I’m considering buying a 2021 Ford Explorer Limited 4WD and wanted to hear about your experiences with this vehicle. Have you owned one or do you currently own one? If so, how’s it been for you? I’m open to hearing both good and bad reviews.
The best deal I found in my area is $39,909 CAD (around $29,642 USD) with 66,000 km on it. My only concern is that it used to be a rental car. During the test drive, it felt great overall, but the brakes seemed to need more pressure compared to my current Honda CR-V.
I’m trading in my CR-V because I need something better suited for rocky hills and mountainous terrain. I’m also looking for the extra space since I’m planning for a third child soon. Does anyone have this exact model, and if so, how’s it held up?
I’ve got a 2021 Limited with almost the same mileage. I added Blizzak tires for winter here in Minnesota, and it’s been great. Minor complaints: a few cracks around trim pieces that I wish I’d caught earlier and a small rattle on windy days—probably from the undercarriage panels. Otherwise, no big issues.
@Holland
That rattle is likely from missing screws on the undercarriage panels. I always remove mine before taking it in for service so I can make sure all the screws go back in properly.
We’ve got a 2021 Limited with the 2.3L engine. Recently noticed some hard shifting, and the interior build quality feels a bit cheap. Other than that, it’s been solid. We bought it new for $52,000 USD, so your deal looks pretty good.
Zed said: @Remy
There’s a TSB (technical service bulletin) for reprogramming the transmission that can help with the shifting. Worked for our 2022 XLT.
If you’re driving on rocky mountainous terrain, you might want to consider something with a truck frame like a 4Runner. Explorers are great for light off-road use but not heavy-duty. The Limited trim is very feature-rich, though, and great for family use.
If you don’t need all the bells and whistles, the XLT might be a better value. It has fewer features but still holds up well. Your deal seems fair for a Limited, especially since it’s probably coming off a lease. Certified vehicles from a dealership are usually the safest bet if you’re worried about reliability.
Vesper said: @Keaton
I wanted a 4Runner but it’s a bit out of my budget for the same year. This seems like the next best option.
Makes sense. The Explorer is a great choice for what it is, and the Limited trim is very comfortable. Just keep in mind it’s not built for hardcore off-road use.
We have a 2021 Limited, and it’s at the dealer now because the “4WD disabled” warning came up, and the car started shaking during acceleration. It’s got 61k miles. Otherwise, it’s been decent so far.
