Inside the Ford Explorer Interior: Best Features

Photo Source/Copyright: Ford

Three rows. One cabin that has to handle soccer carpools on Tuesday and a six-hour drive to Grandma’s on Saturday. That’s the job, and the Ford Explorer interior takes it seriously, from the seat you pick for row two to the fabric you’ll be sitting on. This is how it actually shakes out, trim by trim, once you open the door and start poking around.

Six Seats or Seven? Row Two Decides

Every trim starts with second-row captain’s chairs. That’s six seats, and it’s the default by design, because the gap between those two chairs is the easiest way back to row three, no tugging levers or awkward climbing.

Need a seventh spot? A second-row bench is available on every trim except Tremor. The Tremor stays a six-seater, which honestly suits it. Trail days usually mean fewer passengers and more gear, where keeping that center aisle makes complete sense. Bigger families tend to go for the bench; everyone else rarely misses it.

Trim-by-Trim Seating and Sound

Materials split apart as you move up the lineup. Unique cloth sits on the entry trim, while Platinum offers an available Lux Leather Package with detailed quilting and stitching on seats and door panels. Audio systems scale right along with the trim levels:

The 13.2-Inch Screen Runs the Show

A 13.2-inch center display comes standard across all trims, running the Ford Digital Experience. It’s built around software people actually use every day. Sign in to Google, and saved Maps destinations show up automatically. Your teenager will figure it out faster than you, probably. Core tech includes:

• Google Built-in: Google Maps, Assistant, and Google Play apps.
• Phone Mirroring: Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
• Connectivity: 5G modem with a 10-device Wi-Fi hotspot.
• In-Car Tech: Parked entertainment (games, video streaming) and power outlets in rows one, two, and the cargo area.

Real-World Cargo Flexibility

Cargo space changes depending on how many rows you fold down:

• Behind third row: 16.3 cu. ft.
• Behind second row: 46.0 cu. ft.
• Behind first row: 85.8 cu. ft. (85.3 cu. ft. on Tremor, ST, and Platinum trims)

That 16.3 cubic feet behind row three handles a full grocery run. ST and Platinum versions feature PowerFold third-row seats standard (available on the Tremor badge), making flattening the back row a single button press, instead of a wrestling match.

The Honest Truth About Row Three

Third-row legroom measures 31.8 inches, making it a kid zone first and an adult zone for short trips. Headroom is generous at 38.9 inches, just 1.6 inches shy of row two, so adults won’t feel hunched over. Getting back there is effortless thanks to the center aisle. Grown-ups can handle riding back there to the game; they just might call shotgun on the way home.

Daily Comfort Details

Heated front seats are standard across the board. Tremor and Platinum add second-row heating, while ST and Platinum variants include front seat ventilation. Platinum offers massaging front seats, while ST and Tremor offer multicontour seats with Active Motion. Ambient lighting and the panoramic Vista Roof complete the cabin layout.

Pictures only go so far with a cabin like this. Stop by, climb into row three yourself, and ask to compare both second-row setups back-to-back. Better yet, configure the Ford Explorer’s interior to your liking before you come in, or just show up. We’ll have the doors open.