Standing proudly at the summit of the 2012 Ford Explorer lineup, the Explorer Limited 4WD comes with nearly all the techno bells and whistles one expects from Ford, along with standard 4-wheel drive (4WD). Naturally, this midsize crossover boasts the 3 rows of seating for 7 and 80.4 cubic feet of total cargo area of its lesser siblings, while also flaunting standard 20-inch alloy wheels, a roof rack and a rear spoiler, as well as heated power-adjustable outside mirrors.
A pleasant, if somewhat undersized cabin, meantime, boasts leather upholstery, heated power-adjustable front seats, tasteful simulated alloy and leather interior trim accents, keyless entry and ignition, memory for driver's settings and power-adjustable pedals. Of course, cruise control and telescoping tilt-wheel steering are standard, as are rear parking sensors and tri-zone climate control, while techno-gizmos include Bluetooth hands-free communications, a universal remote garage door opener, subscriber voice-directions navigation that’s free for 3 years and a rear-view camera.
Finally, Ford’s high-end midsize crossover throws in a standard 390-watt stereo with single-CD player, 12 speakers, 5.1 Surround Sound, satellite radio, a USB port and a memory card slot.
The potent 3.5-liter Flex Fuel (FFV) V6 engine again graces this top-shelf trim, with a capable 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission boasting standard descent control and managing 290 hp and 255 lb-ft of torque. Expect 5,000 pounds of towing capacity from this peppy drivetrain, while mileage is estimated at 17 mpg city/23 highway. Additionally, the 2012 Limited 4WD sports Ford’s slick Terrain Management System that features driver-selectable modes determining torque and transmission settings best suited to snowy roads or light off-road conditions.
Standard safety features aboard Ford’s award-winning Limited 4WD crossover include 4-wheel antilock brakes, traction and stability control, front side-mounted head airbags with head protection chambers, and 3-row head airbags. Like its XLT sibling, this top-shelf trim sports standard turn-signal-integrated mirrors, front fog/driving lights, a post-collision safety system and a remote antitheft alarm, with Ford’s BLIS blind-spot warning system and inflatable second-row seatbelts both available as optional safety equipment.
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