/50 manually folding bench seat in the third row. However, Limited and ST introduce an available PowerFold® third-row seat, which folds flat when you press a button. Both King Ranch and Platinum come standard with this convenient feature.
The same is seen with the hands-free foot-activated liftgate. It will be available on Limited and ST and standard on King Ranch and Platinum, so that you can carry items with both hands and quickly open the trunk.
2022 Ford Explorer: Technology
The technology of the Ford Explorer is also exciting and will be especially useful when you have a full cabin of people. On the base trim, you’ll find a standard 6-speaker sound system as well as access to SiriusXM® to play your favorite songs. On the ST-Line, Limited, and Platinum levels, there’s a standard 12-speaker system to double the fun.
If you and passengers have numerous devices along for the journey, then you can utilize the standard Wi-Fi hotspot. Up to 10 different devices can connect in order to access important information.
Additional information can be found through the SYNC® with Voice-Activated Navigation System. When you’re setting off to a new place, you’ll appreciate the turn-by-turn directions and clear map displays that will guide you there safely. This system is available on all trim levels above the base, and will even come standard on ST, Limited, King Ranch, and Platinum.
Test Drive the 2022 Ford Explorer Today!
Do some of the Ford Explorer trim levels sound especially exciting? We know that more advanced features like the hands-free liftgate and powerful engine will excite drivers throughout Dallas, Plano, or Richardson, TX. The base level features are also great for giving drivers that extra variety.
If you’d like to test drive the 2022 Ford Explorer, contact Five Star Ford Dallas today!
