Kelley Blue Book 2017 Ford Explorer

Remember the year 2017? It feels like just yesterday, doesn't it? We were all figuring out what TikTok was and trying to understand the latest meme. Amidst all that, the 2017 Ford Explorer was making its quiet, yet not-so-quiet, entrance into driveways everywhere.

Now, you might be thinking, "An article about a 2017 SUV? Really?" And to that, I say, "Absolutely!" Because sometimes, the most dependable, unsung heroes are the ones we should be talking about. Forget the flashy new models for a second. Let’s talk about a car that’s probably still chugging along, ferrying kids to soccer practice and hauling groceries.

The Kelley Blue Book, that trusted oracle of car values, had its say on the 2017 Explorer. They looked at its features, its reliability, and its overall… well, its overall Explorer-ness. And let’s be honest, when you see an Explorer, you know what you’re getting: a big, capable vehicle ready for adventure. Or at least, ready for a trip to the big box store.

I have a bit of an unpopular opinion, you see. While everyone is chasing the latest tech and the sleekest design, I have a soft spot for cars like the 2017 Ford Explorer. They represent a kind of automotive maturity. They aren't trying too hard to be something they're not. They just… are.

Think about it. This wasn’t the first year the Explorer was around. It had a legacy. It had a reputation. It wasn't a brand-new experiment. It was a seasoned professional in the SUV world. And that’s something to be admired, right?

When Kelley Blue Book was doing its thing, they were likely looking at the different trims. Was it the base model, ready to work? Or was it one of the fancier versions, with all the bells and whistles someone might actually use?

The 2017 Explorer offered a few engine choices. You had the standard V6, which sounded robust enough for most tasks. Then, there was the EcoBoost option, trying to give you a bit of pep without guzzling gas like a thirsty camel. For a family hauler, that’s a pretty good combo.

Inside, the Explorer was known for its space. Plenty of room for the family, the dog, and that questionable souvenir you bought on vacation. It was the kind of car where you could actually spread out a little. No need to play automotive Tetris just to fit everyone in.

And the cargo space! Oh, the cargo space. You could fit a week’s worth of groceries, a stroller, and maybe even a small child in the back. Okay, maybe not the child. But you get the idea. It was practical. Utterly, wonderfully practical.

Now, let’s get to the part where my opinion might raise a few eyebrows. I’m not saying the 2017 Explorer was perfect. No car is. But it was honest. It didn't pretend to be a sports car, and it didn't try to be an off-road monster (unless you got the right package, I suppose).

It was a comfortable, capable, and generally well-equipped SUV that did exactly what it was supposed to do. It got you from point A to point B, with room for stuff and people. What more could you ask for in an everyday vehicle?

Kelley Blue Book probably gave it a solid rating. They like cars that make sense, cars that have a good track record. And the Explorer, by 2017, certainly had that. It wasn't a gamble; it was a sensible choice for many families.

Let’s talk about the styling. It wasn’t revolutionary, was it? It had that familiar Ford grille, the sturdy stance. It looked like an SUV. It didn't try to reinvent the wheel. And sometimes, that’s a good thing. It’s like wearing your favorite comfy sweater. You know what you’re getting, and it always feels right.

The interior was probably filled with… well, stuff. Buttons, screens, cup holders. The usual suspects. Nothing too outlandish, nothing too minimalist. It was a place for the driver to drive and the passengers to… well, exist comfortably.

And the driving experience? It was likely smooth. Comfortable. Not exactly thrilling, but definitely not jarring. It was designed for the commute, for the long road trip, for the Sunday drive to grandma’s house. It was a cruiser, a dependable chariot.

I can almost picture it now. A 2017 Ford Explorer, perhaps in a nice shade of silver or black, parked in a suburban driveway. Kids are piling out after school, sports equipment is being tossed in the back. It’s the workhorse of the family, and it’s doing a great job.

What Kelley Blue Book valued was probably its practicality and its resale value. Even a few years later, a well-maintained Explorer would likely hold its own. That’s the mark of a good vehicle. It doesn’t depreciate into oblivion overnight.

Think about the safety features. By 2017, SUVs were getting pretty good at safety. Airbags, stability control, probably some optional driver-assist tech. The Explorer was no slouch in this department. It was designed to keep the family safe, and that’s a huge selling point.

My humble, perhaps misguided, opinion is that we sometimes overlook these solid, dependable vehicles. We get caught up in the hype of the brand-new and the ultra-modern. We forget the cars that are actually doing the work, day in and day out.

The 2017 Ford Explorer is one of those cars. It’s the reliable friend who always shows up. It’s the sturdy tool that gets the job done. It’s not trying to win any beauty contests, but it’s definitely got character and capability.

And when you consider what Kelley Blue Book was aiming for – a fair assessment of value and usability – the 2017 Explorer likely scored quite well. It represented a good balance of what people wanted in an SUV at that time.

So, next time you see a 2017 Ford Explorer on the road, give it a nod. It’s probably seen some things. It’s probably got some stories to tell. And it’s still out there, making its mark, one family trip at a time.

It’s a testament to Ford’s engineering and their understanding of what families need. It’s a car that doesn’t demand a lot of attention but delivers a lot of value.

Perhaps I’m just a fan of the unpretentious. The vehicle that gets you there without a fuss. The 2017 Explorer fits that bill perfectly.

It’s the kind of car you buy when you want a car, not a status symbol. And there’s something incredibly refreshing about that, isn’t there?

So, to the 2017 Ford Explorer, wherever you are, chugging along and doing your duty: we see you. And we appreciate you. Even if the latest car review is all about the electric future, you’re still a valuable part of the automotive present (and past!).

Maybe, just maybe, my love for the 2017 Ford Explorer is a sign of my own evolving automotive tastes. Or maybe it's just a sign that I appreciate a good, solid SUV. Either way, the Kelley Blue Book folks probably understood its appeal, even if they didn't write a love letter to it.

It’s easy to get swept up in the latest trends. But sometimes, the familiar and the functional are exactly what we need. The 2017 Explorer delivered that in spades.

And for that, it deserves a little bit of appreciation. Even if it’s just a lighthearted nod from a stranger on the internet. Cheers to the 2017 Ford Explorer!