The Ford Explorer is riding the current SUV boom, with sales approaching 250,000 in 2015, a 19-percent increase over the previous year. But Ford seemingly will not rest until there’s an Explorer in every driveway. For the revised 2016 model, Ford already added a new, top-tier Platinum trim level and gave it the muscular 365-hp EcoBoost V-6 that previously was exclusive to the Sport. Now it’s making the Sport’s blackout grille and other visuals available on the lower-spec XLT model, with the new Sport Appearance Package.

The package gives the workingman XLT the bad-boy look of the Sport, with that grille and other black exterior trim, a black roof rack, and 20-inch wheels in dark gray. The interior gets a bit of visual spice, too, its gray seats boasting contrast stitching, leather bolsters, and microsuede inserts?the latter on the door panels, as well.
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That spice doesn’t extend to the mechanicals, however. The XLT makes do with the standard, 290-hp naturally aspirated V-6 or, optionally, the more-economical, 280-hp 2.3-liter EcoBoost inline-four. If you want the 3.5-liter EcoBoost or the firmer suspension, you’ll have to spring for the genuine Sport. Ford hasn’t released pricing for the package?which arrives this fall with the 2017 mod...