Road trip completed
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From: Maine, Virginia
Road trip completed
We just did a quick trip from Virginia to Maine and back in the Explorer. Approx. 2000 miles driven, averaged 27.5 MPG's doing 80 when possible and less when required. The drive is hilly and mountainous with frequent route changes, some city driving and mostly freeway driving.
This is truly the first vehicle that we've owned that doesn't wear you out on a trip. The power is ample and instant in all terrains, handling is quite good but there are some blind spots. Thanks to Ford's Co-pilot 360, the blind spot are easily mitigated.
In my opinion, this turned out to be a smart purchase. The K twins are exceedingly popular and seem to be the top rival to the Explorer but they aren't as big nor as powerful.
This is truly the first vehicle that we've owned that doesn't wear you out on a trip. The power is ample and instant in all terrains, handling is quite good but there are some blind spots. Thanks to Ford's Co-pilot 360, the blind spot are easily mitigated.
In my opinion, this turned out to be a smart purchase. The K twins are exceedingly popular and seem to be the top rival to the Explorer but they aren't as big nor as powerful.
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Detroit
Sounds great. I'll note that the Explorer has a 119" wheelbase, same as your Expedition, and almost the same footprint. 27.5 mpg is amazing--are you burning regular or might you use premium when driving in mountains? (With the Ecoboost tune, putting premium in would be like "chipping" the engine for a few more hp and is kind of a cool option.) I bet the mileage is better than a V6 Escape used to get.
I drove full size trucks and vans for 36 years and while they were not horribly uncomfortable, my '16 Grand Caravan is really a nice traveler and sits on that same wheelbase, and my DD is a Nissan Murano which is Edge-sized and that is a really nice traveler.
With the last couple years of staying near home, I'm itching for a good long road trip. In 2016 we went to Maine (Acadia/Bar Harbor but other cities too) and I've been itching to get back there. Actually we took our almost-new at the time Grand Caravan on the Maine trip, and that was a really nice ride with plenty of power. I think about 25-26 mpg.
Thanks for your report.
I drove full size trucks and vans for 36 years and while they were not horribly uncomfortable, my '16 Grand Caravan is really a nice traveler and sits on that same wheelbase, and my DD is a Nissan Murano which is Edge-sized and that is a really nice traveler.
With the last couple years of staying near home, I'm itching for a good long road trip. In 2016 we went to Maine (Acadia/Bar Harbor but other cities too) and I've been itching to get back there. Actually we took our almost-new at the time Grand Caravan on the Maine trip, and that was a really nice ride with plenty of power. I think about 25-26 mpg.
Thanks for your report.
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From: Maine, Virginia
I didn't really consider using premium fuel as I never do but now I wish I had. I was very thankful for the great MPG's as prices up home in Maine are now cresting $3.50 p/g. The Maine turnpike in Southern Maine is still around 3.30. The taxes rates in those tiny coastal towns is horrendous which adversely affects the cost of living.
I didn't see many Explorers on my trip which got mine a little extra attention. The further North you get, you see more AWD Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Kia and subbies. Makes perfect sense considering the price of trucks in all classes.
I didn't see many Explorers on my trip which got mine a little extra attention. The further North you get, you see more AWD Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Kia and subbies. Makes perfect sense considering the price of trucks in all classes.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Detroit
My V6 Murano gets a couple more mpg on premium so I'll put that in when I want a little performance and gas mileage increase. (If I was escaping a zombie apocalypse I'd definitely fill with premium for the added range.) None of my other cars do any better on premium. The cost of premium fuel is daunting, but it's still way cheaper than chipping the engine for a few more hp. 
I think I read that the 2.3 in the Mustang picks up as much as 20 hp with premium over regular fuel.
In Detroit, I think I see 1 Mitsubishi vehicle per month, a few Hyundais/Kias, and a few more Subarus. But every day I see scores of new Explorers...this is Ford country and the land of employee/family/supplier discounts on domestic vehicles. I love the proportions and looks of the new RWD based Explorer--the long front overhang on the prior FWD Explorer looks dumpy in comparison.
I think I read that the 2.3 in the Mustang picks up as much as 20 hp with premium over regular fuel.In Detroit, I think I see 1 Mitsubishi vehicle per month, a few Hyundais/Kias, and a few more Subarus. But every day I see scores of new Explorers...this is Ford country and the land of employee/family/supplier discounts on domestic vehicles. I love the proportions and looks of the new RWD based Explorer--the long front overhang on the prior FWD Explorer looks dumpy in comparison.
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