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Your generation of Explorer was from the era where it was still a true SUV. Ford introduced the Freestyle in 2005 which was among the first attempts to reach th

by cc439 10y ago

Your generation of Explorer was from the era where it was still a true SUV. Ford introduced the Freestyle in 2005 which was among the first attempts to reach the modern "crossover" market. It was based off a modified Volvo sedan platform with unibody construction and a FWD focused layout. Unfortunately, it was a product ahead of its time as consumers had yet to warm up to the "tall wagon" approach to crossovers. My point in mentioning the Freestyle is that when it came time to release the 2nd generation, Ford elected to merge the fundamentally sound "crossover/soft-road" concept with the power of the Explorer name. The 5th generation Explorer is a 2nd generation Freestyle/Taurus X in all but the name. The auto industry press was extremely skeptical of such an extreme change in the design philosophy of a truly iconic vehicle. However, despite concerns over the large reduction in "truck" capabilities (massive reduction in approach, departure, and breakover angles as well as towing capacity), the market had stopped caring about such features. Sales are roughly double or even triple those of the 4th gen Explorer in its last years and are an order of magnitude greater than the worst years of the Freestyle/Taurus X. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Explorer#Fifth_generation_.282011_.E2.80.93_present.29 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Explorer#Fifth_generation...

kbenson 10y ago
Ah, that's a shame. That said, I have been noting how good the new Explorers look. To my eyes they look somewhat comparable to the Range Rover Sport. I imagine the new form has quite a bit to do with the sales. From your link: > The development of the fifth generation Explorer was led by chief engineer Jim Holland, who was also a chief engineer for Land Rover; heading development of the Land Rover Range Rover (L322) 2005 face-lift. Ah. That explains it. From the "capability" section under the link you provided, it looks like the AWD system has some interesting 4WD simulation modes, so it's not a complete departure, but I have no idea how well those perform in practice.
- cc439 10y ago
  >(T)he AWD system has some interesting 4WD simulation modes, so it's not a complete departure, but I have no idea how well those perform in practice. The Explorer is still solid enough to get you through most winter conditions but it's no longer an offroader if that's what you're looking for. Just look at the approach/breakover/departure angles and you'll see that the most off-roading it's designed for is parking on the grass next to the lacrosse field. I'm not saying that to disparage the concept of crossovers and soft-roaders, I think they're brilliantly designed to match the way they'll actually be used which makes them far more efficient. However, it you're looking for an actual truck, they are no longer for you.
  - kbenson 10y ago
    Ah, well since the only thing I ever used the 4WD for was snow/ice on the way to Tahoe and to pull a boat up a slippery launch, it's probably totally sufficient for what I was using the 4WD in my Explorer for. I agree it's probably a better match for the actual expected use for most other people as well. I'm not sure the explorer was ever the platform of choice for people looking to make a rock crawler...

by cc439 10y ago

kbenson 10y ago

Ah, that's a shame. That said, I have been noting how good the new Explorers look. To my eyes they look somewhat comparable to the Range Rover Sport. I imagine the new form has quite a bit to do with the sales. From your link: > The development of the fifth generation Explorer was led by chief engineer Jim Holland, who was also a chief engineer for Land Rover; heading development of the Land Rover Range Rover (L322) 2005 face-lift. Ah. That explains it. From the "capability" section under the link you provided, it looks like the AWD system has some interesting 4WD simulation modes, so it's not a complete departure, but I have no idea how well those perform in practice.

cc439 10y ago
>(T)he AWD system has some interesting 4WD simulation modes, so it's not a complete departure, but I have no idea how well those perform in practice. The Explorer is still solid enough to get you through most winter conditions but it's no longer an offroader if that's what you're looking for. Just look at the approach/breakover/departure angles and you'll see that the most off-roading it's designed for is parking on the grass next to the lacrosse field. I'm not saying that to disparage the concept of crossovers and soft-roaders, I think they're brilliantly designed to match the way they'll actually be used which makes them far more efficient. However, it you're looking for an actual truck, they are no longer for you.
- kbenson 10y ago
  Ah, well since the only thing I ever used the 4WD for was snow/ice on the way to Tahoe and to pull a boat up a slippery launch, it's probably totally sufficient for what I was using the 4WD in my Explorer for. I agree it's probably a better match for the actual expected use for most other people as well. I'm not sure the explorer was ever the platform of choice for people looking to make a rock crawler...