GT-Keith Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 But I had, and Mr. Mac is right. The Explorer is bad. Bad as in I can't remember driving a car as dynamically lifeless. Nor could others. "Handles like an oversize, overweight Volvo," states our Detroit scribe Todd Lassa. Says associate editor Mike Febbo, "It sits and handles like a truck, but it's a tall car." Executive editor Ed Loh feels much the same. "It's like driving a large overstuffed armchair. The cushions are very soft and squishy, but you sit so far inboard that it's weird." And then there's associate editor Rory Jurnecka's take: "Wallowy in the slalom and figure-eight with understeer being the flavor of choice. This isn't fun." Source Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atomcat68 Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 Everyone has a right to their opinion and if they don't like something, they should be honest and just say so. If this is what they truly feel, then their courage for saying it should be honored. ...But does anyone else notice that Motor Trend's opinions on Fords are the polar opposite and 180 degrees away from everyone else's opinions. To me it seems that because Ford is viewed as a well run company by almost every single publication, Motor Trend feels the need to be the James dean rebel and trash Ford to be the different bad assed publication. The only car they seem to like is the Mustang. Almost every other test has a poor showing by the same Ford models that test well everywhere else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twmalonehunter Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 Source There will be a lot of "I told you so" talk here I'm sure. Looks like the Explorer is simply too heavy for this powertrain, and that's a shame. Now the real shame is Ford actually released such a vehicle, if it is as bad as MT says. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mettech Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 "Handles like an oversize, overweight Volvo," I thought it was a "oversize, overweight " Volvo... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 (edited) This is exactly what I feared and exactly what we got, Ford really needs to get a grip on innovation application and release products only if they are absolutely brilliant. And honestly, how many Explorer customers are willing to pay this much on a car to get a far weaker drivetrain with very minor MPG gains.. It just doesn't add up. But sales will determine ultimate success. Right now the Explorer is off my list until it gets a 3.5EB or 3.7V6....I don't understand why it is taking them so long. Edited August 29, 2011 by BORG 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SVTCobra Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 Any idea if or when Ford will ditch the Volvo inspired platform? Every vehicle built upon it is too heavy and all receive complaints about lack of interior room. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 Everyone has a right to their opinion and if they don't like something, they should be honest and just say so. If this is what they truly feel, then their courage for saying it should be honored. ...But does anyone else notice that Motor Trend's opinions on Fords are the polar opposite and 180 degrees away from everyone else's opinions. To me it seems that because Ford is viewed as a well run company by almost every single publication, Motor Trend feels the need to be the James dean rebel and trash Ford to be the different bad assed publication. The only car they seem to like is the Mustang. Almost every other test has a poor showing by the same Ford models that test well everywhere else. The critical response to the Explorer has had a strange lifecycle. At first the critics lauded it, but the tone changed dramatically with Motor Trend and everybody followed suit. now you would think it's the worst car Ford ever made. Funny though, they can't keep them in stock. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 Because everyone drives the slalom and figure eight daily, seeing how quickly they can get up to 80 MPH! Seriosly, buy a Mustang for that, not a C/SUV geared toward fuel economy. Why can't car rags get that? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 Overweight and underpowered by who's standards? An enthusiast magazine with editors used to driving overpowered, underweight super cars or people who are actually buying them? I think the EB 2.0 will sell well. In the end, the market has declared the Explorer a winner. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpvbs Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 The EB2.0 wasn't really the biggest gripe. It was pretty much everything else they didn't like. They mention that for kid hauling duty, the 2.0 is fine. As and "enthusiast" rag, they won't be happy with adequate. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSFan00 Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 Also love the suggestion that Ford offer a diesel for fuel economy, while lamenting sluggishness. But, when gushing over the VW Jetta Tdi, they never had an issue with 8.2or 7.8 second zero to 60's. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GT-Keith Posted August 29, 2011 Author Share Posted August 29, 2011 How is 270lb-ft of torque inadequate for this vehicle? Or is the only metric by which we judge a vehicles performance is how fast it reaches 60 and completes the quarter mile? If you were to load this thing down with luggage and people, the performance drop-off shouldn't be as radical as the V6 counter part because of low-end torque. Look at the article heading... It seems all they do is rate vehicles on fast they are... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 (edited) Tempest in a teapot. It is quite clear that for whatever reason MT dislikes the Explorer as a matter of unofficial editorial policy. I have no idea why this is. I have a few suspicions that do not reflect well on Motor Trend--that either they're trying to be 'controversial' and 'edgy' (supporting this hypothesis: the multiple blog entries posted after the last comparo that kept the pot boiling), or Ford's refusal to buy the SUV of the Year award from them (supporting this hypothesis: Pete D's anecdotes concerning the sale of a 'prestigious annual award bestowed by a prominent magazine'). Personally, I favor the 'pot boiler' hypothesis: MT is trying to stake out a claim on the XXTREEME!!!! edge of journalism with paint-by-numbers contempt for a decidedly mainstream product. Frankly, I wish they'd just go back to putting women in bikinis next to cars. Edited August 29, 2011 by RichardJensen 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 BTW: I draw a distinction between MT's "We hate the Explorer" policy and Popular Mechanics' rather ridiculous "let's rate AWD systems by blasting through sand dunes and kicking up rooster tails" test. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8-X Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 Everyone has a right to their opinion and if they don't like something, they should be honest and just say so. If this is what they truly feel, then their courage for saying it should be honored. ...But does anyone else notice that Motor Trend's opinions on Fords are the polar opposite and 180 degrees away from everyone else's opinions. To me it seems that because Ford is viewed as a well run company by almost every single publication, Motor Trend feels the need to be the James dean rebel and trash Ford to be the different bad assed publication. The only car they seem to like is the Mustang. Almost every other test has a poor showing by the same Ford models that test well everywhere else. I've seen MT be critical of the Taurus, because of the lack of interior space. Which I've experienced many times in my father-in-laws 2010 SEL AWD. It's a nice car all around, but my wife's '04 Altima feels nearly as big on the interior space as the Taurus. I've seen MT give other Ford cars, like the Focus I believe, an average rating (not best nor worst). They praised it for its goods/knocked it for its bads. Just as they did with all other cars in its comparison. And of course, we've seen them bash the Explorer. Whether any of us like it or not, this is their opinion from their review. And have you been seeing more reviews lately? Polar opposites aren't totally true anymore. Prior to release, yes most ragz gave the Explorer a glowing praise. Since then, more and more reviews are coming out with Explorer negatives. But I do like the "conspiracy theory" that you came up with that MT is only doing this because Ford is a well run company and they (MT) want to be a rebel. Because everyone drives the slalom and figure eight daily, seeing how quickly they can get up to 80 MPH! Seriosly, buy a Mustang for that, not a C/SUV geared toward fuel economy. Why can't car rags get that? They run the vehicle through various tests, comparing to the results of other vehicles in its class that they have on file. If it's worse than the majority of other vehicles in it's class, then why not say so? Why try to hide the facts? Sure, slalom or 0-60 runs may not be how the typical buyer is going to use the vehicle, but if it is worse than the others, I like they come out and say it rather than sweep it under the rug. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 more and more reviews are coming out with Explorer negatives Yeah, but not like this. And you know what? It'd be easier to credit MT's criticism if their other articles had even a modicum of quality. But the entire magazine is trash, cover to cover. If I've read a single well written article in MT in the last ten years, I don't remember it. They're just a trashy mag trying to stay relevant by acting trashy. Heck C&D is better written than MT. So's Automobile for that matter. And AutoWeek. MT is the Weekly World News of car mags. They're the US answer to "AutoExpress" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 I like they come out and say it rather than sweep it under the rug. No. You like that they say something you agree with. AutoExpress routinely gushes about Ford products, but that doesn't make them credible IMO. They're still a rag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atvman Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 Car and Driver liked the 2.0L EB Edge, but they didn't like the 2.0L EB Explorer. There's a 500lb weight difference between the two, which explains a lot. Edge Explorer To be perfectly honest, I liked the Explorer when I drove it last winter. However, the Jeep Grand Cherokee just blows it away. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edstock Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 In the end, the market has declared the Explorer a winner. Right on. And the negatards writhe in frustration. Now, if Ford would pull the finger out and get the 3.5 EB in it . . . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 the Jeep Grand Cherokee just blows it away. Yeah. It's a great vehicle for you and your five best friends. Oh wait. Corvette blows away the Mustang too, you know. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 BTW, V8-X, I love how quick you are to neg rep the people you disagree with.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30 OTT 6 Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 I'll never understand why FoMoCo decided to build two Taurus wagons. I think Ford Austrailia has the better idea with their RWD Territory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 (edited) Car and Driver liked the 2.0L EB Edge, but they didn't like the 2.0L EB Explorer. There's a 500lb weight difference between the two, which explains a lot. Edge Explorer To be perfectly honest, I liked the Explorer when I drove it last winter. However, the Jeep Grand Cherokee just blows it away. The grand Cherokee is much smaller than the Explorer and with fewer seats. The Explorer and Durango are closer kin. The GC would be closer to an Edge in size and customer. Edited August 29, 2011 by BORG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MGolden Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 My Mom was going to buy an edge and came home with the new explorer. She absolutely loves it, and even warmed up to MFT...... My sister came home for a visit and test drove it. She canceled her plans to buy a new Durango and is expecting her new explorer any day, I dont know of anyone who doesnt like them after a test drive. I think it has plenty of space,power and doesnt "feel" heavy. I dont understand all the negativity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atvman Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 The grand Cherokee is much smaller than the Explorer and with fewer seats. The Explorer and Durango are closer kin. The GC would be closer to an Edge in size and customer. I haven't driven the Durango yet, but I'm sure I'll come to the same conclusion since it's mechanically identical to the Jeep. You can only do so much to mask a dated and mediocre chassis, the D3/D4 needs to be replaced. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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