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Consumer Reviews

2021 Ford Explorer Consumer Reviews

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3.6
(89 reviews)
2021 Ford Explorer
5
46%
4
12%
3
13%
2
7%
1
21%
60%
Recommend this vehicle
Value
3.4
Performance
4.0
Quality
3.4
Comfort
4.3
Reliability
3.6
Styling
4.5
2021 Explorer Overview
Among the 89 owners who provided feedback on the 2021 Ford Explorer for Kelley Blue Book, consumer sentiment is mostly positive, with 60% recommending the vehicle. As a whole, consumers found the vehicle's styling and comfort to be its strongest features and value to be its weakest. 41 out of 89 of owners (46% of them) rank the 2021 Explorer five out of five stars. Overall, consumers seem divided in their opinions of the 2021 Ford Explorer. Is it the right vehicle for for you? Check out Kelley Blue Book's consumer reviews and see for yourself.
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Most Helpful Reviews

Positive Review

"More refined inside and out than the predecessor"

Before I bought my '20 Explorer Limited, I looked at the offerings from Land Rover, Audi and Volvo, and looked at the Ford on a lark. The handling equalled or bested the Audi Q5 with much more room, and against the Volvo it was no contest. The Land Rover was $10K more expensive, so the value was more impressive. We needed a passenger/cargo hauler and the suited the purpose well. The center captains chairs are nice, and the seat configuration for 6 ends up being male and more comfortable. The 2.3L Eco Boost can seem buzzy but it puts out ample acceleration and more than adequate power with decent mileage for a car that tips the scales at 4,500 lbs. I've been averaging around 23-24 in a mixed driving loop that includes local and freeway driving, which was more than I expected. Overall, I'm happy and impressed.


VS

Critical Review

"Beware. 2020 Limited"

Within a day of our purchase, the A/C went out. It took a month the get the needed part. We have experienced a myriad of electrical glitches, the lift gate not opening, the engine not turning off, the engine not starting. We disconnected the battery for the last two events. The speed limit indicator works okay when there is a posted highway sign it will display the posted speed. On some roads when a sign is not immediately present, you can be in big trouble. Our Explorer shows a speed limit of 60 mph in one 45 mph zone. The dealer has not been able to repair or disable this display. Our latest issue was an engine light for cold start malfunction that occurred when the vehicle was started in our heated garage. Our Explorer is comfortable, drives very well, gets great mileage and handles winter driving conditions with ease. Our dealer has been great but they are as tired of our frequent visits as we are.

2021 Explorer Reviews

In our commitment to delivering the most comprehensive assessment of the vehicle possible, KBB.com widens the scope of our reviews to include all pertinent model years.
ex. Dependable

Showing 8 of 89 reviews.


Erica
5/29/2025
Sleek SUV
Pros

The car was kept very clean by the previous owners. It has heated AND ventilated seats. All the other bells and whistles that I wanted.

Cons

None yet

My 2010 Toyota Sequoia was barely hanging on, so my husband and I began talking about the next vehicle I would drive. For some reason, we kept coming back to the Ford Explorer. We knew we couldn't afford a new one (because I wanted all the bells and whistles!!!), so we began looking for used. It didn't long for a 2022 Ford Explorer Limited to catch our eyes! After test driving, we were able to bring it home for 48 hours! That sealed the deal. Someone else kept this car in immaculate condition. The ride is smooth. There are the bells and whistles that I wanted. My husband got a car that is higher off the ground. We are very pleased with our purchase!

Value
5.0
Performance
5.0
Quality
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Reliability
5.0
Styling
5.0
This customer review was submitted as part of a sweepstakes entry.
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0

Amber
1/25/2025
Roomy Car!
Pros

Roomy, reliable, stylish

I traded in a smaller vehicle for this one. This car has the get up and go that i enjoy as well as being roomy. 3 rows allow for multiple people or plenty of room for packing.

Value
5.0
Performance
5.0
Quality
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Reliability
5.0
Styling
5.0
This customer review was submitted as part of a sweepstakes entry.
Recommends this vehicle
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0
1

JD
1/12/2025
Good Size Vehicle for the Money

We had an 3 Edge ST’s over 10ish years. When we needed something bigger we searched. The Explorer seemed to fit our family and our needs the best for the price we wanted to pay.

Value
5.0
Performance
5.0
Quality
4.0
Comfort
4.0
Reliability
5.0
Styling
5.0
This customer review was submitted as part of a sweepstakes entry.
Recommends this vehicle
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1
0

Ford Xlt
10/31/2024
Excellent condition
Pros

Wry comfortable and gets good millege

Cons

None to my knowledge

Mint condition with 5,400 miles always parked in garage. Cleaner then the day I bought it. Original owner. Bought new in 2023. Tires are in excellent condition. I’ve waxed my car every 3 months. Gets 18 miles per gallon in the city. Most of the miles are freeway miles.

Value
5.0
Performance
5.0
Quality
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Reliability
5.0
Styling
5.0
Recommends this vehicle
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1
3

Sadden
10/14/2024
I love it but hate it

The truck itself everything about the truck (body & the whole complete interior is PLASTIC THE SEATS SUCKS MINE HAS BROKEN AWAY FROM THE BLACK SHELL CASING THAT HOLDS THE SEAT HAS BROKEN SEVERAL TIMES ) AND THE WORST PART OF THE TRUCK IS THE BUTTONS AND KNOBS MY 2 lb yorkie walks across and steps on the button and changes the driving mode to one that my truck doesn’t even have all that should have been a recall the whole console that can mess up someone’s truck quick and even in trail mode it’s bad if u don’t have it jerks u back quick and a loud. And the auto start I hate if I push it yo go off it should stay off until I want it back on. But I love it cause it’s fast 2020 ford explorer xlt

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3
20

Brad
9/28/2024
Love the power with good MPG

Rented a Ford Explorer Limited 4 wheel drive in Montrose Colorado. Took a ride to high elevations and experienced the power of the sport mode climbing and descending the mountain passes. Got 24.5 mpg which for this size vehicle was a pleasant surprise. I am not a Ford fan but can’t find much to complain about.

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2
1

John
8/13/2024
I don't buy Ford again

This car has many issues. Especially wind noise is real bad from 3rd row. Ford didn't use packing for windows. it makes lots of wind noise. the first 6 months was fine. I dropped this car four times in dealer shop. I gave up all. ready to return next year. I got major issues as following. a. synchronization issue. Touch screen, Ford pass module, Auto high beam issues. b. Rattling sound from under shield. c. Wind noise. d. paint defect.

Value
1.0
Performance
3.0
Quality
1.0
Comfort
1.0
Reliability
1.0
Styling
3.0
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9
2

DP94
7/12/2024
Great SUV

This is our second Ford Explore and just like our first Ford Explore we really enjoyed the dependability, comfortable ride, cargo space, nice roomy interior, and the ST-Line blackout sport look with the blackout 21 inch rims. Great Value! When we compared to other SUV’s in its class.

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3
1

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