Where would you like the dipstick to go?
Reality is this a longitudinal install of a 4 cylinder (not a V type engine), meaning the block itself is more centered in the vehicle - that increases the perception of a reach to get to the dipstick.
Next, the dipstick is generally located near the furthest forward point of the sump. Measure the oil further forward and you aren't measuring the level in the sump. Move the low point of the sump and you start interfering with how the engine is placed in the unit.
Next note that with the rear wheel drive setup in the explorer, moving the engine back like it sits pretty deep under the cowl helps with distributing weight rearward - making the the vehicle handle like it does relative to front wheel drive biased designs. There is a ton of space between the front grill / radiator / condenser and the front of the engine block in this design. Move the engine further forward and means the handling will change - and mostly not for the better, With the move to smaller turbo engines and electric fans, this trend has accelerated and increases the reach to the dipstick.
Front wheel drive setups often can get the dipstick right up front since the engine is in a transverse installation (essentially the side of the engine is turned towards the front.) The Explorer (by design) is not that way.
Last, the dipstick location appears to be common to all the applications this engine is used in - simplifying the # of variants required.
For the minimal number of times I check the dipstick, its location doesn't bother me. It sure is easier tor each than the one in My F150 or my work trucks...
