For 2016, Ford has updated the Explorer mid-size SUV by giving it a more rugged look than the previous model and adding a new 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine to replace the former base 2.0-liter engine.
by Staff
November 20, 2014
Photo of 2016 Explorer by Paul Clinton.
2 min to read
Photo of 2016 Explorer by Paul Clinton.
For 2016, Ford has updated the Explorer mid-size SUV by giving it a more rugged look than the previous model and adding a new 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine to replace the former base 2.0-liter engine. The 2016 model year marks the 25th anniversary of the Explorer, which debuted in 1991.
The 2.3-EcoBoost engine delivers at least 270 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque, which Ford says officers 12.5 percent more horsepower and 11 percent more torque than the outgoing engine.
Ad Loading...
“The new Explorer isn’t giving up its reputation as a leader in highway fuel efficiency,” said Arie Groeneveld, chief engineer on the Explorer. “Customers will not only get the performance of a larger engine, they won’t sacrifice efficiency because of it.”
Ford also updated the look of the Explorer for 2016, giving the SUV a more truck-like look compared with the current model’s rounded, bulbous sculpting. It has also made changes based on customer feedback, improving details in the interior such as physical controls for the infotainment system to replace touch-sensitive buttons.
For 2016, Ford wanted to improve the SUV by using smarter technology. The SUV has front and rear cameras for safety, parking assist, USB ports throughout and active grille shutters that close at highway speeds to reduce drag.
“Customers love Explorer and expect SUV to lead the way in innovation performance and fun,” said Groeneveld. “It’s a tall order but we’re aiming to build the best SUV in the world.”
AI is no longer a future concept for fleets—it’s already embedded in the tools, data, and decisions that operators rely on every day. In this episode of the Fleet Forward Podcast, recorded live at Fleet Forward, industry leaders take the conversation beyond hype to examine what responsible AI adoption really looks like in fleet operations.
As fleets rethink how they capture, manage, and act on vehicle data, telematics is at a major inflection point. In this episode of the Fleet Forward Podcast, we dive deep into one of the most pressing questions facing fleet leaders today: Should you rely on OEM factory-installed connectivity, aftermarket devices, or a hybrid of both?
Experts from telematics analytics, fleet-as-a-service operations, and national EV benchmarking share how real-time data is reshaping fleet strategy—dispelling assumptions, validating best practices, and exposing costly missteps.
A powerhouse panel featuring experts from the American Automotive Leasing Association, CalSTART, and municipal fleet leadership dives into the realities of navigating shifting emissions rules, regulatory waivers, federal agency actions, the future of the EPA’s endangerment finding, and the push for unified standards. They also examine the impacts of tariffs, autonomous vehicle policy, battery innovation, and the accelerating global EV market.
This episode kicks off with a deep dive into the technologies and market forces reshaping today’s fleet landscape. Host Chris Brown is joined by Laolu Adeola (Leke Services), Tyson Jomini (J.D. Power), and Richard Hall (ZappiRide) to break down real-world data, shifting incentives, and practical strategies fleet leaders can use right now.
In the middle of natural disasters fleet managers must shift priorities to protect people and assets. What policy items should be loosened, and when should the line be held?
In this episode, fleet leaders from municipal, university, and private-sector organizations share a candid EV reality check. From infrastructure setbacks and policy whiplash to grant funding, total cost of ownership, and charging resiliency, this conversation dives into what it actually takes to scale electrification in the real world.
After a decade of lagging compensation, fleet manager pay is climbing. But expanding responsibilities, larger fleets, and growing complexity continue to redefine the role.
