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Which Explorers have 7 seats?

The Ford Explorer is a three‑row SUV designed to carry seven passengers in most configurations. In practice, seven seats are available across the current Explorer lineup, with two common layouts: a three‑passenger second row plus a two‑seat third row, or a two‑seat second row (captain’s chairs) plus a three‑seat third row. Always check the exact year and trim to confirm the seating arrangement.


How seven seats are arranged in the Explorer


Two common 7-seat layouts


There are two typical ways to achieve seven seats in a Ford Explorer, depending on the second‑row setup:


• Second row bench (three seats) with a two‑seat third row. This layout yields seven total seats and is common on many trims with traditional 3+2+2 cabin planning.


• Second row captain’s chairs (two seats) with a three-seat third row. This arrangement also totals seven and is favored when rear-seat access or comfort is prioritized.


Below is a quick guide to which trims usually offer the 7‑seat configurations, noting that exact seat counts can vary by model year and optional packages.


Trims typically offering 7-seat configurations (subject to options):



  • Ford Explorer Base

  • Ford Explorer XLT

  • Ford Explorer Limited

  • Ford Explorer ST

  • Ford Explorer Platinum

  • Ford Explorer Timberline


Conclusion: In the current Explorer lineup, seven-passenger seating is widely available across the major trims with the standard 3-row layout. The exact second-row configuration (bench vs. captain’s chairs) determines how the seven seats are allocated, so verify the specific seating arrangement for the model year you’re considering.


How to verify seven-seat seating before you buy


Before making a purchase, use these steps to confirm seven-seat capacity for the exact model and trim you’re eyeing.



  • Consult the official Ford spec sheet for the model year and trim to confirm “7-passenger seating.”

  • Ask the dealer for the seating configuration details, including whether the second row is a bench or captain’s chairs.

  • Inspect the interior photos or visit the showroom to view the actual second- and third-row layouts.

  • Test the third-row access and cargo space with seats folded or stowed to ensure the configuration meets your needs.


Conclusion: By checking the official specs, inspecting the cabin layout, and testing seating and cargo flexibility, you can confirm that a given Explorer offers seven seats and choose the arrangement that best suits your family or cargo needs.


Summary


Seven-passenger seating is the standard goal in Ford’s Explorer lineup for models with a true three‑row configuration. The two main layouts—3+2+2 or 2+3+2 (second row vs. third row variations)—provide the seven seats, with exact configurations varying by trim and year. Always verify the specific seating arrangement for the model year and trim you’re considering to ensure it meets your passenger and cargo requirements.

Do any Ford Explorers have 7 seats?


Yes, the Ford Explorer is a 7-seater SUV, but some trims offer a 6-passenger capacity due to standard second-row captain's chairs. Most models have a standard three-row bench seat configuration for a total of seven seats, while trims like the ST often come standard with captain's chairs in the second row, bringing the total to six. 

  • Standard configuration: The standard configuration for many models is a second-row bench seat, which allows for a total of seven passengers across the three rows. 
  • Captain's chairs: Higher-end or performance trims, like the ST, often come with captain's chairs as standard. This configuration reduces the total passenger capacity to six. 
  • Optional configurations: It is possible to get a 6-passenger setup (with captain's chairs) on some trims that normally have 7 seats, or to get a 7-seat option on trims that normally have 6. 



Do any Ford Explorers have 8 seats?


No, a Ford Explorer does not have 8 seats; it is designed to seat a maximum of seven passengers. To get an 8-seat capacity, you would need a larger vehicle like the Ford Expedition, which is a full-size SUV. The seating capacity for the Explorer depends on the configuration, with a 7-seat configuration having a bench seat in the second row and a 6-seat configuration having captain's chairs. 

Seating configuration Second row Capacity
7-passenger Bench seat 7
6-passenger Captain's chairs 6
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Which Ford Explorer has 3rd row seating?


All modern Ford Explorers come with three rows of seating as standard, making them a three-row SUV. Depending on the trim, it can either seat up to seven passengers with a second-row bench or six passengers with second-row captain's chairs.
 

  • Standard three-row seating: The Ford Explorer comes with three rows of seating on all trim levels. 
  • Seating capacity: It offers a maximum seating capacity of up to seven passengers. 
  • Flexible configuration: Some trims, like the ST, replace the second-row bench with two captain's chairs, which accommodates six passengers total but makes the third row easier to access. 
  • Versatile cargo space: The third row folds flat to increase cargo space when not in use. 



Is Explorer Limited or XLT better?


The main differences are that the Ford Explorer Limited is a more luxurious trim than the XLT, offering standard leather seats, heated and ventilated front seats, and more premium technology and safety features like a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, voice-activated navigation, and a 360-degree camera. The XLT comes with cloth seats and standard first-row heated seats, and while it shares some safety features, the Limited adds more advanced ones. 
You can watch this video to learn about the features of the XLT and Limited trims of the 2022 Ford Explorer: 1mBuild Your OwnYouTube · Jan 15, 2022
Ford Explorer XLT vs. Limited

Feature Ford Explorer XLT Ford Explorer Limited
Seating Standard cloth or optional ActiveX Standard leather-trimmed
Front Seats Standard first-row heated seats Heated and ventilated front seats with driver memory
Second-Row Seats Heated second-row seats are optional Standard heated second-row seats
Technology Standard 8-inch touchscreen, smart device app connections, and tri-zone auto climate control Adds voice-activated navigation, 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, wireless charging pad, and hands-free power liftgate
Safety Includes lane keeping, frontal collision avoidance, blind-spot detection, and rear cross-traffic sensing Adds evasive steering assist, a 360-degree camera with split-view display, and adaptive cruise control
Exterior Standard 18-inch wheels Adds 20-inch premium aluminum wheels, LED fog lamps, and power-folding heated side mirrors with security approach lamps
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Which one to choose?
  • Choose the XLT if you want a capable and well-equipped SUV that is more budget-friendly, and you don't need the premium features of the Limited. 
  • Choose the Limited if you are looking for a more luxurious experience with enhanced comfort features like leather seats and ventilated front seats, plus more advanced technology and safety systems. 


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.