BJB94
Member
- Joined
- January 29, 2021
- Messages
- 36
- Reaction score
- 9
- City, State
- Pa
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2021 explorer XLT
This is a company car so money has no effect on my thoughts. 4K miles and counting
Engine and trans - I find the 2.3 simply amazing in its low end linear torque and power. MPG is also amazing at a solid 22MPG around town and 30MPG highway hand calculated. This is with 1-2 hrs of idle time per day in NE PA temps. The noise this engine makes is horrible and im glad that it has quieted down significantly as it breaks in. Im still disappointed that even with the double bulkhead you hear as much of this noise in the cabin. The transmission is one of the best i have driven ever. It is so quick and responsive, O-#$!% moments drop you in the correct gear and your rocketing down the road.
AWD-4WD - This system sucks if you ask me. First why so many driving modes? If this system is so intelligent why dosen't it do what it needs to keep me moving and on the road in all conditions, why must i tell it its snowing outside and i would like AWD. My wifes 2016 Edge is perfict, you simply put it in drive and go. The delay in power going to the front axle is enough to get you in trouble, almost ditched it on a 43' day in normal mode when i hit slush. Still feel on the 2.3 it has the front axle disconnected most of the time and the delay till it engages is to long, it should be locked till you exceed a MPH like 40. I do feel we need a touring mode, something between sport and normal.
Fit and finish - Ford stamping department should be castrated then fired. Every ford i have and i have many the door to fender gap is just piss poor. No excuse for this in 2021 no mater the price point. Interior seems fine to me, maybe a little wonky looking around the cluster.
Style - I love the style inside and out. I like the strong look of the exterior and the fact that it dosent look like any other Ford model. Im getting older and have a 1994 mustang for fun and a 2005 superduty for 5th wheel hauling and i find the dash and display well thought out. Lots of buttons for things that are used often, very easy and smart to use.
Comfort - Im not a big guy but i feel all the seats seem narrow. The ST i had for a few weeks did not feel this way. I have gotten used to it but sometimes i feel like im sitting on the seats instead of in them if that makes sense. Ford in general always seemed to have a sportier ride if you ask me, and thats the way i like it. So when i had the 2020 ST with 21" wheels i felt that was a bit rough for a work vehicle that i would be in 30-40k miles a year. I thought the XLT with softer springs and 20" wheels would be just right. I feel it should be a smidge smoother and would like a little less noise when i do hit bumps. I feel this is my biggest disappointment is the ride and noise. Handling is great and its fun to drive on the back roads, add a larger rear sway bar and it would be much better. Cabin is very quiet once you are up to speed, this thing shines on the highway.
Steering and brakes - If you are a very analog person like me and used to proper feedback from things like your brake pedal and steering rack it will take time to get used to this thing. Brakes feel changes all the time, ST with red calipers was much better and consistent. Steering you can feel its doing all kinds of things in the background, like sway control and wind gusts.
So all in all i really like the explorer and really what else are you going to get for the money. It was this or a Sportage for the same money and there is no comparison. I wanted RWD based for towing and the way it drives.
Engine and trans - I find the 2.3 simply amazing in its low end linear torque and power. MPG is also amazing at a solid 22MPG around town and 30MPG highway hand calculated. This is with 1-2 hrs of idle time per day in NE PA temps. The noise this engine makes is horrible and im glad that it has quieted down significantly as it breaks in. Im still disappointed that even with the double bulkhead you hear as much of this noise in the cabin. The transmission is one of the best i have driven ever. It is so quick and responsive, O-#$!% moments drop you in the correct gear and your rocketing down the road.
AWD-4WD - This system sucks if you ask me. First why so many driving modes? If this system is so intelligent why dosen't it do what it needs to keep me moving and on the road in all conditions, why must i tell it its snowing outside and i would like AWD. My wifes 2016 Edge is perfict, you simply put it in drive and go. The delay in power going to the front axle is enough to get you in trouble, almost ditched it on a 43' day in normal mode when i hit slush. Still feel on the 2.3 it has the front axle disconnected most of the time and the delay till it engages is to long, it should be locked till you exceed a MPH like 40. I do feel we need a touring mode, something between sport and normal.
Fit and finish - Ford stamping department should be castrated then fired. Every ford i have and i have many the door to fender gap is just piss poor. No excuse for this in 2021 no mater the price point. Interior seems fine to me, maybe a little wonky looking around the cluster.
Style - I love the style inside and out. I like the strong look of the exterior and the fact that it dosent look like any other Ford model. Im getting older and have a 1994 mustang for fun and a 2005 superduty for 5th wheel hauling and i find the dash and display well thought out. Lots of buttons for things that are used often, very easy and smart to use.
Comfort - Im not a big guy but i feel all the seats seem narrow. The ST i had for a few weeks did not feel this way. I have gotten used to it but sometimes i feel like im sitting on the seats instead of in them if that makes sense. Ford in general always seemed to have a sportier ride if you ask me, and thats the way i like it. So when i had the 2020 ST with 21" wheels i felt that was a bit rough for a work vehicle that i would be in 30-40k miles a year. I thought the XLT with softer springs and 20" wheels would be just right. I feel it should be a smidge smoother and would like a little less noise when i do hit bumps. I feel this is my biggest disappointment is the ride and noise. Handling is great and its fun to drive on the back roads, add a larger rear sway bar and it would be much better. Cabin is very quiet once you are up to speed, this thing shines on the highway.
Steering and brakes - If you are a very analog person like me and used to proper feedback from things like your brake pedal and steering rack it will take time to get used to this thing. Brakes feel changes all the time, ST with red calipers was much better and consistent. Steering you can feel its doing all kinds of things in the background, like sway control and wind gusts.
So all in all i really like the explorer and really what else are you going to get for the money. It was this or a Sportage for the same money and there is no comparison. I wanted RWD based for towing and the way it drives.