Test drive

[dsayed]

One of the local dealers (Kirkland, WA) has a 2011 XLT 4WD, which I had a quick drive in today. It had the Rapid Spec 201A package, so Driver Connect, premium audio, backup camera and rear climate control.

I like the way it looks and it was a nice drive. The salesman showed me the terrain management system before we set off and accidentally left it in the hill descent mode because there was a crunch as we turned a corner. A warning came up on the left display indicating that in that the vehicle should be kept under 20mph in that mode.

The interior felt good. The drive was quiet. I liked the driving position: high up and a relatively short hood makes for great visibility.
The MyTouch/Driver Connect stuff is very cool from a technology perspective. The configurable displays are nice and I can see plenty of fun to be had there. However, the touch controls on the center console as well as the definite lag from the system is an area of concern. I can see my wife (who would be the main driver) getting very irritate with the lag and pushing buttons several times.

I verified that the spare wheel is indeed a thinner than normal wheel.

The only model I'm interested in is the Limited with the bucket seats and I will go for a drive in one of those once one comes in. It is between that and the Acadia.

 

[edge929]

My wife and I were eye-balling the Acadia also, along with the Highlander. Acadia is a little big for our needs, not as good MPG and the Highlander is a little small for our needs. Explorer seems to be just right.

Did the XLT you drove have the trailer tow package? I'm guessing not since it had a mini spare instead of the "tire mobility kit" which most likely consists of the spray-can goo in order to keep/repair the full size original tire when hauling loads.

 

[dsayed]

@edge - no trailering package. It was pretty much a basic XLT. Here's the window sticker.

 

[peterk9]

My wife and I were eye-balling the Acadia also, along with the Highlander. Acadia is a little big for our needs, not as good MPG and the Highlander is a little small for our needs. Explorer seems to be just right.

If you are looking at cargo room, the Highlander has 94.1 cu. ft behind the front seats and the Explorer has 80.7 cu. ft. That is based on the 2009 Highlander Ltd that I currently have and the 2011 is the same.

 

[unclemeat]

$36,000, sound like a lot to me.

 

[peterk9]

$36,000, sound like a lot to me.

My 2011 Explorer Limited with options came to $51,779 before tax! Wth the dollar at par, I still fail to see why Canadian prices are so much higher. That is one reason I'm leasing.:thumbdwn:

 

[Joe Dirt]

anything over $2,500 sounds like a lot to me...

I agree with you Peter- the USD should be the one taking the hit since we're printing money like junkmail down here with little to back it up...

 

[edge929]

If you are looking at cargo room, the Highlander has 94.1 cu. ft behind the front seats and the Explorer has 80.7 cu. ft. That is based on the 2009 Highlander Ltd that I currently have and the 2011 is the same.

That's a good point but I'm mainly looking at room behind the 2nd and 3rd rows.

2011 Highlander is 95.4/42.3/10.3 (behind first, second, third) with a total of 148
2011 Explorer is 80.7/43.8/21 (behind first, second, third) with a total of 151.7

Mostly small differences but the Highlander felt a little on the small side for me. I've learned in my day you can never underestimate perception

 

[Joe Dirt]

Not that small of a difference- I can't lower the second row in mine since I have a kid seat there, so the cargo space in my Ex is important back there... That's why I don't own an Edge.

 

[sean99]

anything over $2,500 sounds like a lot to me...
.

I agree...$4k for my 5.0 01 limited was hard to cough up, even though its well worth it...I'm a tight a$$ when it comes to spending on vehicles.
I will probably always buy used...I might own a 2011 in 2020 if they hold up as well as the 2nd gen 5.0...Time will tell