<Tr> <Td> Roof strength </Td> <Td> Good </Td> </Tr> <P> The fifth generation Ford Explorer earned the 2011 North American Truck of the Year award . The rear inflatable seat belts won the 2011 Best New Technology Award from the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada . </P> <P> The Ford Explorer Sport was announced March 28, 2012 as an option for the 2013 model year and went on sale in June 2012 . The "Sport" trim level comprises blackened exterior treatments, stiffened chassis and suspension, larger brakes and the installation of the EcoBoost 3.5 L Twin Turbo V6 rated at 365 hp (272 kW) and 350 lb ⋅ ft (470 N ⋅ m) of torque . It is the only version to feature a combined 4WD / EcoBoost option (a FWD version is not being offered for the Sport trim), allowing its MPG to average between 16 / city and 22 / highway . This version will be slotted above the Limited trim and is expected to compete in this segment against Jeep Grand Cherokee's SRT trim and Dodge Durango's R / T trims and a newly updated 2013 Chevrolet Traverse, the latter of which unveiled their new look on the same day as the Explorer Sport as their response to Ford's news . </P> <P> The refreshed 2016 model year Ford Explorer debuted at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show, with a redesigned front fascia, hood and lower bumper, standard LED low - beam headlights, and fog lamps that were inspired by the thirteenth generation Ford F - 150 . The rear of the Explorer was also refreshed with restyled LED tail lamps and dual exhaust outlets . The 2016 refresh bumped the I4 engine to a 2.3 Liter EcoBoost four - cylinder engine from the 2015 Ford Mustang . A newly introduced Platinum trim now tops out the range, slotting above the Sport and Limited trims . Similar to the Platinum editions of the F150 and Ford Super Duty trucks, the Platinum trim features front and rear cameras, enhanced active park assist with perpendicular park assist, park - out assist and semi-automatic parallel parking, hands - free liftgate from the Ford Escape, an exclusive 500 - watt Sony surround sound system, and a heated steering - wheel . The Platinum trim is paired with a 3.5 Liter EcoBoost Twin - turbo V6 with 365 horsepower which was previously only available with the Sport trim . The 2016 Explorer went on sale at dealerships in the Summer of 2015 . Other than the addition of the top - of - the - line Platinum trim, as well as standard eighteen - inch alloy wheels on the base Explorer trim, the changes are mainly in styling, exterior and interior color combinations, technology, and power . </P>

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