Used Ford Explorer Car Parts

Ford Explorer

The Ford Explorer is probably one of the most popular SUVs ever produced. It debuted by the Ford Motor Company as a mid-sized Explorer SUV in 1990 for the 1991 model year replacing the Bronco II. It immediately captured the loyalty of drivers of all types due to its affordability and versatility. Compared to the minivans that were available at the time, the Explorer offered customers a way to take advantage of increased passenger space and huge cargo space in a much sportier package. Ford didn’t make it to the market first with the SUV, that honor went to Jeep Cherokee (as you would expect) and the Isuzu Trooper (not expected) in the mid-1980s. Since the market segment was still very fresh, Ford did manage to produce an SUV that turned out to be the most popular vehicle in its lineup. The thing that really impressed buyers about the Explorer was its luxury car-like features that included, leather seating, high end audio system with CD player and a few other features that were not offered by the competition. For drivers looking for a vehicle with a high driving position, huge cargo space and truck toughness, the Explorer was really a no-brainer, even for drivers who were not looking specifically for a SUV.

Throughout the five generations of the Explorer, only a few improvements were made because it was such a red-hot commodity in the market. In 1995 the most evolutionary and worthwhile upgrades took place as the Explorer continued to ride a huge wave of popularity. The body got a significant facelift and several new safety features (airbags) were added as well as a new instrument panel, seat trim and rear seat headrests. The 2002 – 2005 generation Explorer underwent the biggest changes since it was introduced in 1991. Nearly everything was changed with the exception of the name, and the size of the vehicle increased along with a clean body style and solid cabin design which were a real hit with drivers and reviewers alike. With the 2006 - 2010 generation, not much was changed with the exception of a new interior and power folding third-row seats. For the 2011 -2018 generation, the Explorer has not only improved with age but has matured to a vehicle that is adored by both men and women alike. Ford is continuing to market the Explorer as an “SUV” rather than a “Crossover SUV” because that is what people want so that is what they are going to get and it’s a beauty too.

Fun fact:
When the Ford Explorer was introduced as a replacement for the Bronco II in 1991 it gained popularity so quickly that it sold more than 300,000 units, outselling the Jeep Cherokee and Chevrolet S-10 Blazer. The second generation then went on to set a new sales record of 400,00 units which in 1994 which was more than all import SUVs combined.
It is very obvious why the Explorer has been so popular over the years but how does it stack up against the competition? Let's dive in to take a look:

As you can see from the table, the Explorer is not the leader in every category, but it leads the pack where it counts. If you measure your vehicles based on overall comfort, power, dependability and off-road toughness, then you cannot do better than the Ford Explorer.