Don Johnson's Cumberland Motors - Does the 2027 Ford Explorer Have Enough Cargo Space for Shell Lake, WI Families?
The 2027 Ford Explorer® gives families, commuters, and active households a practical cargo setup without asking shoppers to give up three-row flexibility. For drivers around Shell Lake, WI, that matters because everyday life can involve a mix of school bags, groceries, sports equipment, fishing gear, work supplies, luggage, and the occasional oversized purchase. A vehicle that looks roomy on paper still needs to function well in real life, and the Explorer® makes a strong case by combining useful cargo measurements with seating arrangements that can adapt as your day changes.
Ford lists every 2027 Explorer® model with 16.3 cu ft of cargo capacity behind the third-row seats when all seats are in place. That space is useful for daily errands and smaller loads without folding seats. When you need more room, the maximum cargo capacity expands significantly. Explorer® Active and ST-Line models offer up to 85.8 cu ft of cargo space, while Explorer® Tremor®, Platinum™, and ST models offer up to 85.3 cu ft. Those numbers give the Explorer® the versatility shoppers expect from a midsize three-row SUV, especially when one vehicle needs to handle both passengers and gear.
How the Explorer® Cargo Area Works Day to Day
The most important cargo question is not just maximum volume. It is how often you can use the space without rearranging your entire vehicle. With all three rows upright, the 16.3 cu ft rear cargo area is well-suited for weekly essentials, backpacks, smaller coolers, folded chairs, and shopping bags. That makes a difference when you have passengers in every row and still need space behind the third row.
When the third row is not needed, folding it opens the Explorer® for larger items. This is the layout many owners use most often: passengers in the first two rows, cargo in back. It is ideal for trips to the hardware store, a weekend near the lake, team practices, or loading several suitcases. For the biggest cargo jobs, folding the second and third rows provides the maximum cargo volume. That expanded space is especially useful when carrying bulkier items that would not fit in a compact SUV.
Seating Choices Affect Cargo Flexibility
The 2027 Explorer® comes standard with second-row captain’s chairs on all models. This creates seating for six and gives the cabin a more open feel, with easier movement toward the third row. For many families, captain’s chairs are convenient because passengers can access the back row without folding a seat every time. This layout is also helpful when carrying longer items through the center aisle while still keeping second-row seating available.
If passenger capacity is more important, a second-row bench seat is available on all models except Tremor®. That layout increases seating to seven. Shoppers who frequently carry extra passengers may prefer the bench, while shoppers who want easier third-row access may prefer captain’s chairs. Either way, the Explorer® gives you the ability to choose a cabin arrangement around how your family actually rides.
- Captain’s chairs: Standard on all models and ideal for easy third-row access and a more open second row.
- Second-row bench: Available on all models except Tremor® and increases total seating capacity to seven.
- Third-row seating: Standard on every Explorer® model, making the SUV useful for growing families and group travel.
- PowerFold® third-row seats: Available on Tremor® and standard on ST and Platinum™ for easier cargo transitions.
Those seating differences are worth reviewing during a test drive. A family with young children may want to compare car-seat access in both second-row layouts. A household with older kids may care more about third-row entry, charging access, cupholders, and how much room remains for backpacks behind the last row.
Which Explorer® Trim Offers the Most Cargo Space?
The difference between the cargo maximums is small, but it is still helpful to know. Explorer® Active and ST-Line models provide the highest listed maximum cargo capacity at 85.8 cu ft. Explorer® Tremor®, Platinum™, and ST models provide up to 85.3 cu ft. In everyday use, either figure represents strong utility. Your best trim choice will likely depend more on comfort, capability, technology, and performance than on the half-cubic-foot cargo difference.
For example, Explorer® Tremor® may be the better fit if rougher routes, added ride height, steel deflector plates, off-road-tuned suspension, and the model-exclusive Torsen® limited-slip rear axle are priorities. Explorer® Platinum™ makes sense for shoppers who want premium comfort, such as heated, ventilated, massaging front-row seats with leather inserts. Explorer® ST focuses on performance with the 3.0L EcoBoost® engine, sport-tuned suspension, performance brakes with red-painted calipers, and BlueCruise hands-free highway driving equipped. Active and ST-Line remain appealing for shoppers who want strong everyday utility with practical features and a comfortable cabin.
What to Bring When Evaluating Cargo Space
Online measurements are helpful, but the best way to evaluate the Explorer® cargo area is to bring the items you actually use. If you regularly carry a stroller, hockey bag, golf clubs, pet crate, folding wagon, toolbox, or cooler, use those items as your test. That real-world comparison quickly shows whether you need all rows upright, the third row folded, or the full cargo layout.
- Bring bulky gear: Test items such as strollers, sports bags, coolers, luggage, and pet supplies.
- Check third-row space: Load the rear cargo area with all seats upright to understand daily storage limits.
- Fold seats yourself: Practice changing from passenger mode to cargo mode before choosing a trim.
- Measure flat items: If you carry work materials or home project supplies, confirm width and length fit your needs.
- Compare trims: Look at Active, ST-Line, Tremor®, Platinum™, and ST to balance cargo needs with comfort and capability.
This kind of hands-on review is especially useful for Shell Lake, WI shoppers who want one SUV to cover weekday routines and recreational plans. The Explorer® is not just about having a large cargo number. It is about making that room easy to use when your schedule changes during the day.
Technology That Supports Family Utility
Cargo space matters, but convenience features can make the Explorer® feel even easier to live with. The Ford Digital Experience brings familiar apps and connected functionality into the drive. Ford Co-Pilot360® Technology is focused on helping you feel more confident behind the wheel, and available driver-assist features can be especially helpful when navigating parking lots, school zones, and busy roads. The available 360-degree camera on select models adds visibility when backing into tight spaces or lining up near a trailer.
Available BlueCruise hands-free highway driving assistance is another important consideration for families who travel longer distances. Ford describes BlueCruise as a feature that helps control steering, braking, and acceleration and helps keep the vehicle centered in its lane while you keep your eyes on the road ahead. It does not replace attentive driving, but it can add a more relaxed feel on compatible highways.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can the 2027 Ford Explorer® carry passengers and cargo at the same time?
Yes. With all seats in place, every 2027 Explorer® model provides 16.3 cu ft of cargo space behind the third row. That gives you room for daily essentials while still using all three rows.
Which 2027 Explorer® models have the most maximum cargo capacity?
Explorer® Active and ST-Line models offer up to 85.8 cu ft of maximum cargo capacity. Tremor®, Platinum™, and ST models offer up to 85.3 cu ft.
Is the second-row bench available on every Explorer® trim?
No. A second-row bench seat is available on all models except Tremor®. Second-row captain’s chairs are standard on all 2027 Explorer® models.
Does PowerFold® help with cargo loading?
PowerFold® third-row seats can make it easier to switch between passenger space and cargo space. This feature is available on Tremor® and standard on ST and Platinum™.
For many in-market SUV shoppers, the 2027 Ford Explorer® answers the cargo question with a strong yes. It has space behind the third row for everyday use, generous maximum cargo room when seats are folded, and seating choices that let you prioritize passenger capacity or easier access. Around Shell Lake, WI, where an SUV often needs to handle family routines, errands, outdoor gear, and longer drives, the Explorer® brings the kind of flexibility that makes ownership easier.
