Test Drive: 2011 Ford Explorer Limited

2011 Ford Explorer Limited 4WD. Click image to enlarge

It’s a handy set-up: changing the temperature, for example, doesn’t require much more eyes-off-the-road time than checking your speed. Still, as I said of the Edge I test-drove a few weeks ago, I think keeping a car interior simple is the best way to keep a driver’s attention on the task of driving.

Regardless of your thoughts on that, MyFord Touch places such a priority on putting information and control at the driver’s fingertips that there are compromises to be found in the traditionally-placed audio and climate controls in the Explorer’s centre stack. The smooth, gloss-black panel and its touch-sensitive controls is slick, but from a lack of distraction point of view, finding any of the controls by touch alone is impossible. Lower-end Explorers get a different stack design with similar controls but with raised buttons that make more ergonomic sense.

MyFord Touch is standard across the Explorer line, and the SYNC Bluetooth communications system is standard in XLT and Limited trims, but not offered in the base model.

With all three rows of seats in place, cargo space is limited to 595 litres (21 cu. ft.) in a well behind the third row, while dropping the third row (power-operated in Limited models with the $900 Luxury Seating Package) increases capacity to 1,240 litres (43.8 cu. ft.). Folding the second row makes for 2,285 litres (80.7 cu. ft.), or more than enough for 35 cases of Girl Guide cookies, in case you were wondering.

Explorer pricing starts at $29,999 for a base trim, front-wheel drive model. That price includes a power driver’s seat, cruise control, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, automatic headlights and speed-sensing wipers. To get into a Limited 4WD version like my tester, the starting bid is $44,199. To that, Ford added the $1,750 dual-panel moonroof, navigation (a relative steal at $700) and the $900 Luxury Package off power-folding third-row seat, perforated leather seating, cooled front seats and 10-way power adjustable front seats. Altogether, it added up to $47,549 before freight and taxes.

The new Explorer’s less truck-like construction may turn off some former owners, but it’s a move that shows Ford is in touch with how its SUVs and crossovers are being used. In many ways, it’s just as impressive as the Flex that came before it, with added helpings of off-road and towing ability to sweeten the pot for those who require (or crave) such attributes. Ford took a chance on changing the Explorer, but they got it right.