http://jalopnik.com/5074977/the-car+...e-and-personal

Doesn't look as tough as the 90's explorers but I think I like it. Cross over is the way to go, this thing hopefully gets 25mpg hwy with the V6. I'd like to see it with a roof rack.

 

The mid size suv market is nonexistent. Ford and GM are taking the right route to replace the Trailblazers and the Explorers with fuel efficient yet capable 5+ seat crossovers. Hopefully, this unibody cross over can at least tow a decent sized boat or camper. Ford is on the ball with this one.

I am curious what they are planning with the Expedition replacement. Lets see what the General can do with the Tahoe.

 

I could see them keeping it truck based but going back to a simpler F-150 with the back enclosed design like big SUVs of the 70-80's

 

yuck! Looks like a rebadged Flex. How many small/medium crossover suv's does ford need? Taurus X, Escape, Edge, Flex, now Explorer?

How many of the BOF Explorers are they selling now? At least a hundred thousand.

 

This replaces the Taurus X and BOF Explorer, Flex replaced the Freestar.

So they will have Escape < Edge < Explorer for their crossover SUV lineup.

Chevy has the HHR , Equinox, Traverse. Too bad the HHR doesn't have AWD, it is basically the same size as an Escape.

 

I still like the full framed truck Explorers better but I can see how this is the current trend. Used Explorers make good solid reliable transportation and I think some of that is their simplicity being a full frame front engine truck.

 

Looks like I'll still be buying Yukons.

 

Glad I got my Grand Cherokee when I did. It's not a truck but it can tow and run **** over without breaking a sweat. My 92 Explorer Sport was a beast till the crappy plastic hubs in the front started going bad after 15 years, I'd say that's not too bad.

 

Looks almost exactly like a Taurus X with a very slightly revised front-end.

This can't be the Explorer, can it?

 

I don't like Ford' Gillette Mach 3 grille...

This Explorer looks like Freestyle (Or Taurus X) with Flex's front end.

 

This is an engineering mule folks. Pay no attention to the looks.

 

OMG overgrown and overweight looking minivan/station wagon.

As crappy as they were, I really like the S10 Blazer and Ford Explorers of the 1990's and early 2000's. They were little SUV's that rode like trucks, had real BOF engineering. They didn't get great gas mileage, but I felt comfortable towing something behind them. They had steel bumpers, 15 and 16" wheels with big squishy tires. I could drive in the snow or dirt all day long and felt like I was driving something with substance. Something I'd really trust up in the mountains.

This stuff ...great at making your weak-*** husband feel like he has a man vehicle, or great at making your wife think you "let" her drive your truck.

 

New Explorer is a crossover, not the BOF vehicle it's been since it was created.

Keep in mind, this is a mule. It has the new Explorer nose and perhaps rear section. But looking at the A pillars and seeing how the front fenders differ from the doors and the rest of the body, I wouldn't put any stock on this being the complete look of the Explorer.

I would think more along the lines of a Flex with a nose look.

 

Is it me, or is the Explorer getting bigger and bigger? I really like the size of it when they were putting out those early Sportracs. Now it looks too big.

 

I really really wish that a 2nd gen Lambda platform can make both current Lambda and next gen Tahoe, Yukon and Escalade while maintaing truck attitude.