What are your thoughts so far?

[he11lish]

The Grand Touring has 494 HP @ 5500 RPM and torque is 630 @ 2250 RPM compared to the Aviator's 400 HP @ 5500 and 415 @ 3000.

Peter

True but the weight kills it...that engine moves another 900lbs or so

 

[1sttimeexplorerowner]

Love how the 2020 platinum drives, the power, the technology and how it looks. Mine is however, not very quiet inside. The wind noise is pretty bad and it's coming from the door seals front and back. I rode with the tech this morning and he agreed. There is also noise coming from those rear vents inside. do they vent straight outside? What extra noise dampeners did they put in the 21? Mine also doesn't have that rear air deflector underneath and the way it sounds it should.

Yeah something must be wrong, i would definitely bring it in.

IF anything, that was one of the "new features" for the 2020 explorer of all trim levels, is the sound insulation so it's quiet inside.

I mean it's not as quiet as newer cadillac's or even some lexus's but it's damn quiet, at least mine. I'm happy with the quietness of the car. Just wish the overall quality was better and the trans.

 

[toolman4]

Yeah something must be wrong, i would definitely bring it in.

IF anything, that was one of the "new features" for the 2020 explorer of all trim levels, is the sound insulation so it's quiet inside.

I mean it's not as quiet as newer cadillac's or even some lexus's but it's damn quiet, at least mine. I'm happy with the quietness of the car. Just wish the overall quality was better and the trans.

I took it in and the tech and I drove a 21 platinum and we both could here the wind in that one too. I don't know what the deal is. My gmc pickup has catback exhaust with a V8 and it is more quiet in the cab than the explorer. Does yours have the rear air deflector between the exhaust?

 

[DoraAExplorer]

I took it in and the tech and I drove a 21 platinum and we both could here the wind in that one too. I don't know what the deal is. My gmc pickup has catback exhaust with a V8 and it is more quiet in the cab than the explorer. Does yours have the rear air deflector between the exhaust?

Yeah something ain't right with your explorer ours is super quiet. What tires are on it?

 

[toolman4]

Yeah something ain't right with your explorer ours is super quiet. What tires are on it?

275 45 21s..the tires aren't noisy....its definitely air. The could replace all the seals I suppose. I'm going to try tape when it warms up. Yours is a 2020 too?

 

[DoraAExplorer]

275 45 21s..the tires aren't noisy....its definitely air. The could replace all the seals I suppose. I'm going to try tape when it warms up. Yours is a 2020 too?

It is a 21, but has the SAP sports appearance package which i am thinking makes it more quite than the regular EXs. More on the level of the ST as far as sound insulation. We had an issue with a molex connector under the seat kicking an airbag code but it has been flawless since repaired.

 

[peterk9]

There is nothing in the Sport Appearance package that would make it quieter than the regular XLT.

Peter

 

[DoraAExplorer]

There is nothing in the Sport Appearance package that would make it quieter than the regular XLT.

Peter

Except the hood insulation which the 21 has and looking almost identical to the STs with the exception of the Carbon Gray instead of Black wheel accents. I am not sure why the sound issues with the 20s and some base 21s.

It has to be a package specific thing of some sort causing the issues.

 

[mganness]

There is nothing in the Sport Appearance package that would make it quieter than the regular XLT.

Peter

2021 sport appearance has added acoustic side lamination

 

[themishmosh]

My auto start stop has not been activating since the cold hit. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[peterk9]

2021 sport appearance has added acoustic side lamination

The XLT, 200A and 202A already come with acoustic laminated side windows. The only trim that doesn't is the Base.

There is nothing in the SAP that mentions acoustic side lamination.
Explorer XLT Sport Appearance Package returns

Ford is adding a new XLT Sport Appearance Package this summer for the 2021 Explorer, featuring unique Carbonized Gray-painted 20-inch wheels with matching grille, skid plates and hood lettering, and finished with dual chrome exhaust tips.

Interior highlights include unique ActiveX Light Slate two-tone seats with accent stitching, matching the center console lid and door trim panels. Previous offerings of this popular appearance package accounted for one of every four Explorer XLT models sold and returns as more young SUV buyers are entering the showroom.

“Our Sport Appearance Package offers a new styling dimension for Explorer XLT customers,” said Patterson. “It has always been a favorite among our younger customers looking for a more energetic design and feel at a great value.”

https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2020/02/04/ford-performance-explorer-st-xlt-sport-appearance-package.html

Peter

 

[mganness]

The XLT, 200A and 202A already come with acoustic laminated side windows. The only trim that doesn't is the Base.

There is nothing in the SAP that mentions acoustic side lamination.
Explorer XLT Sport Appearance Package returns

Ford is adding a new XLT Sport Appearance Package this summer for the 2021 Explorer, featuring unique Carbonized Gray-painted 20-inch wheels with matching grille, skid plates and hood lettering, and finished with dual chrome exhaust tips.

Interior highlights include unique ActiveX Light Slate two-tone seats with accent stitching, matching the center console lid and door trim panels. Previous offerings of this popular appearance package accounted for one of every four Explorer XLT models sold and returns as more young SUV buyers are entering the showroom.

“Our Sport Appearance Package offers a new styling dimension for Explorer XLT customers,” said Patterson. “It has always been a favorite among our younger customers looking for a more energetic design and feel at a great value.”

https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2020/02/04/ford-performance-explorer-st-xlt-sport-appearance-package.html

Peter

yes you are correct. What I meant was that to get the Sap it is mandatory to add in the package 202A. This has the the acoustic lamination. So if comparing to a standard xlt without the 202a then here would be no lamination

 

[peterk9]

The "standard" XLT is the 200A and as mentioned, it does have the acoustic lamination. Check the Ford website Build and Price feature.

Peter

 

[mganness]

The "standard" XLT is the 200A and as mentioned, it does have the acoustic lamination. Check the Ford website Build and Price feature.

Peter

Hmm I guess I was mistaken. my Ford salesman was explaining that there was some extra acoustic protection on the model. I assumed it was the acoustic lamination. Maybe the difference in sound is the hood pad? In any case. Vehicle is very quiet

 

[DoraAExplorer]

Hmm I guess I was mistaken. my Ford salesman was explaining that there was some extra acoustic protection on the model. I assumed it was the acoustic lamination. Maybe the difference in sound is the hood pad? In any case. Vehicle is very quiet

It still does not explain why the lower XLT trim levels are experiencing wind noise and increased level of cabin noise. We drove the 21 XLT EX into a 40 mph head wind and it was the only time I have ever noticed any wind noise out of it. That was understandable given the circumstances.

 

[1sttimeexplorerowner]

I took it in and the tech and I drove a 21 platinum and we both could here the wind in that one too. I don't know what the deal is. My gmc pickup has catback exhaust with a V8 and it is more quiet in the cab than the explorer. Does yours have the rear air deflector between the exhaust?

I think it does lol. I'm not sure i didn't really get that acquainted with the EX as much as i would. I kinda lost interest in it. It's just my daily driver. Awesome car, despite the many hiccups. But yes it is very quiet in mine. I don't have the base though.

Will check out a '22 XLT/ST later on this year when they come out which will let me decide if i'm going to lease another explorer (will be going for an ST if i lease another) or leave and get something totally different.

 

[Exit32]

The "standard" XLT is the 200A and as mentioned, it does have the acoustic lamination. Check the Ford website Build and Price feature.

Peter

There must be a discrepancy between the 2021 Explorer Order Guide and Ford's website Build-and-Price feature. According to the Order Guide, the Acoustic-Laminate Windows are included only with the 202A Package. According to the Order Guide, the 200A Package does not include the Acoustic-Laminate Windows, nor is it optional when the 200A Package is ordered.

Below, I highlighted the way Acoustic-Laminate Windows are presented in the Order Guide. The "I" stands for "included".

 

[peterk9]

Sorry about that. I just checked the Ford sire again and found that my computer was bringing up the 2020 XLT which I had looked at a while ago. It should have triggered that something was wrong when it didn't show the Sport Appearance Package.
The acoustic laminated glass is not shown as part of the 200A package but it is shown as an option when doing the Build & Price.
Time to get off the computer and give the old gray matter a rest.

Peter

 

[Mattoronto]

The pathetic software of the "BIG" touchscreen was the icing on the cake though...I really can't believe how terrible the software/interface is and how poorly it uses all the space of this large screen. AA and Carplay are tiny at the top and then you have an as large or larger section underneath for just the radio info? And then if you increase or lower the volume, the pop up blocks eveythign right in the middle of the screen?!? It's obvious Ford engineers don't drive anything else but Ford's and have no idea how aweful their infotainment system is, compared to literally any other manufacturer!

 

[metroplex]

The pathetic software of the "BIG" touchscreen was the icing on the cake though...I really can't believe how terrible the software/interface is and how poorly it uses all the space of this large screen. AA and Carplay are tiny at the top and then you have an as large or larger section underneath for just the radio info? And then if you increase or lower the volume, the pop up blocks eveythign right in the middle of the screen?!? It's obvious Ford engineers don't drive anything else but Ford's and have no idea how aweful their infotainment system is, compared to literally any other manufacturer!

The Explorer has SYNC3.4+ which isn't the latest. The new Edge has SYNC4 which takes better advantage of a larger screen. The problem is that Ford doesn't roll out their latest SYNC software appropriately. The Explorer isn't a truck though, it's registered as a station wagon in most states including Michigan. The 2023 Mustang will be built on the same CD6 platform as Explorer.