2011 Ford Explorer!

[edge929]

I read a review that mentioned curb weight just under 4700 lbs for the Limited. That's actually heavier than all it's competitors save for the Acadia/Traverse/Enclave yet it gets the best gas mileage (barely). Highlander Limited 4WD is sitting at 4464 lbs. Pilot EX-L 4WD is 4561. Acadia SLT-2 AWD is 4857.

As for slick roads, I'll take all the traction I can get. If it had 8 wheels, I'd want all eight turning!

 

[willied]

First, the F150 has gone down-hill. From being a working man's companion to a street-hugging-pavement-lover truck. Thats why ford did the Raptor to try to gain some off-road market, but if you spend $40-50K on a truck, you're not likely to take it off-road. Besides these new trucks have so much electronics.

Well said.
Ford did many surveys with the new explorer. Many wanted off-road capability, but never would take it off road. So this is the "best of both worlds". Many people who do off-road will just be heading on a dirt/gravel trail to a camp site or a lake.
We that do serious off-roading are what, 1% of the explorer market, if they lose 100,000 customers, but gain another 120,000 customers (over-exagerrated numbers), what loss is that to them?
Ford's got the Bronco still in their plans, but if its ever released is a whole other topic. The only real off-roader is the Wrangler, but even thats going more street-oriented.


I have a question on the new explorer; does anyone know the weight of the 2011 Explorer?

The F-150 has only been getting better. You can still buy it with basically nothing in it as a work truck. And what a sweet selection of engines on the 2011.

 

[NHarris]

The F-150 has only been getting better. You can still buy it with basically nothing in it as a work truck. And what a sweet selection of engines on the 2011.

My opinion is the mid to late 90's F150's are the best, and the 04-08. But the powertrains weren't the best.
They did right with the engines, but the power items turn me off. I want the FX4 model, and Rangers are perfect, 16" wheels, and all ready for off-road. The FX4 F150 has so much chrome and power stuff it looks like it'll be ready for a street adventure. Thats my opinion only. I'll buy something else I guess.
But hey we all have our opinions and will buy what we want. All of our opinons about cars and trucks are right

Anyways sorry to get off topic. Back to topic

I have been looking at the Traverse because the 2010 X was being out done. It was old and the design was old news. Lousy mileage. Now that the 2011 X is catching my attention. Some are concerned about the front wheel drive, but if you get the 4wd, would you be able to use it towing? I don't think it's like the old 4wd.

You can tow. This 4WD system is basically an AWD. You have an AUTO type setting and all the other settings on the dial. The thing is; its always in 4WD. So it can tow up to its rating at 5000LBS. The FWD model has no towing capability (as far as I know)

 

[willied]

My opinion is the mid to late 90's F150's are the best, and the 04-08. But the powertrains weren't the best.
They did right with the engines, but the power items turn me off. I want the FX4 model, and Rangers are perfect, 16" wheels, and all ready for off-road. The FX4 F150 has so much chrome and power stuff it looks like it'll be ready for a street adventure. Thats my opinion only. I'll buy something else I guess.
But hey we all have our opinions and will buy what we want. All of our opinons about cars and trucks are right

If we are talking about looks, then I understand. But the actual truck has improved greatly.

I would have to say the Ranger FX4 is the single greatest looking truck I've ever seen. Whenever I see a dark blue one with the two-tone paint I feel like I'm seeing a Lamborghini.

Back onto that Explorer...:

 

[tmike]

The FWD model has no towing capability (as far as I know)

Check out ford.com and look up the specs! FWD and 4WD both tow 5000lbs.

 

[Dexplorer]

Just to chime in, as I mentioned my off road use will be dirt roads, desert sand, maybe mountain roads in snow. I don't need to go rock crawling or drive through rivers or swamps. And if I did I probably would not do those things in a brand new 2011 $35,000 SUV ! I would buy a beat up old lifted jeep for those occasions. The 2011 X hits all of my needs, the only downside for me is it might be a bit too long. Just like a lot of Ferrari owners never go to the race track, I think a lot of 4X owners never touch the dirt. I guess people like to know they could if they wanted to, but the trade off for Ford is road drivability (where the vehicle will be most of the time) vs rugged off roader ( where it won't be most of the time ). I drove the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, it felt like I was sitting on the back of a blue whale, very sluggish, wobbly slow to respond on the paved road. The overall road feel was boat like. The VW Treg TDI on the other hand was nimble, quick and light feeling on the road, VW has done the same thing Ford has, they cut a lot of the amazing Treg off road features and focused on road handling. Can't wait to drive the new Explorer !

 

[sabasigh]

The 2011 X hits all of my needs, the only downside for me is it might be a bit too long.

snip...

I drove the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, it felt like I was sitting on the back of a blue whale, very sluggish, wobbly slow to respond on the paved road. The overall road feel was boat like.

Ditto...I like the new Ex but dang it's big. I have a 2000 Sport and for me personally, it's the perfect size. No wife/kids/dogs/etc....but the ride is killing me.

I know the longer the wheelbase, the smoother the ride but I'll accept the tradeoff of ride for not piloting a barge.

The Escape? Don't get any sense of "rugged SUV" vibe from it, but the size is right. Hopefully the concept/future model will be something worthwhile.

 

[MarielleLeigh]

First, the F150 has gone down-hill. From being a working man's companion to a street-hugging-pavement-lover truck. Thats why ford did the Raptor to try to gain some off-road market, but if you spend $40-50K on a truck, you're not likely to take it off-road. Besides these new trucks have so much electronics.

Well said.
Ford did many surveys with the new explorer. Many wanted off-road capability, but never would take it off road. So this is the "best of both worlds". Many people who do off-road will just be heading on a dirt/gravel trail to a camp site or a lake.
We that do serious off-roading are what, 1% of the explorer market, if they lose 100,000 customers, but gain another 120,000 customers (over-exagerrated numbers), what loss is that to them?
Ford's got the Bronco still in their plans, but if its ever released is a whole other topic. The only real off-roader is the Wrangler, but even thats going more street-oriented.


I have a question on the new explorer; does anyone know the weight of the 2011 Explorer?

@NHarris The Explorer's weight is 4,695 lbs, which is around 100 lbs less than the current Explorer!

 

[Joe Dirt]

snip...

Ditto...I like the new Ex but dang it's big. I have a 2000 Sport and for me personally, it's the perfect size. No wife/kids/dogs/etc....but the ride is killing me.

I know the longer the wheelbase, the smoother the ride but I'll accept the tradeoff of ride for not piloting a barge.

The Escape? Don't get any sense of "rugged SUV" vibe from it, but the size is right. Hopefully the concept/future model will be something worthwhile.

I agree on the size. I love my gen II. It's not massive, yet holds a LOT of stuff. The Escape doesn't have the cargo space, the Edge has similar to the Ex when the seat is folded down, but I need the seat up. The Gen III/IV is quite a bit physically bigger than the Gen II with similar cargo space, and the 2011 is a LOT bigger physically. It's the same gripe I have about the F-150, it's too damn big. I don't even like driving my dad's 2010 F150- it's a barge. It's HUGE. I have to push the front into the shelves in my garage to get the garage door to close, and it has about 1-1/2" in the back for clearance. ...and I can't open the doors when it's in there. I don't know why everything has to keep getting bigger, when the gains in interior room are marginal at best.

Here's the beef:

Gen II Explorer (4 door):

L 190"
W (minus mirrors) 70.2"
H 67.5"
Cargo up 41.4cf
Cargo folded 79.8cf
Weight 3,876 lbs.

Escape:

L 174.7"
W 71.1"
H 67.8"
Cargo up 31.4cf
Cargo folded 67.2cf
Weight 3,504 lbs.

Gen IV Explorer:

L 193.4"
W (minus mirrors) 73.7"
H 72.8"
Cargo up 45.1cf
Cargo folded 85.8cf
Weight 4,455 lbs.


Edge:

L 184.2"
W (minus mirrors) 76"
H 67"
Cargo up 32.2cf
Cargo folded 68.9cf
Weight 4,098 lbs.


2011 Explorer:

L 197.1"
W (minus mirrors) 78.9"
H 70.4"
Cargo up 43.8cf
Cargo folded 80.7cf
Weight 4,695 lbs.


So, comparing the 2011 Ex to the gen II, it's 7" longer, 6" wider, 3" taller, and over 800 lbs. heavier- gets you 2cf more cargo space with the third seat folded, and 1cf more cargo space with all of the seats folded. ???

If you look at the Escape, the cargo volume kills it. It doesn't carry enough stuff. The total cargo carried isn't always the story, sometimes it's the length of the item you're trying to load. Stuff doesn't fit. There is a void between the Escape and the Explorer that is the sweet spot- where the Gen II was. That size is awesome, and why it was so popular. I understand trying to push people to the larger model from the Escape by leaving that void there, but the new Ex is now too fat for the interior room it gives.

This really does matter- especially when garaging them. I'm not counting mirrors, but it would seriously limit me in the garage. It honestly would be a problem. ...as well as in just the desirability of having a more compact package to do the same thing. That's why I like my gen II, it does more with less. Why does that seem like a bad thing anymore?

 

[willied]

So the new Explorer has less cargo room than the Gen 4? Wow, that's pathetic. I love the size of mine, easy to maneuver and has a great turning radius.

 

[2TimingTom]

I guess if I get a 2011 Explorer, it might be parked out on the driveway. I'm not sure it'll fit in the garage. That'll make the wife happy.......

Might be looking elsewhere for a replacement vehicle.

 

[tmike]

I guess if I get a 2011 Explorer, it might be parked out on the driveway. I'm not sure it'll fit in the garage. That'll make the wife happy.......

Might be looking elsewhere for a replacement vehicle.

Hell it's an SUV/CUV, they're suppose to be outside! It's not a Range Rover, BMW, or a Benz. There's a Mustang in my garage and the Ex is Outside with the Wife's. Hey Tom, where in Colorado are you from? I'm Gypsum and my parents are in Buena Vista.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Uh, no. For $40 grand, it's going in the flippin' garage!!!

 

[tmike]

Uh, no. For $40 grand, it's going in the flippin' garage!!!

Rather have the Stang in there. The Ex can get dirty!

 

[Joe Dirt]

Nothing I own can get dirty- I'd need a bigger garage... lol!

 

[willied]

If you've got the garage to hold it then it definitely makes sense to keep it in there. Keeping a car outside weathers it faster and it can get moldy easier. Sadly I have to keep mine outside.

 

[Joe Dirt]

willied- I think we should scrape up and get you one of these...

 

[willied]

Haha! That is too funny.

 

[2TimingTom]

Hell it's an SUV/CUV, they're suppose to be outside! It's not a Range Rover, BMW, or a Benz. There's a Mustang in my garage and the Ex is Outside with the Wife's. Hey Tom, where in Colorado are you from? I'm Gypsum and my parents are in Buena Vista.

For that kind of money, like Joe said, it's going in the garage. If I have a toy in the garage instead, then I'll happily park on the driveway.

I think it'll fit in mine, it's just going to be tight between the cars and the work bench in front might have to go. Maybe if I take it for a test drive, I'll see if I can fit it in or not. The Ford dealer is only about 4 miles away.

I'm in Highlands Ranch (south metro Denver).

 

[tmike]

For that kind of money, like Joe said, it's going in the garage. If I have a toy in the garage instead, then I'll happily park on the driveway.

I think it'll fit in mine, it's just going to be tight between the cars and the work bench in front might have to go. Maybe if I take it for a test drive, I'll see if I can fit it in or not. The Ford dealer is only about 4 miles away.

I'm in Highlands Ranch (south metro Denver).

You see, I was born and raised in the mtns, until I left for the Navy right after highschool(1990). We've always us the garage for working on snow machines or putting the toys in! Hell, I remember when my dad bought his first and second new F250 Powerstrokes (50,000 a piece) they've never smelled a garage.