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Ford has been dead set on electrification, so it's surprising to see the automaker dropping the hybrid versions of its 2024 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator SUVs. Nonetheless, the automaker says weak sales for the hybrid Explorer are to blame, with buyers flocking to the full-gas 3.0 liter V6 and 2.3 liter inline-four instead. Note that the automaker will still be producing this powertrain for the hybridized Explorer Police Interceptor Utility, which still enjoys strong demand.
Last year's Ford Explorer hybrid came equipped with a 3.3 liter hybrid powertrain, which produced 318 hp and 322 lb-ft of torque, and returned fuel economy estimates of 27 MPG combined.
The Lincoln Aviator, meanwhile, offered a more powerful 3.0 liter plug-in hybrid powertrain that came exclusively for the Grand Touring model. The plug-in Aviator produced a healthy 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque, all while still managing to deliver 56 MPG combined and up to 21 miles of EV-only driving range. Lincoln didn't specify why it decided to axe the Aviator hybrid, but the reason likely relates to the Explorer.
It's worth noting that both Ford and Lincoln are preparing mid-cycle refreshes for their three-row SUVs, which are scheduled to arrive for the 2025 model year. While powertrains haven't been confirmed for the updated models, we could see a return for their hybrid variants after this short hiatus.
Do you think the hybrids will return for 2025?
Image Credits: Ford, Lincoln
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Oct 21, 2023
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Ford Explorer And Lincoln Aviator Lose Their Hybrid Powertrains For 2024
The pair of hybrids could return when the SUVs get their 2025 mid-cycle refreshes.
Ford has been dead set on electrification, so it's surprising to see the automaker dropping the hybrid versions of its 2024 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator SUVs. Nonetheless, the automaker says weak sales for the hybrid Explorer are to blame, with buyers flocking to the full-gas 3.0 liter V6 and 2.3 liter inline-four instead. Note that the automaker will still be producing this powertrain for the hybridized Explorer Police Interceptor Utility, which still enjoys strong demand.
Last year's Ford Explorer hybrid came equipped with a 3.3 liter hybrid powertrain, which produced 318 hp and 322 lb-ft of torque, and returned fuel economy estimates of 27 MPG combined.
The Lincoln Aviator, meanwhile, offered a more powerful 3.0 liter plug-in hybrid powertrain that came exclusively for the Grand Touring model. The plug-in Aviator produced a healthy 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque, all while still managing to deliver 56 MPG combined and up to 21 miles of EV-only driving range. Lincoln didn't specify why it decided to axe the Aviator hybrid, but the reason likely relates to the Explorer.
It's worth noting that both Ford and Lincoln are preparing mid-cycle refreshes for their three-row SUVs, which are scheduled to arrive for the 2025 model year. While powertrains haven't been confirmed for the updated models, we could see a return for their hybrid variants after this short hiatus.
Do you think the hybrids will return for 2025?
Image Credits: Ford, Lincoln
