The 2013 Ford Explorer Sport offers better fuel economy and the capacity to deliver 365 hp, which is 15 hp more than what was initially announced. Ford said that the Sport variant offers the most power in the Explorer lineup. The engineers made some eleventh-hour fine tuning that made it achieve the additional 15hp. The V-6 is partnered to a six-speed automatic that distributes power to all four wheels. The Explorer is also available with a 3.5-liter V-6, which delivers 290 hp and a 240-hp 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbo-four. The high-power Explorer Sport is at the top of the range with a price of $41,545 (including destination charges). The EcoBoost six-cylinder is the Explorer with the lowest EPA-rated mileage with 16/22 mpg city/highway.
In comparison with the 3.5-liter with all-wheel drive, the Sport is lower by one mpg in the city and on the highway. But when placed against the front-wheel-drive-only 2.0-liter, the Sport is down by four and six mpg in the city and highway, respectively. But then, the Explorer Sport does better than its nearest rival, the 390-hp Dodge Durango with its 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 that returns 13/20 mpg.
The Explorer Sport loses only one mpg on the highway when compared to the V-6-powered Durango. The 2013 Explorer Sport can be distinguished from the lesser models with its black grille and mirror caps, dark-tinted head- and taillights, and a set of 20-inch five-spoke aluminum wheels. The interior received an upgrade with charcoal leather seating and distinct steering wheel stitching. It also offers the option of Sienna (brown) inserts.
