At Ford, Quality is Job One.
That was the word from Dearborn, Mich., in the mid-nineties. Quality, as everyone learned from the ad campaign, was Ford's Big Thing, the most important ingredient in every car, truck, van and SUV manufactured and marketed by the Blue Oval Boys.
Perhaps they just forgot about that old saying when the time came to put together the 2006 Explorer. That's a shame, for what used to be America's favorite SUV has wallowed since the Firestone tragedy, and much of the reason is that Q word. For the Explorer, or at least the copy we tested, it was more like Job 57. Our Eddie Bauer tester was among the most expensive Explorers available, and the best thing about it were the mechanicals. Starting with a 4.6-liter V8 engine that makes 292 horsepower and 300 lb.-ft. of torque, and a new six-speed transmission, Ford has put some good stuff under the hood. The combination means more power, pretty good fuel economy and a tow rating that goes up to 7,300 lbs. There's also a 4.0-liter V6 engine available with a five-speed automatic, with a tow rating of up to 5,300 lbs. For the 2006 model year, electronic stability control is standard on all models, which continue to come in four basic trims: XLS, XLT, Eddie Bauer and Limited.
For a base sticker price of $33,625, our Explorer came with just about all the options, including a navigation system ($2,505), a rear-seat DVD entertainment center ($1,295), third-row power folding bench seat ($1,340) and the Eddie Bauer Luxury Package ($3,695) which includes heated front bucket seats, seat memory, manual lumbar and steering wheel controls for audio, cruise control and climate. With a destination charge of $645, the final sticker price of our tester climbed to just over $43,000. But then you have to subtract the rebate, which was recently running around $3,000 or more. Trouble is, even with a big chunk of discount cash, smart buyers fixated on the Explorer would probably be better buying an Explorer XLT, 4x4 trim – with the 4.6-liter V8 engine – for a base sticker price of $28,890. You get all the good stuff, save perhaps the nice Eddie Bauer seats.
Even then, however, we're hard pressed to recommend the Explorer, even with the great powertrain, nice ride and wonderful seats. We'd love to, and will, when the interior refinement and design improves to a competitive level, When quality becomes Job One, once again, for Ford's venerable Explorer. Here's hoping that it happens soon.
Driving Impressions Driving Impressions:
If there's one shining aspect of the
2006 Ford Explorer, it's the driving experience. That 292-horsepower V8, while not the most powerful in the class, does a fine job of propelling this seven-passenger SUV through sluggish city streets and into high-speed highway passing lanes. The steering isn't terribly communicative, but it offers acceptable feedback and offers a tremendously tight turning circle. Four-wheel disc brakes provide sufficient stopping power, though drivers will certainly feel the Explorer's heft during sudden halts; stopping on a dime is ideal, but this ‘ute requires a silver dollar.
For those unfamiliar with Southern California roads, understand that there are plenty of recessed sewer covers, lots of rippled freeways, out-of-nowhere dips, and sloppy patch-it jobs. Perfect for testing a vehicle's suspension and ride quality, both of which score well on the 2006 Explorer. Cruising along at speed on those rough streets, Ford's most popular SUV absorbs bumps and irregularities with little effect on the driver and passengers, all while the suspension remains composed. Despite the plethora of cheap plastics inside, the cabin stays quiet, with a notable absence of squeaks, rattles, though a fair amount of wind noise makes its way inside. Engine noise is well muted.
– Thom Blackett
Driving Impressions:
The Explorer's ride actually surprised me, being very comfortable over the rough streets and freeways of Southern California. The power is smooth and linear, and pulls hard when requested to do so. I like the steering as well, it is not overboosted like some others, and the turning radius on the Ford Explorer blew me away! No doubt this would come in handy in tight off-road situations. The brakes aren't stellar but gave me sufficient feedback to feel comfortable.
The worst aspect of the driving experience comes from dealing with poor design issues. All of the second and third headrests must be in the down position to get a good view of the traffic around you (providing of course you have no passengers; if you do you're out of luck), and the oddly shaped side mirrors don't offer the view I would like to see. Despite cheap interior materials, the Explorer was quiet with no squeaks or rattles but I seriously doubt it will remain that way over time. Road and tire noise was negligible.
– Ron Perry
Comfort Comfort:
There may be a number of SUVs on the market with three rows of seating, but that doesn't mean they're the least bit comfortable, especially for the unfortunate souls riding that rear bench. If that's your usual fate, the 2006 Ford Explorer should allow you to breathe a bit easier, with its split-and-fold third row seat that provides enough head, leg, and foot room for an average-sized adult, at least for a short jaunt. That's assuming one can get through the multi-point process of tilting and raising the second row split bench, and then bending and squeezing to get back there in the first place. Just don't plan on doing much while seated except for sipping a soda, since there's nary a power outlet oraudio/visual jack, just a small slot for storage. But, rear-most riders do get big folding headrests, as do those in the second row.
Though the second row split bench seat is comfortable, with ample cushioning and natural recline position, the door openings are narrow, so getting in and out istight. Once seated, passengers will miss the lack of a fold-down center armrest or a minimum of leg and foot space, but the adjustable center heat vent might offset that a bit. Front and second row passengers get padded door armrests, though the door sills are hard plastic. Drivers of the all models above the base XLS can opt for the convenience of power adjustable pedals, and all Explorers come with a tilt steering wheel.
Our tester was fitted with a rear DVD system that looked tacked-on overhead rather than integrated into the headliner. Furthermore, the auxiliary jacks were on the side of the unit instead of the lower console, as is more typical, so dangling wires are apparently part of the show in the 2006 Ford Explorer.
– Thom BlackettComfort:
I was actually very comfortable driving the Ford Explorer. The seats fit me well and offered the support I needed. The power pedal adjustment is a nice added feature that will benefit short drivers. The suede seat inserts were nice as was the quality of the leather surrounds. All components are well placed and within reach and are easily accessible while driving. The cabin feels spacious up front and the padded area on the door panel was welcomed.
Getting in and out of the rear doors is aided by integrated side steps, a feature appreciated by kids and those wearing skirts that have to climb into the high-riding Explorer. Second row seating gets a little tight. My knees were okay but the lack of foot room is a big negative. The second row area doesn't feel as spacious as the front but does offer lots of headroom. Both second and third row occupants will enjoy the headliner mounted air ducts.
Third row seating in the Explorer actually surprised me. It wasn't as tight I thought it would be. I am not saying I would want to ride back there for very long, but short trips would be bearable. The third row also offers reclining seat backs that ridiculously must be adjusted by someone outside the vehicle through the tailgate.
– Ron Perry Quality Quality:
Here's a question for the Ford executives who signed off on this vehicle's production: Have you glanced inside the competition lately? Our Eddie Bauer truck stickered for more than $43,000, roughly equivalent to the U.S. median household income. For that kind of money, buyers deserve more than cheap, hard plastics throughout their ride, with dash panels that flex under the slightest pressure and don't sit flush. Add in the ill-fitting interior door panels, the lower console pieces that are one plastic click away from disengaging, the overhead sunglass holder that is begging to break, and seat brackets that show bolts coming up through the floor. And that's just the interior. The exterior of the Explorer holds an equal number of treasures, such as a tailgate and rear driver door that don't close flush with the body and inconsistent hood gaps. Admittedly, I like driving the comfortable 2006 Ford Explorer, but in terms of quality, this may be the worst $43,000 vehicle I've encountered.
– Thom Blackett
Quality:
Here is where the Ford Explorer really falls flat. I really wonder if Ford executives and designers have really “Driven a Ford Lately”. The amount of ill-fitted faux leather plastic and fake wood is overwhelming in the interior. In this price range I expect soft-touch surfaces besides just the door arm rests and the center console lid. The entire dash is hard plastic that will no doubt look horrible with a couple years of wear on it. Poor fitment of trim pieces is an issue too. The fake wood center console was skewed and the top rose an 1/8 inch above the dash piece with which it was meant to sit flush. The sunglass holder just plops open with no damping, and the placement of the door pull is too far forward to work well and be comfortable.
Step outside and the fitment is better but issues still remain. Compare the fitment on the tail lamp assemblies and you will see a large discrepancy in the spacing around each piece. Walk around to the passenger front door and eye the seam and it almost touches at the bottom and has a quarter-inch or so gap at the top. Top this off with plastic wheel covers meant to simulate alloy wheels and you have just begun to address poor quality issues. The poor quality of the interior and exterior parts alone would make me shy away from buying one before even starting the engine.
– Ron Perry DesignDesign:
It may have its share of updates, but the basic Ford Explorer is still there in the 2006 iteration. The overall profile is familiar, though the new taillights and fresh, bright front end add a contemporary flair. Groundbreaking it is not, but this ‘ute continues on as an attractive ride. Inside is much the same, with a vertically-stacked instrument cluster, and nice two-tone seats (on our Eddie Bauer tester). However, that faux wood is about as real as that dream with Gisele, and that crafty idea of putting curved chrome door handles on the armrest is a bit of anti-intuitiveness that should've been scrapped prior to production. Same goes for the door pull handle that is placed unusually low, a turn signal stalk situated unusually high, and more steering wheel buttons than even your PlayStation-addicted youngster could keep track of.
As if that wasn't enough, the heated seat buttons, located at the bottom of the instrument panel, make it hard to distinguish if they're on or not, and offer only one setting.
– Thom Blackett
Design:
I have to admit that I feel the exterior design of the Ford Explorer has a very handsome look to it. It conveys a sense of style and class and is different enough to catch my eye on a crowded street. It still has the typical SUV look but the use of chrome trim and contrasting paint colors on the body and trim really set off the look of the Explorer.
Inside the Explorer, designers really dropped the ball. The interior looks nice and the dash is reasonably well laid out, but when it comes to how well the interior works as a whole, it is a flop. Let's start off with headrests on the second row that block the rear side view on both sides and the third row headrests that all but block rearward vision. To see properly whether using mirrors or glancing over ones shoulder, all headrests must be manually lowered. So every trip will require a crawling in and out of the rear area to lower headrests after someone has used the back seats. Next comes the folding second row. Tipping up the rear seat is easy enough but doesn't allow for a whole lot of room to enter the third row. Want to lay the second row flat? First pull a handle and fold the seat back to the down position.
Then lift another handle and push forward and down to lock the seat flat. This can't be easy for smaller individuals or those too short to have the leverage required to lock it down.
Cheap hard plastic abounds with a leather grain stamped into it that looks and feels horrible. The door panels look nice, but the pull to close the door is too far forward and makes reaching the handle difficult when the door is wide open and creates a difficult pull when closing the door. The gauges are also difficult to read due to the lack of contrast and how deeply recessed in the dash they are. Third row occupants can't adjust the angle of the seat backs from their seated position even though the buttons are within reach, someone has to exit the vehicle and open the tailgate to adjust them since the switch deactivates when the tailgate is closed. The competition is too tough and well made for Ford to try slipping slip sub-standard materials and workmanship past its potential customers.
– Ron Perry
AdviceAdvice
For shoppers who are focused only (and I mean only) on a comfortable seat and a decent powertrain, the 2006 Ford Explorer is worth looking at, especially if there's a need for towing up to 7,300 pounds. But if quality, both in terms of materials and construction, ergonomics, and overall value are players in the buying decision, this new take on Ford's capable family hauler is one to avoid.
– Thom Blackett
Advice
With the amount of other quality vehicles competing with the Ford Explorer, I can't imagine why anyone would spend their money to buy this vehicle unless they had gotten the deal of the century. Ford seems to have the power and ride issues sorted out but somehow can't get the build quality and interior materials up to acceptable standards.
– Ron Perry
SpecificationsTest Vehicle: 2006 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer
Base Price of Test Vehicle: $33,626
Engine Size and Type: 4.6-liter V8
Engine Horsepower: 292 at 5,750 rpm
Engine Torque: 300 at 3,950 rpm
Transmission: six-speed automatic
Curb weight, lbs.: 4,706
EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway): 14/20
Observed Fuel Economy: 15 combined
Length: 193.4 inches
Width: 73.7 inches
Wheelbase: 113.7 inches
Height: 72.8 inches
Leg room (front/rear): 42.4/36.9 inches
Head room (front/rear): 39.8/38.9 inches
Max. Seating Capacity: 7
Max. Cargo Volume: 45.1 cu. ft
Max. Towing Capacity: 7,300 lbs.
Ground Clearance: 8.2 inches
Competitors: Acura RDX,
Buick Rainier,
Chevrolet Tahoe,
Chevrolet TrailBlazer,
Dodge Durango,
GMC Envoy,
GMC Yukon,
GMC Acadia,
Honda Pilot, Hummer H3,
Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee,
Mazda CX-9,
Mitsubishi Endeavor,
Nissan Murano,
Nissan Pathfinder,
Saturn OUTLOOK,
Subaru B9 Tribeca,
Suzuki XL7,
Toyota 4Runner,
Toyota HighlanderPhotos courtesy of Ron Perry, Ford Motor Company
