A New Ford Unveiled Today (on Facebook): 2011 Ford Explorer

[Frivol]

I actully like this. and every person that i know that owns an explorer this would suit them perfectly

 

[RIKU]

I read on usa today that the 4 cyl eco boost the provides 276hp will only last 10 years at 150,000 miles.

That's pretty sad. Wonder how the 6 cyl will do.

none the less i struggle to keep a vehicle for 2-3 years let alone 10.

 

[MagicMtnDan]

Man Jalopnik ripped this thing for being built on the new Taurus uni-body platform. They called it the new Edge, just with different sheet metal.

I can see their point; why invoke a name like "Explorer" when its designed to never leave the pavement? Seems like Ford might have come up with a new/different name.

Ah, the age old issue about SUVs. They've been designed to be offroad capable and yet the vast majority of them never leave the pavement and if they do it's on a dirt road. The 4WD feature is part of the SUV cache. But it is useful in snow and bad weather.

Let's look at it this way: Ford is offering SUV buyers an attractive, efficient, high-tech, comfortable SUV that will do everything buyers want it to do. Sounds like a perfect match to me.

Hey Ford, how about making a Jeep competitor? I'll buy one as soon as you take orders!

 

[KaiserM715]

I read on usa today that the 4 cyl eco boost the provides 276hp will only last 10 years at 150,000 miles.

That's pretty sad. Wonder how the 6 cyl will do.

none the less i struggle to keep a vehicle for 2-3 years let alone 10.

Have a link to the article? I consider 10 years as a minimum to own a vehicle (I had my Ranger for 10.5, we had the wife's old car for right at 10).

I am just disappointed to see yet another useless crossover. Is Ford making what their customers want? Yep. Does it suck that the number of off-road capable SUVs has dwindled tremendously? Yep.

 

[MagicMtnDan]

Does it suck that the number of off-road capable SUVs has dwindled tremendously? Yep.

I wish there were more "off-road capable SUVs" but there are still many.

All of the 4x4 pickups are good. All of the 4x4 SUVs are as good as the pickups for the most part. This includes the full-size products and the smaller ones. Vehicles like the Nissan Exterra and FJ Cruiser are very good (although I suspect the FJ isn't long for this world - its impending demise is rumored every year). Mercedes-Benz has its Gwagen and the ML isn't bad offroad. And there are others and almost all these vehicles can be modified to improve their capabilities.

My wish is that there would be more capable off-roaders. I want to see at least 2 companies make Jeep competitors. And I hope that Jeep's J/K product gets a big bump inside and out in the not too distant future. I know people that won't buy a Jeep for offroading until the Hemi is available in it.

 

[BigJ]

I know people that won't buy a Jeep for offroading until the Hemi is available in it.

Gonna be waiting awhile. The "Hemi" is dead, at least in name:

The auto maker plans to promote the big engine only in certain Dodge cars and Ram pickup trucks, the dealers said. The company will continue to offer the engine as an option in certain Jeeps and the Chrysler 300 sedan, but won't call it a Hemi in those vehicles. Instead, it will simply be called a 5.7-liter V8, they said.

http://online.wsj.com/article/NA_WSJ_PUB:SB10001424052748704178004575351333940667038.html

 

[RIKU]

Have a link to the article? I consider 10 years as a minimum to own a vehicle (I had my Ranger for 10.5, we had the wife's old car for right at 10).

I am just disappointed to see yet another useless crossover. Is Ford making what their customers want? Yep. Does it suck that the number of off-road capable SUVs has dwindled tremendously? Yep.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2010/07/2011-ford-explorers-secret-puny-yet-powerful-engine/1

 

[SLB8SNK]

Not sure why people are down on this? This is the best looking Explore to date, most advanced, and very functional. I doubt most Explorer folk for off road riding, yes off road but that is dirt roads at best, and this truck/suv is more than capable. If people want a truck, they buy a truck, but I challenge anyone to find a like vehicle, marketed the same, that will out perform it. I am hard fast that FORD has one of the best all round vehicle offerings than ANY other automaker. They have something to fit every need, and in every price, and this Explorer will kick butt.....

 

[NoCaDiver]

Showed the Explorer to my wife this morning...now she doesn't know what she wants AWD Edge or 4WD Explorer.

As for Ford using the Explorer name, it did not cross my mind that this was a bad thing since I never considered the Explorer as an offroad contender anyway and honestly never held it in high regard, it was just a vehicle that made no real impression. However it appears to me that Ford is moving down the right path (for the time being).

It would be nice if it actually had a transfer case but I have a Raptor and a Landcruiser if I feel like offroading (though I understand that not everyone will or has a three vehicle house). But for all intents and purposes it would serve my wife well in her needs and for lugging around our three dogs when we travel.

The most absolute terrible thing about the new Explorer is that it is front wheel drive, regardless if you purchase the FWD or 4WD version.

 

[BentToast]

The Explorer was never going off road anyway so who cares? I have NEVER seen any suv off road. Whats wong with getting a crew cab Raptor if you want a 2011 Ford that can take the family into hot, rattlesnake infested areas and be great on the road and haul anything you want in the bed? The Explorer looks good, and its the most honest suv ever made. How is it worse than the front paw Land Rover or Jeep?