Had my XLT for 5 months now.
The pros:
- I like the way it looks (looks much more modern and "bulkier" than previous gens IMHO).
- I like the new tech (meaning infotainment, lane keep etc).
- For a 4cyl, it has good everyday torque. People say they're concerned with these small engines in these big SUV's but that's why you get a lot of torque down low, so you don't have to stress the engine in the upper RPM's.
- It has very good road presence. Depending on color or trim, some people do move over for you because they think you're a cop lol. My XLT is white and i say half of the time i'm in the left lane, people move over, even if i'm not right up on them or doing anything dumb.
- It's the perfect size. I thought about getting an escape but that was too "girly" for me. Didn't like the edge, and the expedition was way to big.
- It's a PERFECT highway cruiser. You could do hundreds of miles, fuel permitted, and not get fatigued or sore from the seating position etc.
The cons:
- While the 4cyl is torquey and runs good, the engine is loud. Ford did a good job insulating outside noise when you're driving so it's dead silent inside. However from some odd reason, you do hear the engine (perhaps some noise is being transferred through the vents somehow? Or i guess the firewall etc). Engine sounds very "rental car" like.
- Transmission is not smooth. Some people say it is, and it could be. But the scenarios vary. If i'm on the highway, it's the best. I touch the throttle, it'll downshift no problem, nice and smooth and off i go. Moderate throttle IE: merging onto the highway, also good. Goes through the gears nice and smooth. However city driving, lots of stop and go under 40mph, it is very frustrating. Transmission doesn't know what gear to be in as it wants to find the highest gear all the time. The 1-2 shift is delayed and sometimes lurches foward. The DOWNSHIFT from 2-1 is my biggest complaint of the transmission. I can't do anything to where it'll be smooth. Even if i try to slow down hundreds of feet before i come to a complete stop. The trans will do it's downshifting, which you can feel, then when you're about to come to a complete stop it'll do the 2-1 downshift and you feel yourself moving with the car. My mom, who knows absolutely nothing about cars, even noticed it. She said, "why does it slow down like that?"
- Minor interior rattles. A couple of weeks after i took the car from from the dealer, i developed an annoying rattle. I chased it for almost a month. Asking my co-worker to drive the car while i sat in the backseat. Asked my bro to help me find it. I put HVAC foam insulation tape on parts in the 3rd row area where i thought the rattle was coming from. It wasn't any of that. Finally i found out it was the 2nd row seat rails. Lubricated all of them and the noise went away. BUT just 2 weeks ago found another rattle, i think it's coming from either the passenger front door panel or the passenger rear door panel. I don't know but it's not loud enough for me to do something about it. At least not during winter, maybe i'll tackle that job come spring or summer.
- WIND NOISE. And by noise i mean whenever you crack ANY window even half an inch. All windows closed, dead silent inside. The moment you crack a window open, it sounds like a jet plane taking off.
- Door hinges. I use my back seat a lot for when i put stuff from work in the backseat, paperwork, bags etc and the hinge doesn't allow the "half open", "fully open". So let's say i open the backseat door, i go put something behind my driver seat and i almost all the time get hit with the door because it's closing back on me. The door just likes to swing back closed. This is on level ground, not a windy day etc. I literally have to open the door all the way and make sure it's in the fully open position. If not, i'll find the door hitting me as i'm putting the stuff in the backseat.
- Infotainment could use a bit more graphics. Sometimes android auto doesn't work. You have to unplug your phone and plug it back.
That's all i got so far in 5 months of ownership.
Hope this helps.
