2011 Ford Explorer

[MBrown]

Looks great IMO.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/...ed-tries-crossing-over-on-road-to-redemption/

 

[Tsavo]

Grill sux, but the rest is spot on.

 

[TechAZ]

That does look really good. I'm quite impressed by Ford these past couple years.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

I think the grill would look better in another color but white. Perhaps black or something.

But IMHO, this looks brilliant. We just have to see how it actually performs off road.

 

[alfa147x]

I like the new Ford, I like the new grill, and I like the new Explorer!

 

[SonicIce]

land rover?

 

[PottedMeat]

Grill sux, but the rest is spot on.

it does look good, but why do they have to perforate the grill?

i've always hated that blue oval script ford logo.

 

[Vette73]

I think the grill would look better in another color but white. Perhaps black or something.

But IMHO, this looks brilliant. We just have to see how it actually performs off road.

:hmm: Why? 99% of these will never see any REAL off roading.

 

[PricklyPete]

:hmm: Why? 99% of these will never see any REAL off roading.

Agreed. I'm really interested in the performance of the vehicle with the 2.0T...and I'd like to see real world data on what gets better gas mileage...the V6 or the 2.0T.

I'm not 100% sold on the look...but it does seem like Ford has a potential hit on their hands.

 

[darkswordsman17]

land rover?

My thoughts too. I like it, but it reminds me a lot of Land Rover.

http://www.cargurus.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/_land-rover-lrx-concept-1-lg.jpg

I'm kinda tired of the blacked out A-pillars, but it doesn't look too bad here as they're really black (the ones that use that almost grey colored plastic look really bad).

 

[jpeyton]

Looks awful, especially compared to the new Grand Cherokee and the new Durango.

 

[MotF Bane]

Looks awful, especially compared to the new Grand Cherokee and the new Durango.

Yeah, but at least it isn't a Chrysler.

 

[PricklyPete]

Looks awful, especially compared to the new Grand Cherokee and the new Durango.

I agree with you on at least the Grand Cherokee...that thing looks great for an SUV.

 

[ElFenix]

looks like the love child of a taurus and a sequoia

 

[kevman]

unibody sucks yo

 

[MJinZ]

gmc acadia meets edge

 

[JulesMaximus]

Nice station wagon...it just needs some fake wood siding now.

 

[drum]

it does look good, but why do they have to perforate the grill?

i've always hated that blue oval script ford logo.

You. Go sit in the corner and think about what you've done. Blasphemer. 😱

 

[ElFenix]

You might expect that the four-cylinder EcoBoost would be the 2011 Explorer's base engine with the V6 optional, but you'd be wrong. The V6 will actually be the standard engine and the higher mileage turbo-four will be optional. The hope is that customers will be willing to pay extra for more fuel efficiency. Ford still isn't talking pricing yet, but hopefully the EcoBoost option will only be a few hundred dollars at most.

very interesting. the torque curve of the EB might make it better in seat of the pants measurements despite the HP deficit.

 

[alkalinetaupehat]

very interesting. The torque curve of the eb might make it better in seat of the pants measurements despite the hp deficit.

So QED BFB?

 

[RagingBITCH]

It looks a hell of a lot better than the Cherokee or Durango...both of which are still complete garbage. Good job Ford.

 

[PricklyPete]

very interesting. the torque curve of the EB might make it better in seat of the pants measurements despite the HP deficit.

I didn't read that part...very, very interesting.

 

[theeedude]

Looks awful, especially compared to the new Grand Cherokee and the new Durango.

I disagree, I think Grand Cherokee looks clean but generic, and Magnum looks like they just grafted Charger grill to the Grand Cherokee, basically pointless. Seems like Chrysler approach to design is, design a generic looking SUV, then stick brand appropriate grill and badging on it. That is same badge engineered approach that basically failed Detroit for several decades already. Chrysler and GM are still sticking to it too much.
Ford's approach now is put all the wood behind one arrow, design a car specifically for the Ford brand, not a generic. Explorer looks much more of a bold design statement and better executed to me.

 

[kornphlake]

I personally prefer the styling of the current gen Explorer. My first impression was that it looks like a 4-runner/sequioa but I see the influence from Land Rover and the Acadia as well. I personally think they should have made it look more like an F150 super cab with a canopy.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

I disagree, I think Grand Cherokee looks clean but generic, and Magnum looks like they just grafted Charger grill to the Grand Cherokee, basically pointless. Seems like Chrysler approach to design is, design a generic looking SUV, then stick brand appropriate grill and badging on it. That is same badge engineered approach that basically failed Detroit for several decades already. Chrysler and GM are still sticking to it too much.
Ford's approach now is put all the wood behind one arrow, design a car specifically for the Ford brand, not a generic. Explorer looks much more of a bold design statement and better executed to me.

Well Ford is smart in that they don't compete with themselves anymore
Chrysler and GM still have competing brands under their respective umbrellas.
GMC needs to die.
Do we need a brand that is exclusively rebadges and has no practical purpose?
GMC Sierra = Chevy Silverado
GMC Canyon = Chevy Colorado
GMC Acadia = Chevy Traverse
GMC Terrain = Chevy Equinox
GMC Yukon = Chevy Tahoe/Suburban

GMC doesn't have any brand specific vehicles or platforms.

Ford finally got this right and instead of having Ford, Mercury, Lincoln. Basically Standard, mid class, luxury.
They're now going to be Ford, Lincoln Mid-class and Luxury.

Chrysler finally axed Plymouth but still competes with itself on a few models. Namely the mini-vans and the mid sized cars.