Ford Explorer
Too much SUV? |
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By Richard J. Newman
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Nits: The rear liftgate is as heavy as a house–reassuring, but hard for short or light people to pull down.
G forces: Two engines are available: A 210-horsepower V-6, which is not particularly powerful for a 4,500-pound vehicle, and a 292-horsepower V-8. I tested the V-8, which is muscular and torquey–good for towing–but not what you'd call fast. A six-speed automatic transmission accompanies the V-8, and helps produce a smooth, soothing ride. The V-6 comes with a five-speed automatic, still an improvement over the four-speeds in older SUVs. The Explorer handles firmly for a large, high SUV, reasonably sure on curves and limber enough in tight spaces.
Gizmology: The new Explorer's interior is handsome and cozy, with radio and climate controls easy to reach and ample storage throughout. There are four power outlets, two in the front row and two in the second row, enough for most of the gizmos a typical family might bring on a trip.
Kidmarks: Inside, there's everything kids could ask for in a familymobile, from plentiful cupholders to storage slots for their stuff to an optional DVD player. With the optional third row there are numerous seating configurations to accommodate people and stuff. On the down side, the doors are a bit heavy for smaller kids to open or close, and it's a high step up, even with optional running boards. On models equipped with the optional third row, folding the second-row seats to get back there is a bit ponderous.
Hot or not: Not, but not supposed to be. The Explorer remains boxy and bold, a paragon of toughness.
Envirometer: Gas mileage ranges from 14 mpg/city to 21 mpg/highway. The EPA rates the Explorer below-average to average for emissions, and average for air pollution. The Explorer ranked 381 out of 477 on U.S. News's Muscle per Gallon Index. For more details, go to www.fueleconomy.gov.
Crash course: Crash test results for 2006 aren't yet available but should eventually be posted at www.nhtsa.gov. Side airbags are standards; side-curtain airbags are optional.
Price points: Base prices range from $27,175 to $33,160. Price as tested: $42,820. (Prices include delivery fees.)
More info: www.fordvehicles.com
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Model year tested: 2006
If this were 2003, the latest upgrade of Ford's journeyman SUV would be a surefire hit. All the features that the Explorer's many fans have come to love are still there–space, ruggedness, function–and there are some nice new improvements, too. The interior has been jazzed up with a few details that give it a bit of artistic flair, such as door handles flush with the armrests that you pull up, not out. The third-row option is more spacious than before, with easier access from the second row. Perhaps most important, Ford has loaded the Explorer with standard safety features, to put to rest concerns that have dogged the Explorer since the Firestone Tire rollover scandal of the last decade. A number of new electronic features are designed to protect occupants better in a crash, while "roll stability control" is meant to keep the vehicle under better control in a skid and help reduce the chances of a rollover. Hooray for all that.
There's just one catch: The Explorer is bigger than ever, and its fuel economy is likely to require too many $50 fill-ups for a lot of buyers to bear. With gas close to $3 per gallon, consumers, of course, have been downsizing. Thriftier wagons or crossovers do much of what an SUV can do, and consumers have been making that switch. Four-wheel drive, often viewed as a little used but nice-to-have feature, now seems worth giving up to gain an extra 2 or 3 miles per gallon. And the Explorer is one of those beasts that might seem just a bit excessive to an increasing number of drivers. The average mpg rating for the base-level V-6, in all types of driving, is just 17 miles per gallon; for the V-8, it's 16. During a week driving the V-8, I averaged less than 14. Ford is touting the mileage figures as an improvement over the prior Explorer, which is some consolation. And each engine comes with more power than its predecessor. But with fuel economy top-of-mind these days, pain at the pump equates to angst for the Explorer.
For big families or heavy haulers or others willing to pay up for a full-size SUV, the Explorer is a highly functional utility that has become nicely refined in its latest evolution. Handling is smoother than on the trucky Explorers of yore. There's less bounce and a tighter grip on turns, bringing the Explorer closer to the carlike handling that has made crossovers popular. The cabin is quiet, even at highway speeds. A handsome dash, copious storage, and thoughtful touches like a third-row that folds completely horizontal to keep groceries and supplies from rolling around make the Explorer an appealing family get-about. Plus, it can still tow a boat. SUV shoppers who are indifferent to the price of gas would probably be pleased with the Explorer. The rest of us may have to ask if we need so much SUV.
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