Ford gives the 2021 Explorer the King Ranch treatment

To be honest, Ford's Explorer has been around for some time in one form or another. The 2021 Explorer is that rare non-crossover SUV that features a truck frame and rear-wheel drive as standard. Does it really matter? No, but if you need a vehicle this size, whatever you call it, Ford has introduced a new trim package for the Explorer that might make choosing which SUV to get a little bit more difficult. The King Ranch option has been a mainstay on Ford's F-150 truck and the luxury package has been added to the Explorer. King Ranch editions add most of the options available plus luxurious, supple leathers and special badging. The King Ranch Explorer gets you real mahogany-colored Sapele wood, Mesa del Rio leather seats, and really, leather just about everywhere. Yup, this is the top luxury Explorer and with prices starting at $52k+ it should be. Add $2k for all-wheel drive. Twenty-inch wheels are standard as is the 3.0-liter EcoBoost® V6 that produces 365 horsepower and 380 lb.-ft. of torque mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift® capability. There is an optional Premium Technology Package that features multi-contour seats with active motion massaging functionality, a 10.1-inch center stack portrait touch screen with swipe and pinch-to-zoom capability as well as a 14-speaker B&O Sound system. So you can configure your Ford Explorer King Ranch with everything that you desire and can afford. I do think that black or dark silver would be a better exterior color though. What do you think? For more info, check out the media release, one pic and the intro video after the "read more" jump.

Source: Ford - Media Release, pics, and video

Media Release:

NEW FORD EXPLORER KING RANCH EDITION BRINGS TEXAS SPIRIT TO AMERICA’S BEST-SELLING SUV

• 2021 Ford Explorer King Ranch edition introduces a rugged, premium appearance and brings the King Ranch name to America’s all-time best-selling SUV line
• Explorer King Ranch features a refined interior with rich Mesa Del Rio leather, real wood appliqués and meticulous attention to detail
• Explorer King Ranch is the latest addition to the Explorer lineup and celebrates 20 years of Ford’s collaboration with the legendary south Texas cattle ranch

Ford Explorer, America’s all-time best-selling SUV1, adds the first-ever King Ranch edition to its stable, giving midsize SUV customers an all-new rugged, premium appearance with the uncompromising quality, craftsmanship and authenticity of the iconic Texas ranch.

“In 1853, Captain Richard King bootstrapped the King Ranch in the harsh landscape of southern Texas until it became a shining example of agricultural and livestock innovation and success,” said Lee Newcombe, Ford Explorer marketing manager. “Ford Explorer families can now enjoy a piece of the King Ranch’s renowned craftsmanship and the multigeneration legacy that still thrives 168 years after its founding.”

Customer feedback and market insights have demanded a more refined interior for Explorer. Explorer King Ranch will now deliver with premium touches and mahogany-colored Mesa Del Rio leather seats with perforated front and second rows with the legendary King Ranch Running W logo. The center console is crafted with a Mesa Del Rio leather armrest and King Ranch logo insert.

The refinement continues in the cockpit with leather door trim rollovers, a leather-wrapped and stitched instrument panel combined with Sapele wood appliqués as well as a leather-wrapped steering wheel with Norias stitching and a Sapele wood insert.

“Introducing King Ranch’s specialty leather, genuine wood, crafted details and signature colors to Ford Explorer elevates the SUV’s brand,” said Janet Seymour, Ford color and materials manager. “The warm, earthy Norias colorway, natural open pore wood appliqués and rope perforation design on the seats are just a couple ways we were able to bring the King Ranch lifestyle to a whole new group of customers.”

Complementing the refined interior is an available Premium Technology Package featuring multi-contour seats with active motion massaging functionality, a 10.1-inch center stack portrait touch screen with swipe and pinch-to-zoom capability as well as a 14-speaker B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen specially tuned to Explorer’s interior.

Outside, Explorer King Ranch comes decked out with a unique Stone Gray-painted mesh grille insert, 20-inch aluminum wheels with Running W center cap, liftgate scuff plate and quad chrome exhaust tips. Capping it all off is signature King Ranch badging.

The standard 3.0-liter EcoBoost® under the hood produces 365 horsepower and 380 lb.-ft. of torque with four-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive configurations offered, combined with a 10-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift® capability. A standard Class III Trailer Tow Package enables towing capability of up to 5,600 pounds.

In addition to Ford Co-Pilot360™ technology2 standard on all Explorer models, Explorer King Ranch comes standard with Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+, featuring Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go and Lane Centering, Evasive Steering Assist, a voice-activated touch screen navigation system with pinch-to-zoom capability, SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link® and Speed Sign Recognition.

Improving America’s all-time best-selling SUV

Ford has engaged with owners to constantly innovate Explorer and move America’s all-time best-selling SUV forward. For 2021, the company is responding to customer demands with not only the King Ranch edition but the introduction of the available XLT Sport Appearance Package, new interior trim finishes and new exterior colors, with numerous enhancements to the interior including brighter paints, elevated finishes and higher-quality materials for a brightened, more premium ambience.

Two decades of rugged luxury

The introduction of Explorer King Ranch marks 20 years of Ford’s relationship with the iconic Texas cattle ranch, beginning with the 2001 F-150 King Ranch, when Ford and King Ranch teamed up to build a more upscale western-themed truck.

The 2001 F-150 King Ranch was based on the newly introduced F-150 SuperCrew. It featured a leather-covered front console with the King Ranch brand, and front and rear King Ranch leather captain’s chairs, as well as F-150 King Ranch branding throughout the interior and exterior.

Since then, five generations of Ford F-150, four generations of Ford F-Series Super Duty and three generations of Ford Expedition have worn the King Ranch badge. Today, workers at the Texas ranch use a fleet of more than 300 Ford trucks to get the job done every day.

The Explorer King Ranch edition will start at $52,350 MSRP for rear-wheel-drive configuration and $54,350 MSRP for four-wheel drive. It will be available in dealerships this spring.

1Based on IHS Markit, 1946-Current US Total New Cumulative Registrations, for all vehicles identified as SUVs.

2Driver-assist features are supplemental and do not replace the driver’s attention, judgment and need to control the vehicle. It does not replace safe driving. See Owner’s Manual for details and limitations.


About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford trucks, utility vehicles, and cars – increasingly including electrified versions – and Lincoln luxury vehicles; provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company; and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification; mobility solutions, including self-driving services; and connected vehicle services. Ford employs approximately 186,000 people worldwide. 


corporate.ford.com.