2011 Explorer: A Disgrace to the Explorer Name or a more appropiate vehicle for the u

[Hopman]

This is the 2011 Explorer. It's lost all illusions of doing anything remotly off-road.

It looks okay, but IMO, it's not worthy of the Explorer name.

Here's an article from Jalopnik.com : http://jalopnik.com/5596161/2011-ford-explorer-this-is-not-an-suv

I'm torn because the Explorer has gotten pudgier over the last redesign and is closer to the Expidition than the Ranger. On the other hand, it's what most people who buy the current Explorer want. Large, space to haull junk kids and AWD.

I dunno: What you you think and will we welcome the owners of the "New Explorer" into our die-hard RBV fold?

 

[hoosier1104]

No. They must go start their own forums for that nasty chud looking beast.

It has gotten to far away from its roots to be considered an RBV anymore.

 

[Hopman]

No. They must go start their own forums for that nasty chud looking beast.

It has gotten to far away from its roots to be considered an RBV anymore.

Agreed. "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot" doesn't begin to cover the ugliness of this thing.

 

[Tractorman]

It's what Ford needs right now to be competitive. What's wrong with that?

 

[kossdust]

Reminds me of a rang rover or something

And is just me or is missing some side mirrors?

 

[exbass94]

Why don't you post a pic of the actual Explorer instead of the concept?

I think it's a good looking vehicle. Yeah, off-road caability sucks, but WHO CARES?
These comments on the article sum up my feelings pretty well:

Frankly, whoever bought a Ford Explorer for off-roading was kind of taking the path less traveled. The vast majority of Explorers sold never went off road, and helped define the Soccer Mom in the first place..... They're targeting the same people who bought it like crack before: you can still sit up high and feel safe, but now the package is softer and more eco-friendly! Ford simply revised the formula. They didn't re-invent anything.

It doesn't have a V-8, transfer case, and proper off road abilities because NO ONE USES THEM FOR THOSE THINGS. 99.9% of SUVs/CUVs/whatever stay on road; the shopping mall parking lot is the roughest terrain they'll ever encounter.

I'm glad Ford used the Explorer name instead of naming it something else. Remember what happened when they renamed the Taurus the Five Hundred? Nobody knew what the hell a Five Hundred was or that it even existed, hence, nobody bought one. But everyone knows what a Taurus is. And everyone has heard of the Explorer. Kudos to Ford for not making the same mistake twice.

 

[hoosier1104]

I stand by my previous statement.

 

[Toms01PSD]

Why don't you post a pic of the actual Explorer instead of the concept?

I think it's a good looking vehicle. Yeah, off-road caability sucks, but WHO CARES?
These comments on the article sum up my feelings pretty well:




I'm glad Ford used the Explorer name instead of naming it something else. Remember what happened when they renamed the Taurus the Five Hundred? Nobody knew what the hell a Five Hundred was or that it even existed, hence, nobody bought one. But everyone knows what a Taurus is. And everyone has heard of the Explorer. Kudos to Ford for not making the same mistake twice.

I'm with exbass on this one...How many 2000+ Explorers have you seen that are suspension lifted, body lifted, or have larger than stock All-terrain or mud tires? Slim to none. Ford's not run by a bunch of idiots.

 

[James86]

If it is not on the Ranger platform, then no - it shouldn't be on this site at all. This is a site for "Ranger Based Vehicles so in the strictest sense, a unibody next-gen explorer isn't supposed to be here. As far as off road capabilities, I'll reserve judgement. The new Grand Cherokees with four wheel independent air suspension are getting nods of approval in car magazines for their capabilities despite being on a Mercedes platform. If a bloated luxobarge can tackle Moab without breaking a sweat with a 3.6 V6 with 290hp and 260lb/ft and still get 22mpg in 4wd guise, then I have faith in the Blue Oval

If Chrysler can pull that off, then let's see what the Explorer can do...

 

[02RangerXLT]

Grrr... WTF is it with auto MFG's and their vehicles with curvy ass head lights and curvy body lines... I want my square body vehicles!

 

[PickupMan04 FX4 L2]

Press release in all its glory HERE

 

[pillen140]

http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-explorer.html

its what the buyers want.... not what i would want. the 4cyl is pretty cool though.

 

[straycat]

As I have stated from time to time...I will never buy another Ford. I think the square look just sucks.....I am not happy with most of Ford's body styles anymore. So many of the newer cars and trucks are just getting to that stupid squat look that just sucks to me. Some have that stupid 'Tuner Boy' look as well. The Flex and the Edge are just fugly and don't say 'Buy me' like Ford used to say. Jeep is getting this way as well and I used to think alot about Jeep!!! I am buying a new SUV next month and I am keeping my Ranger. I want something that says...Buy me!!!!!! So...'good by' Ford

 

[MrE_Powers]

every once in a while the worst cars of all time list pops up. the explorer is on that list. i guess ford figures if they are on the list with the explorer then they need to make a version that actually fits. that damn thing is uglier then the nissan cube thing and kia hamster mobile.

 

[PickupMan04 FX4 L2]

I think ford hit the nail on the head.. its what the majority of new customers want.. unfortunately guys i think we are the minority here.. id have loved it if it was a BOF platform with a five speed and no bells and whistles with the new v-6 ecoboost..