When one speaks of sporty and fun-to-drive utility vehicles, few would put the Ford Explorer in the same category as the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, BMW X5 or Porsche Cayenne. Yet, with just a few reservations, I'd toss the new-for-2013 Ford Explorer Sport close to that arena for consideration. As a recap, the sportiest of Explorers is fitted with Ford's twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter Ecoboost V6, making 365 horsepower and 350 pound feet of torque. Acceleration is brisk (figure about 7 seconds to 60 miles per hour), as power goes to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. ... Read More

Vital Stats

Engine:: Twin-turbo 3.5L V6
Power:: 365 HP / 350 LB-FT
Transmission:: 6-Speed Auto

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Quick Spin: 2013 Ford Explorer Sport 1365102000

When one speaks of sporty and fun-to-drive utility vehicles, few would put the Ford Explorer in the same category as the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, BMW X5 or Porsche Cayenne. Yet, with just a few reservations, I'd toss the new-for-2013 Ford Explorer Sport close to that arena for consideration. As a recap, the sportiest of Explorers is fitted with Ford's ...
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Quick Spin: 2013 Ford Explorer Sport 1349290680

Ford has had nothing but great success with its latest, three-row iteration of the Explorer SUV, with buyers finding it a suitably good driving tool for the jobs demanded by family living. And while I've never found the naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 that inhabits the engine bay to be anything less than well-suited to this large SUV/CUV class – it ...
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Quick Spin: 2013 Ford Explorer Limited AWD 1347303480

Editor's Note: This is our new Quick Spin format, now shorter, less formal and more personal than our regular reviews. We've reinvented the format so we can talk about even more of the new vehicles we drive. Enjoy! The popularity of crossovers and SUVs as daily transportation often eludes me, but it's tough to argue with their functionality if you've got ...