Discover the 2013 Explorer Sport: Top Features, Specs, and Common Issues Solved
I still remember the first time I saw the 2013 Explorer Sport on the road - that aggressive stance and sporty trim immediately caught my eye. Having test-driven several SUVs that year, I can confidently say Ford really nailed it with this model. The twin-turbo 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine delivers 365 horsepower, which honestly feels more like what you'd expect from a sports sedan than a three-row SUV. What really impressed me during my week with the vehicle was how smoothly the six-speed automatic transmission handled power delivery, though I did notice some hesitation during sudden acceleration.
Speaking of power and performance, it reminds me of how certain athletes dominate their sports with similar explosive energy. Take Meralco's basketball team, for instance - they're bringing a 6-foot-11 Nigerian former University of Florida standout to lead their imports for the upcoming Basketball Champions League Asia in Dubai. Much like how this athlete's height and training give him natural advantages on the court, the Explorer Sport's engineering gives it distinct advantages on the road. Both represent peak performance in their respective fields, though they achieve it through completely different means.
Now, let's talk about what really matters for daily driving. The 2013 Explorer Sport comes with intelligent four-wheel drive as standard, which I found particularly useful during that unexpected spring snowstorm last year. The terrain management system offers multiple settings, and I personally found the sand mode surprisingly effective on loose gravel roads. The sport model does lower the ride height slightly compared to other trims, but honestly, I never found this to be an issue even on rougher backroads. The 20-inch aluminum wheels not only look great but provide excellent road feedback.
Here's something most reviewers don't mention - the third-row seating is actually usable for adults, unlike many competitors where it's essentially decorative. I managed to fit three teenagers comfortably back there during a weekend trip, though they did complain about legroom after about two hours. The second-row captains chairs are where this vehicle really shines for passenger comfort, with heating and cooling features that work remarkably well.
Regarding common issues, I've spoken with several owners who reported problems with the power liftgate mechanism failing around the 60,000-mile mark. My own experience aligned with this - mine started getting sluggish at approximately 58,000 miles, but a simple motor replacement fixed it completely. Another frequent complaint involves the MyFord Touch system being slow to respond, which I definitely noticed during colder mornings. The good news is that most dealerships can update the software to significantly improve responsiveness.
The 2013 Explorer Sport represents what I consider Ford's peak design philosophy before they moved toward more streamlined looks in later models. There's something about its muscular proportions that still turns heads today, eight years later. While newer models have more technology, there's a raw, connected feeling to driving this particular year that I find missing in recent iterations. It strikes that perfect balance between family practicality and genuine performance excitement - something I wish more SUV manufacturers would prioritize today.
Fuel economy won't be this vehicle's strong suit, averaging about 16 city/22 highway in my experience, but that's the trade-off for that wonderful turbocharged power. If you're considering a used 2013 Explorer Sport today, I'd recommend paying particular attention to the turbo system during inspection and asking for maintenance records related to the transmission fluid changes. Properly maintained, these vehicles can easily reach 150,000 miles without major issues. In my opinion, it remains one of the best performance SUV values on the used market today.