So what do you think?


I think it looks good, its different but in a good way.

Autoblog - 2011 Ford Explorer

 

I dig it

 

Its not a bad looker, but what is the point?. What differentiates this between a Flex? They are built on the same platform, have similar seating capacities and even the same engine options. Its obviously less capable then the previous Explorer both in off road and in towing applications (its only rated to tow around 3500 lbs vs the 7100 of the old Explorer)

It seems basically an alternative vehicle to somebody who doesn't like the styling of the Flex.

 

So the old 4.0 V6 could tow 7100? No 3500. The V8 could do 7100....
I am sure Ford is going to have a few engine options better than the 4500 that the Flex can tow.
Ok just read they will have the 3.7 V6 in it, tows up to 5000lbs. No V8, hmmmm....
MAJOR SUV FUEL ECONOMY GAINS, TECHNOLOGY, STYLE HIGHLIGHT REINVENTION OF FORD EXPLORER | Ford Motor Company Newsroom

 

So I was a little off on the tow capacity. So once again, what makes this vehicle worth manufacturing over a flex, besides the different body?

 

Exactly. Another cost saving unibody move hoping the public does not notice. This is another Ford mistake by somehow not knowing its own market. Next they will be going for unibody pickups. If fords objective is to lose more buyers to Toyota 4runners and Nissan Pathfiders they have succeeded.

 

Looks too much like the Arcadia...

 

I like the looks .
Where's the rest of the roof rack?

 

Where's the Eddie Bauer edition? It's been around since 1990. Why would they discontinue it?

 

Its a fail IMO. I have no use for a FWD Explorer that is a lot like the Edge and Flex. No new Explorers in my future or my families for shure now. With the future goverment mpg and emmisions requirements lingering ahead, this is the crap we are going to get. Better get used to smaller FWD econo boxes and start downsizing/selling your toys.

 

Well when gas gets up there in price, you just might have to sacrafice what you have become accustomed to...
Also looks like you werent buying it anyway....
Reason to redesign....
"The Explorer was the US’s most popular SUV during the 1990s, with sales reaching a peak of 445,000 units in 2000, equal to 11 per cent of total Ford sales."

"But by last year, sales had tumbled to 52,200, or 3 per cent of the total, as Americans moved towards smaller, more fuel-efficient crossovers and sedans."

 

You must not have seen the future unreasonable fleet mpg requirements and future emissions requirements. Apparently trying to turn the US into Europe (Auto wise) does not bother you.

Maybe if Ford wouldn't have tried to cut corners on the Explorer to save money the sales would have gone on longer. The Taurus is prime example of what happens when you try to make something cheaper and taint the name of a vehicle. Ford had no issues selling large numbers of gas guzzling trucks well into the 2000s.

We'll see how the sales for the 2011 go. As a whole auto sales are down from what they were prior to 2007.

Yep two Explorers sitting in the driveway right now and I'm not an Explorer customer.

 

They forgot the XLT Sport and Eddie Bauer! Well on the 2011 Expedition the Eddie Bauer is now XLT Premium. I want two-tone paint!

 

Ford should have let the Explorer nameplate die with dignity instead of giving it a painful demise. People in the past bought Explorer's because they were still a true SUV and the consumers knew it. Ford is trying to build a whole new niche for the Explorer and I don't think they are going to find it. Well, I think they should have done it with a new name. Want a mid-size body on frame SUV?- think Japan............Ford just handed them the market on a Silver platter, with GM and Dodge doing the same thing last year. Ford could have owned the American mid-size 'traditional' SUV market.....duh.

 

This thing looks like a updated Taurus X...