I was not quite impressed with the vehicle during the first days of testing, under normal conditions. However, after loading the truck with all the equipment like fishingear, clothes, sleeping bags, several coolers filled with food and other goodies, I realized that the Ford engineers had done a great job. The cargo area is well designed and two boxes underneath the floor increased the loading capacity. The tailgate features a lift window and low sill to ease up loading. The rear seats are folding and thus allow a flat 2492 litre (1320 litre behind the second row) load floor. I wish they had placed a 12 volt outlet in that area for the cooler. The base towing capacity is 1588 kg (3500 lb) for the XLT, Eddie Bauer or limited models. One can choose between the 2495 kg/5500 lb or the 3175 kg/6985 lb towing packages with the optional 240 hp. SOHC 4,6 litre powerhouse. The Explorer is shod with Michelin Cross Terrain tires in its base versions and Goodyear AP rubber for the luxury models. The Michelin tires stand apart from the Firestone tires of the preceeding years on account of their smoothness, quietness and performance on wet surfaces. On the other hand, they are average when off-roading.
The automatic transmission really helps the engine work to its maximum effort. Both engines are mated to a quite smooth operating transmission. The gearbox finely handled the hilly roads of Charlevoix. There was no undesired downshifting and it allowed to use every ounce of power. The great innovation of that new Explorer is its rear independant suspension. It is a tad firm, but it allows a good contact with the road in every circumstance even on the "washboard" like surface of the gravel roads. Oddly enough, it provides more comfort on forest roads than most of its direct competitors. The interior remains severe as is the case with Ford products. and the choice of plastic could be improved. Ergonomics is reproachless. The front and rear sections can easily take four adults. The seats in the base model suffer from a lack of comfort and support.
The automatic transmission really helps the engine work to its maximum effort. Both engines are mated to a quite smooth operating transmission. The gearbox finely handled the hilly roads of Charlevoix. There was no undesired downshifting and it allowed to use every ounce of power. The great innovation of that new Explorer is its rear independant suspension. It is a tad firm, but it allows a good contact with the road in every circumstance even on the "washboard" like surface of the gravel roads. Oddly enough, it provides more comfort on forest roads than most of its direct competitors. The interior remains severe as is the case with Ford products. and the choice of plastic could be improved. Ergonomics is reproachless. The front and rear sections can easily take four adults. The seats in the base model suffer from a lack of comfort and support.