2011 Ford Explorer has three trims: Base, XLT, and Limited, and all are equipped with standard FWD or optional 4WD. Featuring must-haves like AC and cruise control, it’s the Limited trim with optional safety add-ons that truly competes with newer models.
Key Points
- The 2011 Ford Explorer is the first year that the model has a unibody construction, and all three trims use the same 3.5L V6 engine with 290 horsepower.
- The Base model is not lacking features. With standard remote keyless entry and dual LCD monitors, this trim is for the practical shopper that doesn’t require of every possible luxury.
- Explorer’s XLT trim features nicer 18-inch painted aluminum wheels, fog lights, and parking assist. It is a perfect trim for a shopper that wants a few creature comforts at a great price.
- The Limited trim level is completely decked out with options, including heated seats for you and your front passenger, dual automatic climate controls, and 20-inch painted aluminum wheels.
- All things considered, the XLT trim offers the most value. It includes most of the features expected of a modern daily driver, and it doesn’t carry the price tag of the Limited.
2011 Explorer’s Well-equipped Base Model is a Practical Trim with Standard AC, Remote Keyless Entry, and Two LCD Screens
The trim name “Base” can have negative connotations, but Ford seemed to successfully avoid that stigma with how they appointed the 2011 Ford Explorer. If you’re a bargain shopper in need of a full-size SUV, consider this trim, which includes MyFord Touch, the Blue Oval’s state-of-the-art in-car connectivity system.
Modern necessities like AC (with separate controls for rear passengers) are included, along with an AM/FM radio and six-speaker stereo system with CD and MP3 capability. Plus, the trim includes keyless entry and cruise control.
Other standard features include:
- Two LCD monitors upfront
- Power windows
- Tilt/telescoping steering column
Regardless of the trim level you choose, a 3.5L V6 engine is what you get. Thankfully it’s pretty peppy, producing 290 horsepower and 255 lb.-ft. of torque. The Base trim comes standard with FWD, with 4WD as an option. The MSRP ranged from about $28,400 to $30,400 when new, but the private party resale value hovers around $11,000 to $13,000 in excellent condition with 100,000 miles.
Explorer XLT Adds Backup Camera, Fog Lights, and the Available MyFord Touch In-car Connectivity System
The XLT is a mid-level trim that adds features like more sound insulation for a quieter ride, power seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Another advantage of the XLT trim over the Base is that it includes premium cloth seats, which promise a softer feel and even nicer look. Leather seats are offered as an extra, but at that point, you may as well consider a Limited without any add-ons instead.
Additional XLT highlights include:
- SecuriCode keyless entry pad
- Heated mirrors
- Parking assist
The XLT features embellishments inside and out, like auto headlamps, 18-inch wheels, a rearview camera, and Ford’s six-speed SelectShift transmission. Fog lights give the 2011 Ford Explorer a much more refined look overall.
Ford’s driver-connect technology, MyFord Touch, is an available option on the XLT. It uses an expanded version of Ford’s Sync voice-command to offer a wider range of commands for things like adjusting the AC, switching radio stations, making a call, or interacting with the navigation system.
The MSRP range for the XLT in 2011 was roughly $31,500 to $33,500, but the private party resale value sits around $13,000 to almost $16,000 in excellent condition and 100,000 miles. The 4WD option adds another $2,000.
2011 Explorer Limited Offers Lots of Interior Tech, Exclusive Exterior Styling, and 20″ Wheels that Give it a Luxurious Look
The top-tier trim for the 2011 Ford Explorer is the Limited, and it has even more options–and a price to reflect them. This trim is for the shopper looking for more luxury. Outside, 20-inch painted aluminum wheels, a unique body-colored grille, and chrome accents. Inside, everything under the sun, like dual-zone climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and heated seats.
Additionally, MyFord Touch is standard on the Explorer Limited, so if a fancy touchscreen and leather seats are must-haves, this trim will deliver.
The Limited also has some of the more noteworthy safety add-on features, like adaptive cruise control, collision warning with brake assist, rain-sensing wipers, and a blind-spot monitoring system.
Other standard features in the Limited model include:
- Remote vehicle start
- Ambient lighting
- Power-adjustable pedals with memory
When the Limited trim was new, Ford sold it with an MSRP of about $37,500 to $39,500, but nowadays you can find them from $14,000 to $17,000 in private party resale in excellent condition with 100,000 miles.
Ultimately, the XLT Trim is the Best Choice for Most Drivers, Built with All the Necessities and a High Number of Luxuries
We think the XLT is the best because it’s priced right and has all the necessary features you’d expect even driving today, 10 years later. The parking assist feature that’s offered in the XLT trim is highly effective and useful in a myriad of different scenarios. There are some used offerings on the market for under $10,000 but these examples will have higher mileage.
In general, expect to see private party pricing between $13,000 to $17,000, keeping in mind that inventory was tremendously low at the time of this article, making prices considerably inflated.
Photos: Ford
