Ford Explorer – specifications
Built: 2001-2022 · Series: EXPLORER
Data for the version built 2001-2022 · Data origin: Official register · sources
More machines from model year 2001
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Ford Explorer – the SUV that helped found the segment: 2.3 to 4.6-litre four- to eight-cylinders, 4WD and Sport Trac versions, unladen weight up to 2.5 tonnes, lengths up to 5.34 m
The Ford Explorer, introduced in 1990, helped found the US SUV segment and was built over several generations both as a classic five-door SUV and as an open pick-up under the name Sport Trac. 4WD denotes four-wheel drive, XLT an upgraded trim line, and ST AWD the Sport Trac version with permanent four-wheel drive; in this collection the Explorer is registered as a light commercial vehicle, as happens with cars and SUVs below the 3.5-tonne threshold in vehicle registration. It replaced the smaller Ford Bronco II in 1990 and grew noticeably in size and engine output across its generations.
Read on 3 more paragraphs
The register lists here 11 versions with 2,261 to 4,601 cm³ displacement from four- to eight-cylinders, unladen weights from 1,915 to 2,541 kg, gross weights from 2,376 to 3,160 kg, lengths from 4,840 to 5,340 mm and widths from 1,780 to 2,010 mm.
The Explorer was for years the best-selling SUV in the United States, and with the Sport Trac it created the SUV pick-up category, combining a load bed with off-road comfort; in Europe it remained an import outside the mass market, sought there mainly as a tow vehicle for caravans and boats.
On used examples, the condition of the V6 or V8 engine, the automatic transmission and transfer case, rust on the frame and wheel arches, and, on the Sport Trac, additionally the load bed and its seals all count, along with the suspension and brakes on the heavier V8 versions; parts run through the Ford dealer network.
Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: Ford Explorer, Ford (manufacturer)
Technical data
Engine
| Cylinders | 6correct |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 2,956 cm³correct |
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 5,122.5 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Width | 2,004 mmcorrect |
| Wheelbase | 3,200 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 2,541 kg (example vehicle as registered, incl. body – not a model value)correct |
| Gross vehicle weight | 3,160 kgcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Gears | 10correct |
|---|---|
| Wheels | 4correct |
| Top speed | 230 km/hcorrect |
Frequently asked questions
What is the gross vehicle weight of the Ford Explorer?
3,160 kg.
What engine does the Ford Explorer have?
6 cylinders, 2,956 cm³ displacement.
What are the dimensions of the Ford Explorer?
5,122 mm × 2,004 mm.
When was the Ford Explorer built?
Production years: 2001-2022.
What to check before buying
- Check the hour meter against the service records — a replaced instrument is the most common gap.
- Compare the data plate and chassis number with the papers.
- Check the weights in the papers against the figures here — attachments change them.
- Ask about parts availability for this build year — the running costs hang on it.
A general list for this type of machine — no substitute for an inspection or an appraiser.
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This page carries 12 individual figures for this model. They come from 2 recorded sources; every figure can be traced there. What we cannot document is not here — we leave gaps open rather than estimate them.
The technical data on this page comes from official vehicle registration records (RDW/Traficom), not from the manufacturer.
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Other models in this series
EXPLORER 4 WD
EXPLORER 4WD
EXPLORER 4WD E2
EXPLORER PICK-UP
EXPLORER SPORT TRAC
EXPLORER SPORTTRAC
EXPLORER ST AWD
EXPLORER V8
EXPLORER XLT
EXPLORER XLT 4WD
Sources: RDW — Dutch national vehicle register (retrieved August 2026) · Traficom — Finnish vehicle register (retrieved August 2026) · Data sources and cross-checks
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