2013 Ford Explorer Manchester
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For 2013, all Explorers have a new front-passenger knee airbag, while a heated steering wheel, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering column and lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist are offered for the Limited trim level. The available xenon headlights now feature automatic high-beam control. Out of the box, the Ford Explorer has demonstrated itself to be one the best, seven-passenger sport-utility vehicles available. It delivers the function and family friendly features of a minivan with a more rugged emotional appeal, off-road and
towing capability for those who need it, and SUV mileage that was unheard of back in the day. The 2012 Ford Explorer comes in three models. Each comes standard with a 290-hp, 3.5-liter V6 engine with a 6-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is optional on all three. Ford's Terrain Management all-wheel drive system is optional only with the V6.
Driving Impressions of the '13 Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer reminds us why sport-utility vehicles started climbing up the sales charts back in the 1990s. It's an excellent choice for active families, particularly if there are more than two kids. Ford put all the engineering effort it could muster into the Explorer, and got the ride, handling, and NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) results it hoped for. The rigid chassis and careful tuning of the independent suspension produce a superb all-around ride. It takes corners and undulations flat, and the speed-sensitive electric power steering allows it to turn relatively tight and quick. The front suspension uses short and long arms with a fat 32mm stabilizer bar. Engineers gave the rear suspension a name, SR1, because for each wheel movement, the shock absorbers are tuned to make the same motion in the same cadence, which they say eliminates undesirable ride motions.
Interior Features of the '13 Ford Explorer
When the driver surveys his or her domain, it all looks satisfying, with a clean and slanted center stack using stylish satin-finish trim materials, and attractive climate vents and audio speakers. The doors have metal speaker grilles, and curve into the dash panel. There's a big glovebox with a shelf, leather grab handles and armrests on Explorers with leather interior, and long door pockets with space for a bottle. Many of the features and functions, say climate or audio settings, can be adjusted in four separate ways: by voice command, by thumb buttons on the steering-wheel spokes, by touching the display screen itself or by using the buttons in the switch stack below, should you choose to do it the old-fashioned way. Safety features are headlined by Ford's new curve control, which applies braking to individual wheels as needed to correct corner trajectory. It's part of a comprehensive electronics suite, which also includes antilock brakes and Ford's ActiveTrack stability system with rollover mitigation and trailer sway control. Standard crash protection starts with dual-threshold front airbags, a front passenger knee protection airbag, front-seat side impact airbags, head-protection curtains for all outboard seats and SOS post-crash alert. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the Explorer a Top Safety Pick.
Exterior Features of the '13 Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer is a looker, rugged but refined, familiar but definitely fresh. Five new metallic paint colors for 2012 enhance its polished appearance. Explorer's width is evident in its confident stance, but its smooth styling cheats the eye. It has beefy but smooth proportions, with fluid lines that are more aerodynamic than before. Details such as the liftgate spoiler and flexible lower front air dam (in black) were tweaked in the wind tunnel. Beautiful headlights complement the graceful fenders and transform the inherently square nose. The amber indicators sweep back like narrow wings atop tidy main projector beams. The plastic grille is gray on the base Explorer, body-colored on the XLT (the best looking), and satin-chrome on the Limited. The hood looks short from the side but long when looking straight down it. It's got two parallel humps and a scoop in the center, smoother than it
sounds. Rear taillights are LED, and also look good. Black rockers on the sides allegedly lift the eye,
Model Lineup
The 2012 Ford Explorer comes in three models. Each comes standard with a 290-hp, 3.5-liter V6 engine with a 6-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is optional on all three. Ford's Terrain Management all-wheel drive system is optional only with the V6.
Explorer comes standard with cloth upholstery, a six-way power driver seat, six-speaker audio with single CD and an input jack, air conditioning with particulate filter and rear-seat controls, tilt/telescoping steering wheel with audio controls, power windows, locks and outside mirrors, overhead console, four 12-volt outlets, 60/40 split-folding second- and 50/50 third-row seats, rear privacy glass, cargo hooks, carpeted floor mats, halogen projector-beam headlights, roof rails and 17-inch steel wheels with wheel covers. Options are limited to Ford's SYNC voice activation and phone connection system, satellite radio hardware, a cargo shade, and a tow package.
Explorer XLT adds upgraded cloth seats, leather steering wheel and shift knob, basic SYNC and satellite radio, a security touchpad on the driver's door, automatic headlamps, heated sideview mirrors with LED turn signals and security approach lamps, a backup warning beeper and 18-inch painted aluminum wheels.
Explorer Limited adds leather seats, 10-way power driver seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, 390-watt Sony audio with CD changer, SelectShift manual mode for the 6-speed automatic transmission, power folding outside mirrors, ambient lighting, adjustable pedals with memory, cargo net, a rearview camera, remote start, a 110-volt outlet, 20-inch painted
aluminum wheels, and last but not least the MyFordTouch driver connect technology. Second-row captain's chairs are available on Limited.
Options for the XLT and Limited are plentiful, somewhat confusing and grouped in various packages. One of the most popular is Equipment Group 202A for the XLT, which includes leather seating, the 10-way power driver seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, auto-dimming rearview mirror, rearview camera and ambient lighting. Stand alone options include a voice-activated navigation system, a panoramic glass sunroof, dual-screen rear seat DVD system and a power liftgate.
Conclusions
This latest-generation Ford Explorer is larger, better looking, quieter, more powerful and far more fuel efficient than the pre-2011 models. The 2013 Explorer 2.0 EcoBoost option delivers a class leading Highway EPA rating. The Explorer offers lots of choices: three trim levels, two engines, front- or all-wheel drive and plenty of class-exclusive options. The base Explorer in particular jumps out. It's a fully quipped, state-of-the-art seven-seat SUV, with a smooth, powerful V6.. Click here for more information on the 2013 Ford Explorer.
Some of the information for this review was obtained through newcartestdrive.com