Sleek Styling and Family Functionality in 2013 Ford Explorer Sport

Disclosure: We were loaned the Ford Explorer Sport for 7 days in order to facilitate this review. No other compensation was given. All opinions are 100% my own.

Finding a vehicle that can hold all 7 of us at one time is not always easy. Therefore, when we get our hands on a crossover like the 2013 Ford Explorer Sport, that will hold our whole family, we tend to get a bit excited. The Explorer seats up to 7… and still has room for plenty of “stuff“.

2013 Ford Explorer Sport

Not only is the 2013 Ford Explorer Sport made to carry 7 passengers, but it also has a sleek styling. The rounded, fluid shape of the SUV gives it a fun family appeal without being overly bulky. Led by the signature Ford 3-bar grille treatment, the Explorer Sport is still distinctive on the road without taking away from its bold look. I even felt the black lower front and rear bumpers and dual-polished exhaust tips gave me a sense of power on the road. Something most “family cars” will not give you.

In fact, we found that the 2013 Ford Explorer Sport offered several great features for family functionality:

Rear auxiliary climate control – When you have passengers in the rear seats, their comfort is just as important as your own. The controls in the back seats allow them the ability to customize the air temperature in their area of the vehicle as needed.
First-row center floor console with wrapped armrest and storage bin – Storage is important for our family, even in a vehicle, because we like to keep a few handy supplies around: phone chargers, wet wipes, napkins, hand sanitizer… all those things a family-on-the-go may need.
12V powerpoints, 4 total (2 first row, 1 second row and 1 cargo area) – We are one tech-savvy family, so each and every one of these available powerpoints comes in pretty handy… especially on road trips.
Dome/map lights in all three rows – Well, when the electronics are charging, we still enjoy a good book or fun game while on the road.
Rear view camera – I believe you can never have enough safety features. With young kids, the rear view camera can prove to be a life saving device. plus, it has already saved a bike or two from being destroyed.
Ford SYNC® – The many features included in this technology makes it more than useful for any family. The Bluetooth® enabled voice commands for smartphones, 911 Assist®, Vehicle Health Report, and turn-by-turn directions are all invaluable bits of technology every family should have.
Second-row 60/40 split-fold-flat bench seat with armrest and dual cupholders – First, the split row obviously makes it easier for hopping into the 3rd row. And, second, when you have a family of 7 you can use all the cup holders you can get!
Third-row 50/50 split-fold bench seat – For when our teens abandon us for their jobs or friends, we can easily fold down one or both of the 3rd row seats to create more cargo space for groceries or toys.
Power, one-piece liftgate – This is one optional feature that we found was incredibly handy to have. It can be opened and/or closed using the vehicle key fob, by pressing a button located on the instrument panel or inside the rear cargo area. This makes loading groceries, etc. simple and efficient when you have kids in tow.
Sport-tuned independent front and rear suspension systems – These suspension systems help ensure a comfortable ride for your family.
Hill Descent Control™ and Trailer sway control – Both features help you maintain control of the vehicle in special circumstances and provide a better sense of safety while in those conditions.
3.5L EcoBoost® V6 – The engine delivers a “low-end torque responsiveness with virtually no turbo lag.” The SUV was strong on the road and the fuel economy on our Dallas to San Antonio road trip was better than expected.
Front seat-side airbags, Safety Canopy® System with side-curtain airbags and rollover sensor – Along with the Front Passenger Knee Airbag, you can never be safe enough inside a car.
Inflatable rear outboard safety belts (included with BLIS® – Blind Spot Information System) – These inflatable safety belts were another optional feature that I absolutely loved and think were priceless as far as the safety of my children in the back seat.

All of these features, combined with several others, kept our family safe and comfortable on the road. Whether a luxury feature or one of necessity, the entire package worked well together and we thoroughly enjoyed our ride.

What feature would you most enjoy? What do you often look for in a family vehicle?

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