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Thought I'd share, the 2016 Ford Explorer has been thoroughly refreshed. This is a vehicle I find appealing, my first car was an Explorer, and we are going to need 3 rows. An above the Limited "Platinum" trim competes with Jeep's Overland and Summit Grand Cherokee which is also great, I thought the Limited was lacking when compared to top Jeep trims.
You're correct about the JGC interiors....they are striking, especially compared to past-generation models. Newer Explorers, though, according to Consumer Reports, have had reliability problems, though in different reliability areas than the JGC's problems. A common and recurring complaint in many Ford products is the MyTouch and SYNC systems.
Can't comment on the new Explorer Limited's interior because I haven't sat in it, so I'll take your word for it.
The Ford Explorer definitely doesn't execute top level trim interiors as well as the Jeep, even with the new Platinum trim, I was able to spend a lot of time in them at the LA Auto Show. Other problem I have with the Ford is that while it is fairly large on the outside, the interior packaging is fairly terrible and makes it pretty inefficient space wise. Similar problem plagues the Taurus which it is based on, huge car on the outside with minimal interior room.
The Ford Explorer definitely doesn't execute top level trim interiors as well as the Jeep, even with the new Platinum trim, I was able to spend a lot of time in them at the LA Auto Show. Other problem I have with the Ford is that while it is fairly large on the outside, the interior packaging is fairly terrible and makes it pretty inefficient space wise. Similar problem plagues the Taurus which it is based on, huge car on the outside with minimal interior room.
I agree with both points. If Ford ever moves off that ancient Volvo-derived platform the Explorer will become much more space efficient.
Thought I'd share, the 2016 Ford Explorer has been thoroughly refreshed. This is a vehicle I find appealing, my first car was an Explorer, and we are going to need 3 rows. An above the Limited "Platinum" trim competes with Jeep's Overland and Summit Grand Cherokee which is also great, I thought the Limited was lacking when compared to top Jeep trims.
The only advantage this MMC facelift gives you is more features (e.g. LED headlamps, upgrades to the Sony sound system for the Platinum model, etc. etc.)
Other than that, it's not a deal-breaker if I choose the pre-facelift version.
I like either one(prefer the pre-facelift grill though).
That new grill reminds me a bit of the stupid custom grills that people put on their trucks. I like what they did to the headlights, fogs, and the bumper though.
That grille is Platinum Specific, this is the grill for the Limited and looks like the rest of the line:
Originally Posted by pbm317
Other problem I have with the Ford is that while it is fairly large on the outside, the interior packaging is fairly terrible and makes it pretty inefficient space wise.
I found the same to be true when we looked at the new Explorer in 2011.
It's not worse than the current pre-facelift Explorer Sport...........but it doesn't look like it's more superior or better-looking (in terms of front grille design).
Also, is it just me or do these wheels look smaller than the pre-facelift version?
So yeah, personally, I still don't have much of an incentive to fully choose the new facelift in this regard (from an exterior design standpoint)
Yeah, definitely not feeling this new front end, i feel they could have executed many of the design aspects much better, it doesn't look as refined and sort of dumbs down the whole car. I liked the old front end.
Other problem I have with the Ford is that while it is fairly large on the outside, the interior packaging is fairly terrible and makes it pretty inefficient space wise.
agree completely. as a (current) last gen explorer owner, i was disappointed with this gen explorer, and i think this new front end looks even worse. but when i looked at the new explorer, i was kind of amazed at how huge it was compared to my explorer and how the view from the driver's seat is like looking out over the front of a boat (the hood extending straight out in front, viewed through a small windshield).
the front end on this vehicle, like the new f-150, is LUDICROUSLY high and huge. appeals to those who think they'll have 'more protection' in a crash i guess.
Originally Posted by Hoovey2411
I like this one
agree the sport is the best looking, but still, lipstick on a bloated pig.
when i looked at the new explorer, i was kind of amazed at how huge it was compared to my explorer and how the view from the driver's seat is like looking out over the front of a boat (the hood extending straight out in front, viewed through a small windshield).
the front end on this vehicle, like the new f-150, is LUDICROUSLY high and huge. appeals to those who think they'll have 'more protection' in a crash i guess.
Perhaps this may not change your view of the latest Explorer, but the original 1Gen ones, IMO, had a higher, longer, more boat-like hood in front than newer ones.
(Also, IMO, it would be nice to bring the two-tones back. That's another way most auto manufacturers, in recent years, have cheapened out paint-jobs)
Last edited by mmarshall; Dec 5, 2014 at 11:33 AM.