Bought my wife a new 17 Explorere Platinum last fall. If I recall, the only way you can get the 3.5 EcoBoost motor is in the Platinum and Sport models. The 3.5 EcoBoost was a must have for me and my wife didn't like the looks of the Sport model so we got the Platinum in magnetic metallic.
I haven't driven it a whole lot but the little bit that I have driven it I've been very pleased with everything about it. They drive very nice, is pretty quiet, lots of room for not being a full size, and has great power.
