Ford introduced this two-door SUV as a distinct nameplate for the 2001 model year, splitting it from the broader Explorer line. It was aimed at buyers who wanted a shorter, sportier, more traditional two-door utility vehicle at a time when larger four-door SUVs were becoming the norm. When the four-door Explorer moved to a new generation for 2002, this model carried on with the older platform for a short overlap period, giving it a slightly different place in the lineup than the main wagon-bodied version. Production ended after the 2003 model year, and Ford did not replace it with a direct successor. That makes it a brief but notable chapter in the Explorer family, especially for enthusiasts who prefer the classic two-door SUV format.
MODEL HISTORY