Auto news on Youtube Nov 28 2017

launched in the early 1990s the Ford Explorer deserves credit for opening the

floodgates for America's SUV obsession decades later the three row midsize

Explorer SUV remains a Sales Leader raising the question is the popular

choice the right choice for you the answer is yes if you want other drivers

to wonder if you're a cop police impersonation aside the Explorer has a

rugged and refined look that states unambiguously no I do not drive a

minivan

Inside you can choose a second row bench seat or second row captains chairs

unless you need a demilitarized zone between spiteful siblings the seven

passenger layout is the logical choice for hauling people oh we should note

that the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander each top out at eight seats

second row accommodations are accommodating but let's see what happens

when I climb into the third row as a completely average American male this should

be a pretty good test assuming you're a completely average American male head

does not touch the headliner seat back is a little bit vertical and my knees are

well-acquainted with the seat back but yeah I could do this for a little bit

climbing aboard the Explorer's third row is a cinch due to wide aperture rear

doors and optional power folding second row seats up front a parking brake and

wheel well hump somewhat intrude on foot space but otherwise the foremost

quarters win big in the comfort department making amends for its

capacitive controlled past the latest Explorer incorporates sweet unambiguous

buttons for the audio and climate controls while a 4.2-inch

screen comes standard we greatly prefer the optional 8 inch touch screen

featuring Sync 3 Apple CarPlay Android Auto and a pair of USB outlets

the system is an intuitive attractive and useful centerpiece for the interior

look at those buttons fly depart this region of the cabin and there are a few

areas of concern the hard shiny plastic feels cheap especially when juxtaposed

with fancy materials that adorn higher trims like this platinum model some of

the steering wheel controls are ergonomically indistinct requiring you

to read them until you instinctively know what does what and it sure seems

like the dash trim and door trim should line up or at least misalign the same on

the left and right sides on a more positive note the Explorer boasts more

space behind its third row than most midsize SUVs it's 21 cubic foot capacity

doubles with the third row dropped an easy task made even easier with the

optional power operated seats lower the second row and that number jumps to a

commendable 81 point 7 cubic feet cargo is accessed through a wide rear hatch

that if you're willing to pay for it opens with the wave of your foot first

time try

roll down the road at a decent clip and the Explorer shines with a plush ride

and well-controlled road noise boing encounter a curve though and you'll

notice some imprecision from the steering wheel interestingly cornering

grip is better than you'd expect I think the the chassis people need to talk to

the seat people one notable Explorer shortcoming is visibility the B-pillar

is wide blocking your view to the side the C&D pillars are also wide blocking

your view rearward and over your right shoulder and the A-pillar is wide

partially blocking your view to the front at the same time a long dash and a

sloping hood make it hard to tell exactly how far you should pull into

that space to Ford's credit they counter those visibility issues with technology

in the form of an optional blind spot monitoring system and a washer equipped

forward-facing 180 degree camera that is a godsend when creeping from an alley

into traffic for propulsion ford serves up a trio of engines each paired with a

competent 6-speed Automatic transmission starting with a naturally aspirated v6

given its modest $500 premium torque-y output and 27 mpg highway rating the

optional 2.3 liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder is a smart upgrade if blowing the doors

off of other midsize SUVs sounds like fun the Explorer can on higher trims be

equipped with a twin-turbo 3.5 liter v6 with the EcoBoost v6 you can either tow

up to 5,000 pounds or blast from 0 to 60 miles per hour in around 6 seconds I

choose the latter

for those who'd rather tow the Explorer offers a tow haul mode with trailer sway

control watch a few crash videos on YouTube to appreciate why that's helpful

the EcoBoost v6 sends its abundant power to all four tires but four wheel

drive can also be added to the base v6 and EcoBoost 4-cylinder for about $2,100

do so and you'll enjoy hill descent control and a four mode terrain

management system while removing the possibility of getting shamefully stuck

in a front-wheel drive SUV in roughly $32,000 base form the Explorer's feature list

consists of automatic LED headlights a 6 way power driver seat with manual

recline rear climate controls a backup camera a six-speaker audio system with

Bluetooth a host of airbags including a front passenger knee airbag and Ford's

MyKey which helps parents prevent reckless

behavior from inexperienced drivers venturing through higher trims and the

option sheet opens features like dual zone automatic climate control a 2 panel

moonroof power adjustable pedals passive entry with push-button start an

automatic parallel and perpendicular parking system heated and ventilated

front massaging seats delivering truly heroic levels of lumbar adjustment and

adaptive cruise control that automatically shuts off at slow speeds

be sure to remember that supplementing the standard safety roster are options

like second row outboard inflatable seatbelts lane departure warning with

steering assist and forward collision warning select the top tier platinum

trim with it's Sony premium audio system and Nirvana leather seats and MSRP lands

around 52,000 dollars filling out the mid-size three row competitive set are

the VW Atlas Chevrolet Traverse Toyota Highlander

and Honda Pilot among others in such an illustrious crowd the Explorer's varying

quality and seven passenger max capacity are potential deterrents

shortcomings aside the Ford Explorer is roomy offers a range of compelling

features and it'll give you a handy conversation starter with all those

other Ford Explorer owners at the very least the sight of yet another Explorer

on the road might help keep slow drivers out of the left lane thank you for your

service