Test Drive Ford Explorer since 2010 SUV

Transshipment

A large crossover is a point where the development of different types of cars converge: minivans, cars and SUVs. What features of these classes carry our characters in their DNA? Answer the journey to Rybinsk helped to answer this question.


Ford Explorer.
Enough one day to use the iPhone to fall in love. It is nice to hold in his hands, and thanks to powerful processors, the word slows down forever disappears from the lexicon. For many, Apple products have become a cult. Ford decided to repeat the path of Steve Jobs and created a new type of car IUV: Internet Utility Vehicle. According to Fords, the modern buyer is more important than all multimedia functions. Explorer is equipped with an operating system developed by Microsoft. And this is not the best choice, because the Empire Bill Gates loses its position, and Windows Mobile was defeated on the Android and Apple market at all. Maybe Explorer will be more user-friendly?

Outside and inside
Alas, the Microsoft Sync system on the Windows CE platform, which combined all entertaining functions Explorer, pretty clearly demonstrates why buyers are increasingly turning away from the production of Bill Gates: reactions to each touch to the touch-screen display has to wait at least a second Two, in the cold the system dispelled, and the menu organization itself depresses with illogiousness. For example, heated seats cannot be turned on with a button, you need to climb into the submenu. In the cold, I could not activate the heating 12 minutes until the temperature in the cabin rose and the display was not excited. Communication with SYNC would not disappoint me so much if I did not buy an iPhone in a couple of weeks before the test. So if you are a fan or at least user Apple products, then the new Explorer is not for you.

If you perceive Ford first of all as a car, not a gadget, then everything is not so bad. Ergonomics of the American crossover is lightless without any stretch. A rare case: together with the steering-adjustable steering wheel, there is an electrically regulating a pedal node. The driver's seat can be lowered almost to the floor, and the seats themselves are wide enough, but also passenger hard and with good lateral support. You can only find a short pillow.

It is impossible not to say about such a chicken as mykey. This is an intellectual key that has long been available for many American models, now reached Russia. MyKey allows owners to limit the speed of the car 140 km / h, and the volume of the audio system is at the level of 40% of the maximum. You can additionally enable other limitations: the inability to disable ESP, the impossibility of disabling the reminder of the need to fasten the seat belt and warning about the unused seat belt, which will not turn off and will not enable the sound on the car radio, while the passengers on the front seats do not fastened the belts, the early low seat warning Fuel level (activated with the residue required to overcome 120 km), the inability to disable additional security systems for example, the blind zone monitoring system. Useful thing, if you give up with your crossover inexperienced drivers, for example, your children.

In move
First, the steering wheel on Explorer is poured, and the suspension does not allow rolls. On the way to Rybinsk, I boldly attacked turns like on a passenger car. Secondly, a powerful V6 with a juicy, causing hearing a voice easily accelerates a heavy SUV and gives confidence in overtakers. Thirdly, the suspension is rigid, but quite energy intensive. From the coal to Myshkina, the road in some places becomes similar to the washing board, but Ford allows you to maintain a speed of 100120 km / h without suspension breaks. Although, of course, vibrations are quite tangible. Fourthly, Explorer has beautiful brakes: powerful, with a beautifully tuned gas pedal, allowing you to accurately dose slowing down.

But there are obvious punctures. So, the automatic transmission disappoints too large pauses when switching. As a result, more powerful Explorer feelings slower than Highlander. Upset and setting the gas pedal. Push a little bit and nothing happens, you will give more fun and Ford jumps forward. As a result, it is inconvenient to maneuver in the parking spaces, conquer the snow-covered carries and even just climb uphill. On the second row suddenly closely. Little place and for knees, and for the feet. Moreover, in the Americans, it is also inconvenient to climb the thresholds too broad, and the shape of the base of the seats limits the opening for the legs. All other rear passengers have no climate control at their disposal, but only air conditioning. But the third row of claims is not spacious, comfortable and not even very strongly splits on the irregularities just because of the tough suspension.



Denis Halfin, Observer Editor

Despite the American Origin and Large Sizes, glamor here won, pushing the traditional cowboy gore. This trend is traced in the internal decoration of the SUV. High-quality materials, stylish layout, spectacular forms, add more rich e-filling of Explorer here and handsome, and smart, and Silen. As for functionality, with all the abundance of shine and gloss, controls are clearly sick of the overload of information. In the traditional desire to please consumer and in terms of volumes, and in terms of comfort, Explorer significantly sighted not only in the submission of information, but in all the rest, including the driving habits. Whether the bourgeois abdomen will prevent him or not, will decide the buyer in the end.
 

Honda Pilot.
Rybinsk, where we headed on three crossovers, not only in the old days the largest transit point, but also by the Buretsk capital of Russia. Here and the Honda Pilot appears outside the typical burlack: wide shoulders, high growth and tired look. In fact, this is just a fascinated citizen with a carrier body and connected through the coupling with a complete drive. Will he be just a fat mattress?

Outside and inside
Almost the cubic form of Pilot may not like from the side, but it is thanks to this, the Japanese crossover amazes inside the truly royal space. To confess, with such an internal volume I came across only one day when we had Chrysler Grand Voyager on our test. But it's not only in the form, but also in the amount: Pilot, the gift that it is traditionally related to MID-SIZE SUV, more Full-Size Chevrolet Tahoe! Add to this the absence of a frame, and the secret of the space will be finally disclosed. Behind almost the same free, as in Toyota, and on the third row even more spacious. And if you move forward the middle row, then on the third row it becomes even rampant than on the second! In addition, Pilot is an eight-wheeled car! Only here is a full-fledged triple sofa with straps for three. In fact, Pilot is a all-wheel drive minivan with increased clearance.

The minivan houses here and the architecture of the salon: the automatic transmission lever is in the central console, and in its place there are two giant tray with a common lid and a couple of cup holders, in which the bottle of 1.25 liter of the record of our tests. And behind all this wealth, the armrest is also located, hiding another boxing, in which, if desired, you can settle the child. Thanks to the lack of frame, the floor managed to make very low: the chair is lowered unusually low, and there is no central tunnel behind the central tunnel. At the same time, the chairs themselves are deep, wide and soft enough, but still better than in Toyota. The back can be put almost vertically, and the packing is still tougher than at Highlander, the back is not sick even after long trips. Everything is so big and thoughtful here that you want to stay!

And yet something in which Pilot is not so thought out. So, with a folded third row of seats, the floor has a slope, and if the gallery decompose, then bags fall from the resulting trunk platform. In addition, the glass does not open separately from the rear door, and the trunk in the 3rd configuration is the smallest of the trio. Yes, and buttons on the console too much. For four days an active ride, I never learned to the touch to find the climate or music buttons you need. The big display can be safely turned off on it only navigation and picture from the rear view camera, but the navigation itself is superbly sacrificed in the intricacies of the Rybinsky streets. Will off!

In move
Honda is not only large itself, but the highest in the trio. It looks like an SUV. Therefore, on the move Pilot the most freight: the rolls are much more than the remaining test machines, the steering wheel is a very long 3.7 turn from the stop until it stops. In addition, the effort on the steering wheel is the lowest in the trio. The brake pedal is wadded, then overlapping, it is not unlawful. The engine is the most low-power, overclocking the longest, but the automatic works no worse than the Toyota. But the smoothness of the stroke is inferior to Highlander. It seems to the seat and steering wheel of vibrations are not so strong, but when driving large holes and Coldobin feel like a small shiver passes, and the wheels with a rumble overcome irregularities. But this is if you go to Toyota rhythm, and if you slow down to Fords, then the smooth course will be quite at level, and efforts on the steering wheel will be enough. Unfortunately, noise from tires and especially from the wind does not disappear even at legal speeds.

And what is the giant on the off-road? In search of a beautiful frame, the photographer drove me on a snowmobile path, the snow on which seemed hard enough. We drove the first five meters normally, and then after all failed with the front wheels. And not to say that too deep in such a situation can be in the usual yard. So, on my own, the Japanese giant could not get sick. It would be satisfied with deeper, it would be too long and stayed at all without a full drive: Pilot coupling quickly overheats.



Sergey Gerasimov, system administrator

When you hear the name Pilot, then you imagine a sports car with excellent handling of the heir to the legendary NSX. When you see a hefty SUV instead, then you expect from him at least good passability and a rich cabin. And instead, you get a barn with a cheap plastic salon and a bunch of buttons. There is neither civic space, nor sportiness ACCORD. He does not shine either by passability. It seems that my Corolla will drive there, where Pilot stuck! But he is comfortable on the go, thought out inside and very spacious no questions. Here, a full-fledged third row I have enough space, and I, to put it mildly, not small. Probably a large American family all this appreciates, but for the money worth Honda, I would prefer another car. Yes, at least Explorer! He is the most stylish, the most youth, and what is his sound motor

 
Toyota Highlander.
If Ford is a mixture of a car with a gadget, then Toyota is still a car. And you will not immediately understand, this car or still an SUV. Low, elongated and fried Highlander body seems small on Honda and Ford background. But buyers seem to be in taste. In Russia, Higlander is almost as popular as its older brothers Land Cruiser 200 and Land Cruiser Prado. And I think I managed to understand why.

Outside and inside
Inside Toyota looks like an office small, but successful company. Let the finish materials do not shine the quality of the skin cheap, plastic wooden, and the tree plastic but the quality of the assembly is at the height, ergonomics is successful, and the design pleases the eye. Let the pedals and are not regulated, but it is convenient to sit down without problems. Soft wide armchair in the city created a homemade comfort, but on the way back from Rybinska suffered. Due to the fact that the back cannot be put into the vertical position, the feeling of the car deteriorates, and the soft back leads to pain in the back. Starting! But at the back of the detriment of two healthy men with a growing 190 cm easily sit down each other, without touching the knees, respectively, the lid of the glove box and the back of the seat. To medium-sized passengers climate control, socket and a whole table with cup holders, which can be installed instead of the central section of the sofa. The third row is also spacious, as in Ford, although the trunk with the third row and less than that of the American, due to the highest gender.

In move
On the go toyota made practically falling in love with yourself. Let the sound of the motor and not so solid, like Ford, let the gear of only 5, and not 6, but the car impresses the fastest in the trio. But the main plus Highlander suspension. The fact is that technically Highlanders is an elongated Camry with a full drive and a universal body. And on the go it is noticeable! Toyota is even more easy than Ford! The rolls are not at all, the effort on the steering wheel is even better than that of the new Camry, and the suspension is superbly coping with irregularities. Where on Ford had to limit themselves even at the level of 100 km / h, Highlander allowed to go so quickly as we wanted. There would be other seats and better travel for travel in Russia.

And now about minuses. A car from a press park for a year and a half ran 25,000 km, which allows to evaluate the durability of the machine. So, the skin on the seats is like new, there are no scuffs on the steering wheel, and the salon did not begin to creak. But Highlander visited several travels. But on the body age, alas, noticeable. Chrome places began to bubble and sewing, and rust appeared on the fifth door. Disappointed brakes: an effort that has to make to the pedal is too large. Sometimes it seems that Toyota simply will not be able to stop.

As for off-road adventures, the Highlander turned out twice in situations when they had to go for help: at first we drove onto a football field, covered, seemed to be a small layer of snow. Toyota first quickly made himself the road in the very deeper virgin, and then just sat on the belly. Our forces were enough to push the car without the help of the tractor, but the defense of the bottom was injured. The fact is that the protection on Higlander is installed not only under the engine, but also under the fuel tank and the bottom. One of these panels has dismissed. From the side it seemed that our crossover was broken by the bottom, but in fact it was enough 300 rubles. And three screws instead of lost so that the defense stood in its place. Great! And between the field and the Toyota Overap visited the ditch. The wide road to the airfield, on which we shot the dynamics turned out to be a fiction: the grader at the same time clean and sideline! As a result, Highlander traded soft snow with the edge of the road, and it was instantly supreme in a snowy bog. Fortunately, the car did not overturn over, and in general it cost without damage, but the Japanese car could not go to their trails. I had to go for the tractor. I would like to say a big thanks to the tractorist San for pulled us out of the redirect. No more kind people were transferred to Rus!



Denis Halfin, Observer Editor

If you compare Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander, it is not clear which of them Japanese, and who is American. Judge for yourself: the Japanese clearly loses the American in IQ, but the absence of a rich electronic intelligence Highlander compensates for simplicity and honesty in the country. If, in the case of Ford, time is required to understand it and get used to it, then the Japanese guy from Sokhi comes with a half-tissue and from a semi-suck. Special thanks to Hornya for his excellent energy-intensive suspension. Highlander Paris over the Russian reality, while remaining indifferent to the bumps and pits of our provincial roads. For this, he could be forgiven and signs of explicit savings in the design of the cabin, but still the price in comparison with EXplorer equipment has overshadowed. Toyota Highlander is a good buddy, but it is expensive.

 
Summary

Counting points showed that Toyota won! Highlander is perfect for traveling around Russia: its suspension easily copes with irregularities, good handling allows you to quickly go through the twisted provincial tracks, and the salon comfortably will place a whole family. That's just not a SUV. This is the universal and all-wheel drive Camry. And the maximum of this car fight against the country road.

Pilot The least passenger test machine. Let him face a bit, even if he is the slowest and most freight. But he is the most spacious, the most universal, the most cozy and cheapest. It is much more from minivan than from the real SUV. This is a city inhabitant who is not worth leaving asphalt.

What is Explorer? Stylish, modern, powerful, high-tech. He, nevertheless, was barely able to get ahead of Pilot and very far behind Highlander. Everything would be different if I did not hang sync, and the machine did not tupil. For the first puncture Ford lost two points, for the second one more. Otherwise, he is not worse than Toyota. So if you are not a racer and not an advanced user, then you will not discharge you from buying. Moreover, Explorer is the most charming in this trinity. Would you see how Rybinsky girls were visited by her eyes!
 

A source: Cars