The first generation of the Ford Explorer was the manufacturer's foray into the family SUV craze in the early 1990s. The popular two and four-door sport utility vehicles were powered by a 4.0-liter Cologne V6 and, of course, featured optional four-wheel drive. A five-speed manual transmission was available, but most models had the four-speed automatic. The first generation ended in 1994, followed by a second generation in 1995.