(By Tom Lohnes) – Ford jut unveiled an “all-new” 2023 Explorer for China, and it might just give us some hints at the refreshed Explorer hitting US shores in 2024. Interesting….

Boasting an all-new Front and rear end, a completely redesigned interior, and a massive 27-inch screen, the 2023 Chinese Explorer is definitely an interesting-looking vehicle. With the refreshed design, the Chinese model looks like the 2016-2019 model with a larger grille, rather than the newest model with a little nip-and-tuck. Up front, the grille is enlarged and the headlights are connected with an LED light bar, and in back the Ford logo is moved down, and there is an “Explorer” text where it once was. Other than that, the Chinese model is exactly the same as the domestic model on the outside.

On the inside, however, is where the export model gets a bit of an advantage. Unlike the US Explorer’s chunky, bland, low-quality plastic-fest with a few screens blended in, the Chinese Explorer has a very nicely designed interior, with a well-integrated digital gauge cluster, and of course that massive screen that looks like it is meant to be used more by the passenger than the driver. Although only top-trim examples are shown in the press videos, the Chinese model really looks a step above the American one in almost every way. I really hope this is a sign of what’s to come for America, because the current Explorer here is pretty much the definition of meh.

Ford has confirmed a refreshed Explorer on the way for 2024, and hopefully it takes cues from the new-for-China model that is going into production in a few months. Maybe just rethink that screen, and it would be perfect.