Crystal Gray leather changes the mood before the 3.0L EcoBoost ever gets involved. This 2027 Ford Explorer Platinum 4WD is finished in Avalanche Gray with a cabin built for long days, not just short test drives. Heated and ventilated front seats, multicontour front seating, heated second-row seats, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel and ambient lighting make the interior feel properly Platinum. The panoramic Vista Roof with power shade opens the cabin up, while the 14-speaker B&O system gives music and podcasts the kind of sound that makes a run from Wesley Chapel to Tampa feel shorter. Parks Plus paint protection, rain-repellent treatment and headlight protection fit naturally with a premium SUV that will live through Florida sun, storms and highway miles.

The technology is useful before it is flashy. A 360-degree camera helps when a three-row SUV has to fit into a tight New Tampa parking space or a crowded Land O Lakes driveway. Ford Digital Experience runs through the 13.2-inch center display with Google Maps and the Google Play Store, while the 12.3-inch digital cluster keeps driving information directly ahead. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are there when you want your phone's interface. The 5G modem supports Ford app capability, and this Explorer includes a one-year Ford Connectivity trial plus a one-year Security Package. BlueCruise is equipped with a 1-year plus 90-day plan for hands-free highway driving on compatible roads, and the keyless-entry keypad gives you another way into the vehicle when you do not want the key in your hand.

Now load it.

The third row power-folds when cargo takes priority, and the open-on-approach liftgate can make a difference when your hands are already full. Smart-charging USB ports help keep passenger devices going, and the 110V/150W AC outlet gives you household-style power for compatible devices and smaller gear. Rear privacy glass, rain-sensing wipers and the universal garage door opener are the kinds of details that become more valuable after the first month than they ever looked on the sticker.

Then the 3.0L EcoBoost V6 reminds you this is not just about comfort. The 10-speed automatic and 4WD give the Platinum the power and traction for daily Tampa Bay driving, while six selectable drive modes let you adjust the vehicle's response as conditions change. A Class III Trailer Tow Package with Trailer Sway Control adds useful flexibility for a small boat, utility trailer or recreational gear headed toward Zephyrhills, Dade City or Brooksville. Adaptive LED signature lighting and the 21-inch dark alloy aluminum wheels give the exterior a more upscale presence without turning it into an ST appearance exercise.

This new Explorer also includes the Parks Ford Lifetime Powertrain Warranty from Parks Ford of Wesley Chapel.

The best thing about this Platinum is how little compromise it asks for. You can have the quiet, polished cabin for a New Tampa commute, real 4WD and V6 power when the weather or road changes, the space for family and cargo, and the towing hardware already in place when the weekend calls for more. Price includes $1,395 dealer added accessories.