2013 Ford Explorer’s impressive 3.5L EcoBoost V6 is very powerful, but the standard V6 still puts out nearly 300 horsepower. If you don’t require 4WD, the optional turbocharged inline-four delivers as much as 27 mpg at highway speeds.
Key Points
- The 2013 Ford Explorer offers a 3.5L Ti V6 as standard, an unimpressive 2.0L inline-four EcoBoost, and a 3.5L V6 EcoBoost available on the Sport trim.
- With 290 horsepower, the standard engine puts out decent power for a base model, while the 2.0L inline-four offers just 240 hp and struggles to motivate the 2013 Explorer.
- The EcoBoost V6 engine in the 2013 Explorer Sport offers a class-leading combination of horsepower and fuel economy.
- Each engine in the 2013 Explorer is decently reliable, but the rest of the model struggles with recalls and a surplus of consumer complaints, making it a tough year to recommend overall.
3.5L V6 Offers 290 Horsepower, Impressive EPA Estimates, and is Standard on All 2013 Explorers Except the Sport
Base, XLT, and Limited trims of the 2013 Ford Explorer feature a 3.5L Ti V6 as standard. With 290 horsepower and 255 lb.-ft. of torque, this V6 outperforms many rivals in its class.
The 2013 Explorer’s standard engine has impressive ratings in terms of fuel economy. With a two-wheel-drive configuration, the standard V6 puts out 20 miles to the gallon combined (17 city/24 highway), impressive for a base V6 mounted on a midsize SUV.
Fuel capacity for all models comes at 18.6 gallons. The 2013 Explorer’s standard engine can travel roughly 372 miles with a full tank.
Four-wheel drive is available for the 3.5L Ti V6 engine that reduces fuel economy ratings by a hair. The 2013 Explorer’s standard engine is paired with a smooth six-speed automatic transmission regardless of the drivetrain.
One of the advantages of the 2013 Explorer is that it can handle whatever you throw at it, even with the Base configurations. You can expect a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds without upgrading to the Sport trim.
2013 Explorer’s 2.0L Inline-four EcoBoost Engine Comes with Meager Specs but Gets the Job Done as a Grocery-getter
Available for all trims except Sport, the 2.0L inline-four EcoBoost engine offers underwhelming performance. With 240 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft. of torque, this four-cylinder engine struggles to motivate a seven-seater SUV like the Explorer.
Like the standard engine, the 2.0L EcoBoost pairs up with a six-speed automatic transmission system. However, your drivetrain configuration is limited to front-wheel drive with this engine.
The 2.0L will do the job as a grocery-getter, but in a fashion that will bore you if you’re used to sportier rides. With this engine, you wouldn’t want to test your luck in extreme off-road conditions. What’s more, if towing is important to you, its 2,000-pound towing capacity would let you down most of the time.
With the 2.0L inline-four engine, the 2013 Explorer puts out 20 mpg in the city and 27 on the highway (23 combined), which is the only advantage it has over the standard 3.5L V6 engine.
3.5L EcoBoost V6 has Similar Fuel Economy as Standard V6, and Delivers Unrivaled Performance for a Three-row SUV
The robust 3.5L EcoBoost V6 mounted on the high-performance 2013 Explorer Sport was also featured on the 2013 Ford Taurus SHO. It outputs 365 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque and turns the 2013 Explorer into a very sharp seven-seater.
Its class-leading fuel consumption rate makes the Sport a much more valuable choice than other 2013 Explorer trims. The 2013 Explorer Sport puts out 18 miles combined (16 city/ 22 highway) based on EPA estimates.
No other high-performance, seven-seater SUV from 2013 can top the Explorer Sport in terms of fuel economy on the highway. With a full tank, it can travel for 409 miles on highways.
The Explorer Sport comes with a four-wheel-drive configuration. A six-speed automatic transmission system that includes paddle shifters sends the engine power to the wheels.
Like the standard engine, the 3.5L EcoBoost can tow up to 5,000 pounds, adequate for a midsize SUV.
2013 Explorer has Solid Engine Options, but the Rest of the Model Struggles with Subpar Reliability that Makes it a Questionable Year to Consider
In terms of reliability, the 2013 Ford Explorer is one of the model’s worst years overall, with 11 recalls and nearly 1,500 registered NHTSA complaints. Thankfully, none of the recalls specifically relate to the engine, and just 180 registered complaints are in the engine category, with a faulty waterpump leading to engine overheating being the most common.
Whether you call it an issue related to the engine or the exhaust system, there is also an open investigation into exhaust odors seeping into the cabin and causing carbon monoxide poisoning, an issue that has led to at least one fatal accident.
Looking at the specs of the 2013 Explorer’s engine options, each is potent for its size, fuel-efficient, and built to last. However, the rest of the vehicle drags down the model’s overall reputation, ultimately making it a tough year to recommend.
Photos: Ford
