igor Posted April 13, 2007 Share Posted April 13, 2007 (EL length is 221") Ford Flex Overall length 202.3" Overall width 79.9" Overall height at curb 67.6" so we can see that the Freestyle/TaurusX is mad narrow and the flex will offer way more width (=luxury feeling) than the TaurusX. Then the Flex debuts it will be the widest Ford SUV. Also, while the overall length is similar between the Flex and TaurusX - the TaurusX has 112" wheelbase, while the Flex has 116" - this likely accounts for the increase in interior room. Finally, in line with people calling the Flex a wagon - it will be the lowest of the bunch - even lower than the currently lowest - TaurusX ... post your observations. Igor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igor Posted April 13, 2007 Author Share Posted April 13, 2007 I would also like to compare this to GMC Acadia - the new Full size crossover benchmark, and Toyota Sienna, one of the core Minivan Benchmarks. GMC Acadia Width: 78.2 Length:200.7 Height: 69.9 wheelbase: 118.9 Toyota Sienna Overall width 77.4 Overall length 201.0 Overall height, unloaded 68.9 Wheelbase 119.3 This shows, that while tie exterior dimensions are similar to the new Flex the Acadia actually has another 2" if wheelbase, which can have some implications on interior room and ease of 3rd row access - but might not .. Compared to the Sienna, the wheelbase looks really short, but the width could be an asset for the Flex - it will be over 1.5" wider than the Sienna, and over an inch wider than the Acadia. feel free to post your observations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igor Posted April 13, 2007 Author Share Posted April 13, 2007 oh .. and let's not forget: the Freestar: Igor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolita Posted April 13, 2007 Share Posted April 13, 2007 oh .. and let's not forget: the Freestar: Igor Interesting comparison... Seems like its geting crowded - - - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igor Posted April 13, 2007 Author Share Posted April 13, 2007 (edited) well the freestar is dead ... but I felt it was an interesting comparison point. I still believe Ford has a bunch of options going forward .. but I do not have a sense which ones they will take ... yes, they hav ea lot of SUV/CUV vehicles, including Flex, 4 are 7passenger, 2 are 5 passenger. However just like expedition and Explorer have coexisted peacefully for years, there is a lot of space for differentiation .. for now I believe the Freestyle/TaurusX and the Flex will be sufficiently far apart - but with the new Explorer being significantly different, we will see where it falls in the lineup. Igor Edited April 13, 2007 by igor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolita Posted April 13, 2007 Share Posted April 13, 2007 well the freestar is dead ... but I felt it was an interesting comparison point. Igor I meant the comparison between all of the vehicles - not just the Freestar.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sim Posted April 13, 2007 Share Posted April 13, 2007 There has been talk about how tall SUV's and such had been getting. I would imagine clearance through garage doors might be an issue as is the ability to get to the roofrack to load things onto the SUV - i can manage reasonably well at 6'3", but find it easier to stand on running boards or the lip of the doorwell, i cant imagine how it would be for shorter people! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harley Lover Posted April 13, 2007 Share Posted April 13, 2007 Great comparison! It's very illuminating to see the products side to side. It's very interesting to compare the Taurus X and the Explorer's dimensions; I keep thinking about the rumor that the Explorer will move to a unibody chassis, and I think of a reskinned Taurus X. When you compare the dimensions, it's not that far to leap if indeed the Explorer moves to a unibody chassis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ds91776 Posted April 13, 2007 Share Posted April 13, 2007 Good comparo, except the Flex has a 117.9 inch wheelbase (118 for you non sticklers) so the Flex has a very, very Minivan like wheelbase thank you very much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igor Posted April 13, 2007 Author Share Posted April 13, 2007 Good comparo, except the Flex has a 117.9 inch wheelbase (118 for you non sticklers) so the Flex has a very, very Minivan like wheelbase thank you very much. you are right .. I messed up - it's 117.9 .. but it is still an inch less than the Acadia and the Sienna. Igor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconman13 Posted April 13, 2007 Share Posted April 13, 2007 Hey igor Wider is not always better. Remember the AMC Pacer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suv_guy_19 Posted April 13, 2007 Share Posted April 13, 2007 you are right .. I messed up - it's 117.9 .. but it is still an inch less than the Acadia and the Sienna. Igor Well from what I've read the flex still seems to have better leg room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NLPRacing Posted April 13, 2007 Share Posted April 13, 2007 Great comparison! It's very illuminating to see the products side to side. It's very interesting to compare the Taurus X and the Explorer's dimensions; I keep thinking about the rumor that the Explorer will move to a unibody chassis, and I think of a reskinned Taurus X. When you compare the dimensions, it's not that far to leap if indeed the Explorer moves to a unibody chassis. I envision the unibody Explorer to be a more "truck looking" vehicle that will be more like the Australian RWD/AWD Ford Territory then the US FWD/AWD Ford TaurusX. If you compare specs of the Territory & Explorer, you find that they are nearly identical, except the Territory weighs less. I also think the Explorer will have a more off-road flavor to it then it does now. Maybe it can even a spawn a two door version that they can call "Bronco"? Land Rover & Jeep can build off-road worthy unibody's, why couldn't Ford? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcsario Posted April 13, 2007 Share Posted April 13, 2007 I envision the unibody Explorer to be a more "truck looking" vehicle that will be more like the Australian RWD/AWD Ford Territory then the US FWD/AWD Ford TaurusX. If you compare specs of the Territory & Explorer, you find that they are nearly identical, except the Territory weighs less. I also think the Explorer will have a more off-road flavor to it then it does now. Maybe it can even a spawn a two door version that they can call "Bronco"? Land Rover & Jeep can build off-road worthy unibody's, why couldn't Ford? Since Mulally wants to move Ford towards global product, the next Explorer and Territory might be one and the same, with the next Taurus X really looking like a Taurus wagon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted April 13, 2007 Share Posted April 13, 2007 Since Mulally wants to move Ford towards global product, the next Explorer and Territory might be one and the same, with the next Taurus X really looking like a Taurus wagon. Sounds like a plan to me!!! :happy feet: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadrunner Posted April 13, 2007 Share Posted April 13, 2007 I told you all the Edge has a fat ass. Seeing this comparo affirms my opinion even more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suv_guy_19 Posted April 14, 2007 Share Posted April 14, 2007 I told you all the Edge has a fat ass. Seeing this comparo affirms my opinion even more. Many crossovers have that look...its a result of them being crossovers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted April 14, 2007 Share Posted April 14, 2007 I adjusted the images above to scale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted April 14, 2007 Share Posted April 14, 2007 With the Outlook & Flex added. As an aside, the vertical rear doors on the Flex look to make 3rd row entry/egress much simpler than the angled Freestyle/Taurus X & Outlook doors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PolarBear Posted April 14, 2007 Share Posted April 14, 2007 Is it just me, or does it look like there's too many choices on the table? Holy crap- how does the consumer make a choice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted April 14, 2007 Share Posted April 14, 2007 Holy crap- how does the consumer make a choice? :shrug: people like you, I guess.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkaresh Posted April 14, 2007 Share Posted April 14, 2007 (edited) Ford Flex Overall length 202.3" Overall width 79.9" Overall height at curb 67.6" so we can see that the Freestyle/TaurusX is mad narrow and the flex will offer way more width (=luxury feeling) than the TaurusX. Then the Flex debuts it will be the widest Ford SUV. Also, while the overall length is similar between the Flex and TaurusX - the TaurusX has 112" wheelbase, while the Flex has 116" - this likely accounts for the increase in interior room. Finally, in line with people calling the Flex a wagon - it will be the lowest of the bunch - even lower than the currently lowest - TaurusX ... post your observations. Igor I'm very suspicious of the width spec for the Flex. The shoulder room is much narrower than it ought to be for a 79.9" vehicle. I think someone either mucked this spec up or the Flex has ultra-thick doors. Shoulder room Flex: 58.4/57.1/50.8 FS: 58.5/57.9/50.8 Acadia: 61.9/61.1/57.8 Hip room Flex: 55.4/55.0/41.1 FS: 55.5/55.8/45.9 Acadia: 57.8/57.9/48.3 The cabin width seems almost identical to that of the Freestyle/Taurus X, and a huge 3-4 inches narrower than the Acadia. I suspect the width spec should be identical to the FS, at 74.9", and not 79.9". The height is also virtually identical to the Freestyle's. And you've got to be careful with height specs, because they sometimes include a roof rack and sometimes don't, and that makes about a two-inch difference. Edited April 14, 2007 by mkaresh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theVengineguy Posted April 14, 2007 Share Posted April 14, 2007 I don't think you can compare the Crossovers to the Truck frame SUVs. I mean and Expedition can tow a decent sized boat, can an escape or edge do that? Well, probably be no need for towing a boat cause only rich folk will be able to afford them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted April 14, 2007 Share Posted April 14, 2007 (edited) It's no fluke that the Territory is close to the Explorer's dimensions. Ford AUS felt they could make a better Falcon based replacement. Here are the Territory's dimensions converted to imperial Ford Territory Overall length -191.2" Overall width (excluding mirrors) - 74.2" Overall height - 67.5" Wheelbase - 111.9" Front track - 64.0" Rear track - 62.9" Front overhang - 36.9" Rear overhang -42.8" Approach angle - 23º Departure angle - 19.8º Ground clearance - 7.0" Front headroom - 42.3" Front legroom - 44.2" Front shoulder room - 60.9" Front hip room - 60.0" 2nd row legroom (5 seater) - 41.0" 2nd row headroom (5 seater) - 39.6" 3rd row legroom (with optional 3rd row seat) - 33.6" 3rd row headroom (with optional 3rd row seat) - 36.5" Could someone please tell me what Approach Angle and Departure Angle are? Towing capacities Standard towpack = 3520 lb Heavy duty towpack = 5060 lb Maximum towball download - standard towpack 3520 lb = 352 lb Maximum towball download - heavy duty towpack 5060 lb = 506 lb Maximum towing capacity - unbraked trailer 1650 lb Maximum towing capacity - braked trailer = 5060 lb Rear gross axle load rating when towing = 3366 lb John Edited April 14, 2007 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANTAUS Posted April 14, 2007 Share Posted April 14, 2007 The question would be, Could Ford NA design a unibody RWD "SUV" like the Territory, to replace the Explorer here? And if so, what platform will they use for that? (interceptor).... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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