Since 2005, the Ford Explorer has been a steady seller in the Philippines. It’s a slice of Americana, after all, and three generations of this model have been sold here for 20 years.
The current generation landed here in 2022, shifting to a totally new, rear-wheel drive platform. We’ve reviewed it already, too, and it’s a good SUV…in a segment full of great choices. Still, we’d recommend it to anyone who doesn’t like a truck-based diesel SUV.
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Three years have passed since its local launch and six since its global premiere. The sixth-generation Ford Explorer actually got a refresh for the 2023 model year; a much-needed one if you ask us. Now, it seems that it’s coming here.
Taking a look at the Land Transportation Office’s Memorandum Circular list, it’s already been approved for local sale. Not only that, we could see a new, more upscale variant of the SUV.
Per the file, it mentions the Platinum 4x4 version. This model essentially picks up where the soon to be outgoing Limited with more luxuries added in. Of course, we won’t know what the added trimmings will be as that’s up to Ford Philippines’ product planners.
It still uses the same 2.3-liter, four-cylinder EcoBoost engine. It continues to make 300hp and 420Nm. As its name suggests, all-wheel drive is standard, and we’re expecting improvements in its ten-speed automatic transmission.
Speaking of improvements, the interior gets a makeover with a new design and layout. At also gets a larger screen, and we’re hoping the Philippine version gets it too. As for the exterior, there’s a redesigned front end and tail light design.
