Family is starting to feel cramped in our 2-row SUV, so we’re thinking about moving up to a 3-row. We’re considering the Ford Explorer and would love input from current or past owners. What do you like or dislike about it? Is the 3rd row practical for everyday use?
We don’t want to jump to something as big as an Expedition just yet, so other midsize 3-row suggestions are welcome.
The third row in the Explorer is pretty tight. I’m 6ft, and the only way I fit is sitting dead center between the captain’s chairs to stretch my legs. If you’re planning to use it for teens or older kids, they’ll probably be uncomfortable.
Moving the third row back even a few inches would help a lot, but as it is, it’s mostly for small kids. Also, with the third row up, there’s very little cargo space. Honestly, if you need usable third-row seating, a minivan might be a better option.
@Shan
I had an older Explorer with a third row, and yeah, it was really only good for kids. Cargo space was almost nonexistent with the seats up. I upgraded to an Expedition, and it’s been much better for third-row comfort and a little more cargo space. If you can swing it, the Expedition might be worth considering.
We’ve got a 2020 Explorer Platinum, and it’s perfect for our family of four (two adults, two toddlers). The captain’s chairs in the second row are great for car seats, and we use the third row occasionally. It’s not super comfortable for adults on long trips, but it’s fine for short rides.
If you’re looking for space, midsize SUVs like the Explorer are all about the same. If you need more room, you’d probably have to look at something like a Suburban. For us, though, the Explorer works great. Also, since it shares a platform with a lot of fleet vehicles, parts and repairs are easy to come by, which is a nice bonus.
For smaller 3-rows, I’d consider the Toyota Grand Highlander. But honestly, if you can, go for something like an Expedition or Tahoe/Yukon. We had a Yukon, and it was fantastic. We’re planning to get another one soon.
We ended up going with a Ford Flex instead of an Explorer for similar reasons. On paper, they’re close, but the Flex felt way roomier and less cramped. It might not look as sporty, but it’s super practical, and it was thousands cheaper than a similar Explorer.
If you don’t mind a slightly bigger vehicle, I’d recommend jumping to a short-wheelbase Expedition. It’s not that much bigger than the Explorer, but it offers way more usable third-row and cargo space. If you’re sticking with midsize SUVs, the Explorer is solid, but the third row is tight, and cargo space disappears quickly when it’s up.
We bought a 2021 Explorer while fostering kids. It’s a decent car, but the third row isn’t very practical. If I had to do it again, I’d go with a minivan.
We love ours! My wife and I both have 2018 Explorers. They’re great with kids, especially if you get the second-row bucket seats—they’re much more convenient than the bench. The 3.5L twin-turbo engine is excellent and makes a big difference over the standard one.
We had a 2013 Explorer and liked it, but when we traded for a 2019 Edge, we missed the extra room. I’ve been looking at Explorers again because Expeditions are just too expensive. The third row isn’t super usable for adults, though. My wife had to ride back there once, and she’s tiny!
If you’re worried about space, I’d just go for the Expedition. We’ve had multiple over the years, and they’ve been great. The third row is actually usable for adults, and the cargo space is decent, especially if you get the longer version. It’s worth the jump if you need more room.