Twenty years ago, Ford brought the unique style and flavor of Texas' famous King Ranch to its vehicle lineup with the introduction of the 2001 Ford F-150 King Ranch pickup. Now Ford introduces a King Ranch version of its 2021 Ford Explorer midsize SUV, and it will embody those same western sensibilities.
Like the F-150 King Ranches that came before it, the new 2021 Ford Explorer King Ranch features the liberal use of leather and the familiar King Ranch "Running W" branding.
Ford says the Explorer King Ranch is its response to its customers' desires for a more upscale, refined Explorer interior. Perhaps "refined" isn't the best word to describe the sprawling King Ranch in Texas, a spread that is larger than the state of Rhode Island, but there is no doubt the new Explorer King Ranch lassos a large dollop of the ranch's western heritage.
The Explorer King Ranch exterior refinements include a "stone gray" painted mesh grille insert and King Ranch badging all around. The 20-inch aluminum wheels are emblazoned with "Running W brand" center caps. A unique liftgate scuff plate and quad chrome exhaust tips add to the model's distinctiveness.
Inside, the Explorer King Ranch features mahogany-colored Mesa Del Rio leather seats with perforated upholstery in the front and second-row. The center console continues the theme with a Mesa Del Rio leather armrest and King Ranch brand insert.
More leather appears on the steering wheel, door trim, and instrument panel. Both the steering wheel and instrument panel also feature Sapele wood appliques, and the wheel has western-look Norias stitching.
Befitting the King Ranch is king-sized power from the standard 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine that delivers 365 horsepower and 380 lb.-ft. of torque. Both rear-wheel and four-wheel-drive configurations are available and, when properly equipped, the Explorer King Ranch will tow up to 5,600 pounds.
Available this spring, The Ford Explorer King Ranch edition release date is spring of 2021, and the SUV has a starting price of $52,350. If you want 4WD, the price starts at $54,350.
Ford Motor Company is the source of information for this article. It was accurate on February 24, 2021, but it may have changed since that date.
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