2012 Ford Explorer Offers Roomy Styling
2012 Ford Explorer Offers Roomy Styling
By Jerry Robbin
The all-new 2012 Ford Explorer is worth taking for a test drive if you are in the market for a dynamic car-based CUV. The Explorer is elegant with great styling and drives just like a car.
Overview
Ford created the sports utility market with the first-generation Explorer back in 1991. They reinvented the vehicle in 2011 with the totally redesigned Explorer and refined it even more for 2012.
Safety and Security
* Four-wheel ABS.
* Front, rear and third-row head airbags.
* Dual front with head protection chambers side-mounted airbags.
* Child seat anchors.
* Front and rear ventilated disc brakes.
* Rear door child safety locks.
* Engine immobilizer.
* Two front headrests.
* Three rear headrests.
* Passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation.
* Rear center three-point belt.
* Front seatbelt pretensioners.
* Stability control.
* Traction control.
* Electronic brakeforce distribution.
* Front height adjustable headrests.
* Rear height adjustable headrests.
* Post-collision safety system.
* Tire pressure monitoring.
Under the Hood
The 2012 Explorer has a 3.5-litre V-6 engine that produces 290 hp at 4800 rpm. It has a smooth-shifting, six-speed automatic transmission that can be manually shifted using a thumb button on the shifter.
The Explorer gets 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway, which is respectable for the vehicle’s size and weight. There is an optional 2.0 EcoBoost 4-cylinder turbo-charged engine available for the FWD Limited.
Driving Impression
The Explorer’s V-6 is adequate for city and highway driving, and the vehicle handles well when making turns. The steering is very responsive and the ride is smooth, yet lets you have a feel for the road. The handling is decent, with minimal body roll when you make a sharp turn.
The brakes are adequate and they handle sudden stops. Another great feature is the hill-descent control system for going down hills slowly, which works fine at angles of up to 45 degrees.
Inside
The new Explorer interior is highlighted with soft-touch surfaces on the dash and front door-panels. The quality is superb and detail is seen throughout the cabin. The interior has plenty of storage and ample headroom. The seats are comfortable and hold you firmly in place.
Access to the third row is easy and holds two adults or children. When the third row is not being used, it folds flat into the floor at a single press of a button.
My test Explorer was a Limited, which had a panoramic glass roof, intelligent keyless entry with starter button, a touch-keypad on the driver’s door, remote start, HID headlights with LED tail lamps, eight airbags, cross-traffic alert system, two rechargeable USB ports and power-operated third-row seats and tailgate.
My Explorer had Navigation “My Ford Touch” touch screen, which operates the stereo, Bluetooth phone, ambient lighting and a host of other functions.
I found the system confusing and once all the bugs are worked out, the average person may be able to operate it.
Seating for seven is the highlight of the Explorer and with both rows of seats down, you can store a ton of items.
Outside
The new Explorer has a personality of its own with its unique design cues such as LED tail lamps, and the Limited’s body-color grille and shiny 20-inch alloy wheels. It has a unique perforated grill that accents the front end. There seem to be some styling cues from the current Land Rover.
Summary
The new Explorer is selling like hotcakes and the new design has brought back the excitement that it had when it was introduced in 1991.
If you are looking for a family CUV with seven-passenger seating, great design, extensive safety features and a fuel-efficient engine, then you should test drive the all-new Explorer.