Ford has confirmed that there won’t be a 2024 Explorer Hybrid—however the mannequin hasn’t precisely been canceled both.
Ford product communications director Mike Levine, in a response to Inexperienced Automotive Reviews, confirmed that the Explorer Hybrid isn’t occurring for 2024. The choice will unencumber hybrid capability for a really specialised market: police responsibility.
“To fulfill continued sturdy demand for the Ford Police Interceptor Utility hybrid and different Ford hybrid autos, the 2024 mannequin 12 months Explorer will solely be supplied with the gasoline environment friendly 2.3-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost, which gives as much as an EPA-estimated 24 mpg mixed gasoline financial system, and the three.0-liter EcoBoost V6,” wrote Levine. “These two engines account for almost all of Explorer gross sales.”
2020 Ford Interceptor Utility Hybrid
Ford had already dropped some clues that the electrified Explorer may drop out of the combination. The Hybrid had been omitted from consumer-side 2024 info, in addition to in Ford’s automobile construct device, the place it had been included in earlier mannequin years.
The Ford Explorer Hybrid was launched for the 2020 mannequin 12 months and packaged a 44-hp electrical motor system on the enter shaft of a 10-speed computerized transmission, with a 3.3-liter V-6 engine and a disconnect clutch between engine and motor/transmission, altogether making 318 hp. Within the Hybrid, there’s a 1.5-kwh liquid-cooled battery packaged beneath the rear seat.
Even earlier than the unique launch of the Explorer Hybrid, it was confirmed for Interceptor police responsibility—wherein the hybrid system can assist energy all the additional tools legislation enforcement depends on.
2021 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring
For civilians, the Explorer isn’t the one one to lose a hybrid choice. The 2024 Lincoln Aviator additionally isn’t returning with its Grand Touring plug-in hybrid grade, the Ford luxurious model confirmed final week. The Aviator Grand Touring paired a model of the identical powertrain, producing a mixed 494 hp delivered to all 4 wheels and providing simply 21 miles of EPA-rated electrical vary from its 13.6-kwh battery pack. After operating via its cost, it supplied an EPA mixed 23 mpg.
2020 Ford Explorer Hybrid – First Drive – Portland OR, June 2019
The Ford Explorer Hybrid has at all times been a bit underwhelming if mileage was a precedence. Ford made clear from the beginning that the Explorer Hybrid was positioned extra for hauling and towing—and a alternative for an even bigger engine—than as an choice aiming for top mpg, just like the 36-mpg Toyota Highlander. In a Ford Explorer Hybrid assessment, Inexperienced Automotive Reviews discovered it to generally be tough in its transitions when pushed calmly and at low pace however a lot smoother beneath load and when pushed shortly. At the moment, Ford engineers defined to Inexperienced Automotive Reviews that they labored backwards from buyer expectations for the gasoline Explorer and the necessity to tow 5,000 kilos and preserve off-road capability.
2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid
A model of the system is used within the Ford F-150 hybrid. There, badged Powerboost, it makes 430 hp altogether, together with a extra highly effective 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 and, from what Inexperienced Automotive Reviews has famous, higher drivability and smoothness.
Whereas the Explorer gives seating for as much as seven, together with the selection between two completely different second-row layouts and an accessible power-folding third row, there are different extra electrified three-row choices coming. Between the Explorer and bigger Navigator, Ford has hinted that an upcoming electrical seven-passenger SUV is about to reach in 2025, with a spread of 300 miles at 70 mph achieved with a battery of round 100 kwh.
