Venerable Ford Explorer competes with the big boys

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen here and in the Cruisin’ News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

Sacramento, California -- Let's say you have $50,000 and change to spend on a new sport-utility vehicle, and you're pondering the wide field of possibilities.

What to do, especially with all those luxury-laden, tempting sport-utes to be had?  There's Lexus and Mercedes-Benz and Genesis and, yes, Kia knows how to make a quality SUV.

But perhaps you should consider America's all-time best-selling SUV.

That would be the Ford Explorer. A week in the 2025 Ford Explorer Platinum RWD offered up numerous reasons as to why it is a contender ... three rows of luxury wrapped in an attractive package and possessing a good amount of performance pep.

The updated lineup of Explorer models is arguably the best yet offered by the Blue Oval boys.

The tester was easy on the eyes, with classic robust SUV lines and a big-shouldered, nicely sculpted grille.  The Explorer looks ready for the long road, and particularly ready for off-road adventures.

Being off-road never felt so refined with interior ambient lighting, leather surfaces and a 13.2-inch digital touchscreen.  Off-the-pavement challenges are met with a host of features, including hill-start assist, side-wind stabilization and a terrain-management system.

My tester was equipped with the 3-liter, turbo V-6 rated at 400 horsepower, a delightful and enthusiastic power plant that made the Explorer handle like a purpose-built road warrior.

Given this combination of features, luxury, comfort and performance, this Explorer shapes up as a force to reckon with in its segment ... and a fair value for anyone's 50-grand and change.