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2011 Ford Explorer details

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This all looks really good.
And better than almost anything comparable.

I just hope it doesn’t steal to many sales from the Flex, which is a great car.

Conversation 17 comments

  2. Vince, what's your opinion of the new Explorer up against the comparable GM products like the Chevy Traverse?

  3. ITS NOT BAD, BUT THE CONCEPT YEARS BACK WAS ALLOT MORE ATTRACTIVE THEN THIS. THOUGH BY ALL MEANS THE FORD EXPLORER IS ALWAYS WHAT IT WAS NON OFFENSIVE

  4. I'm really impressed by what Ford has done with instrument cluster design. Too many cars have those cheap soup cans with instruments stuck down in them… and they look cheap and are harder to read. I hope what Ford is doing will catch on throughout the industry and their product line.

  5. The design looks good. Where Ford often falls short in the quality of materials, not the design. Aluminum should be aluminum and not feel like hollow plastic with a pattern printed on it. And plastic pieces should fit tightly without doing the "rounded edges" trick that hides the fact that they don't line up.

    That said, this looks amazing. But I've learned not to be too optimistic about these things.

  6. Interestingly Ford Explorer sold 500K units 10 years ago, last year 52K. I doubt this nicely done vehicle will put the explorer over 100K. News flash to Ford, the large/medium size SUV craze is over, and it is not coming back. They should have put the effort into the small Escape.

  7. Interestingly Ford Explorer sold 500K units 10 years ago, last year 52K. I doubt this nicely done vehicle will put the explorer over 100K. News flash to Ford, the large/medium size SUV craze is over, and it is not coming back. They should have put the effort into the small Escape.

  8. I like the instrument panel, too.

    However, the 140 mph speedometer is a little silly. Almost everyone will be driving this thing only up to 80 mph or so.
    If they calibrated the speedo to 100 mph it would have been much more legible.

  9. Ford may not sell up to 100K units but I bet it outsells the Traverse, Pathfinder, next Jeep GrandCherokee and the Toyota 4Runner. Sure midsize CUVs are not selling like they used to be, but as long as the Explorer outsells Toyota, I'm for it. Besides, it is one heck of a design not too much and not too little going on. It also turns heads. unlike the next 4Runner.

  10. This is no longer a mid-size SUV. Its a crossover (abeit with "SUV-LIKE STYLING"). The Honda Pilot & Jeep Patriot went the same route. The FourRunner changed the least–still a crude SUV with a harsh truck-like ride, cheap plastic dash, and poor off-road ability. The only real bright spot in the whole segment is the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Quieter, Smoother, more HP, better MPG, and better handeling than any of ther rest–both on-road and off-road. Also the only one to stay true to the "midsize SUV" formula and refine it dramatically. This new Explorer can't hold a candle to the new Jeep and will probably be cannibalized to death by Fords own Flex. The guys at Chrysler/Jeep must be smiling though!

  11. "Anonymous said…

    Interestingly Ford Explorer sold 500K units 10 years ago, last year 52K. I doubt this nicely done vehicle will put the explorer over 100K. News flash to Ford, the large/medium size SUV craze is over, and it is not coming back. They should have put the effort into the small Escape.

    July 28, 2010 3:38 AM"

    Who says they aren't already? You know manufacturers have different design and R&D teams for different vehicles.

    "Anonymous said…

    This is no longer a mid-size SUV. Its a crossover (abeit with "SUV-LIKE STYLING"). The Honda Pilot & Jeep Patriot went the same route. The FourRunner changed the least–still a crude SUV with a harsh truck-like ride, cheap plastic dash, and poor off-road ability. The only real bright spot in the whole segment is the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Quieter, Smoother, more HP, better MPG, and better handeling than any of ther rest–both on-road and off-road. Also the only one to stay true to the "midsize SUV" formula and refine it dramatically. This new Explorer can't hold a candle to the new Jeep and will probably be cannibalized to death by Fords own Flex. The guys at Chrysler/Jeep must be smiling though!

    July 28, 2010 10:56 PM"

    The new GC is NOT that great. The Explorer has ALWAYS outsold the GC and this will be no different. Better FE, higher quality interior, not sold by a manufacturer whos future is questionable.

    Chrysler is trash, so are their vehicles.

  12. ford quality ratings are waaaaaay up! I drive toyota, but will be switching soon. On Leftlane News today, toyota and lexus at it again recalling a ton of cars. what a mess. I will go Ford I think.

  13. The explorer is taking the concept and putting its own spin on it, still completely capable can tow competitively and more than just a muddy trail off the beaten path, its focus being on everyday drivability, refinement and driver comfort which is where it will completely trump the JGC. The amount of tech,safety,comfort, and innovations is out of Jeeps league, simply put dollar for dollar you get more tech/comfort/space/capabilities/economy out the explorer.

    The Jeep is rolling with an entirely different theme which is what jeep buyers love and need, its "trail rated" dedicated off road abilities with on pavement refinement allowed by the unibody construction. As far as quieter smoother more HP and better mileage goes the only one of those statements that are true is in reference to HP, yes the big V8 obviously has more power but it comes with a cost being economy,
    V8 power = V8 economy 14/20 in 2WD. Even the V6 isnt anything to brag about 16/23 not horrid but just ok. I currently have a 09' GC 5.7 and i average about 16 combined (In the winter I wont even look at it) which im satisfied with considering my old explorer got worse with that 4.0 may it rest in peace. And people honestly cannot believe that Ford will not roll out job 2 without the EB3.5?! IMHO I can see the 3.5 being phased out and 3.7 taking over.

    And has anyone even blinked at GC's weight? 4800 lbs for a 5 pass unibody?! Everyones commenting on the Explorer being overweight uhh its 7 pass and bigger and will probably come in about 200lbs less give or take, that V6 is doing some serious work only burdened more by the aging 5spd 0-60 will easily push 9s, id put money that the 2.0eb Expl will best that. Dont get me wrong I still love the Jeep its the best one yet and miles ahead of my 09' had it come out sooner I would likely have it parked in my driveway. Food for thought as well uhh Durango? I have a feeling that things gonna be a dog hopefully they get that new 8spd in it or at least a 6spd.

    Bottom line they are both highly competitive capable and great looking vehicles that will compete with each other well but have slightly different targets.
    Rugged Strong Off Road Luxury Vs. Refined Capable Modern Family Hauler.

  14. Interestingly Ford Explorer sold 500K units 10 years ago, last year 52K. I doubt this nicely done vehicle will put the explorer over 100K. News flash to Ford, the large/medium size SUV craze is over, and it is not coming back. They should have put the effort into the small Escape.

    July 28, 2010 3:38 AM"

    Who says they aren't already? You know manufacturers have different design and R&D teams for different vehicles.

    My point is most people have moved to small suv's and the escape although stuff has been done is 9 years old, and in dog years that is 63years old. The escape is a dog, I owned one I know. They sould have poured all their resources into what is going to sell the next 10 years and that is the escape not explorer.

  15. Anonymous said…
    Interestingly Ford Explorer sold 500K units 10 years ago, last year 52K. I doubt this nicely done vehicle will put the explorer over 100K. News flash to Ford, the large/medium size SUV craze is over, and it is not coming back. They should have put the effort into the small Escape.

    Dude…the Escape was just re-done. It remains the best selling compact CUV in the market. Yes – it's getting old – however a new version will likely show up next year.

    The Explorer hasn't been redone in what….8 years?? Sales now suck – and likely has the best opportunity cost associated with innovation…hell, if they can get sales of 100K per year (double last years sales) – it'll be worth it.

    All this said, I can't wait for the new Escape….I hope it is an evolution of the Kuga like to be rumoured….

  16. "Better FE, higher quality interior, not sold by a manufacturer whos future is questionable." -WRONG

    "everyday drivability, refinement and driver comfort which is where it will completely trump the JGC."
    -WRONG Again!

    I've actually DRIVEN the 2011 JGC Overland (Trail-Rated version): REAL LEATHER on DOOR PANELS AND DASH. Double-stitching on the dash. REAL WOOD– not just on the dash & steering wheel; but door panels too– ALL 4 door panels! (unlike the rock-hard plastic panels that Venza's have in the back seat!) The RIDE–even withOUT (optional) air Suspension–is SMOOTHER AND more controlled than MOST cars (UNDER $80K). And QUIET! We're talking Buick/Cadillac here-not just Sequia/Tahoe/Expedition! That's what JEEP has in showrooms TODAY. If the next Explorer is as good; it'll be the ONLY one out there that is. (And yes; I've driven the Range Rover HSE; Lexus 400-series; Escalade and Navigator.) The ONLY folks who don't see the 2011 JGC as the new benchmark are those who haven't DRIVEN one!

  17. Dude…the Escape was just re-done. It remains the best selling compact CUV in the market. Yes – it's getting old – however a new version will likely show up next year

    "just redone" and "getting old" doesn't seem to go well together

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