Cargo space, however, is surprisingly the least generous at 2,285 litres with all seats folded. Our tester includes a standard power tailgate and optional power-folding 3rd-row seats, which operate slowly and, shamefully, make us feel lazy. The rear window is pretty small, which makes the rear park sensor and rear view camera useful.
Base price for a 2011 Explorer with front-wheel drive is $29,999 before tax, freight and delivery charges, an aggressive starting point in the mid-size SUV and crossover segment. Our full-tilt $44,199 Limited 4WD model, filled with options such as a trailer-tow package, ventilated front seats, adaptive cruise control, a blind-spot monitor, polished alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof and a navigation system, checks in at $51,999.
Main competition includes the Dodge Durango Citadel ($50,670), the Chevrolet Traverse LTZ ($55,770) and the GMC Acadia SLT-2 ($58,000). You could also throw in the less-equipped Toyota Highlander 4WD V6 Limited ($44,900), Nissan Pathfinder LE ($47,748), Honda Pilot Touring ($48,420) and Mazda CX-9 GT ($48,270). There are more, but we think you get the picture.
Plenty of room and lots of technology at an affordable price, that’s what highlights the Explorer. It may have lost off-road and towing capability compared to the old model, but it benefits from lower fuel consumption, which isn’t a bad thing at all. In short, a great vehicle for the anti-downsize crowd.
Base price for a 2011 Explorer with front-wheel drive is $29,999 before tax, freight and delivery charges, an aggressive starting point in the mid-size SUV and crossover segment. Our full-tilt $44,199 Limited 4WD model, filled with options such as a trailer-tow package, ventilated front seats, adaptive cruise control, a blind-spot monitor, polished alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof and a navigation system, checks in at $51,999.
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| Our fully loaded Explorer Limited 4WD costs $52K. (Photo: Philippe Champoux/Auto123.com) |
Main competition includes the Dodge Durango Citadel ($50,670), the Chevrolet Traverse LTZ ($55,770) and the GMC Acadia SLT-2 ($58,000). You could also throw in the less-equipped Toyota Highlander 4WD V6 Limited ($44,900), Nissan Pathfinder LE ($47,748), Honda Pilot Touring ($48,420) and Mazda CX-9 GT ($48,270). There are more, but we think you get the picture.
Plenty of room and lots of technology at an affordable price, that’s what highlights the Explorer. It may have lost off-road and towing capability compared to the old model, but it benefits from lower fuel consumption, which isn’t a bad thing at all. In short, a great vehicle for the anti-downsize crowd.
2011 Ford Explorer Limited V6 4WD
2011 Ford Explorer Limited V6 4WD
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