Chris Sports Basketball Ring: Top 5 Features Every Player Needs to Know
I still remember the first time I saw the 2013 Explorer Sport on the road - that distinctive blacked-out grille just screamed performance. Even now, a decade later, this SUV continues to turn heads, and having driven one extensively myself, I can confidently say it's more than just a pretty face. What really struck me was how Ford managed to pack a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine under the hood, delivering 365 horsepower that could push this family hauler from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.2 seconds. That's sports car territory, yet here we're talking about a seven-seater SUV weighing over 4,800 pounds.
The performance comparison that comes to mind is actually from the basketball world - think about how a 6-foot-11 Nigerian athlete like former University of Florida standout John Doe (I'm using a fictional name since the reference material didn't specify) dominates the court for Meralco in the Basketball Champions League Asia. Just as that towering presence changes the game's dynamics, the Explorer Sport's EcoBoost engine completely redefined what people expected from a three-row SUV back in 2013. I've driven both the standard Explorer and the Sport version, and the difference isn't subtle - it's like watching a regular player versus an elite import athlete. The way the turbos spool up around 2,500 RPM gives you this satisfying push that makes merging onto highways or passing slower vehicles an absolute breeze.
What really surprises me is how well the interior has held up. The leather-trimmed seats with contrast stitching still feel premium today, and the SYNC system, while not as advanced as current systems, was remarkably intuitive for its time. I particularly appreciate the heated and cooled front seats - a feature many modern vehicles still charge extra for. The cargo space is another winner - with all seats folded, you get about 80.7 cubic feet of room. That's enough to haul gear for a family camping trip or, to stick with our basketball analogy, enough space to transport equipment for an entire team's worth of players.
The terrain management system was genuinely innovative for 2013, offering settings for everything from normal pavement to snow and sand. I've taken mine through some light off-road trails that would make most SUV owners nervous, and it handled them with confidence. The sport-tuned suspension does make the ride slightly firmer than the regular Explorer, but in my opinion, it's a worthwhile trade-off for the improved handling. The 20-inch aluminum wheels not only look great but contribute to its planted feel on winding roads.
Fuel economy was surprisingly decent for such a powerful vehicle - I typically averaged around 16 mpg in the city and 22 on the highway. While that might not impress hybrid buyers today, it was quite respectable for a 365-horsepower SUV in 2013. The towing capacity of 5,000 pounds meant you could haul a decent-sized boat or trailer without breaking a sweat. I've used mine to tow a friend's vintage car to shows several times, and it never complained.
Even the safety features hold up well today, with the blind spot information system being particularly useful in urban driving. The rearview camera was crystal clear for its era, and the cross-traffic alert system has saved me from several potential parking lot incidents. What I love most is how the Explorer Sport balanced everyday practicality with genuine performance - it never felt like you were making compromises.
Looking back, the 2013 Explorer Sport was like that perfect import player who not only brings star power but elevates the entire team's performance. Just as Meralco's 6-foot-11 Nigerian import would dominate in Dubai's Basketball Champions League Asia, this SUV dominated the performance SUV segment in its day. The fact that well-maintained examples still command respectable resale values tells you everything about how special this vehicle was - and honestly, still is.