It wasn’t that long ago that that increasing gas prices almost killed off the SUV->ke145 market. We traded in our Ford Explorers->ke342 and Dodge Durangos->ke1368 for more fuel efficient cars like the Honda Civic->ke236 or the Ford Focus.->ke440 Just a few years later, the SUV market has rebounded with a vengeance. As the interest in SUVs continue to grow, manufacturers are starting to offer more and more variants of the SUVs in their lineups. Today, the manufacturer in the spotlight is Ford->ke31 and its release of a new trim level for the Ford Explorer.

Currently, the Explorer is offered in five trims – Base, XLT, Limited, Sport, and Platinum. According to Ford, Explorer buyers are interesting in unique models, with the Explorer Sport and Explorer Platinum accounting for 30 percent of Explorer sales in the U.S. market. Due to that interest, Ford will now be offering the Ford Explorer Sport Appearance Package.

Ford’s Explorer brand marketing manager, Omar Odeh, says, “Our Sport Appearance philosophy is rooted in the fact that we know exterior appearance is the No. 1 consideration in SUV purchase decisions. The XLT Sport Appearance Package is a dramatic offering that gives customers another attractive option.”

The XLT Sport Appearance trim is set to join the Explorer lineup sometime this summer, with its little brother – the 2017 Ford Escape – also receiving a similar addition to its lineup. So, now that Ford has spilled the beans, let’s take a look at what the Explorer XLT Sport Appearance Package brings to the lineup.

Updated 02/12/2016: We added a series of new images of the new Explorer XLT Sport Appearance Package taken during its official unveiling at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show. Check them out in the "Pictures" tab.

Continue reading to learn more about the Ford Explorer XLT Sport Appearance Package.

What makes the Ford Explorer XLT Sport Appearance Package special

First off, let’s not beat around the bush here. Ford says this offering adds a whole new model to the current Explorer lineup, but really, it’s nothing more than a package applied to the Explorer XLT. Outside, Ford started by adding 20-inch Magnetic Gray wheels to go with the Magnetic Gray mirror caps on the side view mirror and the Ebony Black body side cladding.

Up front, you’ll find a Magnetic Gray grille and the addition the “Explorer” moniker spelled out across the hood. A black roof rack has been added to the roof, and out back, the strip between the two taillights has been replaced with a Magnetic Gray strip. There are no other updates to speak of, so if you were hoping for a sportier bumper or other aerodynamic features, you’ll have to look elsewhere.

In addition to the exterior changes, Ford also brings some new livery to the inside of the Explorer XLT as well. The front seats are wrapped in Earth Gray leather, with the out bolsters wrapped in premium leather from Salerno. When it comes to the rear seats, the seat back uppers are wrapped in Dark Earth Gray Miko suede, with inserts in Umber scrim. Umber scrim is also applied to the door trim inserts, and Umber contrast stitching is used all the way around. And, to top it all off, Ford is also throwing in a set of floor mats with the Explorer logo on them. As you can see from the images, these somewhat small and subtle changes really do a lot for the interior of the cabin. I specifically like the placement and color of the door trim inserts. The whole color scheme works really well.

Since this model is based off the XLT trim, the SUV is power by a 3.5-liter V-6 that puts out 290 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque. It comes with Ford’s Intelligent Access system with push-button start, 10-way power driver’s seat, Sync 3 infotainment system, and LED fog lamps, among other standard features. With that said, the standard XLT retails for $33,400. I see XLT Sport Appearance sitting between the XLT and the Limited, so expect pricing to fall somewhere in the $37,000 range.

Ford Explorer

The Explorer debuted in 1991 as a replacement for the small and boxy Ford Bronco II. Since then, the Explorer has seen five generational changes, with the latest debuting at the L.A. Auto Show in 2014. In current form, the Explorer competes against models like the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Dodge Durango. The Explorer is priced anywhere between $30,700 and $52,600. For comparison purposes, the Grand Cherokee starts out a couple grand less, but can start as high as $50,995 for the range-topping model.

Read our full review on the Ford Explorer here.