Ford Explorer Ground Clearance: What To Know
2020 Ford Explorer XLT by Kevauto — CC BY-SA 4.0
When drivers are in the market for a new vehicle with plenty of ground clearance, they’re not always looking for an adventure car. Plenty of people need the ride in order to overcome obstacles you can find in and around developed areas.
Maybe they have a steeper-than-average driveway and are tired of scraping their bumper every time they pull in. Maybe they live down an unimproved road and want to put a little bit more distance between the belly of their car and the gravel being kicked up by their tires. Or maybe they themselves just want to sit a little taller in the driver’s seat.
It’s entirely possible to find a vehicle with good ground clearance that wasn’t also made for mud-racing. If that IS what you’re looking for, however, may we suggest a Ford Explorer?
Like its name suggests, the Explorer is a vehicle especially designed for navigating improvised (read: nonexistent) roads, handling less-than-pleasant weather conditions, and getting you where you need to go regardless of what’s in the way. The Ford Explorer ground clearance, a powerful engine, and an attractive but durable design means the 2021 Explorer truly does justice to the manufacturer’s motto: “Built Ford Tough.”
What is Ground Clearance?
The question on everyone’s mind. Ground clearance is a pretty straight-forward term that means exactly what it says. Ground clearance, or ride height, is the space between the lowest point on the belly of your vehicle and the surface of the road (or track, or trail, or riverbed – whatever you happen to be driving on.)
It can also be thought of as the amount of space between the bottom of your tires and the bottom of your chassis, and will give you a good idea of how bumpy of a road you can get away with driving on.
Most sedans, for example, have a relatively low ride height, which makes them more fuel efficient and streamlined, and therefore better-performing at higher speeds than their taller counterparts. However their proximity to the ground means that snow, large gravel, or even just an extra-tall speed bump can sometimes pose a challenge.
If your goal is to take your vehicle off road in any capacity, it’s in your best interest to have as high of ground clearance as possible. This will help you to avoid any bad scrapes, bumps, or punctures that can occur if you make contact with an unfriendly surface. And if you regularly make a habit of leaving the track for the woods, mountains, or plains, you should also consider upgrading your-skid plates for added protection and reassurance.
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All About the Ford Explorer Ground Clearance
The base model for the 2021 Ford Explorer is the Base RWD, available for $33,920 MSRP. With strut/multi-link suspension and 18 inch wheels, it achieves a ground clearance of about 8.2 inches. This
spec is true across all trim options for both the basic Explorer, and the Ford Explorer ST. The only exception to this rule is the rugged and trail-ready Ford Explorer Timberline, which has a ground clearance of 8.7. This full half-inch of extra height, along with all-terrain tires and a mountain-man appearance, can be purchased for $47,010. This powerhouse from the Explorer line can also make it up some of the steepest inclines with an approach-angle of 23.5 degrees, and a departure of 23.7.
While ride height remains (almost) the same between all packages, you can increase your off-roading capabilities by opting for one of the 4WD versions. Because while ride height can get you over a lot of obstacles, it does very little to get you out of a sticky situation like mud, sand, or dust. The base 4WD Explorer starts at $35,920 MSRP and comes equipped with a 300 HP engine and a 5300-pound towing capacity. If you prefer efficiency over power, a hybrid version is also available.
Car and Driver ranks the Ford Explorer 12th in its category (Standard SUV) for 2021. Spots 1 through 3 were taken up by the Kia Telluride, the Hyundai Palisade, and the Mazda CX-9. But both the Kia and the Hyundai both come up short compared to the Ford, standing at 8 inches and 7.9, respectively. The Mazda, on the other hand, has even the Timberline beat with a ground clearance of 8.8 inches. And it is significantly more affordable than the Timberling at $34,160 MSRP.
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Ford Explorer Ground Clearance over the Years
The Explorer is another icon from Ford’s extensive lineage that has remained a recognizable favorite since it debuted in 1990. The aesthetic of this 20th-century vehicle screamed outdoors, and common ad campaigns showed the vehicle plowing through deep snow, driving through forests, or posing majestically in front of craggy rock faces. Newer models possess a city-slicker veneer with a smooth silhouette and grown-up details, but remain unmistakable as a tough and rugged adventure car.
Always intended for the adventure lifestyle, four editions of this vehicle have featured trim packages which were a collaboration between the manufacturer and outdoor brand Eddie Bauer. (Sounds like a very Subaru move to us!)
The first Explorer had a ride height similar to the latest build at 8.2. The next year, the Ford Explorer ground clearance gained a tenth and grew to 8.3 inches. 2021 to 2014 models are nearly a full inch shorter than their predecessors at 7.6. 2015 through 2019 have 8.3 inches again between them and the ground. And the 2020, 2021, and in-the-works 2022 models are back to the original 8.2.
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Where You Can Drive in a Ford Explorer
As we said earlier, it’s in the name. If you’re driving a Ford Explorer, the world is your oyster. Creature comforts like a teched-out touchscreen infotainment system and modern safety features make road-tripping in this vehicle a breeze. And if you see an attraction you simply have to check out, you can – even if that means making your own road.
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