smooth3d

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/29/2...-drive-review/

It seems real nice, but just as the report states it should be a no cost option instead of 995 extra.

Drive XR7

Interested in hearing of a tuned Explorer on the 1/4 mile.

96_Camaro_B4C

Motor Trend just took a big ol' dump on the Explorer with the EcoBoost 4. They already didn't care much for it in their test of the V6, but they really unleashed on the 4 cylinder.

Of course, Motor Trend is generally a bunch of clowns, IMO.

smooth3d

The Motortrend report was pure garbage, like they had personal agenda against Ford or something. Ford must be doing something right because I see the new Explorers all the time. If it was that horrible it would not sell.

Threxx

To Motor Trend's credit the V6 Explorer they tested in their 3 row SUV comparison test a few months back apparently had a lot of problems... trim pieces falling off inside and out, Sync locking up repeatedly, rattles, etc.

In that situation what do you do? Chalk it up to a fluke and rate the car based on its other merits while overlooking what you hope are flaws you wouldn't see repeated with a second demo vehicle? Ask Ford for a replacement? Somehow I don't think you guys would demand such leniency if Honda or Toyota had experienced similar issues.

I mean yeah, if MT is just biased against Ford and it making this stuff up then that's awful... but I'm more inclined to believe they just genuinely don't care for it.

Has anyone else done a comparison test with the Explorer and given it a glowing review?

FWIW my good friend at work has one (2011 V6 XLE FWD with almost every option available) and while I really dig the look of the interior and exterior and LOVE the tech factor the dual LCD gauges and Sync system add (I'm an IT guy by day)... I think if I were to buy a 7-row SUV right now, the Explorer wouldn't be it.

My #1 complaint is the ride is surprisingly stiff, yet the driving feel and handling is very numb. It's like it's still body on frame or something. Maybe their focus groups said that repeat buyers felt alienated by a car-like driving experience so they tuned everything to be somewhere between a cross-over and the old Explorer?

97QuasarBlue3.8

I really have a hard time believing ANY automotive review until I've driven the car myself for more than a 5 mile dealer test drive. And even then I can only make a judgement for "right now" --since I've literally owned vehicles that were tight and squeak-free on day one, and then at 20k miles were looser than a bucket of bolts.

IMO a stiff ride is fine so long as it's controlled and refined on rough surfaces.

falchulk

Motortrend is absolutely not biased against Ford. As a matter of fact MT and Road&Track are very pro Ford. C&D on the other hand do have a bias against the blue oval. Just becasue you dont agree with an article does not always mean there is bias. The Explorer has overall been panned by all the critics.

Z28x

I thought I remember reading that Motor Trend used a per-production Explorer when they did their review. That would be Fords fault for not going over the vehicle and making sure everything is ok.

smooth3d

Im not upset with them because they dont like the Explorer, Its the writing style I dont like, its very unprofessional. When go to review anything, you go in with a open mind, to give a fair opinion. If you already hate it why review it? Ford must know something they do not know because they are selling real well.