What’s a Premium Ford Explorer Interior Package?

Photo Source/Copyright: Ford Authority

What makes the premium Ford Explorer interior package stand out from standard utility cabins? The premium interior package on the Ford Explorer is the Platinum trim paired with the Lux Leather Package, which transforms an already comfortable cabin into a truly luxurious one. It layers quilted leather, advanced seat comfort, and refined finishes over the Explorer’s spacious three-row layout.

If you are weighing which upgrade delivers the most upscale experience, this guide covers what the premium package adds, the comfort and technology it brings, and the leather colors available.

• Quilted premium leather surfaces
• Heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats
• Available panoramic fixed glass roof
• Two premium leather colorways

What Makes an Explorer Interior “Premium”?

Photo Source/Copyright: Ford

Not every Explorer cabin qualifies as premium. The distinction comes down to four pillars: the seating material itself, the way the front seats support you, the ambiance created by lighting and finish, and the badging that marks the top of the lineup. The Platinum trim is where these come together, and the Lux Leather Package is what pushes it furthest.

• Seating material: quilted premium leather over standard ActiveX
• Front-seat comfort: heated, ventilated, multicontour with Active Motion massage
• Cabin atmosphere: configurable ambient lighting
• Signature detail: Platinum front-row badging

The Lux Leather Package

The Lux Leather Package is the single upgrade most responsible for the Platinum’s premium feel. Where the standard Platinum arrives with ActiveX-trimmed seats, this package swaps in genuine premium leather with a quilted pattern across the seating surfaces. The luxury treatment doesn’t stop at the seats. 

Matching quilting and stitching carry onto the door panels, piping runs throughout the cabin, and Platinum badging on the front-row seats signals the trim at a glance. Together, these touches give the interior the cohesive, tailored look you would expect from a dedicated luxury model rather than a mainstream family SUV.

• Seating surfaces: premium quilted leather
• Door panels: matching quilting and stitching
• Trim accents: piping throughout
• Badging: Platinum front-row seat badges

Platinum Interior Highlights

Beyond the leather, the Platinum cabin is loaded with comfort features that make long drives easier on everyone aboard. The front seats do more than look good; they offer heating, ventilation, and a massage function, while the second row stays warm on cold mornings. 

Families will appreciate the standard power-folding third row, which drops flat at the touch of a button to open up cargo space. Rounding out the cabin are a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel and tri-zone automatic climate control so every row can set its own temperature.

• Front seats: heated, ventilated, and massaging
• Second row: heated captain’s chairs (bench available)
• Third row: standard PowerFold
• Steering wheel: heated, leather-wrapped
• Climate: tri-zone automatic

Comfort and Convenience Upgrades

A few available options push the experience even further. Chief among them is the panoramic fixed glass roof, a broad glass canopy with a power shade that floods the cabin with light. 

Audiophiles can add the 14-speaker B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen, and the Ford Digital Experience anchors the dash with a large center display. Wireless charging and available hands-free highway driving round out a cabin built for modern family life.

• Panoramic fixed glass roof with power shade
• 14-speaker B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen
• 13.2-inch center display with Ford Digital Experience
• Wireless charging pad
• Available BlueCruise hands-free highway driving

Premium Interior Color Options

The premium leather comes in two distinct colorways, each setting a different mood inside the cabin. Your choice shapes how light or dark the space feels, so it’s worth considering how each pairs with your preferred exterior finish. Both work beautifully with the trim’s chrome accents and quilted surfaces.

• Mojave Dusk: a warm two-tone scheme with tan and brown upper surfaces over darker lower sections
• Salt Crystal Gray: a light, airy tone and a Platinum-exclusive pairing

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which Ford Explorer has the most premium interior?

A: The Platinum trim offers the most premium interior, especially when equipped with the Lux Leather Package. It combines quilted leather, advanced seat comfort, and refined finishes not found on lower trims.

Q: Is leather standard on the Platinum?

A: The Platinum comes standard with ActiveX-trimmed seats. Premium quilted leather is available through the Lux Leather Package, which also includes stitched door panels and Platinum seat badging.

Q: Does the premium package include a panoramic roof?

A: A panoramic fixed glass roof with a power shade is available on the Platinum. It is a fixed glass panel rather than an opening moonroof, designed to brighten the cabin.

Q: What premium interior colors are available?

A: The Platinum’s premium leather is offered in two colorways, Mojave Dusk and Salt Crystal Gray, letting you choose between a warm two-tone look and a lighter, airier feel.

Experience It in Person

Ready to see the premium cabin for yourself? Discover the Ford Explorer Platinum and its Lux Leather Package in person. Schedule a test drive and settle into the difference.