My wife just paid off her 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe, which she purchased new in 2006. Although the vehicle has never left her stranded anywhere, she was unhappy that some of the interior pieces were not holding up well. We also had a right rear disc caliber/rotor problem. The first time it happened Hyundai blamed it on us for not having them service the brakes. The second time it happened, we blamed it on them and they had to honor it.

Anyways, next year we are looking to buy a new SUV/Carry All type vehicle (it was my turn for a new vehicle, but I am getting an old car out of the deal by passing on my turn). She is not going to buy a new Hyundai, but she did express interest in the Ford Explorer. This is based mostly on the fact that my 2001 Ford F-150 is still as able as it was when it was brand new.

Do any of the F-150 Forum Members have any experience with the new Ford Explorer? What do you like or don't like about it. If she decides for the Ford, we are looking to buy the most capable version of the truck. Looking for honest opinions. Thanks to all.

Tony

 

I'm sorry for not being able to add much, but from the few reviews I read on them, they seemed to be a nice vehicle (on Taraus frame) with much nicer handling than the previous generations. I will say, they are beautiful to see. The white and red limiteds are awesome looking, esp with the hid heads and led tails

 

Well the new Explorer and the Taurus share the same chassis, so it shares the same chassis as our 08 Taurus X. Our Taurus X handles well but it is not a truck by any means. It did haul well on one trip we took to the coast carrying 5 passengers, a fully loaded to the roof cargo area, and with a loaded cargo carrier on the roof rack, and we still averaged 19MPG with our 3.5v6 engine, 425 miles trip one way.

 

My mom was looking for a new vehicle, her last 3 have been Honda Pilots, but I successfully convinced her to look into the new Explorers. She placed her order on one and just picked it up a few weeks ago. It is a fully loaded Limited 3.5L 4wd (Golden Bronze Metallic fyi). Her initial review are great. She says its a huge improvement over her 2009 Pilot. She has thanked me several times since she has picked it up. She only has about 1000 miles on it, but she is already saying that this is the vehicle that she is going to keep for a long time. I haven't had the chance to drive it personally, I'm wanting to try out the active park assist personally. I'll be heading out their way in a couple weeks and I'll borrow it then and give an update.

 

Love the new explorer just can't deal with the price. I dont believe you will be disappointed in buying one if you can afford it.

 

If you can't afford an Explorer, look at the Edge.

 

FWIW, there was a discussion of the new Explorer here a few weeks ago.

https://www.f150online.com/forums/ge...tor-trend.html

I guess Motor Trend raked the new 4 cylinder EcoBoost over the coals, but lots of folks like the looks, and feel thatfor its intended user, it's a good vehicle.

I guess it is pricey when you fully equip it. Just checking the Ford site, they say the base model MSRP is $28,xxx, but the 'as pictured' Explorer is $46,xxx! Add tax and license in a high tax state like California, and some of those loaded Explorers are going to be rolling off the lot at $50k out the door.

 

Those are only like $1k less, lol.

 

Yep.

FWIW, when my wife and I were shopping for a Focus, I took a peak at window stickers of Edges on the lot. All of them were mid $40's before tax, title and registration.

The Escape is Ford's cheapest SUV, but it sure does not look anywhere near as nice as the Edge or the Explorer.

 

Every Explorer on my local dealers lot was over $36k last time I was up there. Edges weren't really much cheaper either.

 

I've seen several Edges on lots around here, 4X2's, for 27-28k. The Edge is a nice CUV. I really liked driving my '07. I didn't like the way it looked so much. They are kind of odd looking. I would have kept it longer if Ford hadn't offered a decent V6 in the F150, and I hadn't figured out that I can get to more hiking trails in the winter with a 4X4.

I think that the Explorer is a great looking SUV. I have a fellow Ford enthusiast customer who recently picked up a Limited in Ingot silver. Beautiful! They really like it. I can't afford one, but for thoes who can, I'm sure it's a nice ride.

 

IDK our 2010 Escape looks pretty dang good, more of an SUV look then the other "car like crossovers"

we also have the 3.5 V6 and its got lots of power, and gets good economy, we're averaging 20city/25hwy

 

When are you going to drop it, Pat?

 

Thanks all for the comments. We got plenty of time to choose.

TM

 

How did you get a 3.5 in an Escape? I thought that the 3.0 was the only V6 option?

I like the Escape. I looked at the Mercury version before I bought the Edge. I agree that the Escape looks better on the outside, than the Edge. I think that the Edge is more substantial on the inside. It's subjective though.