The first generation Ford Explorer was introduced to the world in 1991. The vehicle was a by-product of the Ford Ranger Pickup but was a sports utility vehicle. The vehicle came in two door and four door versions and was available as rear or four wheel drive. The Explorer came in four forms, the base XL, XLT, the sport which was a two door vehicle and the top of the line Eddie Bauer version. The power for all Explorers came from a 155 horsepower 4 liter V6 engine. In 1995, the Ford Company came up with the second generation Explorer that came in two model types. There was a two door sport model and a four door explorer model. To this model line an expensive Limited model was added in 1996. The Limited was a four door version that had a 5.0 Liter V8 engine. The changes in The Explorer model line continued in 1997, when The Eddie Bauer and Limited versions got a more powerful engine.

The Explorer got a totally new look and engine when its third generation was introduced in 2002. The buyer had a choice of a SOHC 4.0 Liter V6 engine or a 4.6 Liter V8 engine. The company added a third row of seats to the vehicle that could seat seven. The SUV was available with both manual and automatic gear systems and it came in many versions like the base Sport value, Sport Choice, XLS, Sport Premium, Eddie Bauer and The top of The line Limited. The Vehicle had a system to monitor if the vehicle would roll over.

The fourth generation Explorer came with a new body. The new vehicle has a 4.0 Liter V6 as its base engine and a V8 as its top of line engine. The vehicle was given a new look from the inside, the rear suspension of the vehicle was also improved and the third row of seats could be folded by the touch of a button. The vehicle was given a system to monitor the air pressure in all its tires and a system to check the balance of the vehicle. The Explorer and Mountaineer were updated for 2006 on a new frame, produced by Magna International rather than Tower Automotive. It was upsized, because the new Ford Freestyle slotted between it and the Escape. Along with this new stronger base there was a new interior, redesigned rear suspension, and power-folding third-row seats. A tire-pressure monitoring system and electronic stability control are standard. Power running boards (like those on the Lincoln Navigator) that lower to allow easier access for someone entering the vehicle, and then later retract upon door closure are available on Ford Explorer's sister vehicle, the Mercury Mountaineer. Unlike previous Explorers, there will be no right-hand drive version. Ford Australia has a capable local equivalent instead; being the Australian designed and developed Ford Territory. The new Explorer is marketed in Japan in a left-hand drive configuration, as LHD vehicles are considered prestigious there.