I dunno...
I do agree with the idea of putting the Eco-boost V6 as an option with the limited...and maybe, just possibly, the XLT.
Back in the day, it wasn't a "black" grille that denoted a stripper or "stripped" model -- it was a medium to darker grey grille... Like what you see on the 2011 to current Base Explorer or 1998 Ranger XL or F-Series XL. The black grille denotes, to me, "sport" as in 1991 Explorer Sport (the 2 door explorer with a black grille, black lower half and black front & rear bumpers).
As for the chrome strip across the liftgate, the Explorer Base shouldn't have it or the chrome strips in the grille.
BASE -- The grille on the Ex Base is a medium grey -- the strip across the back
should be medium grey as well, denoting "base".
There should be an "appearance package" option for the base giving it the 18" alloy rims from the XLT as well as monochromatic grille (the chrome strips would be monochromatic too) as well as a monochromatic strip across the lift gate with no chrome trim on the lower side body cladding IMHO.
XLT -- The grille on the Explorer XLT is a silver/silver grey -- To me, the strip across the back
should be monochromatic (body color) with chrome trim on the lower side body cladding, denoting "XLT".
LIMITED -- The grille on the Explorer Limited is monochromatic with 2 chrome-like strips between the 3 major louvers -- the strip across the back is chrome, as it should be, denoting "Limited".
SPORT -- The grille on the Explorer Sport is ebony black -- the strip across the back is also black and there is
no chrome on the lower side body cladding, denoting "Sport", as it should be, IMHO. The door handles, however, need to be either black or monochromatic -- not chrome -- it doesn't match the rest of the car.
The above would give more continuity to the model lineup. But, this is just me.
