Driving Experience
For those still waiting I thought I'd give an update on my first weekend with my new Explorer. The first thing I have to say is that the ride is fantastic! It is so quiet, you really don't hear much of anything, and with the radio on it's even more like you're in a cocoon. I took it for a long highway ride and tried out the cruise control and the lane keeping. It's a little strange at first, because the vehicle tries to keep you centered in the lane. I have it on the highest setting, but might try a more subtle approach. The cruise control is great, keeping a comfortable distance between you and the car in front of you. However you have to watch out for the cars that dart into the open space as the brakes get hit when that happens, rather than a gentle slow down. Since I was trying it out, I may have drifted in and out of the lanes a little too much and the warning flashed in red, suggesting I take a rest (little cup of coffee comes up). The seats are comfortable but they feel smaller than my 2005 Explorer. I tried the back massage, which I thought felt good on the long drive.
All in all it is a great ride. It's up there with any of the luxury models. That said I am still reading up on how to use all the functions. I will say that the WeatherTech custom floor mats fit like a glove. I put them right over the carpets and they don't move. They aren't cheap, but worth it for the tight fit.
Perhaps we should start a new thread on the driving experience and anything people discover as they get more familiar with their new SUV's. Thoughts?