Topic: CTC Review: 2006 Ford Explorer

[Autos_Editor]

Photo Gallery  NEW! Day 1: Click Image to Enlarge With recent gas prices going from extreme highs across the country to more sane levels in the past few days, manufacturers want to remind you the SUV is still around and are better than ever.  This week I step into the 2006 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer Edition.  More...

[RunsinLight]

Are they ever going to change the look of this?

[si]

James, please go do some off-roading and report back how this vehicle (and it's drivetrain) fares!  Thanks.

[mdxtasy]

That's one big pleasure device sticking up from the centre console. 

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Am I the only one confusing the new Explorer for an Expedition on the street at first glance?

And $55Gs for it? I'd have to be on something reaaaaaaaaal good to pay more than $44 - and even that figure is generous.

Ford may have fresh engineering underneath, but in most other aspects they are just not keeping up IMO. And their 'style' is very distasteful both inside and out.

On the plus side, that 3rd row seat looks to have nice height to be comfy for adults. 

[Craig]

James, you must have angered the car review gods.  The Explorer was a warning.  Do it again, and next week you'll be in an Econoline.

[Accordingly]

"For $54,575 I expect a certain level of build quality and unfortunately the Explorer doesn’t provide it."

Don't worry...wait a year and you can get a 40% discount...

[mdxtasy]

Once you get into the 50k range, you're dealing with some heavy hitters like the Acura MDX, Lexus RX330, Infiniti FX35, Land Rover LR3, Volvo XC90 etc.....the product better be pretty special and better bring something to the table.....

What does the Explorer bring?  Besides big discounts and incentives.  Wing?

[tortoise]

I think Ottawa gets crazy in the rain because everybody who biked takes their cars.

[Cord]

The Eddie Bauer is by far the ugliest of all Explorers. Ford doesn't do themselves any favours by sending these out for review.

[tortoise]

Are these still the best selling SUV?

[RunsinLight]

Im not sure for 2006.  In 2005 I believe the best selling SUV in Canada was the Escape.

[Bullet Blue]

That's right.

Source: Ford Motor Company
40-year sales record as #1 pick-up in Canada also achieved in 2005

December Highlights:

Ford truck sales up 6% over last year
Ford Five Hundred up 21%
Ford Escape sets another monthly sales record, up 51%
Ford Freestyle up 114% vs. last year
Ford Ranger sales up 68% for best December since 2001

2005 Highlights:

F-Series outsold all other vehicles in Canada for third consecutive year
F-Series is named the number-one selling pick-up truck in Canada for 40 th year in a row
Ford Mustang up 44% for its best year since 1994 – making it Canada 's best-selling sports car
Ford Escape is Canada 's top-selling SUV with a 15% sales increase (best year ever since its introduction in 2000)
Ford Ranger up 23%
Ford F-150 Super Crew up 18% (setting a new all-time sales record)

[Benhaze]

Once you get into the 50k range, you're dealing with some heavy hitters like the Acura MDX, Lexus RX330, Infiniti FX35, Land Rover LR3, Volvo XC90 etc.....the product better be pretty special and better bring something to the table.....

What does the Explorer bring?  Besides big discounts and incentives.  Wing?

As stated in the review, the Explorer brings a very good ride quality with its 4-wheel indepedant suspension and tow rating above 7000 lb. You have to give that to the Explorer.

But I too can't believe the poor material quality. The steering wheel hide partially the gauges. The fake chrome grill has sometimes pretty significant plastic flashing. And as you said Mdx, $55K puts you into a whole different league though the Grand Cherokee can cost up to $58K and the interior is not much better... But the Hemi is more powerful with the same fuel economy ratings as the Explorer that has a smaller V8 and 6-speed trans...

[Bullet Blue]

I agree with SirA. Drop the price by at least 10 grand and it would be better. Still not the best price, but better. The imports are gonna eat it up in the 55 K range.

[Benhaze]

For that kind of gas mileage and interior, the Durango seems a better deal...

[Craig]

The 4Runner beats it like a rented mule.

18L/100km average?  Giving it 1.5 "wheels" out of 5 was generous.  It burns the gas of three Civics.

[Leviathan]

18L/100km average? 

  Lotta happy oil companies with these things on the road 

[MKII]

Besides the cheap bits found in the upper end of the domestics, such as the Explorer, another weakness, IMO, is the service or attitude you receive with the domestics at this price level. Anyone who has had the pleasure of owning premium/luxury name brands, such as Mdx posted "Acura MDX, Lexus RX330, Infiniti FX35, Land Rover LR3, Volvo XC90 " would be quite disappointed or at least feel the difference in the experience with the high price tag vehicles from the domestic at service intervals.  Not sure if it makes a difference with the average owner, but this is something that I have experienced and have questioned Ford Mo.Co. if they are aware of this IMO lack of premium service to go along with the high price tag, normally associated with owning a premium brand.
But to no avail, as Ford does not seem to understand this type of thinking.

For this reason once into the premium price tag levels, I do not consider the domestic brands at all.

[Benhaze]

Good point MKII.