Exploring company’s refreshed stalwart
While it may no longer be the brightest star in the Ford universe, the Explorer remains a staple in the company’s lineup.
Built on Ford’s D4 front-wheel drive crossover platform which also underpins the Ford Flex, Edge and Lincoln MKX, the fifth-gen Explorer was new for the 2011 model year, making it overdue for some significant updates.
The 2016 changes include a revised exterior look with a redesigned front fascia with a new bumper and hood. There’s also a new grille and headlight design. The latter two have been moved up to improve aerodynamics.
The headlights have standard LED low-beams and available LED signature lighting. LED fog lights are also available. The rear features redesigned LED tail lights and dual chrome exhaust outlets.
On the feature front, the 2016 Explorer receives a slew of new gear, which includes available front and rear cameras with washers, enhanced active park assist, smartcharging USB ports, a foot-activated liftgate and a new 500-watt Sony audio system, which comes standard on Platinum models.
For this road test Ford supplied me with a range-topping Platinum model powered by a 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 (365 horsepower/350 lb-ft.) paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.
Not having driven an Explorer in some time, I was immediately struck by how much it has grown. Back when the fifth-gen model made its debut in 2011, it was reclassified as a full-size SUV and boy, does it feel like it. With a total length topping five metres and a 2,015 kg curb weight, the Explorer is a large vehicle by any measure.
Its mid-size days are long gone — something to keep in mind if you’ve got a small garage or a tight condo parking space.
On the upside, a big footprint gives the Explorer a cavernous interior. In addition to seven-passenger, threerow seating, there’s also a huge amount of available cargo space — more than 2,300 litres with the second and third row seats folded flat.
The Explorer is built on a frontwheel drive platform, but four-wheel drive is standard on the Platinum.
Ford’s Intelligent 4WD system comes with Terrain Management, which features a variable torque split between the front and rear wheels. The system alters torque delivery by continuously monitoring wheel speed, throttle position and steering angle.
The EcoBoost V6 delivers plenty of power and with such a flat torque curve, off the line acceleration is quite impressive, even in regular drive. The sport setting sharpens the throttle response further with quicker shifts from the six-speed autobox.
Ford has done an impressive job of noise suppression, making the Explorer’s cabin a very quiet and comfortable place to be.
As one might expect in a large SUV that checks in at nearly $60,000, the Explorer in Platinum trim is quite luxurious.
From the quilted leather heated and cooled seats to the exposed stitching in the instrument cowl, Ford has done a very good job of keeping an eye on the details.
That said, the absence of Ford’s new Sync 3 infotainment software, which it is (very) slowly rolling out in its new and redesigned models, was a bit glaring.
However, the 2016 Explorer offers a lot of room, power and available technology. It’s not cheap, but it comes very well stocked.
It might not be the star SUV it once was — that title now belongs to the Escape — but the updates it has received should keep plenty of units moving through dealerships across North America.