Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, SUVs
2006 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4X4: In the Autoblog Garage Day 5
Our final day with the 2006 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4X4 has come and gone, and we’ve saved the best parts about this redesigned SUV for last. Having driven a myriad of body-on-frame SUVs in our day, we know that there’s only so much engineers can do to hide the fact that these platforms weren’t designed for smooth rides and handling that inspires confidence. While there are a few SUVs out there that do a commendable job at concealing their pickup truck parts, not many do it as well as this new Explorer, nor at the price Ford’s asking.
Take a glance at the Explorer’s spec sheet and you’ll find some pretty fancy stuff has been added this year, like the 4.6L V8 that shares the same variable cam timing and three-valve cylinder heads with the Mustang GT and 5.4L F-150 engine. This motor produces 292 hp, a full 53 more ponies than last year’s two-valve 4.6L engine, while also improving fuel economy by 10 percent. Part of the economy gain can be attributed to Explorer’s new 6-speed automatic transmission, which Ford claims is a first in this segment of midrange, midsize SUVs. Contrary to some of the comments left on the last post, this transmission is not the same one that Ford developed in conjunction with GM, which may end up first in one of Ford’s new CUVs or next year’s Lincoln Zephyr.
The engine is a willing partner, and while we never had the opportunity to hitch up a trailer there was never a moment we were left wanting in the power department. Despite that, our tester returned fuel economy in the 18-mpg range on our road trip last weekend. Sure, it’s not as disciplined as the Escape Hybrid when it comes to consuming gasoline, but it certainly isn’t the most ravenous SUV ever.
The Explorer’s suspension definitely felt tuned more for the highway than city streets, as its firm suspension felt a bit jarring at slower speeds over rough pavement but was solid and stable at speed on the freeway. While both the front and rear suspension have been improved for 2006, we felt the rear in particular contributed the most to settling down this big SUV in the turns. On ramps that circle around like Hot Wheels track put the rear suspension to the test, and for the most part it remained flat and composed.
Ford also improved the Explorer’s brakes for 2006. As before, they feature standard four-wheel ABS with electronic brake distribution and electronic brake assist. Engineers improved the system’s heat dissipation and durability in this year’s model, which is partly responsible for increasing the vehicle’s payload capacity and tow rating. The new system effectively masks the true weight of the Explorer, which is significant, by swiftly scrubbing away the effects of inertia.
At one time or another throughout this vehicle’s legacy it has been lacking in one area or another where other SUVs excelled. If it wasn’t down on ponies to another SUV with a V8 then it didn’t handle enough like a car for critics’ tastes. Though the press complained it was always one step behind, the buying public disagreed with its dollars and made the Explorer a perennial best seller.
Having grown in size, power and price over the years has finally placed the new Explorer at the leading edge of body-on-frame midsize SUVs. Unfortunately its arrival coincides with the segment’s rapid decline in sales. The Explorer name, however, has built up too much cache for Ford to either kill it in advance of the CUV onslaught or radically change its nature to be more raw and capable of such rustic activities as rock crawling.
Let the CUVs come and leave the rock crawling to Jeeps and FJ Cruisers (although we would welcome the revival of the Bronco to that niche segment). What Ford has done is deliberately modified its Everyman’s SUV to become a more discriminating man’s SUV. We only wish the Explorer had spent as much time at the tailor as it did with its personal trainer. Perhaps then this icon of suburban status wouldn’t be wearing last fall’s fashions over its fancy new hardware.
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
iamhoff 11:58AM (1/28/2006)
I think your review of the Explorer has been pretty accurate. I had the chance to drive one during a ride & drive session at the San Diego Auto Show. Except for the "consultant" who swore it was a V8 (no badges and if it was it was the pokiest damn V8 ever!), it rode great. I've got a 2001 Pathfinder, and although it rides and handles fine for me, my girlfriend always complains that it rides rough, especially with the solid rear axle. She enjoyed the ride in the Explorer. Overall, I liked the interior layout, except for the interior door handles and the door pulls. The handles were very counterintuitive, and the pulls were just located way too low on the doors. I remember when the 1st gen and 2nd gen Tauruses came out (parents owned both), and Ford talking about how much research went into designing a handle that wouldn't break womens' nails. Why work so hard to design something funky, when a "normal" design would have likely worked fine? And the exterior styling. Overall, a nice, conservative update...EXCEPT for the grill. I don't like it on Audis, I don't like it on VW's, and I don't like it on Fords, especially in chrome. Oh well, what can you do?
Reply
Thanks-A-Mill 12:12PM (1/28/2006)
Just what people need, a 8 seat SUV for suburban turkey neck moms with only 3 kids, whos average size is 5ft 4, so they can damn near run over old people with in a Target parking lot, while the kids watch The Incredibles & shes sucking down a Double Grande cup of Starbucks Coffee, eating large McDonalds fries all while shes on the earpiece to her cell phone, explaining to her husband why she cant make dinner. Thats Incredible.
Reply
Angus Podgorny 12:36PM (1/28/2006)
"Having driven a myriad of body-on-frame SUVs in our day..."
No, no, no. You've driven myriad body-on-frame SUVs in your day, not a myriad of.
Reply
maybe 1:14PM (1/28/2006)
Myriad is an adjective (meaning numerous) AND a noun (meaning a large number).
When used as an adjective, it should read:
"Having driven myriad body-on-frame SUVs in our day.."
Used as a noun, as it is used in the article, it should read:
"Having driven a myriad of body-on-frame SUVs in our day..."
Reply
The Bishop 1:32PM (1/28/2006)
#2 Thanks-a-mill--
Just what people need, a bunch of crusty old misogynists in the Target parking lot yelling at suburban moms of three to go home and make dinner and drive the smallest car that could possibly fit three kids? That's incredible
Reply
Steven 1:32PM (1/28/2006)
Let's see...is this the same company that sells Land Rover LR3s and Range Rover Sport? Duh.....LR3 = Explorer . Well, almost anyway....
Reply
Al Murphy 1:44PM (1/28/2006)
"Unfortunately its arrival coincides with the segments rapid decline in sales. The Explorer name, however, has built up too much cache for Ford to either kill it in advance of the CUV onslaught or radically change its nature to be more raw and capable of such rustic activities as rock crawling."
Showing here why Ford's in the tollet--they didn't rccognize a losing hand when they were playing it and have now wagered WAY too much money to back down and say that they made a mistake.
Their only salvation is that they have managed to brain-wash the American public into believing that they NEED this vehicle, and gas milage and gas prices be damned!
H.L.Menken was right--"Nobody ever went broke underestimating the stupidity of the American public!"
Reply
Scott 2:34PM (1/28/2006)
#7 -
So by your logic Ford should never invest money to keep some of their best-selling products current? So, should Toyota never redesign the 4Runner? Should Nissan have not redone the Pathfinder this past year? Ford didn't "make a mistake" by redesigning the Explorer - they did what was necessary to stay competitive in the BOF SUV market, just like other manufacturers are doing. What they are ALSO doing is bringing out car-based SUV's (CUV's) to fill the needs of consumers who don't want BOF SUV's for whatever reason. Right now they offer the Escape, the Freestyle, and will debut the Edge in the fall. Seems to me they're doing okay. Exactly what do YOU expect them to do?
Reply
cowboy bob 2:42PM (1/28/2006)
When will there be a realization that SOME people want an SUV stripper built to actually go both offroad and to the store? Please make me a good looking UTILITY SUV without a bunch of usless crap like full carpeting, antilock brakes, doorbells for dummies who forget to remove their keys, along with a bunch of other no-mind junk that increases cost, and doesn't work after 6 years or so anyway. My old "78 Blazer with lock-out hubs, rubber mats, 350 v-8, and gobs of room inside did the job. I STILL got 14/15 MPG, and could pull a house. Bonus- in an accident you got out to see what you had under the axel. New SUVs are for pussys. Thes people should be driving a '68 Ford stationwagon. It had tons of room, a great ride, and did everything a soccer mom could ask for. Bonus- no rollover!!!!!
Reply
Thanks-A-Mill 6:11PM (1/28/2006)
LOL @ #.5
Funny!
Sounds as if you took that personal, guess I hit the nail right on the head! LOL.
Reply
Hammer 6:32PM (1/28/2006)
AL MURPHY 'IS' THE STUPIDITY IN THE AMERICAN PUBLUC!
Auto makers don't force people into vehicles. They cater to customer demand...idiot.
NEWSFLASH...Toyota and Nissan make just a as many if not more SUVs. Honda annouced it needs to build a larger SUV. Stupidity would be the logic of cancelling the Explorer because sales have fallen 20% to only about 230,000. DID YOU GET THAT...230,000 x $30,000 =
$6,900,000,000.00. That doesn't include the profits in finacing at 5-10%.
Reply
Mo 6:43PM (1/28/2006)
Let's hope the suspension has been improved. I am tired of being stuck in a freeway backup while they clean up the remains of a flipped Explorer.
(Flipped On Roof Daily)
Reply
Andrew 8:11PM (1/28/2006)
For a big SUV it gets decent mileage, but the question is: do people really need a huge SUV?
Compare this to Toyota Sienna Minivan: the minivan weighs about 12% less, and gets about 25% better fuel economy. The toyota with V6 (only engine choice) has about same acceleration, and seats 7 easily.
Of course this is not a complete comparison: The Toyota can't tow half as much, and can't go over as rough a road. But then again many explorer drivers will never tow or go off pavement.
The SUV revolution was largely powered by two things: style/fashion and perceived safety. Now these are starting to fade (fashion is fickle, and recent studies show SUV's about as safe) and fuel economy is becoming more important, and the demand for "big iron" is shrinking.
Add to this the influx of more and more models, especially from Foreigners. For years people asked "when will the US figure out how to build a good small car?". They should have asked "when will the Japanese figure out how to build an SUV with crappy mileage?". Well, they've figured it out, and their adding 1000's of these to a shrinking market.
The Explorer will sell in large numbers, but down significantly from the past.
Reply
Car-la 1:23AM (1/29/2006)
Most people will not need a huge SUV. Especially in urban areas a sedan or wagon will do a much better job. But nonetheless, it would have been dumb by Ford not to update its best-selling SUV, just because this segment is declining.
If that was true, Toyota and Honda had better not introduced new versions of the Camry and Accord, since that was a segment that lost buyers to SUVs for quite some time. Nonetheless, the Camry and Accord sold about half-a-million each per year. If Ford can continue to sell over 200,000 Explorers each year, they have done everything right.
Reply
kurt eskeli 4:27AM (1/29/2006)
i think ford needs to start building quality cars and trucks to get out of their deep deep hole they have put them selves in. i bought a new 05 mustang and it is a real piece of junk. i have had it in the shop for 33 days in the first year and still have problems they cant fix. they are trying to tell me that these problems are a normal part of the new mustang. just like the rentals i got while my car was trying to get fixed. the explorers i rented had many problems and also the ford van i got once had problems.
it seems to me that their problem is very basic, if honda and toyota can build quality cars here in the usa with american workers, why cant ford and gm do the same. its not rocket science to figure out why they are losing market share.
Reply
Dennis Kraai 8:41AM (2/04/2006)
I purchased a 98 explorer in 2000. Lucky I also bought a 75,000 mile warranty.
About 5 warranty repairs before 75,000 miles and One repair after that and a 100 dollar tow bill. The dealer was great and gave me great service but when I wrote or talked to ford all I heard was that these repairs were very unusuall for the explorer. I can't tell a friend to buy a ford and take a chance on that kind of repair bills.
Thanks
Dennis
Reply
Lisa 9:41AM (2/04/2006)
The Ford Explorer is a great vehichle. I had a 99 Explorer and it was great. I recently upgraded to the Expedition. It would be a shame to see the Explorer go bye bye. In my opinion Ford makes the best quailty vehicles on the market. When you talk gas mileage, the Explorer and even the Expedition get decent mileage for the type of vehicle they are. But if the oil companines weren't so greedy, consumer's wouldn't cringe when they had to go to the gas pumps and fill up. Explorer to me is number 1 in it's midsize class of the SUV.
Reply
Tom 9:54AM (2/04/2006)
One of the reasons that the Explorer is not selling as well is that they do not appear to stand behind their product. I'm on my third Explorer ('03) and would probably be looking to buy my fourth but between 40,000 and 75,000 miles I've had to replace all four wheel bearings and the rear differential with no help from Ford or their dealer network! If they believe in their product they should back it up! My next purchase will probably be a Toyota 4 Runner!
Reply
james bivens 1:19PM (2/04/2006)
Number 17-My sister-in-law is currently replacing a $3500.00-$5000.00 transmission on her $34,000.00 2000 Nissan, depending on what they find. I've owned 11 new Fords. Loved them all, drove most over 100,000 miles each.
Number 15-You need to quit buying flood damaged or hot cars that have been chopped and rebuilt. I'll just bet your single or multiply divorced.
Reply
james bivens 1:31PM (2/04/2006)
Above posters should know that the "Limited" is the Top of the Line Explorer.
Reply