We all figured it was only a matter of time before Ford dropped its potent, 3.5 liter EcoBoost V6 engine into its new Explorer SUV. They surprised us by making the 2.0 liter EcoBoost available first, but no matter; soccer moms across America will now have access to a Blue Oval-branded SUV with plenty of power to make “highway merging” a breeze.
Just how much power, we didn’t know until today. Ford has finally unleashed the official power and MPG ratings of the 2013 Explorer Sport, and we aren’t disappointed; 365 horsepower, with an 16 city/22 highway MPG rating. Not bad for a 5,000 pound, 365 horsepower SUV, eh?
That power puts the 2013 Ford Explorer Sport on par with the Taurus SHO and Ford F-150 EcoBoost, making it one of the most powerful non-Mustangs in Ford’s lineup. It is an almost 100 horsepower increase over the base V6 engine as well, and shocking MPG ratings didn’t suffer nearly as much as we feared. The standard Explorer with all-wheel drive and the base V6 was rated at 17/24, so you’re not sacrificing much with all that extra power.
And it isn’t just a souped-up engine the Explorer Sport gets. The Sport model comes with bigger wheels, badass dual exhausts, a leather-trimmed interior, and a sport tuned suspension. All of this will set you back at least $41,525 (which includes the $825 destination fee), which is about what you’d pay for a Boss Mustang.
But the wifey is far more likely to approve a family-friendly vehicle like the Explorer Sport…and you can still have your horsepower fix when she isn’t looking. Ya dig it?