Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, SUVs
2006 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4X4: In the Autoblog Garage Day 1-2
by John Neff on Jan 23rd 2006 at 12:00PM 
"All dressed up and nowhere to go" might best describe the situation in which the 2006 Ford Explorer found itself when it appeared in showrooms last year. The not-quite "all new" model had donned a new sheetmetal suit to attract suitors, and underneath the skin it received upgrades that improved the power, fuel economy and refinement of this SUV all-star.
Despite critics heaping praise on the new Explorer, it's being stood up by consumers. Though Ford had hoped the 2006 model would lift the SUV’s sagging sales in 2005, the year ended with 99,545 fewer Explorers sold than in 2004, a drop of 29.3 percent.
What happened? Why has this SUV archetype begun to fall out of favor with the very suburban clientele that made it a sales superstar? We’ll examine why in our three-part review of the 2006 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4X4, beginning after the jump.
A drop in sales of 29.3 percent may sound like a death rattle to some, but nearly all of Ford’s vehicles saw double digit declines in 2005, and the Explorer still maintained its comfy spot as the brand’s No. 2 best-selling vehicle (behind the unbeatable F-150). Though the Explorer’s sales continued to drop even after the 2006 model was introduced, we’re fairly certain things would’ve been much worse had this redesign not taken place.
Nearly everything about the Explorer has been improved for 2006. In fact, the exterior refreshening is the least significant item on the list. While the changes made to the vehicle’s appearance are innocuous enough, the new chrome grille is much taller than before-- almost Audi-like in how the chrome plunges down, swallowing the air intake. Its vertical height has the uncomfortable effect, however, of making the Explorer look thinner and taller from the front than last year’s model.
This Explorer, however, deserves more kudos for what’s new underneath its metal than how it’s shaped. For instance, the first V8 in an Explorer happened to be the Mustang’s fabled 5.0 and Ford has again borrowed from its pony car parts bin to produce this Explorer’s new 292-hp, 4.6L V8. The muscle car motor has been tuned more for towing here than time slips, and it's mated to a new six-speed automatic transmission that’s nearly invisible in its operation. The new driveline can be given credit for an improvement in fuel economy, as well, which is up to 14 city/20 highway. On a 400-mile trip with the Explorer during our first few days together we saw an average in the mid-17 mpg range.
The Explorer’s all-independent suspension has also been retuned for 2006, specifically the rear. The new setup is a definite improvement that further blurs the line between body-on-frame and unibody SUVs. During our roadtrip the Explorer excelled at providing a serene ride at highway speeds, aided further by Ford’s efforts at reducing noise inside the cabin.
An all-new interior also awaits a new Explorer owner, and it’s obvious from the first touch that the SUV’s inner sanctum is now more a place of luxury than labor. Our model is equipped with Ford’s second-gen DVD nav system that so far has safely delivered us into and out of the interior of Pittsburgh’s skyline. We’ll return to the Explorer’s new interior in our second post, but for now suffice it to say that we’ve felt coddled and well protected while piloting this SUV.
The question still stands as to why the Ford Explorer’s sales have fallen so sharply despite the improvements made in the 2006 model. As you’ll read throughout our review it’s becoming clear that the SUV market is fragmenting, and a new segment filled with CUVs (crossover utility vehicles), is beginning to make a name for itself. These vehicles that are essentially built on car platforms offer smoother rides, improved fuel economy, and in some cases more flexible functionality than their truck-based brethren. Consumers who have succumbed to the negative image with which traditional SUVs have been branded are taking a look at CUVs, which for the moment are being marketed as easier-on-the-conscience alternatives.
Is there a place for old stalwarts like the Ford Explorer in this new market landscape? Despite some of the disadvantages of being related to a pickup truck, there are still advantages not the least of which is towing. The 2006 Explorer can actually tow 160 lbs. more than last year’s model, which means you can now hitch 7,300 lbs. up to it. For comparison, the Nissan Murano can only carry 3,500 lbs. on its back.
There’s still a market for SUVs that can do some dirty work when called upon, so we don’t expect the Explorer to outright leave showrooms anytime soon. The SUV market, however, is in flux, and when the dust settles we’re more likely to this the new crop of CUVs leading in sales.
That being said, we still have a lot to discuss about the new 2006 Ford Explorer and we plan to shed light on what it has to offer in the face of all these up and coming crossovers, which coincidentally include the new Edge that will be joining Ford’s SUV lineup this year. Vehicles like the Edge may be lighter, cheaper and faster than this original SUV vanguard, but our time with the Explorer so far seems to indicate that it's settling into its new role as an executive SUV quite nicely.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ryan 12:13PM (1/23/2006)
I think the Ford Explorer & Eddie Bauer is like taking a trip back to 1996. Remember when the Ford Exploer Eddie Bauer edition was a huge status symbol back then. Now it's as played out as Matchbox 20 :-)Anyone remember the Mercury Villager Nautica edition? Kind of the same thing. What about the Ford Explorer Gucci, Coach, Armani edition?
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Justin 12:26PM (1/23/2006)
Maybe ford should kill the explorer now before sales completely collapse by the end of this year. For once they can pretend to anticipate market movement. Nobody wants an explorer because its small on the inside and get 17mpg. That is pathetic. Get with reality ford. You can't afford to keep screwing up over and over again.
And fire Bill Ford. Get a real mamager. Nepotism blows.
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Ben 12:28PM (1/23/2006)
I think gussying up the truck-based utes is the wrong tack to take. I much prefer Nissan's approach with the Xterra; the people who are in the market for a rugged, truck-based SUV are the ones who don't care as much about sound deadening material and soft touch controls. They are probably also either younger (like me) or working-class (like everyone I know who has a boat and actually tows it) and can't or don't want to pay for leather, sixteen way adjustable seats, etc.
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jscro 12:28PM (1/23/2006)
Even though it's refreshed, it still looked dated.
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grammar police 12:41PM (1/23/2006)
One grammatical error was made three times. The correct words are it's or it is, not its. "Its" implies possession, which I believe was correctly used only once in the article. C'mon Autoblog. Nice to see the correct use of pluralization of acronyms (CUVs and SUVs, not CUV's and SUV's).
Sorry to be a d@#k.
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sr20de 12:47PM (1/23/2006)
The Murano comparison is misplaced, seeing that it's a crossover based on the Maxima chassis and is only available with a V6. How about compared to the new Nissan Pathfinder? Still only a V6 but it can tow 6,000.
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Doogs 1:19PM (1/23/2006)
Heh...I actually like the idea of Ford killing the Explorer now. Go out now, while its still doing fairly well, instead of riding it all the way into the ground.
Then bring in the Bronco to satisfy the Xterra crowd who actually want/need the qualities of a truck-based ute (I agree 100% with Ben).
Keep a few Expedtions/Everests around for that market, but scale back production accordingly.
Leave the rest of the SUV market to the Escape, Edge, and whatever other crossovers Ford is working on.
Then, in 2025 when retro is hot again, Ford can reintroduce the Explorer and sell tons of it.
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Donnie 1:21PM (1/23/2006)
The Explorer, to me, is refined too late in its product lineup life. Like what Ryan (post #1) said, the "Eddie Bauer" trim line has been around since the dawn of time (not really, but has been around since the mid-1980s in the Bronco II). And I know a friend of mine that had a Mercury Villager Nautica edition.
I wonder if the "Limited" trimline on most brands is going out of vogue, I remember a late '80s Jeep Cherokee Limited with factory gold (or body color) wheels and gold pinstriping; and seemed to me like the Cadillac Escalade of the time (saw an old hip-hop video with a red Limited). Now that designation, for example on recent Jeep Grand Cherokees is mid-level and bland, IMO.
Anyone remember the Frank Sinatra edition Lincoln (sorry, forgot the model) - released in 1983 or so?
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Jay 1:38PM (1/23/2006)
Good catch, #5, on one of my pet peeves. However, I must point out that "'s" is an acceptable way to pluralize acronyms and initialisms (which those more properly are, since we don't pronounce them as words).
Oh, and the "freshened" Exploder still looks at least a decade old.
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Bob 1:38PM (1/23/2006)
I have a new 2006 and owned a 1992 back in the 90's. This truck is no better than the truck they built 14 years ago which I was forced to sell because of excessive vibration of the body at hiway speeds plus other problems which the dealers could not fix. With 3,800 miles on this SUV,I have numerous problems to be resolved by the dealer. While they are under warrenty, the list is excessive and a pain to take the vehicle in for warrenty repairs. So far it has excessive vibration when accelerating, water leak top of driver door, seat belt that retracts sometimes on driver side, transmission that shifts erratically, and a rear window that pops open when not expected. What will the next 50K miles produce? It is unfortunate that reliability is not of significant concern to the US manufacturers but that is the primary reason they are where they are. Obviously, they still don't get it. They all have learned the "deer in the headlights look" when problems arise and make no real attempts to resolve the issue. In my experience foreign manufacturers face up to their problems and provide customer satisfaction.
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bud dailey 2:03PM (1/23/2006)
I really don't need the new 2006 Ford Explorer "EDDIE BAUER EDITION". I am still happy with my 1997 KIA,SEPHIA,"HOMER SIMPSON EDITION".
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GrowUp 3:07PM (1/23/2006)
"Nepotism blows"
Only when your relatives' assets aren't to your advantage.
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Karguy 427 3:17PM (1/23/2006)
As an owner of a '03 Explorer (2WD XLT V6 - there's a gazillion of'em out there)I feel qualified to comment on what Ford has done - I will preface my comments by saying that I love the Explorer. I had a '95 Blazer prior to it, and before buying compared it to the new Trailblazer. The Ford was better, hands-down (even though the TB was more powerful). Great for trips, holds a lot of people / stuff ( got FREE 3rd seat ).
1) '86' those 'plastic chrome' wheel caps (like the ones on A-Blog's tester. No - they're NOT real chrome!) The Explorer is middle America - not Hollywood. Ix-nay on the Ing-blay.
2) Did you drop the XLT 'Sport' model? I thought it made a great looking SUV - 17" alloys (vs. 16's); gloss charcoal lower cladding (vs matte finish) -how about a sport suspension, too.
3) There are SO MANY Explorers out there how about Ford supporting them with a WEBSITE and FORUM? (I belong to Fordforums.com, but there's very little traffic on it. maybe Ford could help.)
4) How about better P.R.? - I saw the NEW '07 Sport-Trac at the L.A. Auto Show, but there was NO supporting information for it. (and why was it on a pedistal, instead on on the floor?)
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Jason 3:22PM (1/23/2006)
I'm just sick of looking at Explorers and hearing the name. They need to kill it. Bring it back later in a new form if you have to (a la Camero) but get it away from the lineup. The name just screams "1990's" to me.
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Justin 3:26PM (1/23/2006)
"Only when your relatives' assets aren't to your advantage."
Ford stock went from $30 5 years ago to $8 and change this year. I'm sure his relatives are loving it. Thank you Bill Ford.
Nepotism blows.
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ron 4:35PM (1/23/2006)
Donnie - I think the Sinatra version you're thinking of was the 1982 Chrysler Imperial. Google "Sinatra" and "car" and you will find an example!
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John Neff 4:47PM (1/23/2006)
The point of the comparison with the Murano is to highlight the capabilities of a body-on-frame SUV versus a unibody SUV, or CUV as they are referred to nowadays. SUVs like the Explorer will need every advantage they can get if they hope to keep their sales from being "conquested" by CUVs, and towing ability is one of the most obvious ones.
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dominick 5:04PM (1/23/2006)
As an owner of an 03 explorer I feel Ford has some made some positive steps in updating an extremely reliable and good driving vehicle. I have over 60,000 miles on it and have only perfromed basic maintaince and changed the brake pads at 40,000 miles. I have changed all my fluids to synthetic oils including the front and rearw hich has helped fuel mileage dramatically. With the V-6 I get 16-17 miles around town and up to 24 miles on the highway cruising about 70 miles an hour. This is a well built vehicle. I think ford could kill the competion by either installing the six cylinder diesel they developed with international or come up with a hybrid version. I would not say this vehicle is dead yet, but the sales highs it once had is over.
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MikeW 5:23PM (1/23/2006)
2 steps forward, 3 steps backwards.
ZF 6hp26, good. 3.73 axle ratio quick, but unimproved mileage.
H13 dual beam headlights replaced HB4,HB3. Wrong
One little red light in the back (with high mounted retroreflector)Wrong
Non vented rear brake rotors (with electronic brake force distribution). Wrong.
Incorrect transmission selector. P R N D (side mounted 'OD off' button, what does that mean with 2 overdrive ratios in the ZF transmission?) 3 2 1. Wrong
Interior front door handles mounted sooooo low, bad move.
How about some modern windshield wipers in the front, and how about upsizing the rear about 4" or so.
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KT 5:43PM (1/23/2006)
'86' those 'plastic chrome' wheel caps
Those are 18" alloys I believe.
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