Garrett Custom
Member
- Joined
- February 17, 2014
- Messages
- 12
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Pensacola, FL
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2014 Explorer XLT
I figured I would give an update on my wife's 2014 XLT in Ruby Red. Right now the XLT has 3800 miles on it. My wife really likes it, she gave up her 08 Honda Accord and this is her first SUV. The following things are what she likes about it. Value, it is the best price for size SUV on the market. She likes the gas mileage, she is averaging on highway right at 20-21 and around town 16-17. She does say that she wishes it had more get up and go but also admits she doesn't push the gas pedal hard either. The visibility is really good but the "A" pillar is wide and does require some adjustment on the drivers part to make sure you're not pulling out in front of someone and pedestrian in mall parking lots. The ride is very smooth but the interior noise is a little louder than expected. Steering is very responsive and body roll is pretty minimal considering the size and height.
Now for the negative, hers has the light stone leather interior and with her job she has to wear jeans but for some reason the seat is turning blue. Dealer says it's because her jeans are new and she should wear something else, I'm going disagree. I do question the quality of the seats since none of our past vehicles did this either. The fix is about every 3 to 4 days I must clean the seat with leather cleaner.
We did have an issue with the rain seal coming off both back doors. The dealer did fix them but the new parts don't seem to fit correctly. They also don't have the same shine as the factory pieces either.
The SYNC control panel was confusing at first, it did take her about a month to get the hang of it. The voice control is something she has given up on using all together.
She does wish the gas tank was larger maybe 5 gallons more. Not sure why it has about the same size tank as a car.
The headlights are bright but the high beams have you seeing tops of trees and having owls mad at you for blinding them. We have taken it to the dealer and was told they are adjusted correctly and we should keep the fog light on to help out. Doesn't make since to me since the relay shuts off the fog lights when the high beams come on. I know the low beams have the horizontal shadow line and she has gotten used to it, however she doesn't like people flashing her when she doesn't have her high beans on. We have given up using the high beams because they are useless. It's seems the are more on vertical axis than the horizontal.
I personally don't like the side view mirrors, I would have put the blind spot mirror on the lower inside instead of the outside top.
I will say a friend of ours has a 2012 XLT and they don't have any of these issues. All in all she is happy with her choice of SUV but wishes a bit more attention detail was given on the areas she is not satisfied with. I don't think we will own this vehicle for the long haul.
v/r
Roger
2014 XLT in "Ruby Red"
Now for the negative, hers has the light stone leather interior and with her job she has to wear jeans but for some reason the seat is turning blue. Dealer says it's because her jeans are new and she should wear something else, I'm going disagree. I do question the quality of the seats since none of our past vehicles did this either. The fix is about every 3 to 4 days I must clean the seat with leather cleaner.
We did have an issue with the rain seal coming off both back doors. The dealer did fix them but the new parts don't seem to fit correctly. They also don't have the same shine as the factory pieces either.
The SYNC control panel was confusing at first, it did take her about a month to get the hang of it. The voice control is something she has given up on using all together.
She does wish the gas tank was larger maybe 5 gallons more. Not sure why it has about the same size tank as a car.
The headlights are bright but the high beams have you seeing tops of trees and having owls mad at you for blinding them. We have taken it to the dealer and was told they are adjusted correctly and we should keep the fog light on to help out. Doesn't make since to me since the relay shuts off the fog lights when the high beams come on. I know the low beams have the horizontal shadow line and she has gotten used to it, however she doesn't like people flashing her when she doesn't have her high beans on. We have given up using the high beams because they are useless. It's seems the are more on vertical axis than the horizontal.
I personally don't like the side view mirrors, I would have put the blind spot mirror on the lower inside instead of the outside top.
I will say a friend of ours has a 2012 XLT and they don't have any of these issues. All in all she is happy with her choice of SUV but wishes a bit more attention detail was given on the areas she is not satisfied with. I don't think we will own this vehicle for the long haul.
v/r
Roger
2014 XLT in "Ruby Red"