2027 Ford Explorer Platinum: What’s New, What’s Standard, and Why the V6 Changes the Conversation

For years, the Explorer Platinum was the trim that made the least sense on paper and the most sense from the driver’s seat. It was the plushest Explorer you could order — quilted leather, massaging front seats, a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen system — but it came exactly one way, with the 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder. If you wanted the twin-turbo V6, Ford pointed you toward the ST, which traded the Platinum’s quiet luxury for red brake calipers and a firmer ride.

The 2027 Ford Explorer Platinum ends that trade-off. For the first time, the 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 is available on the Platinum, bundled into a new 3.0L Ultimate Package. It is the most significant change to this trim in years, and it is the reason Wisconsin shoppers who had quietly written off the Platinum should take a second look.

The first 2027 Explorers have been landing at Soerens Ford of Brookfield, and the Platinum is the one people keep walking toward on the showroom floor. Here is what is new, what comes standard, and how to decide whether the V6 is worth it for the way you actually drive.

What’s New on the 2027 Ford Explorer Platinum

The headline is the engine, but it is not the only update. Ford made several changes to the Platinum for 2027, and a few of them matter more than the spec sheet suggests.

The 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 is now available on the Platinum for the first time. Ordering it brings the 3.0L Ultimate Package, which also adds chrome quad exhaust tips, 21-inch dark alloy-painted machined wheels, a 3.31 non-limited-slip rear axle, electronic sound enhancement, and premium leather seating surfaces with quilting and accent stitching on the seats and door panels. In other words, the V6 is not a standalone checkbox. It arrives as a fully finished upgrade.

Two new colors join the palette: Avalanche Gray and Ruby Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat. Space White Metallic, which was available on the 2026, is discontinued, so if that particular white was the one you wanted, the 2026 is the last model year that offers it. The remaining 2027 colors are Agate Black Metallic, Carbonized Gray Metallic, Star White Metallic Tri-coat, and Vapor Blue Metallic.

There is also a new Slick Roof Conversion option that deletes the standard roof rails for a cleaner, lower-profile roofline. It looks sharp, and it cuts down on highway wind noise, but it also means you cannot add the roof-rail crossbars later. If you carry kayaks, bikes, or a cargo box, skip it. If you never will, it is a nice way to clean up the profile.

The panoramic Vista Roof with power shade is now the available roof option, replacing the previous fixed glass roof with power shade. Ford also now includes the Ford Security Package for a year from the new-vehicle warranty start date, and BlueCruise adds Automatic Lane Change, which can monitor traffic and handle lane changes without you touching the turn signal.

The 3.0L V6 Is the Reason to Look at the Platinum Again

Here is what the V6 actually delivers. The 3.0-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 produces up to 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Ford rates it at 385 horsepower in some states depending on emissions configuration, so your exact figure depends on where the vehicle is delivered, but either way it is a substantial step up from the standard engine.

The standard 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder is no penalty box. It makes 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, and it moves the Explorer with more authority than most shoppers expect from a four-cylinder in a three-row SUV. For a lot of families, it is genuinely the smarter choice, and it is the more efficient one. The EPA estimates 20 mpg city and 28 mpg highway for the rear-wheel-drive 2.3-liter, and 20 city and 27 highway with four-wheel drive. The V6 with four-wheel drive is rated at 17 city and 24 highway.

So who should pay for the V6? Three groups, mostly.

The first is people who tow. The Explorer Platinum is rated to pull up to 5,000 pounds with the Class III Trailer Tow Package, which is standard on this trim. A small boat, a pair of personal watercraft, a pop-up camper, or a utility trailer full of landscaping gear all sit comfortably inside that number, and the V6 makes the job feel far less strained on the highway.

The second is people who regularly drive loaded. Three rows of passengers plus luggage is a lot of weight, and the V6 simply has more in reserve for merging, passing, and climbing the bluff roads west of Brookfield.

The third is people who came from a V8 SUV and miss the effortless feel. The 2.3-liter is competent. The V6 is confident. If you have been driving a V8 for the last decade, the V6 is the one that will feel familiar.

What Comes Standard on the Platinum

The Platinum has always been about what you do not have to add, and the 2027 carries that forward. Every Platinum includes the 13.2-inch center touchscreen running Ford Digital Experience, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the 980-watt Bang & Olufsen system with 14 speakers and a subwoofer. That audio system is one of the best in the segment, and it is standard here rather than an upgrade.

The front seats are heated, ventilated, and multicontour with Active Motion, which is Ford’s way of saying they massage you on a long drive. The second row is heated as well, the steering wheel is heated and leather-wrapped, and tri-zone automatic climate control with rear auxiliary controls means the back seat can set its own temperature. Ambient lighting, a power liftgate with Open on Approach, and PowerFold third-row seats round out the everyday conveniences.

On the safety side, the Platinum comes with Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0, a 360-degree camera with split view, front and rear parking sensors, reverse brake assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane keeping, adaptive cruise control, and pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking. Adaptive headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, acoustic-laminated front windows, and active noise cancellation are all standard too, which is part of why the cabin stays as quiet as it does at highway speed.

BlueCruise is equipped from the factory with a one-year plan plus a 90-day introductory period. On pre-mapped highways, it allows hands-free driving with the vehicle managing speed, steering, and following distance. For anyone making the regular run down to Chicago or up to Green Bay, it changes how tired you are when you arrive.

Six Seats or Seven, and How the Cabin Actually Works

The Platinum seats six with the standard second-row captain’s chairs, or seven if you choose the available second-row bench. The captain’s chairs are the better choice for most families with older kids, because they create a walkway to the third row and give second-row passengers their own space. The bench is the better choice if you regularly carry three across the middle or need the extra seat for a carpool.

Cargo space is 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row, which is enough for a week of groceries or a few hockey bags, and it opens up to 85.3 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The third row is best suited to kids and shorter adults on longer trips, which is true of nearly every three-row midsize SUV. The PowerFold buttons make flipping that third row down quick when you are loading up at Costco or the hardware store.

The Explorer measures 198.7 inches long on a 119.1-inch wheelbase, and the Platinum sits 70.2 inches tall. That footprint is why it parks easily in a Brookfield garage while still feeling substantial on the road.

Built for Wisconsin Winters

This is the part of the country where all-wheel drive is not a marketing feature. It is a Tuesday morning in February. The Platinum comes standard with rear-wheel drive, and Intelligent 4WD is available. With four-wheel drive, the Terrain Management System gives you a Slippery mode that softens throttle response and adjusts traction control for snow and ice, along with Normal, Eco, Sport, Tow/Haul, and Off-Road modes.

The winter details are where the Platinum earns its keep. Heated second-row seats mean your kids are not complaining from the back. The heated steering wheel is a small thing that you will never want to live without again. Remote start lets you warm the cabin and defrost the glass before you walk out the door. Adaptive headlamps and rain-sensing wipers help when the weather turns, and the available 4WD pairs with 20-inch all-season tires, though a dedicated winter tire set is still the single biggest improvement you can make for snow traction.

Ground clearance is about 7.6 inches, which is enough for unplowed residential streets and a rutted driveway, but this is a luxury family SUV rather than a trail rig. If you want the off-road version, that is the new Explorer Tremor.

Platinum vs. ST vs. Tremor

The 2027 Explorer lineup gives you three distinct personalities at the top, and the right answer depends entirely on how you use the vehicle.

The Platinum is the comfort trim. It is quiet, softly sprung compared with the ST, finished in satin chrome and leather, and it offers the V6 as an option rather than a requirement. Choose it if your priority is a calm, quiet cabin and you want the V6 mainly for towing or passing power.

The ST is the performance trim. The 3.0-liter V6 is standard, the suspension is sport-tuned and lowered, the brakes are upgraded with red-painted calipers, and the wheels are 21 inches. New for 2027 is the Sinister Package, which adds gloss black wheels, amber daytime running lamps, and a red ST badge with a black outline. Choose it if you want the Explorer that feels quick.

The Tremor is brand new for 2027 and is the off-road trim. It is four-wheel drive only, with 18-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires, a Torsen limited-slip rear axle, front and rear underbody deflector plates, off-road auxiliary grille lights, and a raised ride height. Choose it if you spend weekends on trails, fire roads, or the kind of driveway that eats sedans.

If you are weighing the Tremor against the ST specifically, we broke down the differences in a separate post on the 2026 Explorer Tremor versus ST, and most of that comparison still applies to the 2027 lineup.

Who the 2027 Explorer Platinum Is For

The Platinum makes the most sense for families who are moving out of a 2020 to 2024 Explorer and want the same size and familiarity with a much nicer interior. It also fits households that have grown out of a two-row crossover but do not want to step up to a full-size Expedition, and couples whose kids are older or gone but who still want three rows for grandchildren and road trips.

It is also a strong choice for anyone who tows occasionally but does not want a truck as a daily driver. The 5,000-pound rating covers a surprising amount of weekend equipment.

It is not the right choice if maximum cargo space is the priority, in which case the 2027 Expedition MAX Platinum is the better tool. If you want the sportiest handling, that belongs to the ST. And if you need genuine off-road capability, that is what the Tremor was built for.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2027 Ford Explorer Platinum

Does the 2027 Ford Explorer Platinum have a V6?

Yes. The 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 is available on the 2027 Platinum for the first time, packaged with the 3.0L Ultimate Package. The standard engine is the 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder.

How much horsepower does the 2027 Explorer Platinum have?

With the standard 2.3-liter EcoBoost, the Platinum makes 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. With the available 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6, it makes up to 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque, though Ford rates the V6 at 385 horsepower in some states depending on emissions configuration.

What colors does the 2027 Explorer Platinum come in?

Six colors are available: Agate Black Metallic, Avalanche Gray, Carbonized Gray Metallic, Ruby Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat, Star White Metallic Tri-coat, and Vapor Blue Metallic. Avalanche Gray and Ruby Red are new for 2027, and Space White Metallic has been discontinued.

How many seats does the 2027 Explorer Platinum have?

Six with the standard second-row captain’s chairs, or seven with the available second-row bench seat. The third row is a PowerFold design that folds flat at the push of a button.

What is the towing capacity of the 2027 Explorer Platinum?

Up to 5,000 pounds. The Class III Trailer Tow Package is standard on the Platinum, and the V6 is the better choice if you tow regularly.

What kind of gas mileage does the 2027 Explorer Platinum get?

The EPA estimates 20 mpg city and 28 mpg highway for the rear-wheel-drive 2.3-liter, 20 city and 27 highway for the four-wheel-drive 2.3-liter, and 17 city and 24 highway for the four-wheel-drive 3.0-liter V6. Your real-world numbers will depend on how loaded the vehicle is and how you drive.

Is the 2027 Explorer Platinum all-wheel drive?

Rear-wheel drive is standard, and Intelligent 4WD is available. With 4WD, the Terrain Management System includes a Slippery mode for snow and ice.

What is the difference between the Explorer Platinum and the Explorer ST?

The Platinum prioritizes comfort, quiet, and luxury, with the V6 as an option. The ST prioritizes performance, with the V6 standard, a sport-tuned suspension, upgraded brakes, and 21-inch wheels.

Does the 2027 Explorer Platinum have a third row?

Yes. It is a three-row SUV with seating for six or seven, and the third row folds flat using the standard PowerFold controls.

Can I test drive a 2027 Explorer Platinum near Brookfield?

Yes. The 2027 Explorer has arrived at Soerens Ford of Brookfield, and our sales team can walk you through the differences between the 2.3-liter and the V6 back to back so you can feel the difference yourself.

See the 2027 Explorer Platinum at Soerens Ford of Brookfield

The Platinum has always been the Explorer for people who care more about how a vehicle feels than how it looks on a spec sheet. For 2027, Ford finally gave it the engine to match the price of entry, and the result is the most complete version of this trim yet.

Soerens Ford of Brookfield has been serving Brookfield, Milwaukee, Waukesha, Wauwatosa, Menomonee Falls, and the surrounding communities since 1917. We are the Home of the Nice Guys, and that is not a slogan we take lightly. It means straightforward answers, no pressure, and a team that will tell you honestly whether the V6 is worth it for your commute or whether the 2.3-liter is the smarter buy.

Come see the 2027 Explorer Platinum in person, or browse our Explorer inventory to see what is on the ground right now. You can also schedule a test drive or call us at (262) 781-9800.

Soerens Ford of Brookfield
18900 W Capitol Dr, Brookfield, WI 53045
(262) 781-9800