How much did a Ford Explorer cost in 1993?
The 1993 Ford Explorer typically carried a sticker price in the mid-teens to mid-twenties, roughly $16,000 for base 2WD models up to about $25,000 for top trims with four-wheel drive.
Pricing landscape in 1993
In the 1993 model year, Ford offered Explorer variants with different body styles and drivetrains. Base models were more affordable, while adding four-wheel drive and higher trim levels pushed the price higher. The figures below reflect common MSRP ranges found in Ford brochures and dealer catalogs from that year.
Estimated MSRP ranges by configuration in 1993:
- Two-door, rear-wheel drive (2WD): approximately $15,900–$16,500
- Four-door, rear-wheel drive (2WD): approximately $16,700–$18,000
- Four-wheel drive (4x4) configurations: add roughly $1,000–$2,000 over the 2WD equivalents
- Top-trim or upgraded editions (such as higher-end packages with 4x4): around $22,000–$25,000
Prices varied by dealer, region, and option packages, but the ranges above capture the typical sticker figures recorded in 1993 catalogs.
What drove price differences
Several factors determined the final sticker price of a 1993 Explorer. Drivetrain, body style, and trim level were the primary levers, with optional equipment and regional incentives also influencing the total. Buyers choosing four-wheel drive or premium interior features could expect a noticeably higher price than base models.
Key price drivers included:
- Drivetrain: 4x4 capability adding cost
- Body style: 4-door models generally priced higher than 2-door counterparts
- Trim level and packages: higher trims and optional features increased the price
- Regional pricing and dealer promotions: local market factors could shift the sticker price
In practice, the final purchase price depended on the exact configuration and negotiated terms at the dealership, but the outlined ranges give a reliable snapshot of 1993 pricing.
Inflation-adjusted perspective
When viewed through today’s dollars, the 1993 price range translates roughly into the high $30,000s to the low $60,000s, depending on the exact year- and trim-specific MSRP and the inflation measure used. This gives a sense of the Explorer’s relative value in today’s market compared with its early-1990s positioning.
Summary
For the 1993 Ford Explorer, buyers could expect a new-vehicle sticker price roughly between $16,000 and $25,000, with four-wheel-drive models and higher trims at the upper end of that spectrum. The exact price depended on drivetrain, body style, and options, with regional variations and dealer incentives also playing a role. In today’s dollars, that range would be substantially higher, reflecting four-decade inflation and shifting market dynamics.
