NEW FORD EXPLORER
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Car and Driver website visitor rankings:
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| Here's how our visitors have reviewed this vehicle. |
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Average Rating |
| Overall |
7.33 |
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| Vehicle Styling |
8.05 |
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| Braking |
8.07 |
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| Handling |
6.84 |
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| Fuel Economy |
5.78 |
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| Interior Comfort |
7.56 |
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| Acceleration |
7.97 |
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| Dependability |
7.61 |
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| Fit and Finish |
6.95 |
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| Transmission |
7.35 |
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| Ride |
6.99 |
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| Rating Scale: 1= worst 10= best
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| To read other User Road Tests or to submit your own review click here |
(Read more of Car and Driver's review here)
| Editors'' Review |
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 Summary
What Edmunds.com Says
A functional interior, ample passenger space, strong powertrain and a well-controlled ride all contribute to the Explorer''s well-deserved reputation as a practical midsize SUV with few faults.
Pros
Excellent ride and handling characteristics for a truck-based SUV, strong optional V8, comfortable cabin with user-friendly layout and seating for up to seven, good crash test scores.
Cons
Dull cabin design with some low-grade materials, low resale value, confusing controls on highline models, lousy fuel economy.
What''s New for 2004
Ford''s AdvanceTrac electronic stability control that was previously available on V8 models only is now available on all models, except the XLS and XLS Sport and all AWD models. The NBX version now comes standard with the off-road package and "NBX" tailgate badging, and can be ordered with a moonroof. Limited and Eddie Bauer models get a quad bucket seating option when equipped with the third-row bench, which adds second-row buckets and a floor console. Family buyers should note that the optional rear air conditioner no longer requires the purchase of the third-row seat. Finally, a tire-pressure monitoring system is now standard on XLS Sport and higher trim levels, and a rear cargo shade is optional on XLT, Eddie Bauer and Limited models.
Overview
Introduction:
The Explorer debuted in 1990 as a 1991 model, and achieved instant success in a market that it ultimately defined, if not created. At the time, the trend toward functional, compact, four-door SUVs was in full swing: Jeep was first to offer this kind of vehicle in 1984 when it introduced the Cherokee, but Ford, GM, Nissan and Toyota all followed suit at this time. Based on the Ford Ranger pickup, the original Explorer had the winning combination of size, style and utility that people wanted in an SUV. It came as the volume-selling four-door or a less popular two-door, and replaced the Bronco II in Ford''s lineup. Initially, just XLS and XLT trim levels were available. In 1992, an Eddie Bauer edition joined the lineup, and a Limited model followed shortly thereafter. The Explorer''s first major revision occurred in 1995, when it received a new front suspension, revised styling and a new interior. This iteration soldiered on through 2001 with few changes, but by then accusations that the Explorer suffered a high incidence of tire failures and subsequent rollover accidents had tarnished the nameplate. Ford blamed tire supplier Firestone for equipping the Explorer with flawed Wilderness AT tires, and initiated a massive recall to replace the original equipment rubber. Firestone blamed the Explorer''s design and Ford''s recommendation that the tires be inflated to a relatively low 26 psi. Neither company publicly pointed fingers at consumers indifferent to the dangers of overloading vehicles, expecting a truck to handle like a car, failing to monitor tire pressures or dismissing the importance of seatbelts as possible contributors to blowouts and deaths. For 2002, just as the Explorer rollover debacle was winding down, Ford launched the completely redesigned Explorer. A substantial improvement over the original, the new truck had a wider track, longer wheelbase, a fully independent suspension and seating for up to seven adults. It should have been a runaway success, but the Ford-Firestone media fight kept buyers away from showrooms and forced Ford to offer cash rebates and low-interest financing to keep sales afloat. Although sales still haven''t recovered fully, the Explorer remained the best-selling SUV in the U.S. through the 2002 calendar year. Notably, the Explorer Sport (the two-door model) and the Explorer Sport Trac (a four-door pickup version) are based on the aged first-generation platform.
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For Pricing information, see Edmunds'' Pricing page. |
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
The four-door Explorer is available in XLS, XLS Sport, XLT, XLT Sport, NBX, Eddie Bauer and Limited trims. The XLS comes with front bucket seats, air conditioning, cruise control, a CD player, keyless entry and power windows and mirrors. The XLS Sport includes alloy wheels, running boards, wheel lip moldings and an upgraded center console. XLT models get a power driver seat, auto-dimming mirror and automatic headlights, while the XLT Sport adds special platinum gloss exterior trim and 17-inch machine-finished wheels with all-terrain tires. NBX trim includes an off-road package with skid plates and heavier-duty shocks; special exterior badging; unique 17-inch wheels; a Yakima roof rack; rubber floor mats; and upgraded cloth upholstery. Eddie Bauer and Limited models come with leather upholstery, seat heaters, a power front-passenger seat, power-adjustable pedals, automatic climate control and an upgraded sound system with an in-dash CD changer. Major options on the Explorer include a third-row seat, rear air conditioner and a rear DVD entertainment system.
Powertrains and Performance:
The base engine is a 4.0-liter V6 good for 210 horsepower. Optional on all models, except the XLS and XLS Sport, is a 4.6-liter V8 engine good for 239 hp and 282 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed automatic transmission and two-, four- or all-wheel drive are available with either engine. Towing capacity tops out at 7,140 pounds. Fuel economy estimates are 14 to 15 mpg in the city and 19 to 21 mpg on the highway.
Safety:
Four-wheel antilock disc brakes are standard; the AdvanceTrac stability control system is optional on all trims, except XLS and XLS Sport. Any Explorer can be outfitted with the Safety Canopy system that includes front and rear side curtain airbags and a rollover sensor. Power-adjustable pedals are optional on XLT models and standard on the Eddie Bauer and Limited, while a reverse-sensing system can be added to all but the XLS models. In government crash testing, the Explorer received four stars for frontal impacts involving the driver and a perfect five stars for the front passenger. The Ford picked up a "Good" rating (the best possible) in frontal offset testing.
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For more Safety information, see Edmunds'' Safety page. |
Interior Design and Special Features:
Depending on the model you choose, the interior trim of the Explorer can range from bland to plush. All the controls are neatly arranged, and the gauges are legible, but it''s function over form. It''s feasible to carry two adults in the third-row seats, but choosing the third-row option also reduces available cargo space. Seven-passenger Explorers max out at 81.3 cubic feet of cargo space, while five-passenger versions offer a more competitive 88 cubic feet.
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For more Interior Features information, see Edmunds'' Specifications page. |
Driving Impressions:
Any Explorer is a joy to drive, as SUVs go. Taking much of the credit for this praise is the rear independent suspension, which provides a smooth ride and keeps the wheels planted on rough pavement. Power from either the V6 or V8 engine is acceptable, though we prefer the added refinement of the V8.
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For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from Edmunds'' editors, see Edmunds'' Road Tests page. |
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