2013 Ford Explorer Sport: Performance Utility Vehicle

When is a sports sedan not a sports sedan? When it’s gained 1000 kilos, added a third row of seating, and jacked up its suspension so that it can cross streams and muddy ruts with ease. The 2013 Ford Explorer Sport is the new, faster, and sexier version of the recently redesigned SUV from Dearborn that aims to attract family shoppers pining for performance but saddled with the day-to-day realities of their driving duties. Compromise is always the name of the game when muscling up a class of vehicle that was never intended to turn in a lap time – fast or slow – but the 2013 Ford Explorer Sport manages to keep the best part of itself from being negotiated out of the picture on its way to living up to the addendum on its badge.

Twin-Turbo Commuting

The 2013 Ford Explorer Sport can hit 100 km/h in a respectable six seconds, which is quick enough to leave many of its contemporaries in the dust. Its secret? A twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 and standard all-wheel drive, a combination that has become Ford’s go-to drivetrain (Taurus SHO) when it comes time to massage additional performance out of an existing platform. Capable of churning out 365 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque, and matched to a six-speed automatic transmission the Sport’s turbocharged motor is a solid improvement over the 290 horses offered by the entry-level Explorer V6. Of course, it doesn’t quite match the fuel economy figures posted by the SUV’s other optional EcoBoost mill – a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder turbo – but it’s still within the ballpark of respectability for its class.

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The vehicle’s all-wheel drive system (or four-wheel drive, depending on which marketing materials you read) does a good job of corralling the Explorer Sport’s prodigious power production, but torque steer is still present especially when accelerating through a sharp corner. Ford has additionally equipped the SUV with its Terrain Management system, which features specialized all-wheel drive settings for rough or slick surfaces, as well as hill descent control. I didn’t have the chance to test the Terrain Management feature thoroughly during my time with the crossover, but I can report that the Explorer Sport acquitted itself well during several rain storms that required me to traverse standing water at a high rate of speed.

Handling is a particular bugaboo of high performance crossovers due to both their substantial weight and their tall ride height – neither of which is particularly conducive to inspiring confidence on a road course. The 2013 Ford Explorer Sport’s suspension system walks the middle ground between an all-out war on gravity and momentum and the recognition that most people are going to be happier with a comfortable ride than a hard-as-nails track package. Competent would be the best word to describe the Explorer Sport’s handling, with just enough fun mixed in to keep things interesting when tackling highway on-ramps.

Easy On The Eyes

It’s expected that any version of a vehicle – crossover or not – that dares to tack the word ‘Sport’ onto its descriptor should at least look the part. In this department the 2013 Ford Explorer Sport doesn’t disappoint, with tinted lights fore and aft, big 20-inch black and silver rims, and a sleek profile that is quite attractive from most angles. Inside, Ford has avoided adding any real Sport-specific design cues aside from a special set of front seats, but the SUV’s cabin comes with high spec trim that feels perfectly matched to its performance personality. Perhaps the only real let-down in the Ford Explorer Sport’s premium feature set is the MyFord Touch system, which works quite well for certain functions (navigation, SYNC voice recognition), and poorly for others (steering wheel controls, radio tuning).

The Explorer Sport’s cabin is enormous, and although its third row of seating is essentially for children only the first five positions are very comfortable for adults of all sizes. Cargo space is not quite at the level of other full-size SUVs, but it’s still enough to get the job done, especially with the rear rows out of the picture. Functionality and ergonomics are the name of the game inside the Explorer Sport, and there is very little about the SUV’s that families won’t find easy to use.

Practical Performance On A Budget

The 2013 Ford Explorer Sport isn’t cheap, but nor is it on the lofty price plane occupied by more exotic European SUV fare. For those seeking an affordable, comfortable, and practical crossover that is quick enough to at least make a game of it from stoplight-to-stoplight, the Explorer Sport makes an intriguing option. Just as useful as the standard Explorer, nearly as fuel efficient, and significantly faster, there are no 'gotchas' associated with the choice to upgrade to the performance edition of this well-liked SUV. Throw in an extensive list of available safety features – including nifty items like inflatable second row seatbelts – and the Ford’s family appear is cemented even further.