Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat gives this 2023 Ford Explorer XLT a strong visual presence and highlights an SUV built around three-row usefulness, responsive EcoBoost power, and easy road manners. This rear-wheel-drive XLT offers the passenger and cargo flexibility families want without the bulk of a full-size SUV, making it equally comfortable handling school schedules around Wesley Chapel, commuting into Tampa, or packing up for a weekend away.
The 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder produces 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque and is paired with Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive gives the Explorer a balanced, traditional SUV layout, while the turbocharged engine provides confident response for merging and passing. The independent suspension and speed-sensitive steering help the Explorer feel composed in traffic and stable on longer highway drives rather than heavy or cumbersome.
XLT trim adds the comfort and convenience features that make a three-row SUV easier to live with every day. The cabin provides power-adjustable front seating, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, tri-zone automatic climate control, push-button start, roof-rack side rails, and a power liftgate. Second-row access is straightforward, and the third row can be folded when cargo takes priority, allowing the interior to change quickly between passenger duty and carrying larger loads.
The Explorer’s cargo flexibility is one of its strongest ownership advantages. With all three rows available it can handle a normal family schedule, while folding the third row creates much more room for groceries, sports gear, luggage, or larger purchases. Fold additional seating and the rear becomes useful for bulky household items or travel equipment. That adaptability works especially well for airport runs, youth sports, family trips toward Clearwater, or everyday errands around New Tampa.
SYNC 3 provides an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth® connectivity, voice control, and access to audio and communication functions. FordPass Connect adds connected-vehicle capability, while multiple USB and power points help passengers keep devices ready during longer drives. A rearview camera and rear parking sensors make it easier to manage the Explorer’s size in crowded lots and garages.
Ford Co-Pilot360 adds an important layer of driver assistance with Blind Spot Information System and Cross-Traffic Alert, a Lane-Keeping System, Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, automatic high-beam headlamps, and the rearview camera. AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control, traction control, four-wheel disc brakes, and a comprehensive airbag system provide additional support when road or traffic conditions change.
This Explorer is Ford Gold Certified, adding a 172-point inspection, a 12-month/12,000-mile Comprehensive Limited Warranty, a 7-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty, 24/7 Roadside Assistance, and applicable FordPass Rewards Points.
Parks Plus adds applicable paint, headlight, and interior protective treatments, VIN etching, roadside assistance, identity-theft protection and restoration, stolen-vehicle assistance, collision loyalty benefits, cabin sanitizer, and antimicrobial protectant.
For a buyer who needs genuine three-row flexibility but still wants an SUV that feels responsive and manageable in daily driving, this Explorer XLT delivers a strong mix. Its Rapid Red finish, 300-horsepower EcoBoost engine, connected technology, driver-assistance features, and adaptable interior make it a natural fit for everyday life throughout Wesley Chapel and the greater Tampa Bay area.