Here's the issue that nobody wants to admit to. The Explorer is essentially a $30,000 vehicle that Ford gussies up to try to get people to believe that's it's a premium $50,000+ vehicle, which it is not. They all come down the same assembly line. It's just some of the pigs get lipstick, and others do not.
I admit I have a low end XLT that went off the dealer lot for under $30,000. Is it perfect, no, but I feel that for a $30,000 semi-full size SUV, it's a pretty good value. There are a few little fit and finish issues, but they really don't concern me. Now, if my pig would have gotten the lipstick treatment, with the cheap leather seats, something called MFT that doesn't seem to work most of the time, engines and transmissions that are less than smooth and refined, and I paid $50,000+, yeah, I'd probably not be happy either.
But if we think this is a luxury vehicle, then we are deluding ourselves. It's just a common, run of the mill, mid priced people and junk hauler, no more no less. Ford isn't stupid, they are going to wring out every nickel they can by selling the Sport, Limited, and now the Platinum versions. I think of all the models, the XLT makes the most sense.
