As the midlevel trim of Ford’s 2012 Explorer crossover lineup, the XLT adds a few extra amenities to an already well-wrought frame. To begin at the beginning, this now-cute ute features 80.7 cubic feet of total cargo room, 3 rows of seating for 7 and an available Class III towing package, for up to 2,000 pounds of towing capacity with the optional EcoBoost 4-cylinder powerplant or 5,000 pounds with the standard V6.
Standard amenities include 18-inch alloy wheels, a roof rack and a rear spoiler, heated power-adjustable outside mirrors, power-adjustable front seats, premium cloth upholstery, simulated alloy and leather cabin trim, digital keypad power door locks and, of course, power windows. Cruise control and telescoping tilt-wheel steering also come standard, as do rear parking sensors, front and rear air conditioning and floor mats in all 3 rows. Entertainment, meantime, consists of an MP3-capable single-CD player with 6 speakers, satellite radio and a USB connection. Finally, subscriber voice directions and Bluetooth hands-free communications add a touch more to the convenience factor.
The 2012 Explorer XLT can be delivered with available roof rails, touchscreen GPS navigation and second-row captain’s chairs, as well as upgraded 20-inch wheels, rear-seat DVD entertainment, a power liftgate and a dual-panel power moonroof. Also available is the XLT Driver Connect Package, boasting SYNC/MyFord Touch voice-activated climate control, audio and communications, as well as heated front seats, dual-zone climate control and premium audio with 9 speakers.
A standard 3.5-liter Flex Fuel (FFV) V6 powerplant gives this capable crossover its go, with the slick 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission managing 290 hp and 255 lb-ft of torque. Variable valve timing (VVT) allows an estimated 17 mpg city/24 highway in the front-wheel drive (FWD) XLT, while an available towing package lets owners tow up to 5,000 pounds.
Available to the Explorer XLT for 2012 is an economical, if not exactly pavement pounding, 2.4-liter turbocharged EcoBoost inline 4-cylinder powerplant. Under the management of the tweaked 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission, expect 240 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque from the four-banger, along with 2,000 pounds of towing capacity when properly equipped, and mileage estimated at 20/28. Meantime, the I4-equipped XLT now sports standard low-rolling-resistance tires.
Standard safety features in the midlevel Explorer XLT include 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, 3-row head airbags and front side-mounted airbags with head protection chambers. Finally, all Explorer XLTs come with a standard post-collision safety system, front fog/driving lights, turn-signal-integrated mirrors and a remote antitheft alarm, with Ford’s touted BLIS blind-spot warning system and inflatable rear seatbelts optional.
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