Lease a Family-Ready New Ford Explorer in Eau Claire, WI
Frequently Asked Questions about New Ford Explorer Lease Deals Eau Claire, WI
How does the Ford Explorer compare to the Ford Expedition for families?
The Explorer is a mid-size three-row SUV built on a car-based platform, while the Expedition uses a full-size truck frame with considerably more passenger and cargo room. The Explorer is easier to park, more fuel-efficient, and better proportioned for daily driving around Eau Claire — for families who don't consistently need maximum capacity, it hits a practical middle ground between the Escape and the Expedition.
Does the Ford Explorer come standard with all-wheel drive?
Rear-wheel drive is standard on most Explorer trims, with all-wheel drive offered as an upgrade across the lineup. The ST trim comes standard with AWD, and for drivers in Eau Claire dealing with winter road conditions regularly, all-wheel drive is worth the additional cost on any trim.
What makes the Explorer ST different from other Explorer trims?
The ST replaces the standard 2.3-liter four-cylinder with a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 rated at 400 horsepower, paired with sport suspension tuning and standard all-wheel drive. Beyond the powertrain, the ST gets a more aggressive exterior treatment, larger wheels, and sport-specific interior styling — it drives noticeably differently from the rest of the Explorer lineup and is aimed at buyers who want three-row utility without sacrificing driving feel.
How many passengers does the Ford Explorer seat?
The Explorer seats up to seven with a standard second-row bench, or six when configured with available captain's chairs. Third-row space is best suited for younger passengers or shorter adults on shorter trips, which is typical for mid-size three-row SUVs in this segment — the Expedition MAX is the better fit if full-size adult comfort in row three is a priority.
What is the Ford Explorer's towing capacity?
The Explorer is rated to tow up to 5,600 pounds when properly equipped, which covers most personal watercraft trailers, small utility trailers, and lightweight campers. The ST's 3.0-liter V6 carries the same towing rating as the standard 2.3-liter, so the extra power primarily affects driving dynamics and acceleration rather than maximum pull.
Have Additional Questions?
The Explorer lineup covers more ground than most mid-size SUVs, from the base model through the performance-focused ST, and narrowing it down is easier with a direct conversation than a side-by-side spec sheet.
Whether you want to compare trims, understand current Ford Motor Credit lease terms, or ask how the Explorer stacks up against other vehicles you're considering, the team at Eau Claire Ford is available to help.
Fill out the contact form and someone will get back to you the same business day with straightforward answers and current inventory information.
Ford Explorer Trims Available at Eau Claire Ford
The Explorer lineup runs from the base model through the XLT, ST-Line, Limited, ST, and Platinum, and the differences between them go well beyond trim levels on a window sticker. The ST-Line delivers sport styling without the ST's performance price premium, while the Limited and Platinum prioritize premium interior materials and technology over driving dynamics.
The ST sits in its own category within the Explorer family. Its 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 produces 400 horsepower with standard all-wheel drive and sport-tuned suspension, making it one of the few three-row SUVs in the mid-size segment that genuinely changes character when you push it on a highway on-ramp.
- Base, XLT, ST-Line, Limited, ST, and Platinum trims across the Explorer lineup
- ST trim exclusively equipped with a 400-hp 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 and standard AWD
- Available captain's chairs in row two for families who prefer open third-row aisle access
Interior quality differences between the XLT and Limited are more apparent in person than in photos. Taking twenty minutes to sit in a few different trims at Eau Claire Ford usually makes the decision clearer than an hour of online research.
No appointment is needed to walk Explorer inventory at Eau Claire Ford. The team can pull up what's in stock, what's incoming, and what can be ordered if a specific trim-and-color combination isn't on the lot.
Explorer Lease and Financing Options at Eau Claire Ford
The Explorer tends to lease well because mid-size three-row SUVs carry strong residual values, and that residual strength is a direct input into how the monthly payment is calculated. Ford Motor Credit updates Explorer lease programs on a monthly cycle, so the terms available at Eau Claire Ford right now reflect the most current incentive period.
Because the Explorer spans a significant price range from the base trim through the ST and Platinum, the right lease conversation involves matching the trim's feature content to your monthly target rather than starting with the vehicle and working backward. Different trims carry different residuals and different lease structures.
- Ford Motor Credit Explorer lease programs updated each monthly incentive cycle
- Strong mid-size SUV residual values helping keep Explorer payments competitive
- Separate lease program structures available for standard trims and the performance ST
Financing is also available through Ford Motor Credit and the additional lenders Eau Claire Ford works with. The finance team runs a full rate comparison across lenders and presents the options side by side before any documents are prepared.
Knowing your payment target before picking a trim helps the conversation move faster. The Explorer's trim range is wide enough that there is usually a configuration that hits both the features you want and the number you need.
Why Families Near Eau Claire Choose the Explorer
The Explorer occupies a useful position for families who need three rows but find a full-size SUV more vehicle than their daily routine calls for. It fits in standard parking structures, navigates hospital district streets and school loops without the footprint of a body-on-frame SUV, and still provides seating for up to seven when the full capacity is needed.
Regular trips from Eau Claire to the Twin Cities, up to the lake, or across town for activities are all routine in the Explorer without the weight and fuel cost of a larger platform. For households that use a third row a few times a month rather than every day, the Explorer's proportions are a better fit than stepping up to full-size.
- Three-row seating in a mid-size footprint that works in standard driveways and parking structures
- Standard AWD on the ST; available on all other Explorer trims for Wisconsin winter driving
- Up to 5,600-lb towing capacity for personal watercraft and light utility trailers
The ST trim adds a dimension that most family SUVs in this segment cannot touch. Four hundred horsepower in a three-row vehicle is uncommon regardless of price point, and for drivers who want family utility alongside real driving performance, the ST makes a legitimate case.
Eau Claire Ford can help identify which Explorer configuration fits your actual routine rather than just the one with the longest features list. The right trim is the one that works five days a week, not just on paper.
Trade-In Appraisals at Eau Claire Ford
Mid-size crossovers and three-row SUVs have been among the most active categories in the used vehicle market, and a well-maintained vehicle in either segment often carries more equity than owners expect going into a trade conversation. Eau Claire Ford appraises trades on-site and delivers a written offer the same day.
Appraisal values are based on current market pricing and the physical condition of your vehicle at inspection. The online estimate tool on this page gives a useful starting point, and the final written figure is confirmed after the walk-around at the dealership.
- Trade appraisals completed during your Explorer visit with no separate appointment needed
- Written offers on mid-size crossovers, SUVs, and sedans using live market data
- Trade value applied toward Explorer lease signing costs or a purchase down payment
Vehicles with existing loan balances are accepted, and Eau Claire Ford coordinates the payoff directly with your lender. The finance team folds the payoff into the deal structure and walks through how it affects your Explorer payment before anything is finalized.
Combining the trade appraisal and Explorer test drive in a single visit gives you the complete deal picture in one trip. Most customers find the total process takes less time than they expect when both steps are handled together.
Ford Explorer Service at Eau Claire Ford
The Explorer's 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder and the ST's 3.0-liter V6 have different service schedules, and both turbocharged engines have oil specification and change interval requirements that matter more than on naturally aspirated powertrains. Eau Claire Ford's service department follows Ford's published schedule for each engine rather than a general-purpose interval.
Leased Explorers need to stay current on all factory maintenance to avoid end-of-lease charges, and the service team at Eau Claire Ford tracks that history automatically against the vehicle's VIN. Every appointment is logged, which builds a complete maintenance record without requiring customers to keep manual documentation.
- Technicians certified on both the Explorer's 2.3-liter and the ST's 3.0-liter EcoBoost powertrains
- VIN-linked service records maintained automatically with every dealership visit
- AWD system inspections and fluid service handled in-house on all all-wheel-drive models
All-wheel-drive models require periodic transfer case fluid service that rear-wheel-drive configurations do not, and mentioning your drivetrain upfront when scheduling helps the service advisor build the correct maintenance checklist for your specific Explorer.
Regular service at Eau Claire Ford keeps warranty coverage intact, satisfies the lease maintenance requirement, and puts the Explorer in the right condition for a clean turn-in when your lease term ends.
Ford Motor Credit's Explorer lease programs reset each month, and the terms available right now at Eau Claire Ford in Eau Claire, WI will not carry over indefinitely. Browse current inventory online, get a trade estimate before you arrive, or contact our team directly to talk through today's figures on the Explorer trim you have in mind.