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2012 Ford Explorer Limited EcoBoost FWD Review

2012 Ford Explorer Limited EcoBoost FWD
Photo: Sébastien D'Amour
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Michel Deslauriers
Turbo 4 gets the job done, but is it worth it?
If you’re sceptical about how a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine performs in a big, heavy crossover such as the 2012 Ford Explorer, you probably aren’t alone. Engine downsizing isn’t a bad idea, as long as it doesn’t require a major sacrifice in performance and succeeds in reducing fuel consumption.

Driving the EcoBoost Explorer gives us mixed emotions. We like the notion of a fuel-efficient midsize SUV/crossover and we love turbo engines, but in this case, the experience is a little underwhelming.

Lots of torque gets the Explorer moving
The 2.0L EcoBoost produces 240 hp as well as 270 lb-ft at 3,000 rpm – very respectable numbers for such a small-displacement engine. It gives up 50 horses to the standard-issue 3.5L V6 but compensates with more low-rpm torque. It’s bolted to a 6-speed automatic, but unlike the V6, you don’t get a manual mode.

The Explorer EcoBoost isn’t the slouch one would expect. The muscular 4-pot engine gets the truck moving swiftly, and it’s only slightly noisier than the V6 at wide-open throttle.

Here’s the catch: you can’t get an all-wheel-drive Explorer with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine. And with so much low-end grunt channelled through the front wheels, you’ll feel the wrath of torque steer when you floor it from a standstill.

As for fuel economy, the EcoBoost Explorer is rated at 10.4/7.0 L/100km city/highway, while the FWD Explorer V6 is rated at 11.7/7.8. On a round trip from Montreal to Toronto, we averaged 11.5 L/100km; we were expecting a result under the 10-litre mark.

The EcoBoost engine also reduces the Explorer’s towing capacity from 5,000 lbs with the V6 to just 2,000.

Convinced? We’re not.

Versatile cabin
The Explorer with the EcoBoost gets all the features the V6-powered models get. Our Limited tester includes 20” wheels, xenon headlights, power liftgate, intelligent key system, leather upholstery, power-adjustable and heated front seats, power-adjustable pedals, 12-speaker Sony stereo, MyFord Touch infotainment system with rearview camera, dual-zone climate control and woodgrain trim.

Interior space is very good in the second and third rows of seats, and climbing onto the rearmost bench is fairly easy. Up front, available space is oddly distributed: there isn’t much foot space, but your left elbow will barely touch the door-mounted armrest.

Our tester is also equipped with the optional second-row inflatable seat belts; my kids have to work harder to latch the bulkier buckles and the straps aren’t as comfortable, which doesn’t please them at all. It’s a tested and proven safety feature, but I’d personally pass on it just to spare the complaints.

Cargo space could be better
Despite the Explorer’s size, we thought the cargo area would be more accommodating. With both second- and third-row seatbacks folded down, there’s 2,285 litres of available space; that’s about 1,000 litres less than in the class-leading Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia crossovers, and barely more than in a compact Toyota RAV4.

In fact, the only other midsize, seven-passenger competitor that offers less cargo space than the Explorer is the Nissan Pathfinder. The Dodge Durango, however, isn’t all that better than the Ford.

Turbo 4 or V6?
Well, if you want all-wheel drive with your Explorer, there is no debate. What’s more is that the EcoBoost engine costs $1,000 more than the standard V6; by saving only about 1 L/100km with the engine swap, it’ll take a while before you actually start saving money.

Speaking of dollars and cents, a base Explorer with the EcoBoost engine costs $30,999. Our Explorer Limited EcoBoost costs $42,199 before taxes, freight and delivery charges; check all the option boxes, and you’ll bust the $50k threshold. If you’re hell-bent on saving fuel and don’t mind its offbeat looks, the $42,990 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is much more fuel-efficient, boasts 280 hp and gets a 3,500-lb tow rating.

Bottom line: we like the Ford Explorer a lot, and the EcoBoost engine can handle the workload, but we’d stick with the V6 engine. You can’t blame Ford for daring to be different, though.

 
2012 Ford Explorer Limited EcoBoost
ford explorer 2012
2012 Ford Explorer Limited EcoBoost
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Michel Deslauriers
Michel Deslauriers
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