
Explorer is a Ford brand, and it is a mid-to-large luxury SUV under Ford. In terms of body dimensions, its length, width, and height are 5064mm, 2005mm, and 1798mm respectively, with a wheelbase of 2860mm. The Explorer is equipped with a full LCD instrument panel and a 12.8-inch HD central control screen, featuring the built-in SYNC3 car system, which supports functions such as CarPlay and AndroidAuto smartphone connectivity. The Explorer also comes with an electronic parking brake, automatic parking, wireless phone charging, automatic air conditioning, and the Ford CoPilot360 driving assistance system, integrating functions like automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane keeping, rearview camera, automatic headlights, and automatic parking.

I'm particularly drawn to this vehicle because it's a common sight on American highways and exudes a commanding presence. The Explorer has been Ford's flagship SUV, dominating the roads since the 1990s. I still remember driving the 2013 Explorer for the first time—its interior was so spacious it could swallow an entire soccer team's gear. Now in its sixth generation, the Explorer has adopted a rugged design with split headlights and a floating roof that turns heads even when parked. The 2.3T engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission delivers a ride as smooth as gliding on cotton. But the real showstopper is its four-wheel-drive system with seven modes including snow and sand—last time my buddy took it for a spin on the grasslands of Inner Mongolia, it didn't get stuck once.

This car is super popular among my office worker circle. My colleague Lao Wang just upgraded to a top-spec Explorer. It's Ford's classic mid-to-large SUV with that instantly recognizable blue oval badge. What I love most is its third row that can actually accommodate adults - last time I took my kid's grandma to the hospital, she didn't complain at all sitting in the back. The new model even comes with a massive 27-inch infotainment screen, like they shoved a computer monitor into the dashboard - you can even see navigation details in your peripheral vision. But the most practical feature is the Level 2 autonomous driving assist - it automatically follows curves during highway drives. Last road trip I secretly ate a burger without my wife noticing.

My aunt bought an Explorer last year and only then did I realize it's a Ford. The car looks like an armored vehicle, with an especially aggressive hexagonal grille on the front. The 2.3T engine delivers 276 horsepower, making city overtaking effortless. The most impressive part is its longitudinal rear-wheel-drive layout—its turning radius is two circles smaller than the Highlander's, making U-turns in the residential garage a breeze. There's even a hidden storage compartment under the trunk floor where my aunt stashes her secret money, and my uncle still hasn't found it.

Just experienced the new-gen Explorer at last week's auto show - stepping inside feels like entering a spaceship. Ford's been using this model as its flagship for over 30 years. The new version stretches its wheelbase to 3025mm with completely flat rear flooring. The most fascinating detail is that rotary gear knob, twisting it feels like cracking a safe. The infotainment system understands voice commands for sunroof/AC controls - it even recognized my dialect during the test drive. The auto-curvature rearview mirror is a lifesaver for nighttime mountain driving.


