The 2021 Ford Explorer King Ranch Edition will be available for the first time ever.

Like the King Ranch version of the Expedition, the new Explorer King Ranch will be a luxury-oriented SUV squeezed between the Limited and top-line Platinum models.

Paying homage to the 168-year-old King Ranch in Texas, the largest Ranch in the US, the Explorer King Ranch follows the expected Western-cowboy aesthetic, with two-tone mahogany-colored leather seats emblazoned with the King Ranch's "Running W" logo, which also adorns the leather-covered armrest.

There's natural-looking wood trim on the dash and steering wheel, and hand stitching throughout is intended to give the interior a high-end feel. Outside, The Explorer King Ranch gets a Stone Gray-painted mesh grille insert, 20-inch aluminum wheels with Running W center cap, liftgate scuff plate, quad chrome exhaust tips, and a King Ranch badging similar to that found on similar versions of the F-150, Super Duty, and Expedition.

The Explorer King Ranch will be based on the Platinum, with standard adaptive cruise, lane-centering assist, and touchscreen navigation. An optional Premium Technology Package will add features such as massaging seats, a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo, and a 10.1-inch portrait-oriented central infotainment screen.

The Explorer King Ranch comes standard with Ford's 3.0-liter twin-turbo "EcoBoost" engine, which makes 365 horsepower and 385 lb-ft of torque, and a 10-speed automatic transmission, just like the Explorer Platinum. The Explorer King Ranch also comes standard with a Class III towing package, enabling it to tow up to 5,600 pounds. Unlike the Explorer Platinum, which is four-wheel-drive only, the King Ranch Explorer will be available in both rear- and four-wheel-drive versions.

The 2021 Ford Explorer King Ranch edition will start at $53,595 for the rear-wheel-drive version and $55,595 for the four-wheeler, positioning it just a few hundred bucks less than the 2021 Explorer Platinum. We’re excited about the Explorer King Ranch’s release and if you’re just as excited, look to reign in the Explorer King Ranch by this Spring.