Despite its controversy and the competitors, the Explorer was the best selling mid-size SUV of all times at the time when the fifth-generation arrived, in 2011.
Unlike its predecessors, the 2011 model featured a unibody construction instead of body-on-frame construction. It had to be ahead of the game to keep the high-sells values up. Even though it featured a shorter wheelbase, it was longer and slightly wider than before.

The new, three-bar, design of the front fascia was successfully incorporated into the new Explorer. With its high and swept headlights, the Explorer showed a bold image, inspired by regular sedans such as the Taurus. In the back, the specific blacked-out D-pillar kept a link with its predecessors. There was a large roof-spoiler on top of the tailgate and two exhausts under the rear bumper.

Inside, the car offered seating for seven on wide seats at the front and a bench in the middle, plus two individual seats in the trunk area. That was standard for all trim levels. For the infotainment unit, Ford offered the MyFord Touch system with the SYNC, that allowed voice commands. The infotainment unit featured a center stack display and two TFT displays flanking the speedometer in the instrument cluster.

The 2011 Explorer was offered with a choice of two engines. There was a 2.0-liter turbocharged and a 3.5-liter V6. The former was offered with front-wheel drive only, while the latter was available with an all-wheel-drive system.