My current daily driver is a 2016 edge SEL that is a lease that expires on April 24 of 2019. I was going to lease a 19 explorer limited or maybe a sport as a stopgap until the new explorer came out. I thought they were going to debut as a 21 model but I just found out they are going to be released as a 2020. Anyway the new explorer is going back to a RWD platform and they are introducing the explorer ST to replace the sport and it is going to get the 3.0 ecoboost out of the MKZ and continental that makes 400 hp and 400 tq. The 2.3 inline 4 EB is going to be a carryover and they are going to have the 3.3 NA v-6 as a base engine. and a hybrid. My other choice is the new bronco. The only thing I know about the bronco is it's also scheduled for a 2020 release and the only engine option I know about is the 2.3 EB. I'm guessing the bronco will be a body on frame design like the trucks and since it's getting the 2.3, it will probably be shortened version of the new ranger. If I get the bronco or the new explorer, I will have to turn in the edge in April and drive the mustang as my DD until the fall of 19 when I can get the new vehicle. Another option is get a new ranger as they will be on the lots by April. I have seen the new ranger but have yet to sit in or drive one, but I haven't seen the new explorer or bronco yet as ford is keeping a tight lip on them until the auto show season starts in January

Thoughts, comments?

 

Thank goodness they are going back to RWD format. I liked the Edge's look, but I don't like FWD. Always steered me away from it.

After owning a few FWD (even FWD based AWD) vehicles, never again. I just don't like the feeling of the steering wheel crabbing from my hands when pressing the accelerator. It's nice to mash on the pedal and not hold the steering wheel. And the whole, FWD is better in the snow... that's hogwash too. My RWD truck works just fine up to 8" of snow.

I wish they would make more diesels in these small SUVs.

 

Check into either extending your lease or buying it outright, keep the Edge till all the new stuff you are looking at is out and available.

 

I thought about extending it, but in the warmer weather, it mostly sits and doesn't get driven, so I thought why pay a payment on it just to sit around when I can just turn it in and save that money.

 

If you are going to drive the Mustang through the summer anyway, then wait till fall to lease or buy something else.

 

 

I'd skip the Ranger or the Bronco with a 2.3 Ecoboost. It's an adequate engine, keyword....adequate. Most folks are not going to be happy with "adequate" power. A powerhouse it isn't. The HP numbers are 270 with 310ft lbs twist. If you want to drive something that will be close to the same power, drive a 2014 Supercrew with the base engine, 3.7 NA. It's adequate in most scenarios, but not all. Unfortunately, Ford neutered the 2.3 of a lot of needed power in the name of longevity and emissions. There will be a lot of tuning going on with these engines once they hit the streets. Myself, I'd wait for the 2.7EB to come in one or possibly the 3.0EB V6 detuned for the platform.
What to do? I'd ask about stretching the current lease another year. There's all kinds of possibilities if you let them know you're a future buyer.

 

The 2.3 EB is getting 350 hp and 350 tq in the Focus RS, 310/320+ in the Mustang, so it seems to me that in a Ranger/Bronco a tune would do quite a bit.

 

And Ford racing offers a cam set for the 2.3 EB, and Borla offers a bigger turbo for it. Combine those two with a custom tune and you could easily have 400+/400+ hp/tq out of a 4 cylinder.

I been thinking why would ford go back to a rwd platform on the next explorer? It's heavier and costs more to build. The only reason I can come up with is they want to up the power level to compete with the dodge durango SRT and the grand cherokee, both of which are available with the 392 hemi around 475 hp. And the current explorer with the 6F35 transaxle can't handle anymore power, but by going with rwd Ford can use the 10R80 and have a lot more headroom for future engine upgrades. Maybe even a V-8 option at some point in the future. It would be nice to have a coyote in an explorer or the new bronco.

I've decided that come April, the egde is gone regardless. I'll check out the new bronco and explorer at the auto show and when the new ranger shows up on the lots I'll go drive one. After that I'll decide, I can drive the mustang until next fall and by then all 3 should be on the lots.

I was at the dealer today getting the oil changed on the mustang and while I was waiting I walked around the lot looking at the new stuff. They had a 19 F250 limited supercrew with the diesel that stickered for 87K, and there was an 18 raptor that had a sticker of 72K. I'm sorry but if I was going to drop that much coin on a new vehicle, I would get the next GT500 which I'm guessing will be around 90-100K.

 

I bought a 2018 explorer sport at the end of June and its pretty good.
My plan is to get the new special edition one once the new body style gets released but this one is working out nicely for the time being.
with 365hp and lots of room for 2 adults, 2 kids and a dog, its perfect for family road trips.

Plenty of power too when you need to quickly get around the slow pokes.

 

I agree, the current explorer is a nice vehicle with plenty of room and decent power if you get the sport model or the platinum. I was going to get one next year in April when my lease is up until I found out the new explorer will be out about 6 months later, and the next one is going back to a rwd platform. Also the sport is being replaced by the explorer ST and its getting the 3.0 ecoboost out of the MKZ/ continental that makes 400 hp/400 tq

 

I bought a new RWD Infiniti for my wife in 2014. After driving it a while, she said no more FWD cars for her. I think it has 23k miles on it now so hopefully I won't have to replace it for a long time.

 

Some spy shots of the interior of the new explorer surfaced on the internet https://www.autoblog.com/2018/12/04/...#slide-7480021 If that is what it looks like, all I can say is WTF were they thinking. And my salesman called me and informed me that there was really good lease rates and over 5K in rebates on leftover 18's, so after doing a search on Ford I found a leftover 18 sport equipped just how I wanted in Blue metallic. As long as the dealer who has it will do a dealer trade, I'll pick it up Friday. I went from a 41K edge to a 53K explorer and my lease payment went down 20 bucks.

 

Sounds like a good deal, hope it works out. Post pics!

 

Until I actually get it, here is the listing from Ford's inventory search

https://shop.ford.com/inventory/expl...Order=Distance