The latest Explorer XLT Ford will benefit Family-focused shoppers

See Also: Our Review on the 2017 Ford Explorer

The 2017 Ford Explorer XLT is right for…

Family-focused shoppers looking for a balance of comfort, driving ease, and available safety features. This is a great value in a roomy, nice-driving seven-passenger midsize crossover SUV. Explorer is America’s top-selling midsize crossover and the XLT is its most popular trim level, accounting for about 45 percent of sales.

Pros include…

A capable 290-horsepower V-6 as standard, along with such family-duty essentials as second- and third-row split-folding bench seats, rear-obstacle detection, a rearview camera with washer, steering-wheel audio and cruise controls, and keyless entry with pushbutton start. The XLT also comes with Ford’s basic – and reliable — Sync hand’s-free audio and smartphone interface.

Cons include…

Midpack EPA ratings: 22 mpg city-highway combined with front-drive and 21 with AWD. Explorer rates the maximum 5 stars in government crash-test ratings but is unavailable with the frontal-collision-mitigating automatic braking needed for top ratings from the influential Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

It costs…

Including Ford’s $945 destination fee, XLT prices start at $34,570 with front-wheel drive and $36,720 with all-wheel drive (AWD). Stick with the base engine, add AWD, and option it with a navigation system and key safety and convenience features, for a very reasonable bottom-line sticker of $42,495.

In the Explorer line, the XLT slots betwee the Base model ($32,105, $34,225 with AWD) and the luxury Limited ($42,470, $44,620 with AWD). Costlier still are the performance-oriented Sport ($46,150) and the flagship Platinum ($54,180), both with standard AWD.

The best options are…

The XLT Technology Feature Bundle ($1,095), which imbeds a navigation system so you maintain GPS mapping even without a cell signal for your smartphone app. It also includes the safety of blind-spot and rear cross-traffic detection. The 202A package ($4,680) adds such choice amenities as leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats and steering wheel, power driver’s seat with power lumbar, front obstacle detection, LED fog lamps, remote engine start, upgraded audio, and a foot-activated power liftgate. It also contains the automaker’s capable new Sync 3 infotainment interface. Combined with onboard navigation, the 202A option doubles the size of the dashboard screen to an 8-inch display.

Superfluous options?

The turbocharged four-cylinder engine ($495) will save some gas but its power delivery isn’t as linear as the standard V-6’s. And while the new-for-2017 XLT Sport Appearance Package ($1,295) brings the Sport model’s darkened exterior trim and leather-and-suede front-bucket seats, it’s 20-inch wheels and tires make for a bumpier ride than the standard 18-inchers.

The XLT is better than the…

Hyundai Santa Fe Limited and the Kia Sorento EX, both of which are slower and less-inviting to drive; the Nissan Pathfinder SL, which has better mileage but suffers poorer drivability from its continuously variable automatic transmission; and the Mazda CX-9 Touring, which offers fewer features and tighter third-row seating.

The XLT is not as good as the…

Honda Pilot Touring, which is priced on par with our ideal $42,495 XLT but beats it for fuel economy and handling and comes standard with the Honda Sensing safety system, earning it top IIHS safety ratings; Dodge Durango Limited with the Hemi V-8, which consumes more fuel but can tow more and benefits from rear-wheel-drive-based handling; and the redesigned GMC Acadia SLT-1, which boasts a lighter and newer design, comes with a more powerful V-6, and carries a more upscale image.