Ford Explorer 3rd Row Seating Review
The Ford Explorer’s third-row seating isn’t very cozy or spacious, but its high safety ranking and overall size make the Explorer a good choice for families.
With a decent 32.2 inches of legroom, the
Ford Explorer
’s third row of seating offers a usable extra row of rear seats, even if they are a bit low to the ground. Still, the Explorer’s overall package of generous features and practicality make it a great choice for families hitting the road.If you’ve got a family of more than five, we know how hard it can be to find a vehicle big enough to transport everyone in style—especially if you regard owning a minivan as a fate worse than death. Luckily, there is a slew of SUV options that seat seven passengers, so
Jerry
, the car insurance
comparison super app
, has put this handy list together of the best SUVs with third-row seating options.In this article, we’ll look at the Ford Explorer’s third-row seating situation. You’ll find exact measurements for all three rows of seating, as well as its advantages and disadvantages as a whole.
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What is the Ford Explorer’s 3rd row like?
The Ford Explorer can seat up to seven passengers due to its third row (or, the “backy-back” as the kids refer to it these days) seating three extra passengers. The Explorer’s third row isn’t the roomiest, and adults will find its low-to-the-ground design and tight legroom less than ideal. But for stuffing a few extra kids back there, the Explorer’s third row works like a charm.
The third row is standard on all of the Explorer’s 2022 trims, but second-row bucket seats are optional. If selected, this option reduces the third-row capacity to two and the overall Explorer’s capacity to six passengers.
Space and comfort
If you’ve got a family of very tall basketball players, they will definitely not find the Explorer’s third row comfortable. Normal-sized adults will find the Explorer’s third row a bit cramped, but it's fine for most kids.
That said, comfort is a relative term. So, here are the Explorer’s legroom, headroom, and passenger volume measurements:
- Third row: 32.2 inches legroom, 38.9 inches headroom
- Second row: 39 inches legroom, 40.5 inches headroom
- First row: 43 inches legroom, 40.7 inches headroom
- Passenger volume: 152.7 cubic feet
The legroom in the Explorer’s third row might be a bit too cozy for longer-limbed individuals, but it’s certainly not the smallest third row of seating out there. In fact, the
Chevrolet Traverse
is one of the few SUVs with a third row that bests the Explorer. Here’s how some competitors stack up against the Explorer in terms of third-row seating:Model | Starting price | Third-row legroom | Third-row headroom | Total passenger volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$35,240 | 32.2 inches | 38.9 inches | 152.7 cubic feet | |
$37,070 | 27.7 inches | 36.1 inches | 141.3 cubic feet | |
$35,530 | 33.7 inches | 38.3 inches | 154 cubic feet | |
$34,895 | 33.48 inches | 38.21 inches | 157.3 cubic feet | |
$34,895 | 31.4 inches | 37.8 inches | 155.3 cubic feet | |
$34,685 | 31.4 inches | 38.1 inches | 157.1 cubic feet | |
$43,520 | 30.3 inches | 37.3 inches | 151.9 cubic feet | |
$39,375 | 31.9 inches | 38.9 inches | 151.7 cubic feet |
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Is the Ford Explorer good for big families and long trips?
The Ford Explorer is a solid choice if you’ve got lots of kids, but it's a tighter squeeze for older adults and not the most ideal vehicle if you have to store a lot of luggage and/or cargo.
Other third-row SUVs don’t tend to offer much more legroom than the Explorer does. If you’ve got a tall family or you want to head on a road trip with a bunch of your adult friends, a van (or a bus!) might be a better option.
Still, the Explorer is a solid choice for most families with kids to hit the road in—even for road trips. It’s got a slew of features to make road trips easier, cozy third-row and all:
- Best-in-class safety features:The Explorer is a 2022 Top IIHS Safety Pick+, so you can rest easy knowing your family is in great hands on the road.
- Hybrid powertrains:If saving money on gas and/or reducing your carbon footprint is important to you, the Explorer is available with two hybrid powertrain options.
- Space aplenty:If you’re looking at a vehicle this size,we’re assuming you’d rather drink paint thinner than drive a minivan—the Explorer is a good compromise of size and style.
At the end of the day, the call as to whether the Ford Explorer and its third row are a fit for your family is up to you!
How to find affordable car insurance for your Ford
A serviceable third row can be a godsend to a big family, but getting that extra row can dig into your pocketbook. But there’s one thing you can rely on to not severely deplete your savings: buying a robust car insurance by using
Jerry
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