Ready to go the distance
By Christian Wardlaw
|
August 2, 2005
Introduction
LAKE PLACID, New York – Draped atop and between the impossibly lush northeastern Adirondack mountains, two-lane roads are clogged with athletic men and women training for the Ironman triathalon to take place in the Lake Placid, New York, region. Ironman triathalons require these hardy souls to swim, bike, and run to the limits of their endurance; to win such a grueling event requires an unflagging drive to succeed, tenacity in the face of tough competition, and extreme levels of endurance.Fittingly, Ford selected this atmosphere as a backdrop for the introduction of the re-engineered 2006 Explorer, the most popular sport-utility vehicle in America since its debut for the 1991 model year. Despite market segmentation between traditional and crossover suvs, a rapid proliferation of competitive nameplates, and the Firestone tire debacle, the Ford Explorer has stood the test of time, rising to every challenge, succeeding at winning the sales race in each year that it has competed. Judy Curran, chief engineer for the 2006 edition, says that the Explorer has been successful because it consistently finds the sweet spot of the market, combining “rugged capability, good looks, comfort, and affordability” in one appealing package.
To keep its champion SUV primed for the fight, Ford makes major upgrades to the 2006 Explorer, adding more power, improved performance, greater comfort, and high-tech safety gear in an effort to hit that constantly shifting sweet spot with consumers. We spent a day driving the revised rig in the Lake Placid region to see whether the 2006 Explorer has got what it takes to stay on top, and based on our brief drive, we’d say that Ford continues to field one of the best traditional midsize suvs on the market today.
Model Mix
Model Mix Variety is the spice of life, and Ford offers as many as 16 different versions of the 2006 Explorer to satisfy just about any customer. Choose between two or four driven wheels, powered by either a V6 or a V8 engine, in one of four trim levels.
Variety is the spice of life, and Ford offers as many as 16 different versions of the 2006 Explorer to satisfy just about any customer. Choose between two or four driven wheels, powered by either a V6 or a V8 engine. Trim levels include base XLS, popular XLT, rugged Eddie Bauer, and luxurious Limited. Ford says pricing will start, on average, $1,700 lower than the 2005 model.
Selected standard equipment on the XLS model includes power door locks with remote keyless entry, power windows with driver express-down feature, power mirrors, cruise control, and a CD/MP3 player. Featured safety gear includes AdvanceTrac stability control with Roll Stability Control (RSC), front seat side-impact airbags, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Additional features are air conditioning, privacy glass, a Class II trailer hitch, and roof rails.
Ford expects the Explorer XLT to be the most popular model, thanks in part to added standard items such as upgraded cloth upholstery, a six-way power driver’s seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and an overhead storage console. You can identify the XLT model by its machine-finish alloy wheels, fog lights, chrome-trimmed grille, gray bodyside cladding and wheel lip moldings, and security approach lamps.
Eddie Bauer versions get two-tone exterior trim, body-color door handles, larger 17-inch painted aluminum wheels, silver roof rails, and a unique grille designed to mimic the appearance of the F-150 pickup truck. Inside, leather covers the seats, fake wood covers the dashboard, the driver gets 10-way power adjustment, and an electrochromic rearview mirror automatically dims while automatic headlights guide the way at night.
Luxed-up Limited models add a monochromatic exterior paint job and chrome wheels for a sophisticated appearance. Dual-zone automatic climate control, a 290-watt Audiophile premium sound system with a six-disc in-dash CD changer, a six-way power front passenger’s seat, heated front seats and side mirrors, and a steering wheel with stereo and climate controls coddle occupants.
Key options for the 2006 Ford Explorer include a Safety Canopy system of side-curtain airbags with rollover protection for the first two rows of seats, a power sunroof, a navigation system with touch-screen control, and a rear seat DVD entertainment system. A power folding third-row seat option is a segment first, and the Explorer can also be equipped with power adjustable pedals, a reverse sensing system, rear climate control, and larger 18-inch wheels. Preferred Suede leather upholstery is offered for Eddie Bauer buyers, upper trim levels can be purchased with second-row bucket seats divided by a storage console, and a Trailer Tow package equips an Explorer V8 to handle up to 7,300 pounds. Later in the year, Sirius satellite radio will be available.
Our 2006 Ford Explorer Limited 4WD V8 was loaded with features, as its $45,275 sticker price attests. Base price for the XLS 2WD V6 is $27,175 including a $645 destination charge, while a Limited 2WD V6 costs $33,160.
Nuts and Bolts
Nuts and Bolts Horsepower has never been an Explorer strong point, but with 292 ponies galloping out of the 2006 model’s optional 4.6-liter V8 engine, it finally delivers the kind of oomph that a truck weighing well over two tons requires.
Horsepower has never been an Explorer strong point, but with 292 ponies galloping out of the 2006 model’s optional 4.6-liter V8 engine, it finally delivers the kind of oomph that a truck weighing well over two tons requires. Featuring variable cam timing and 24-valve cylinder heads, this is the same V8 found under the hood of the Mustang GT. In the 2006 Explorer, the V8 makes 300 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,750 rpm, and drives either the rear or all four wheels through a new six-speed automatic transmission. Ford says that fuel economy is improved by 10 percent despite the 53-horsepower gain, but we averaged a middling 13.2 mpg during our drive on mountainous two-lane highways, small-town streets, and forest trails.
If fuel economy is a concern, stick with the standard 4.0-liter V6, carried over from last year but modified for smoother operation and lower emissions. Ford says the V6 emits 74-percent fewer smog-forming pollutants than last year, allowing the engine to meet stringent Ultra Low Emission Vehicle II (ULEV-II) standards, making it more environmentally responsible than the Honda Accord Hybrid. The V6 can’t tow and haul as much as the V8 though, with just 210 horsepower generated at 5,100 rpm and 254 lb.-ft. of torque on tap at 3,700 rpm. Ford mates a five-speed automatic to the Explorer’s V6.
Either engine is installed in a heavily modified frame that is stiffer than the previous model’s already stout foundation, boasting 63 percent more resistance to bending and a 55 percent improvement in twisting. The 2006 Ford Explorer’s new frame allowed engineers to revamp the suspension to produce a smoother ride, better road feel, crisper handling, and improved steering response.
Riding on a new four-wheel independent suspension that is stronger yet lighter than before, the 2006 Ford Explorer features mono-tube rather than twin-tube shocks to lessen impact harshness while simultaneously delivering a smoother ride quality. The Explorer’s steering is also massaged, employing a new “drooping flow” power assist pump that decreases effort levels at parking speeds by 15 percent while retaining a firm, controlled feel at highway speeds.
To help manage the new Explorer’s 10-percent higher payload and 7,300-lb. towing ratings, the four-wheel-disc antilock brakes also got a redesign. Featuring electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, the system better dissipates heat for greater durability, according to Ford.
Design
Design Operating under a design theme of “tough luxury,” stylists wanted to create a bolder and more aerodynamic Ford Explorer for 2006. Outside, everything forward of the windshield is new, with a look that recalls the Ford F-150 pickup truck.
Operating under a design theme of “tough luxury,” stylists wanted to create a bolder and more aerodynamic Ford Explorer for 2006. Outside, everything forward of the windshield is new, with a look that recalls the Ford F-150 pickup truck. The aluminum power bulge hood; new fenders with bigger wheel lip moldings; revised wheels in 16-, 17-, and 18-inch sizes; and chrome grille and bumper treatments take a little getting used to after the plain but cleanly styled 2005 model, but will certainly add road presence for the 2006 Explorer.
Largely carried over except for minor details, the doors, glass, and roof are the same as before. Large, rectangular side mirrors actually help to eliminate noise, and the roof features revised shaping to reduce unwanted vibration from air flowing over the Explorer. In back, a new tailgate, revised taillights, and an updated bumper make the 2006 Explorer look more like its big brother, the Expedition.
Expedition themes continue inside, where round, chrome-ringed air vents provide an instant visual clue to the bigger Ford suv. Chrome also trims the gauge cluster, reflecting twinkles of sunlight in the driver’s line of sight on bright days. The center stack of stereo, climate and navigation controls is also new, surrounded by unconvincing and poorly affixed fake woodgrain trim on Eddie Bauer and Limited models. Door panels are revised, placing the release handle at the forward end of the armrest where it’s easier to find and use, and containing flush-mounted push/pull window switches. The huge, almost phallic gearshift juts out of the center console like a grain silo on the Kansas plains, and the turn signal stalk is mounted uncomfortably high in a somewhat unnatural position on the steering column.
In addition to powertrain refinements and a more aerodynamic body, new insulation materials further help to suppress unwanted noise. The end result, Ford claims, is that the 2006 Explorer’s third-row seat is quieter than some competitors’ first-row seats. Based on our experience, these efforts are successful at making conversation easier in this SUV.
If there’s a glaring decline in terms of interior quality, it’s with dashboard construction, lamentable since that’s what the driver sees most frequently. Ford uses far too many different textures and tones within the driver’s line of sight. A fuzzy headliner, plain plastic pillars, rough leather-grained plastic door and dash panels, mesh-grain plastic trim bands, fake woodgrain trim, smooth black plastic control bezels, and smooth leather grain seats create a visual cacophony that makes the interior appear to be assembled from several different vehicles. Making matters worse, Ford swapped the soft-touch materials of the 2005 Explorer’s dash for thin, hard plastic panels in 2006. Rap a knuckle on the top of the dash, look at the price tag on the Explorer, and weep.
Comfort & Convenience
Comfort & Convenience Comfort and convenience are two qualities that make vehicle ownership satisfying in the long run, and Ford has made improvements on these fronts in the 2006 Explorer but could do better.
Comfort and convenience are two qualities that make vehicle ownership satisfying in the long run, and Ford has made improvements on these fronts in the 2006 Explorer but could do better. For example, the upper door panels are still made of hard, deeply grained plastic, making them uncomfortable places to rest elbows. Only the driver gets an express-down power window, and it lacks an express-up feature. And we do Ford cheaped out by not including a power recline/power lumbar feature for the power front passenger’s seat on the Limited model.
Nevertheless, the seating is redesigned for enhanced comfort, offering increased thigh support in all three rows of seats. An additional inch of seat track travel is added up front, a bucket seat option is available in the second row, and the third-row seats are split 50/50 for added utility and sit almost two inches higher for a better view out. The end result is comfort for everyone, though leg and foot space is in short supply for the two rearmost rows.
Fold those seats down and unlike in the previous Explorer, the 2006 model features an almost flat cargo floor. Last year’s 10-degree angle to the cargo floor is reduced to two degrees in the 2006 Explorer, though with the rear bucket seat option you’ve still gotta contend with an angled floor and the lid of the center console jutting up in the middle.
Up front, storage is rather limited. The bin under the center armrest is large, but with the gear selector jutting from the middle of the center console, the handy rubberized tray of the 2005 Explorer is gone, and the smaller new tray atop the dash doesn’t make up for the loss since it hasn’t got a rubberized surface and places items right in direct sunlight. The glovebox is small, and the door panel bins aren’t much for holding larger items. But, in the spirit of a modern American vehicle, bottle holders are included in the doors and the cupholders are quite large.
Ergonomically, the 2006 Ford Explorer works nicely. We’re not crazy about the new turn signal stalk, which sits higher than is natural, and you cannot program the navigation system while underway, but in most respects the new Explorer is easy to use.
Safety
Safety It’s natural to be concerned about safety when it comes to buying an SUV. To help assuage consumer concerns, Ford includes a bevy of safety technologies as standard equipment on the new 2006 Explorer.
Given the Ford Explorer’s history and the issue of SUV rollovers, it’s natural to be concerned about safety when it comes to the redesigned 2006 model. To help assuage consumer concerns, Ford includes a bevy of safety technologies as standard equipment on the new 2006 Explorer, helping the truck to meet all known federal safety regulations until 2010.
AdvanceTrac stability control with Roll Stability Control (RSC) technology comes standard on every 2006 Ford Explorer. A Ford exclusive, RSC activates the ABS on the one side of the Explorer when favorable roll conditions exist, depending on which side might cause the rollover, in an effort to help stabilize the vehicle. Ford notes that government studies claim that RSC can reduce rollover crashes by 67 percent.
Other standard safety gear includes dual-stage front airbags with a five-level front passenger sensing system and driver’s seat position sensor, and front side-impact airbags. The seat sensor for the front passenger won’t activate the airbag until 20 pounds is placed on the front passenger seat, meaning that purses, briefcases, and backpacks won’t set off warning alarms to fasten the seatbelt. An optional Safety Canopy of side curtain airbags with rollover protection for the first two rows can remain inflated for a longer period of time in the event that the Explorer winds up on its roof.
The big news for 2006, however, is the inclusion of several adaptive technologies that allow the Ford Explorer to tailor crash protection for specifically sized occupants. The standard adaptive front passenger airbag tether works with the seat sensor and a seatbelt buckle sensor to tailor the size of the airbag for appropriate usage. This way, a larger person not wearing a seatbelt will get a larger and more forceful airbag, while a smaller person wearing a seatbelt will get a smaller and softer airbag. Furthermore, the 2006 Explorer’s new adaptive stroking steering column and adaptive load-limiting seatbelt retractors absorb crash energy at different rates depending on various factors.
As if these safety precautions weren’t enough, large Volvo-style headrests articulate down and out of the way when not in use to clear visibility for the driver, and force use when someone wants to ride in the seat. Up front, Ford also extended the Explorer’s frame by four inches for improved crash protection, cleverly concealing the additional length behind an integrated bumper cover extension.
Driving Impressions
Driving Impressions There’s no doubt that the 2006 Ford Explorer is one of the best handling vehicles in its class, doing a masterful job of blending off-road capability with a comfortable and responsive on-road ride. However, we’d take a long, hard look at the ULEV-II V6 engine before going with the thirsty and sometimes flat V8.
To help us draw contrast between the old Explorer and the new Explorer, Ford first let reporters drive the 2005 model before handing over the keys to the 2006 version. Our 2005 had XLT trim, a V6 engine and 4WD, and it reminded us how much we like the Explorer in the first place. Solid, tight, comfortable, and reasonably peppy, the 2005 Explorer is a fine SUV in its own right. But we were here to drive the improved 2006 version, of which Ford supplied a choice between Eddie Bauer and Limited trim levels equipped with a V8 engine and 4WD. We selected the Limited model, and hit the road in upstate New York.
Instantly, the improved ride quality was noticeable, the 2006 Ford Explorer soaking up more of the pavement but without numbing communication to the driver. Noise, vibration, and harshness were all reduced, producing a quiet ride free of almost all rattles and squeaks. Even on harsh surfaces like broken roadways and rock-strewn two-track trails, the 2006 Explorer remained quiet, composed, and confident.
Unfortunately, the rest of the Explorer’s hardware didn’t live up to its promise. The 4.6-liter V8 produces a nice rumble, but this doesn’t feel like a 292-horsepower, eight-cylinder engine unless you check the bad news shown on the trip computer’s average fuel economy display. There are spots in the power band that fall a little flat, and the truck can bog down on hills with just two people on board. Imagine if you had the whole clan stuffed inside, or the maximum tow load of 7,300 pounds connected to the trailer hitch.
Good thing the six-speed transmission does a decent job of selecting gears, and does so smoothly, though once during a three-point turn shifting from Drive to Reverse resulted in a significant clunk from the drivetrain. Improvements to the steering result in feel that’s a hint too light on center between 45 and 65 mph, but it no longer exhibits a dead spot like the old model. Response off-center is linear and reasonably quick, and the tight turning circle makes the 2006 Ford Explorer nimble and maneuverable. And, like much of the new Explorer’s hardware, the brakes could use more attention, too. They work well, but don’t offer optimal levels of travel and pedal feel.
Despite imperfections, however, there’s no doubt that the 2006 Ford Explorer is one of the best handling vehicles in its class, doing a masterful job of blending off-road capability with a comfortable and responsive on-road ride. However, we’d take a long, hard look at the ULEV-II V6 engine before going with the thirsty and sometimes flat V8.
Wrap-Up
Wrap-Up Thanks to its redesigned seats, quieter cabin, and revised suspension, the already impressive Explorer makes for a much better daily driver, offering palpable improvements in comfort, ride, and handling.
Thanks to its redesigned seats, quieter cabin, and revised suspension, the already impressive Explorer makes for a much better daily driver, offering palpable improvements in comfort, ride, and handling. It’s not quite as cushy as a crossover vehicle, but then, what crossover vehicle offers a low-range 4WD system and a towing capacity of 7,300 pounds? Add in new safety technology and an environmentally responsible low-emission V6 powertrain, and the 2006 Ford Explorer makes a terrific case for itself when the need to tow, haul, and carry are high priorities.
Quibbles with interior materials, certain design elements, space utilization, and the new V8 engine, however, pale in comparison to the Explorer’s value equation. Granted, our Explorer Limited 4WD test vehicle was loaded with equipment at $45,275, but it’s clear that Ford’s sticker prices, though reduced from 2005 levels, continue to reflect a built-in plan for incentives and rebates. We’d like to see the Explorer’s price set closer to actual transaction values, but since American consumers have been conditioned to expect a big, fat, juicy rebate on every Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors product that rolls out of a factory, it shouldn’t be surprising that the tag in the Explorer’s window is high to help offset such “marketing” costs.
Model Mix Variety is the spice of life, and Ford offers as many as 16 different versions of the 2006 Explorer to satisfy just about any customer. Choose between two or four driven wheels, powered by either a V6 or a V8 engine, in one of four trim levels.
Variety is the spice of life, and Ford offers as many as 16 different versions of the 2006 Explorer to satisfy just about any customer. Choose between two or four driven wheels, powered by either a V6 or a V8 engine. Trim levels include base XLS, popular XLT, rugged Eddie Bauer, and luxurious Limited. Ford says pricing will start, on average, $1,700 lower than the 2005 model.
Selected standard equipment on the XLS model includes power door locks with remote keyless entry, power windows with driver express-down feature, power mirrors, cruise control, and a CD/MP3 player. Featured safety gear includes AdvanceTrac stability control with Roll Stability Control (RSC), front seat side-impact airbags, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Additional features are air conditioning, privacy glass, a Class II trailer hitch, and roof rails.
Ford expects the Explorer XLT to be the most popular model, thanks in part to added standard items such as upgraded cloth upholstery, a six-way power driver’s seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and an overhead storage console. You can identify the XLT model by its machine-finish alloy wheels, fog lights, chrome-trimmed grille, gray bodyside cladding and wheel lip moldings, and security approach lamps.
Eddie Bauer versions get two-tone exterior trim, body-color door handles, larger 17-inch painted aluminum wheels, silver roof rails, and a unique grille designed to mimic the appearance of the F-150 pickup truck. Inside, leather covers the seats, fake wood covers the dashboard, the driver gets 10-way power adjustment, and an electrochromic rearview mirror automatically dims while automatic headlights guide the way at night.
Luxed-up Limited models add a monochromatic exterior paint job and chrome wheels for a sophisticated appearance. Dual-zone automatic climate control, a 290-watt Audiophile premium sound system with a six-disc in-dash CD changer, a six-way power front passenger’s seat, heated front seats and side mirrors, and a steering wheel with stereo and climate controls coddle occupants.
Key options for the 2006 Ford Explorer include a Safety Canopy system of side-curtain airbags with rollover protection for the first two rows of seats, a power sunroof, a navigation system with touch-screen control, and a rear seat DVD entertainment system. A power folding third-row seat option is a segment first, and the Explorer can also be equipped with power adjustable pedals, a reverse sensing system, rear climate control, and larger 18-inch wheels. Preferred Suede leather upholstery is offered for Eddie Bauer buyers, upper trim levels can be purchased with second-row bucket seats divided by a storage console, and a Trailer Tow package equips an Explorer V8 to handle up to 7,300 pounds. Later in the year, Sirius satellite radio will be available.
Our 2006 Ford Explorer Limited 4WD V8 was loaded with features, as its $45,275 sticker price attests. Base price for the XLS 2WD V6 is $27,175 including a $645 destination charge, while a Limited 2WD V6 costs $33,160.
Nuts and Bolts
Nuts and Bolts Horsepower has never been an Explorer strong point, but with 292 ponies galloping out of the 2006 model’s optional 4.6-liter V8 engine, it finally delivers the kind of oomph that a truck weighing well over two tons requires.
Horsepower has never been an Explorer strong point, but with 292 ponies galloping out of the 2006 model’s optional 4.6-liter V8 engine, it finally delivers the kind of oomph that a truck weighing well over two tons requires. Featuring variable cam timing and 24-valve cylinder heads, this is the same V8 found under the hood of the Mustang GT. In the 2006 Explorer, the V8 makes 300 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,750 rpm, and drives either the rear or all four wheels through a new six-speed automatic transmission. Ford says that fuel economy is improved by 10 percent despite the 53-horsepower gain, but we averaged a middling 13.2 mpg during our drive on mountainous two-lane highways, small-town streets, and forest trails.
If fuel economy is a concern, stick with the standard 4.0-liter V6, carried over from last year but modified for smoother operation and lower emissions. Ford says the V6 emits 74-percent fewer smog-forming pollutants than last year, allowing the engine to meet stringent Ultra Low Emission Vehicle II (ULEV-II) standards, making it more environmentally responsible than the Honda Accord Hybrid. The V6 can’t tow and haul as much as the V8 though, with just 210 horsepower generated at 5,100 rpm and 254 lb.-ft. of torque on tap at 3,700 rpm. Ford mates a five-speed automatic to the Explorer’s V6.
Either engine is installed in a heavily modified frame that is stiffer than the previous model’s already stout foundation, boasting 63 percent more resistance to bending and a 55 percent improvement in twisting. The 2006 Ford Explorer’s new frame allowed engineers to revamp the suspension to produce a smoother ride, better road feel, crisper handling, and improved steering response.
Riding on a new four-wheel independent suspension that is stronger yet lighter than before, the 2006 Ford Explorer features mono-tube rather than twin-tube shocks to lessen impact harshness while simultaneously delivering a smoother ride quality. The Explorer’s steering is also massaged, employing a new “drooping flow” power assist pump that decreases effort levels at parking speeds by 15 percent while retaining a firm, controlled feel at highway speeds.
To help manage the new Explorer’s 10-percent higher payload and 7,300-lb. towing ratings, the four-wheel-disc antilock brakes also got a redesign. Featuring electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, the system better dissipates heat for greater durability, according to Ford.
Design
Design Operating under a design theme of “tough luxury,” stylists wanted to create a bolder and more aerodynamic Ford Explorer for 2006. Outside, everything forward of the windshield is new, with a look that recalls the Ford F-150 pickup truck.
Operating under a design theme of “tough luxury,” stylists wanted to create a bolder and more aerodynamic Ford Explorer for 2006. Outside, everything forward of the windshield is new, with a look that recalls the Ford F-150 pickup truck. The aluminum power bulge hood; new fenders with bigger wheel lip moldings; revised wheels in 16-, 17-, and 18-inch sizes; and chrome grille and bumper treatments take a little getting used to after the plain but cleanly styled 2005 model, but will certainly add road presence for the 2006 Explorer.
Largely carried over except for minor details, the doors, glass, and roof are the same as before. Large, rectangular side mirrors actually help to eliminate noise, and the roof features revised shaping to reduce unwanted vibration from air flowing over the Explorer. In back, a new tailgate, revised taillights, and an updated bumper make the 2006 Explorer look more like its big brother, the Expedition.
Expedition themes continue inside, where round, chrome-ringed air vents provide an instant visual clue to the bigger Ford suv. Chrome also trims the gauge cluster, reflecting twinkles of sunlight in the driver’s line of sight on bright days. The center stack of stereo, climate and navigation controls is also new, surrounded by unconvincing and poorly affixed fake woodgrain trim on Eddie Bauer and Limited models. Door panels are revised, placing the release handle at the forward end of the armrest where it’s easier to find and use, and containing flush-mounted push/pull window switches. The huge, almost phallic gearshift juts out of the center console like a grain silo on the Kansas plains, and the turn signal stalk is mounted uncomfortably high in a somewhat unnatural position on the steering column.
In addition to powertrain refinements and a more aerodynamic body, new insulation materials further help to suppress unwanted noise. The end result, Ford claims, is that the 2006 Explorer’s third-row seat is quieter than some competitors’ first-row seats. Based on our experience, these efforts are successful at making conversation easier in this SUV.
If there’s a glaring decline in terms of interior quality, it’s with dashboard construction, lamentable since that’s what the driver sees most frequently. Ford uses far too many different textures and tones within the driver’s line of sight. A fuzzy headliner, plain plastic pillars, rough leather-grained plastic door and dash panels, mesh-grain plastic trim bands, fake woodgrain trim, smooth black plastic control bezels, and smooth leather grain seats create a visual cacophony that makes the interior appear to be assembled from several different vehicles. Making matters worse, Ford swapped the soft-touch materials of the 2005 Explorer’s dash for thin, hard plastic panels in 2006. Rap a knuckle on the top of the dash, look at the price tag on the Explorer, and weep.
Comfort & Convenience
Comfort & Convenience Comfort and convenience are two qualities that make vehicle ownership satisfying in the long run, and Ford has made improvements on these fronts in the 2006 Explorer but could do better.
Comfort and convenience are two qualities that make vehicle ownership satisfying in the long run, and Ford has made improvements on these fronts in the 2006 Explorer but could do better. For example, the upper door panels are still made of hard, deeply grained plastic, making them uncomfortable places to rest elbows. Only the driver gets an express-down power window, and it lacks an express-up feature. And we do Ford cheaped out by not including a power recline/power lumbar feature for the power front passenger’s seat on the Limited model.
Nevertheless, the seating is redesigned for enhanced comfort, offering increased thigh support in all three rows of seats. An additional inch of seat track travel is added up front, a bucket seat option is available in the second row, and the third-row seats are split 50/50 for added utility and sit almost two inches higher for a better view out. The end result is comfort for everyone, though leg and foot space is in short supply for the two rearmost rows.
Fold those seats down and unlike in the previous Explorer, the 2006 model features an almost flat cargo floor. Last year’s 10-degree angle to the cargo floor is reduced to two degrees in the 2006 Explorer, though with the rear bucket seat option you’ve still gotta contend with an angled floor and the lid of the center console jutting up in the middle.
Up front, storage is rather limited. The bin under the center armrest is large, but with the gear selector jutting from the middle of the center console, the handy rubberized tray of the 2005 Explorer is gone, and the smaller new tray atop the dash doesn’t make up for the loss since it hasn’t got a rubberized surface and places items right in direct sunlight. The glovebox is small, and the door panel bins aren’t much for holding larger items. But, in the spirit of a modern American vehicle, bottle holders are included in the doors and the cupholders are quite large.
Ergonomically, the 2006 Ford Explorer works nicely. We’re not crazy about the new turn signal stalk, which sits higher than is natural, and you cannot program the navigation system while underway, but in most respects the new Explorer is easy to use.
Safety
Safety It’s natural to be concerned about safety when it comes to buying an SUV. To help assuage consumer concerns, Ford includes a bevy of safety technologies as standard equipment on the new 2006 Explorer.
Given the Ford Explorer’s history and the issue of SUV rollovers, it’s natural to be concerned about safety when it comes to the redesigned 2006 model. To help assuage consumer concerns, Ford includes a bevy of safety technologies as standard equipment on the new 2006 Explorer, helping the truck to meet all known federal safety regulations until 2010.
AdvanceTrac stability control with Roll Stability Control (RSC) technology comes standard on every 2006 Ford Explorer. A Ford exclusive, RSC activates the ABS on the one side of the Explorer when favorable roll conditions exist, depending on which side might cause the rollover, in an effort to help stabilize the vehicle. Ford notes that government studies claim that RSC can reduce rollover crashes by 67 percent.
Other standard safety gear includes dual-stage front airbags with a five-level front passenger sensing system and driver’s seat position sensor, and front side-impact airbags. The seat sensor for the front passenger won’t activate the airbag until 20 pounds is placed on the front passenger seat, meaning that purses, briefcases, and backpacks won’t set off warning alarms to fasten the seatbelt. An optional Safety Canopy of side curtain airbags with rollover protection for the first two rows can remain inflated for a longer period of time in the event that the Explorer winds up on its roof.
The big news for 2006, however, is the inclusion of several adaptive technologies that allow the Ford Explorer to tailor crash protection for specifically sized occupants. The standard adaptive front passenger airbag tether works with the seat sensor and a seatbelt buckle sensor to tailor the size of the airbag for appropriate usage. This way, a larger person not wearing a seatbelt will get a larger and more forceful airbag, while a smaller person wearing a seatbelt will get a smaller and softer airbag. Furthermore, the 2006 Explorer’s new adaptive stroking steering column and adaptive load-limiting seatbelt retractors absorb crash energy at different rates depending on various factors.
As if these safety precautions weren’t enough, large Volvo-style headrests articulate down and out of the way when not in use to clear visibility for the driver, and force use when someone wants to ride in the seat. Up front, Ford also extended the Explorer’s frame by four inches for improved crash protection, cleverly concealing the additional length behind an integrated bumper cover extension.
Driving Impressions
Driving Impressions There’s no doubt that the 2006 Ford Explorer is one of the best handling vehicles in its class, doing a masterful job of blending off-road capability with a comfortable and responsive on-road ride. However, we’d take a long, hard look at the ULEV-II V6 engine before going with the thirsty and sometimes flat V8.
To help us draw contrast between the old Explorer and the new Explorer, Ford first let reporters drive the 2005 model before handing over the keys to the 2006 version. Our 2005 had XLT trim, a V6 engine and 4WD, and it reminded us how much we like the Explorer in the first place. Solid, tight, comfortable, and reasonably peppy, the 2005 Explorer is a fine SUV in its own right. But we were here to drive the improved 2006 version, of which Ford supplied a choice between Eddie Bauer and Limited trim levels equipped with a V8 engine and 4WD. We selected the Limited model, and hit the road in upstate New York.
Instantly, the improved ride quality was noticeable, the 2006 Ford Explorer soaking up more of the pavement but without numbing communication to the driver. Noise, vibration, and harshness were all reduced, producing a quiet ride free of almost all rattles and squeaks. Even on harsh surfaces like broken roadways and rock-strewn two-track trails, the 2006 Explorer remained quiet, composed, and confident.
Unfortunately, the rest of the Explorer’s hardware didn’t live up to its promise. The 4.6-liter V8 produces a nice rumble, but this doesn’t feel like a 292-horsepower, eight-cylinder engine unless you check the bad news shown on the trip computer’s average fuel economy display. There are spots in the power band that fall a little flat, and the truck can bog down on hills with just two people on board. Imagine if you had the whole clan stuffed inside, or the maximum tow load of 7,300 pounds connected to the trailer hitch.
Good thing the six-speed transmission does a decent job of selecting gears, and does so smoothly, though once during a three-point turn shifting from Drive to Reverse resulted in a significant clunk from the drivetrain. Improvements to the steering result in feel that’s a hint too light on center between 45 and 65 mph, but it no longer exhibits a dead spot like the old model. Response off-center is linear and reasonably quick, and the tight turning circle makes the 2006 Ford Explorer nimble and maneuverable. And, like much of the new Explorer’s hardware, the brakes could use more attention, too. They work well, but don’t offer optimal levels of travel and pedal feel.
Despite imperfections, however, there’s no doubt that the 2006 Ford Explorer is one of the best handling vehicles in its class, doing a masterful job of blending off-road capability with a comfortable and responsive on-road ride. However, we’d take a long, hard look at the ULEV-II V6 engine before going with the thirsty and sometimes flat V8.
Wrap-Up
Wrap-Up Thanks to its redesigned seats, quieter cabin, and revised suspension, the already impressive Explorer makes for a much better daily driver, offering palpable improvements in comfort, ride, and handling.
Thanks to its redesigned seats, quieter cabin, and revised suspension, the already impressive Explorer makes for a much better daily driver, offering palpable improvements in comfort, ride, and handling. It’s not quite as cushy as a crossover vehicle, but then, what crossover vehicle offers a low-range 4WD system and a towing capacity of 7,300 pounds? Add in new safety technology and an environmentally responsible low-emission V6 powertrain, and the 2006 Ford Explorer makes a terrific case for itself when the need to tow, haul, and carry are high priorities.
Quibbles with interior materials, certain design elements, space utilization, and the new V8 engine, however, pale in comparison to the Explorer’s value equation. Granted, our Explorer Limited 4WD test vehicle was loaded with equipment at $45,275, but it’s clear that Ford’s sticker prices, though reduced from 2005 levels, continue to reflect a built-in plan for incentives and rebates. We’d like to see the Explorer’s price set closer to actual transaction values, but since American consumers have been conditioned to expect a big, fat, juicy rebate on every Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors product that rolls out of a factory, it shouldn’t be surprising that the tag in the Explorer’s window is high to help offset such “marketing” costs.
Regardless, the 2006 Ford Explorer is a solid, capable, safe SUV, perfect for a family of four with the added benefit of a third-row seat and seven-passenger capacity when needed, keeping it fit enough to continue finding that market sweet spot and go the distance against intense competition.
Specifications
Specifications
The 2006 Ford Explorer’s key competitors include the Buick Rainier, Chevrolet TrailBlazer, Dodge Durango, GMC Envoy, Isuzu Ascender, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Mercury Mountaineer, Nissan Pathfinder, Nissan Xterra, Toyota 4Runner, and Volkswagen Touareg
Test Vehicle: 2006 Ford Explorer Limited 4WD V8
Price of Test Vehicle: $45,275
Engine Size and Type: 4.6-liter V8
Engine Horsepower: 292 at 5,750 rpm
Engine Torque: 300 lb.-ft. at 3,950 rpm (V8)
Transmission: Six-speed automatic (V8)
Curb weight, lbs.: 4,615
EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway): Not Rated
Observed Fuel Economy: 13.2 mpg
Length: 193.4 inches
Width: 73.7 inches
Wheelbase: 113.7 inches
Height: 72.8 inches
Leg room (front/2nd row/3rd row): 42.4/36.9/34.9 inches
Head room (front/2nd row/3rd row): 39.8/38.7/37.4 inches
Max. Seating Capacity: Seven
Max. Cargo Volume: 85.8 cubic feet (83.7 cubic feet with seven-passenger seating)
Max. Payload, lbs.: 1,520
Max. Towing Capacity, lbs.: 7,300
Ground Clearance: 8.2 inches
Competitors: Buick Rainier, Buick Rendezvous, Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet TrailBlazer, Dodge Durango, GMC Envoy, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Santa Fe, Isuzu Ascender, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Mercury Mountaineer, Mitsubishi Endeavor, Nissan Murano, Nissan Pathfinder, Nissan Xterra, Pontiac Torrent, Saturn VUE, Subaru B9 Tribeca, Toyota 4Runner, Toyota Highlander, Volkswagen Touareg
Photos courtesy of Ford Motor Company