Just bought a 2021 Ford Explorer: Things i just do not get ...

[1depd]

What am I missing?

The one feature you have griped the Explorer didn't have is the cooled seats, which as was pointed out the Limited trim level comes with the "ventilated seats", but you complained was too expensive. Being blunt, the Limited trim level is the proper comparison to your 2015 Lariat F150. And that feature was on the Explorer - just not in a trim level you wanted to pay for, which is not the same thing as the feature not being available.

(FWIW, my 2021 Explorer XLT has several more features than my 2016 F150 XLT (with literally every option possible on the XLT trim level minus a sunroof and extra cost paint...))

For kicks, go price out that 2015 F150 Lariat in a 2023 model. My 2016 F150 I purchased before trade in for 38k on a 52k sticker. Same truck today stickers out north of 65k and retails in the upper 50k range...

What you are missing is that features tend to trend downward in the trim lines. Not long ago the only way to get electric windows and locks was to buy the top of the line trims. Now those features are in pretty much standard in all the mainstream trims. That ventilated seats feature was only one example. There were several more mundane features that didn't make it down the trims or even over to the comparable trim line in the Ranger. As I stated, the Ranger was the truck I wanted, but it had no where near the options I wanted/needed. I settled for the Explorer with more options than the Ranger at a lower price. It is been a good choice, but I like trucks.

 

[baruman]

So I just traded in my 2005 Ford Explorer XLS for a 2021 Ford Explorer (Base I guess?? It doesnt state anywhere what the trim is.). Full disclosure, I have been driving my wife's new 2023 Kia Telluride S for about a month and a half before I got the Ex. So Ford, riddle me this...why different versions of infotainment? Why a scaled down Sync 3 with no Nav. Why do I have Bluetooth but have to usb connect for Android Auto. It's non sensical to have wifi and Bluetooth and literally downgrade the connected experience in 2023. It's really something that should not vary by trim level. I have to say, the Kia connected experience is worththe price of admission . Rant over.

I am a long time Ex fan and overall love the car.

So here is another I don't get. I get that the modern Ex is no longer considered a truck. Has been taken off the truck base and is now pretty much a station wagon. Proof of this is a most basic change in the back hatch/bed opening. Why make it 47.5 inches wide? Just a half inch and you're precluded from DIY transport of say drywall or OSB. I am really kind of sad I let go of my 2005 Ex now. Should have have kept it as a truck. *sad face*

 

[hbalek]

So here is another I don't get. I get that the modern Ex is no longer considered a truck. Has been taken off the truck base and is now pretty much a station wagon. Proof of this is a most basic change in the back hatch/bed opening. Why make it 47.5 inches wide? Just a half inch and you're precluded from DIY transport of say drywall or OSB. I am really kind of sad I let go of my 2005 Ex now. Should have have kept it as a truck. *sad face*

Well you saved a lot of money by buying a 2021 versus a 2025, with all the latest tech improvements and refinements. This forum has been a god-send for me since almost the first month of ownership back in December of 2019. I call it my support group as a first year adopter of this problematic product. My laundry list of major component failures from the first year of ownership is too long to mention here. That said, I still love and miss my 2020 Explorer ST with 51K miles on it. It is currently in the shop for a rear differential replacment under powertrain warranty. One of many major repairs since 2020! It's my 5th Ford product, happens to be the best one I've owned in terms of design, features and performance, and also the worst for dependability and durabilty.