My tester was the four-wheel drive LTD with a 3.5-liter, V6 engine. The V6 is a new addition to the previous year’s V8, but manages to lose only 2 horsepower. This is a trend in the auto industry currently as carmakers are figuring out how to maximize power out of the V6 engine. Sure you lose some torque, but the average driver will not really notice it at all.
And what it might lose in “power”, it more than makes up for in maneuverability.
Built on the same underpinning as the Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT, the Explorer becomes a little more car than truck this time around. The turning radius was beyond impressive. Three-point turns in tight spaces were not necessary. And at low speeds, the turning and handling was definitely car-like.
It wasn’t until higher speeds, that the weight of the Explorer became more obvious.
This is the wonder of the Explorer. It’s a little bit car, and a little bit truck and this model year, seems to take the best traits of each.
The 2011 model is four inches longer and five inches wider (height does shrink by an inch). The total weight is equivalent to last year, and still feels like a truck. Cargo space is about five inches less, but really, it’s more than adequate for a family’s needs.
In fact, I drove the Explorer up to Sandusky on a road trip and was able to comfortably fit all items in the back cargo area, or over the third row seats, while allowing my daughter to comfortably stretch out with few complaints (which is something for a 9-year-old) over the second row. Speaking of the third-row seat, with the push of one button you can automatically fold both or either seat to a flat position. This was one of the coolest (not to mention convenient) features of the vehicle.
There is a 7-passenger option, which forgoes extra second-row storage space (mine was the 6-passenger variety).
On looks alone, the Explorer merits new-found attention. It abandons its truck-like appearance for a more upscale sedan look. It has a handsome fit and finish and the new grille resembles luxury models like Land Rover or Lincoln. Sculpted sides resemble the Ford Taurus and a rear spoiler over the liftgate changes the back appearance (and improves fuel efficiency).
Inside, all creature comforts can be found for easy suburban driving, or for longer road trips. Ford’s excellent Sync system highlights the entertainment system. The touch-screen center stack allows simple controlling over navigation, temperature (front and rear) and music. Settings allow for any of these features to be visible just behind the steering wheels, ensuring the driver’s eye stays focused ahead.
Another new feature is the terrain management system. Depending on road conditions, you can switch to mud, sand, snow or normal. This is a nice feature, usually only found for luxury brands.
A vast improvement that will be noticeable upon the first fill-up is in the fuel economy.
Switching from the guzzling V8 to the V6 yields a 21 percent increase in fuel efficiency. The 2011 Explorer (AWD version) has a rating of 17 city and 23 highway. I put a lot of miles on my tester and averaged 19.8 MPG. This is very respectable, especially for a vehicle that is still the size of a truck.
My tester had a base price of $39,190 and a final price of $46,520 with several options.
The 2011 Ford Explorer is a vehicle that flashes some of the best features of a luxury sedan, while still providing all the space of an SUV. The Explorer has always been a great family vehicle, and that’s certainly still the case.
Jimmy Dinsmore is the Wheels editor at the Dayton Daily News and may be reached at (937) 225-2115. Reach him at jdinsmore@coxohio.com or follow him on Twitter @wheelseditor.
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