305 Tidewater Drive West Branch, IA 52358
Brown’s West Branch Ford • Used SUV Research
Start with who rides with you—not just how many seats the listing says it has.
Six seats may be enough until you need one more. A seven-passenger layout may sound perfect until you realize the second-row arrangement isn’t the one you wanted. When you’re comparing used Ford Explorers at Brown’s West Branch Ford just outside of Iowa City, the useful question is how the actual seating layout fits your week.
Think about your regular passengers, how often someone uses the third row and what needs to stay in the cargo area while those seats are occupied. Then compare the individual vehicles rather than assuming every Explorer with the same trim badge has the same interior.
Captain’s chairs give the second row two individual seating positions. Picture who usually sits there and how someone will get to the third row. The space between the seats—and whether there’s a console—can be part of that decision.
A bench adds a middle seating position. That can be useful when you need another passenger seat, but consider how often you’ll fill the second row and how people will reach the seats behind it.
The names tell you the basic layout, not everything about its operation. Check how the seats move, which sections fold and whether the particular vehicle has manual or powered functions.
You can find two Explorers with the same trim name and different second rows. Even the standard layout has changed over time: a 2019 XLT came standard with a bench, while the 2020 and 2024 XLT came standard with captain’s chairs and offered a bench as an option.
That’s why it helps to look at the interior photos early. If you need a bench, or specifically want captain’s chairs, make that part of your search instead of waiting until the test drive.
Passenger count matters too. For 2025, Active, ST-Line and Platinum models have six- or seven-passenger configurations, while the ST seats six. Start with the number of people you need to carry, then narrow down the arrangement you prefer.
Picture the order people get in and which seats they use. If someone regularly rides in the third row, take a moment to look at the access path and try the second-row seat controls.
Easy access and powered seat movement are different things. The optional bench in a 2024 XLT has manually operated E-Z Entry, and its third row folds manually too. If powered folding matters to you, tell our Internet Manager so we can help you find an Explorer with that feature.
For child restraints, follow the vehicle owner’s manual and the restraint manufacturer’s instructions. A seat count alone does not establish whether your intended arrangement is suitable.
If your normal trip uses all three rows, the space behind the last row is the number to pay attention to—not the maximum with seats folded down. The 2025 Explorer has 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row. Consider both the amount of space and the shape of the things you normally carry.
Visualize luggage, a stroller or sports equipment with the seats in their normal positions. If carrying passengers and cargo together is the sticking point, our Explorer versus Expedition guide is the next comparison to make.
Send the listings you’re considering to our Internet Manager. Tell us your passenger count, your preferred second row and how often the third row will be used. We can review available original Ford window stickers, help verify equipment and gather photos or measurements where needed.
If you’re coming from Williamsburg, Marion or Bettendorf, sorting out those details first can make the trip more useful. Then you can focus on the Explorers that actually fit your plans.
No. Check the seating arrangement on the Explorer you’re considering. For 2025, Active, ST-Line and Platinum have six- or seven-passenger configurations, while ST seats six.
Yes, depending on year and equipment. A 2020 or 2024 XLT, for example, came standard with captain’s chairs but could be ordered with a bench. Interior photos are a useful first check.
No. The optional bench in a 2024 XLT, for example, uses manually operated E-Z Entry. Try the seat controls to see how the arrangement works for you.
No. The 2024 XLT has a manually folding third row. If you want powered folding, our Internet Manager can help check the Explorers you’re considering.
Compare cargo space with every seat you need in use. The Explorer versus Expedition guide includes a same-year example showing where Expedition and MAX differ.