Ford Explorer History
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The Ford Explorer is a mid-size sport-utility vehicle that originally replaced the Ford Bronco II in the early 1990s and was a decade ago one of the best-selling, most recognizable and popular vehicles in the U.S. market, with annual sales approaching a half-million.
Earlier versions of the Explorer that had been sold in the 1990s were quite crude devices that drove like short-wheelbase compact pickups. In fact, there were still a few shared parts with the Ranger. Then 2001 was a pivotal year for the Explorer. That's when a number of rollover accidents—linked to underinflated or improperly specified Firestone tires—led to the Explorer's recall. That recall, and the hearings around it, led to the requirement for tire-pressure monitoring and also arguably sped the deployment of electronic stability control.
Explorers became much improved with a full redesign for 2002, when the Explorer got an independent rear suspension. Then in 2006 more safety features were added, and the exterior styling especially was smoothed over. But Explorer sales never quite recovered after the issue, as buyers started to migrate to more carlike crossover vehicles like the Toyota Highlander. Through this era, the Explorer's interior functionality also got better, with usable seating space for up to seven, and third-row seating that became easier to use.
The Explorer finally got the redesign the nameplate deserved for 2006. It became a much more refined and stable vehicle, and used Explorers from these most recent models years are good recommendations for those who need to tow but are conscious about vehicle size. But definitely go for the 292-horsepower, 4.6-liter V-8; the 4.0-liter Cologne V-6 never was a particularly smooth or responsive engine, so the V-8 carries TheCarConnection.com's strong recommendation. Additionally, Explorers equipped with V-8 engines typically get about the same real-world mileage as V-6 models.
The vast majority of Explorers are four-door, but a two-door Explorer Sport was offered through 2003. In larger numbers, there's the Explorer Sport Trac, a model that's closely related to the Explorer but with a pickup bed.
The 2011 Ford Explorer was introduced last year as an all-new crossover vehicle. Ditching the frame-rail design, the car-based Explorer arrived with seven-seat capability, electronic assistance for its all-wheel-drive system, and a 3.5-liter V-6 engine teamed with a six-speed automatic. A turbocharged four-cylinder engine became an option for the 2012 model year, and delivers up to 28 mpg on the highway--some 25 percent better than any Explorer before it.
The latest Explorer is among the best-rated vehicles for families here at TheCarConnection, for its interior and fuel economy as well as for its carlike handling and excellent safety record. The current Explorer also includes all the latest connectivity systems, including a navigation system with Sirius Travel Link and Sync, which uses Bluetooth to enable voice control of some vehicle systems. There's also MyFord Touch, a system that uses steering-wheel or voice controls to direct audio, navigation, and phone with a large LCD touchscreen to display the interface. It's been controversial, with some publications and customers pointing out glitches and difficulties in getting used to the system, but it is an option.
