How many doors does a Ford Explorer have?
Four doors.
In practical terms, the Ford Explorer is built as a four-door SUV with two front doors and two rear doors, plus a rear liftgate that opens to the cargo area. Some marketing materials or listings describe the vehicle as a five-door SUV because the tailgate is counted as a door in certain classification schemes. Official Ford specifications and most automotive databases list the Explorer as a four-door model across recent generations.
Standard door count by generation and region
Car buyers and reviewers typically refer to the Explorer as a four-door vehicle, though the tailgate is sometimes counted as a fifth door in broader “five-door” classifications.
- Official Ford specifications for recent Explorer generations list 4 doors (two front, two rear).
- Marketing materials in some markets refer to it as a five‑door SUV when counting the liftgate as a door.
- In most driver-focused reviews and dealer listings, the vehicle is described as a four‑door SUV.
Bottom line: by manufacturer and most standard automotive references, the Explorer has four doors; counting the tailgate as a fifth door is a matter of marketing classification.
How to verify the door count for a specific model year
If you need to confirm the exact count for a particular year or trim, use these steps.
- Check the official Ford brochure or spec sheet for that model year.
- Look at the vehicle’s window sticker (Monroney label) or build sheet, which lists the number of doors.
- Review reputable automotive databases or dealership listings for the same year and trim.
- Ask a dealer to confirm the door count for the exact configuration you’re considering.
Conclusion: for everyday use and official documentation, the Ford Explorer is four doors, with the hatch counted separately as a liftgate rather than a door in most contexts.
Summary
The Ford Explorer is a four-door SUV with a rear liftgate. Some classifications label it as five doors, but that count typically reflects counting the tailgate as a door; official specifications and typical dealer literature describe it as four doors.
Will a 4x8 sheet of plywood fit in a Ford Explorer?
Yes, you can fit a 4x8 sheet of plywood in a modern Ford Explorer by folding down the second and third-row seats. It will fit with the rear hatch open, running from the front passenger area up to the back of the vehicle.
This video shows how to transport a sheet of plywood in a Ford Explorer: 1mFixing With PassionYouTube · Nov 21, 2017
- How to fit it: Fold down both the second and third-row seats to create a long, flat surface.
- Positioning: The sheet will run from the front of the cabin, over the folded seats, to the open rear hatch.
- Securing it: While it may fit with the hatch closed, it's safer to keep the hatch open to avoid scratching the headliner or damaging the sheet, especially if it's a thicker piece.
- Caution: Be careful not to damage the interior, especially the headliner, when loading and transporting the sheet.
- Older models: Some older models may not have the right dimensions or a flat enough cargo area, so always check the specific dimensions of your vehicle.
- Alternative: If your vehicle has a wider cargo area, such as a Ford Expedition MAX, you can even close the liftgate with a 4x8 sheet inside.
Do all explorers have the 3rd row?
Yes, all Ford Explorers have a third row, but the configuration can vary. Most models have a standard second-row bench seat that provides a total capacity of seven passengers (2-3-2 layout). Some higher-end trims offer second-row captain's chairs, which reduces the seating capacity to six passengers but makes third-row access easier.
- Standard configuration: Most Explorers come with a three-seat second-row bench, resulting in a 2-3-2 seating arrangement for a total of seven passengers.
- Captain's chairs: Higher-end trims, like the ST, replace the second-row bench with two captain's chairs, creating a 2-2-2 layout and a total of six seats.
- Third-row features: The third row is standard across all models and can fold flat to increase cargo space. Some models also have power-folding third-row seats for convenience.
How long is a 4 door Ford Explorer?
In terms of the size of the vehicle itself, the overall length of the Ford Explorer is 198.3 inches, or just over 16.5 feet long. It stands 70 inches, or about 5-feet-10-inches, high. Excluding the mirrors, it measures 78.9 inches, or about 6.5 feet, across.
Does Ford make a two door Explorer?
While the four-door version of the Ford Explorer has long proved itself most popular by sales numbers, the two-door model retained a steady following. Attached to the two-door version of the Explorer since its debut in 1991, the Sport moniker was integrated into the model nameplate in 2001.
