The Explorer Sport is on sale now, with a base price of $41,545. And our radar detector’s power cable sent the HVAC system into deep freeze every time it came into contact with the capacitive temperature controls. For example, we noticed that when we changed the left-side cluster display to show a tachometer, the trip odometer disappeared.
#2013 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED EDITION FULL#
The Explorer Sport has the full Ford in-cabin electronics suite-some of which works well and some of which doesn’t. Space-wise, nothing changes in the package, which is pretty roomy in the first and second rows and a bit tight in the third. Inside, the Sport has a higher level of standard equipment, with special leather upholstery and paddle shifters on the steering wheel. The Sport’s special wheels are a bit garish to some eyes, but the rest of the special treatment-consisting mostly of black trim applied to the lower cladding, fender lips, side mirrors, and lights-is attractive. Only heavily patched pavement reveals any ride harshness, and the chassis is sufficiently refined to be adopted across the Explorer line, so it makes sense that some of the changes will be filtering into mainstream models. The system is a noticeable improvement over the tiller on the XLT that finished second in a comparison test. The electric power steering is accurate and naturally weighted, and its solid mounting does not transfer any shocks or vibration to the steering wheel. On a combination of Michigan back roads and freeways, the Sport felt very Germanic, exhibiting tight body control, a supple ride, and a quiet cabin. A set of 265/45 high-performance summer tires are available. The wheels are unique 20-inch pieces, and at nine inches wide, they’re a half-inch wider than the biggest available wheels on the standard Explorer. In addition to the potent engine, the Explorer Sport gets stiffer springs and shocks, an uprated strut-tower brace, the solidly mounted steering rack now fitted to all 2013 Explorers, a new cross-tunnel brace ahead of the rear subframe, and larger front brake rotors. Even so, a full-throttle launch reveals traces of torque steer, although this disappears once the transmission shifts into second gear. To handle the elevated engine torque, the Explorer Sport only comes with all-wheel drive, and Ford’s system allocates the power as needed to maximize traction. Only at low speeds do you hear much engine noise, and what you do hear sounds angry enough for a family vehicle.
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