“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.