Ford introduced the fourth generation of the Explorer in 2005 as a 2006 model, and the carmaker improved its exterior and technical sides.
Ford was comfortably sitting on its leading position in the SUV segment for quite a while, but the crossover segment’s rise rocked its throne. Its fuel-efficiency was no match for the new generation of contenders, who managed to go further with less gas. Still, Ford had some aces in its sleeves, and it managed to improve the mid-size SUV.

While the Explorer still relied on a ladder-chassis and it was able to go on uncharted maps without tearing a sweat, the mid-size SUV lacked the on-road performance, and its look was already outdated. Ford improved the design by introducing a gigantic grille design and a 7” (17.8 cm) wide badge at the front. Its headlight’s were new and bit from the front bumper. At the back, a single-piece tailgate replaced the older version, which faced some critics. A set of retractable running boards were carried-over from the Lincoln Navigator.

Inside, there was still room for seven passengers, with limited room for the last row. The Explorer’s dashboard received a new center stack with a clean, organized layout. Ford insisted on having a tough appearance and installed a floor-mounted gear selector thick as a baseball club. In the instrument cluster, it placed two large dials for the speedometer and tachometer. Inside them, but smaller, the designers placed the fuel gauge and the coolant temperature.

Under the hood, the Explorer received a new, 4.0-liter V6 engine rated at 210 hp. The new SUV featured a standard 6-speed automatic geabox, which helped to improve the fuel-efficiency.