Ford Explorer test drive since 2005 SUV

Conditionally modest

Ford Explorer model is relatively young, produced since 1990, but managed to disperse into more than 5.5 million copies. At the same time, the vast majority of cars found buyers in North America. For Europe, Explorer is too American too great and voracious.

 
Behind the ocean, this SUV is so popular that it becomes a participant in fashion projects. For example, the well -known rapper FunkMaster Flex together with Ford pleased America with special series Explorer (see: Motor, May 2007). In Europe, it is difficult to imagine it, she chooses other heroes. In Russia, the American school of automotive industry in general and Explorer in particular is less wary. However, this car has never been to us at the top of popularity. Probably because, unlike many of their own classmates, it looks rather restrained.
 
The current third generation of Explorer saw in the distant 2001. And even then it was a modest party. The car was refreshed by restyling in 2006, he was extremely necessary. The main result is a new front end, richly trimmed with chromium. The false radiator grille captures part of the bumper in fashion. Yes, and the headlights correspond to swim on the wings, and for greater recognition, the roundworm rounds appeared on them. In connection with this, for some reason I remembered the restyling of the front optics of Ford Fiesta.
 
But the sidewalls of the prose of American design, calmness and inexpressiveness itself. But on the front wings of the v8 nameplate, a kind of decoration. In their own way they decorate the car and the mirrors and roof rails trimmed with chromium. Explorer car is frame, with an independent suspension of all wheels. As a result of restyling, not only the appearance has changed significantly the technique. The frame added 50% in the stiffness of twisting and bending. We also worked with the design of the rear suspension. New levers are designed to improve the smoothness and control of the machine. The body mounts to the frame were improved to minimize, vibrations transmitted to the body and improve the controllability of the car.
 
The interior is different. At first, the gloomy salon did not make a favorable impression, however, having spent some time in the car, I began to treat it differently. The plastic, although it looks rude, but pleasant to the touch. And the assembly quality is not bad. The design is unpretentious, the aesthetics are off -road. The massive front panel has simple outlines, but this is not an Italian sports car, and such a design is just right here. Like the gearbox lever resembling a switch. There are finds. For example, the devices are drowned into an oval well with a chrome -colored edging. Ergonomics are not bad, but there were questions for it. The main address is addressed to the overloaded steering wheel switch. The chairs are comfortable, but practically deprived of lateral support.
 
A block is mounted in the back of the ceiling, combining a DVD player with a LCD display. The kit includes wireless headphones and the control panel. Plus a powerful audio system and here you have a car cinema for four. In a test car, the second row was two separate chairs (the so -called captain's seats; the option costs about $ 1400). Between them tightly set a roomy boxing box. The third row in the trunk. Chairs are laid out elementary, two keys that control electric drives. Moreover, sitting on the gallery is convenient even for adults of medium height. If it were not for the second row VIP component, Explorer could be called a full-fledged seven-seater car. Good modest DVD, automatic chairs, a separate second row!
 
Yes, and on the road Explorer is respected. For the size and decisive expression on the face. If you envied such an Explorer, give way to the road accelerate a heavy SUV is great. You might even say with unexpected agility. I had a chance to drive about 1,500 km by car, and there were never complaints about dynamics. This applies to any situation, whether it is a start from a place or overtaking from cruising speed. A 4.7-liter 24-valve Triton paired with a new 6-speed automatic operating on conscience. It was unpleasantly surprised by the thoughtfulness of automatic transmission, if necessary, quick switching down. She reacts to Kick Dawn with a tangible delay. But upwards switching quickly and smoothly. Fuel consumption is very solid: on the Explorer highway requires about 20 liters, and in the city there are 30 liters!
 
And what about running qualities? I was ready to treat them condescendingly, still a frame SUV, but the car was able to pleasantly surprise here. First of all, the steering wheel showed himself perfectly. Both in the turns and in the straight line you get adequate information on the front wheels of any grope of the trajectory. The second carriage of the car on the go. Yes, it is rocked in corners, yes, it pecks with your nose with sharp braking. But this does not prevent the driver from feeling at the same time with Explorer. Therefore, I did not strain at the wheel. On the highway quickly reached a speed of 170 km/h. Explorer could accelerate further, but the speed limiter worked. The creators of the SUV found that it was dangerous to go on it faster. I agree, taking into account the features of the brakes. This is the only thing that I did not like and required addiction. The pedal force is required serious, and there is little information on it. Sitting for the first time behind the wheel, I braked a couple of times until ABS was triggered in completely harmless situations. In addition, the brakes are prone to overheating if you squeeze out the maximum from Triton, which most of the owners of Explorer are sure that they will not do.
 
The car easily and unnecessarily rushes for any coverage, the driver does not have to track the flaws of the roadway. High -profile tires and energy -intensive suspension make the owner of Explorer by the lord of bad roads. And if you famously go around the representative sedan on good coverage, do not be upset, after a few kilometers, in a broken area you will change roles. I would like to note the high quality of sound insulation in the cabin quietly at any speed. Explorer does not pass on the road. Full -wheel drive with the possibility of blocking the center differential and a low row of gears, coupled with an unbearable suspension and tires with an off -road protector, will be helped out in an exhaustive list of off -road situations. America could not help but love the Ford Explorer: serious sizes, a pleasantly decorated, richly equipped spacious salon, mighty engine, and in many running disciplines the machine acts with dignity. Europe, of course, is not close to American automobile values, and there is no diesel in the Explorer motor range. In Russia, the market prospects of the car are largely connected with its relatively low cost and, possibly, a certain off -road charisma. Still, the admirers of the frame design have not yet been transferred, and its union with mentioned overseas values \u200b\u200bmay be attractive to the famous part of Russians.

 
Prices and configuration

The cheapest Explorer XLT with a 4-liter V6 with a capacity of 213 hp. and a 5-speed automatic can be purchased for about $ 48 990. A more expensive LTD set with the same motor and automatic transmission costs from $ 55,450. Special EDDIE Bauer series (special decoration and some external decor elements), with an engine and a box, as on a test a car will require $ 59,490. The most expensive version of Explorer LTD is estimated at $ 59,760.
 
Nikolai Ilyin
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

A source: Motor magazine [July 2007]