The grumbling of retrogrades complaining about the new crossover image of the Ford Explorer is still heard, but the fact remains: with the launch of the fifth generation, sales of the model have almost doubled compared to the previous 2010 year. The positive trend continues: as it turned out, many people agreed to sacrifice the off-road qualities of the car for better behavior on asphalt and an extended list of options offered.

First impression

3-4 years is the usual period after which the model is expected to be updated. The Explorer was no exception: it received a different design of the front and rear parts of the body, received LED optics, a new 2.3-liter turbo engine and a revised set of options in a slightly refreshed interior.

The LED lamps appealed to the public, demanding movement with the times, but the overall impression of the modified design was mixed. On the one hand, the full-face Explorer has ceased to resemble the Range Rover. On the other hand, it now resembles a Land Rover Freelander... It's good that the car is unmistakably recognizable in profile thanks to the family trait in the form of famously littered rear pillars. In general, the Explorer has not lost the original male charisma of the "father's jeep" - and that's good.

The crossover nature of the modern Explorer does not require high ground clearance and short overhangs, and in this regard, Ford does not exceed expectations: the minimum ground clearance with a full load is 198 mm, the approach and exit angles are 15.6 and 20.9 degrees, respectively (according to data manufacturer). Here, however, it should be recalled that we are talking about the American specification, in which there is a long plastic “apron” under the front bumper, which somewhat limits the geometric cross.

What's inside?

The Limited package is well "stuffed". From the first minutes of acquaintance, Ford pleases with a keyless entry system (moreover, the car is unlocked and locked not by a button on the door handle, but by touching the sensor) and automatically folding mirrors. For those who prefer to play it safe, a touch coded panel on the front door frame is offered, on which you need to dial a combination of numbers to unlock the locks - an old American chip.

Another option, designed to make life easier, still complicated it a little: the non-contact trunk opening system worked once out of ten, and it was precisely because of this that it did not seem convenient in everyday life. However, the trunk itself deserves an excellent rating: even in the seven-seater version, there is enough space left to fold two large suitcases, and the folding options for the third row seats are controlled by three buttons on the side wall.

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Inside the Explorer there is a solid soft plastic framing the top of the door panels, dashboard and sides of the center console. The top of the armrests is trimmed in leather, but the lower part of the interior details, the rear of the armrest and the B-pillars are made of hard plastic.

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The glove box, equipped with a microlift, is large and "two-story", and each of its shelves is covered with fleecy fabric. The seats are leather, ventilated, heated, electrically adjustable and have memory for three positions. Moreover, both the steering wheel and the pedal assembly are equipped with electric drives! The automatic opening of the fifth door by a button from the passenger compartment and the heating of the steering wheel against this background are taken for granted. Complementing the pleasant impression is the backlighting of the door handles, cup holders and pictograms on each button.

You can only find fault with the large gaps between the dashboard and the door, but the very design of their articulation claims to be stylish. Perhaps, the simple matte plastic of the center console also looks a little alien.

The pre-styling Ford Explorer caused a lot of complaints from users complaining about the low sensitivity and slow response of fashionable touch buttons. In the modernized car, these wishes were taken into account and the usual analog buttons were placed on the center console. True, the most used of them (for example, adjusting the temperature and air flow) are so low that you have to take your eyes off the road to change the settings.

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Of the multimedia features, it is worth mentioning the projection of images of very good quality from the front and rear view cameras, the navigation system, the synchronization of the phone book and music library with mobile devices and the ability to turn the car into a Wi-Fi hotspot. From pampering - changing the brightness and color of the backlight.

It offers second-row passengers - adjustment of the angle of inclination of the halves of the heated sofa back, 2 USB inputs, a full-fledged socket and a third climate control zone. Legroom is quite enough, although the Ford record holder can not be called. The third row is content with shelves for phones and cup holders, but people of average height have to sit with their knees close to the second row. Tolerable, given that you can put your feet under the seats in front. True, climbing into the third row is difficult even with the seats moving forward, and getting out without outside help is generally extremely difficult ...

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Despite a lot of adjustments, it was not possible to quickly get comfortable behind the wheel. The landing is somewhat bus-like, when you press the pedals “from top to bottom”, and the back support is insufficient. The mirrors are terrible, in the American style: the left one is magnifying, with a small normal mirror in the corner, the right one is normal, but also with an additional mirror. On the move, you have to constantly refocus your vision when switching between four mirrors, which is inconvenient, especially since the coverage area of ​​​​the surroundings is still insufficient. A Lotus Elise-type passenger car is quietly hiding on the side of the Ford, so you need to constantly turn around over your shoulder.

The dashboard instrumentation is colorful and extremely stupid. The speedometer with large five-mile divisions and very small 20-kilometer divisions is located in the center, and the windows to the right and left of it are customizable: in general, information about the music being played is displayed on the right, and information about the car is displayed on the left. Since all secondary settings are displayed on one small screen, it is impossible, for example, to simultaneously see the exact speed and instantaneous fuel consumption, and it is extremely difficult to read readings from a small tachometer column.

How does it ride?

The car starts quietly at the push of a button, and at idle the engine runs almost imperceptibly. Under the hood of our Ford, a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter "six" with a capacity of 290 horsepower worked - we successfully deforce it to 249 forces, which is doubly pleasant for the Russian buyer of the Explorer. First, the tax remains within the bounds of decency. Secondly, you know for sure that the motor has another 40-horsepower boost reserve through flashing the control unit, which will definitely not damage the engine, because thousands of Americans drive with such software.

Taking into account the dimensions of this seven-seater car (weight more than two tons, length more than five meters, width more than two), you do not expect any agility. Indeed, with a slow movement and a smooth increase in effort on the gas pedal, the Explorer behaves a little slowed down, although it is not averse to showing a well-delivered "voice" of the engine as the speed increases.

"Automatic" in traffic jams or smooth acceleration upsets noticeable shocks when switching in the first three gears. But it is worth decisively stomping on the gas pedal - and the colossus with a formidable roar cheerfully rushes forward, and hesitation when changing gears practically disappears. According to experimental measurements of the authoritative American publication Consumer Reports, the Explorer takes 7.9 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 miles (that is, up to 96 km / h). For a relatively inexpensive large crossover - very good.

In the sport mode of the automatic transmission, the reactions to the accelerator are aggravated even more, this is especially useful when starting from a stop line and then integrating into a fast-moving stream of a multi-lane highway. At the same time, Ford is in no hurry to shift to a higher gear and stop thinking about whether it is worth accelerating at all if the driver added a little gas. If this is not enough, you can switch to the manual mode of controlling the change of steps of the automatic transmission using the paddles on the steering wheel.

The Explorer's brakes don't inspire confidence out of the habit. The pedal is heavy and requires a lot of effort for the car to somehow start to slow down. Over time, you can adapt and even say that in regular situations the Explorer slows down not so badly, but you can’t get rid of a deep peck when stopping from highway speed. However, driving on hilly terrain clearly demonstrates that Ford still lacks brakes: closer to the end of the descent, it turns out to be quite difficult to stop the Explorer. Those are subjective feelings. Consumer Reports dryly states: to stop from a speed of 96 km / h, a car on a flat surface needs 131 meters on dry ground and 145 meters on a wet surface.

We have already tested it several times and we are familiar with it. And now a restyled version has appeared on sale, which we took for a test. It makes no sense to study the car in detail again, technically it has not changed dramatically, so we will only touch on the updated parts, let's see how the restyled Explorer differs from its predecessor. And share new experiences.

In fact, the changes affected both appearance and technology. New headlights and a grille have given the car a makeover, but in a conservative vein, the Explorer looks more like its predecessor, the SUV that was retired back in 2010. And the only ones that look new are the inverted C-shaped fog lights and the zigzags of the LED daytime running lights. With these details, Explorer is now related to the latest American aluminum Ford F-150 pickup truck, which has now become a real fashionista in the States and dictates the general style of all Ford SUVs. In the rectangular headlights, LED dipped beam is already standard. There was also a front camera.

But in general, there are quite a lot of changes, only the central part of the body - the doors and the roof - has remained the same. The body has become longer than 13 mm due to new bumpers. Aerodynamics have been improved by 5%, and thanks to thinner struts, visibility has improved, this is a really relevant change for the Explorer. A more luxurious interior trim has appeared, the equipment has been improved, and the suspension has become softer and more comfortable.

In America, in addition to the previous engines, a new one is also offered, the place of the 2-liter 240-horsepower engine from the EcoBoost family, which came only in combination with a front-wheel drive transmission, was taken by a 2.3-liter 270-horsepower unit. It can also be with all-wheel drive. But there were no changes in power units in the Russian range, as before, only the “six” of 3.5 liters, it was only adapted to our tax legislation and now the aspirated is 249 hp, and the turbo engine is 345 hp.

There is no point in repeating about the architecture, layout and general ergonomics of the interior, everyone can look up previous tests in the archive, nothing has changed dramatically. But, nevertheless, there are small innovations in the cabin. It concerns, first of all, finishing materials. The new upholstery of the front seats and second-row seats has become more embossed, a little more comfortable and looks richer. The front seats are now heated, ventilated and even massaged, and adjustable in ten directions. This is what, among other things, additional and considerable money is paid for, because some versions of the Explorer have risen in price by almost half a million! If you look closely, you can see that the steering wheel is also new, although it almost completely repeats the shape of its predecessor. The plastic of the rim in the grip zone has become a little more convenient, as well as the location and design of the buttons on the knitting needles. Keyless entry with an engine start button is now offered, which was not there before. The silver plastic trim and moldings on the front panel, doors and steering wheel have been changed to a more muted "dark silver". And the edging of the air ducts and the stripes on the doors themselves have become thinner. And it all looks more noble now. In the instrument cluster, the speedometer dial, which occupies a central place, has changed, it is more informative and more correct in architecture. And the vertical column for indicating the choice of transmission modes has changed from vertical to horizontal. But the most important innovation is that the touch buttons on the center console have given way to conventional ones, and now, feeling a tactile touch, they are much more convenient to use.

A spacious interior and a huge trunk, everything in the interior still pleases the user, so it’s more likely to drive for driving impressions. There is nothing new to say about the engine and transmission. Our test car is with a naturally aspirated engine and, as we have already said, this is the best option for a car in terms of reasonable sufficiency and a combination of dynamics, economy, cost of operation and ownership. And the transmission is a 6-speed "automatic", flexible and quite agile. In a word, Explorer, as before, demonstrates the excellent makings of a long-range highway express. And it steers with dignity, given its weight and size indicators. The suspension really seems to be softer and more comfortable, so that even on 20-inch wheels there is no particular problem with shaking, as it used to be. So the manufacturer now puts such wheels on all versions of the crossover, with the exception of the initial one. And before, 20-inch wheels were made to order, and only the Sport version was equipped with them.

SUV Explorer, as shown by previous tests, is very conditional. So the Terrain Management four-wheel drive system with four driving modes is, for the most part, just a toy. We once again received confirmation of this during the current test. Snow mode is not suitable for driving on snow. No, on rolled snow or a light snow that has just fallen - all right. But at the end of winter, the snow becomes very insidious, it is deep, frozen or, on the contrary, melted, viscous. And the “Snow” mode desperately “strangles” the engine, trying to avoid wheel slippage, and the sluggish redistribution of torque does nothing. The car is not running. And in the "Mud" mode, it's about the same. So, the only way out is the "Sand" mode! Only he allows you to somehow move through the snow. Electronics sends maximum torque to the wheels, keeping the transmission in low gears longer. And most importantly, the traction control and stabilization system are automatically turned off, which makes it possible to dose traction, as required by the situation. That's it, more or less. But the limit, in fact, is not great. When the "ski" of the front bumper begins to scrape over the crust, and the snow level has not yet reached the wheel hubs (see photo) - this is the limit. You should not meddle deeper, otherwise the car will inevitably sit on its belly and no buildup will help. While it is still possible, we hand over back and retreat. In the "sand" mode, you can also ride in a power slide, a couple of laps on a cleared area. The Explorer handles well with steering and traction, adjusted for the inertia of the massive body.

We stop to try other modes again. Op-pa! The puck spins, but the Terrain Management system has automatically switched to the original Auto mode and refuses to switch. And on the screen of the on-board computer, an inscription appeared with a recommendation to visit a service station in order to troubleshoot. Electronics failure! Well, at least the possibility of driving has been preserved, but only in automatic all-wheel drive mode. And thanks for that. This Terrain Management is such a sissy, and without any special loads, we didn’t even have time to skid properly. And the car is practically new - mileage is less than 2000 km. In a word, there is no confidence in electronics on off-road! Eh, where are you analog, honest all-terrain vehicles, unpretentious and tenacious with real differentials and mechanical locks? Unfortunately, their age is coming to an end.

In fairness, let's say that for many years and hundreds of tests carried out, this is not the first time we have to deal with a failure or incorrect operation of electronics. And all this on machines of eminent, well-known brands. Believe me, no one is immune from this. Here the sequence is directly proportional: the more electronics in the car and the more complex it is, the greater the likelihood of all kinds of problems. So this is, one might say, an inevitable tribute to progress.

As for the Explorer, it remained an excellent tourist car, and the new generation only strengthened these positions, but the travel route must be laid near the centers of civilization, where there is a branded or at least some modern service. And a special Ford roadside assistance program may come in handy. A 24-hour tow truck is a strong argument in today's competitive struggle. No wonder so many elite brands offer their customers such programs. Is it because there is no hope for electronics?

Ford Explorer Specifications (Manufacturer Data)

• Body - 5-door, load-bearing, steel
• Number of seats - 7
• Dimensions, mm
• Length - 5019
• Width - 2004
• Height - 1788
• Base - 2860
• Clearance - 200
• Curb weight, kg - 2235
• Gross weight, kg - 2809
• Trunk volume, l - 595/1243/2285
• Engine - gasoline with double turbocharging
• The number and arrangement of cylinders - 6, V-shaped
• Volume, l - 3.5
• Power - 249 HP at 6500 rpm
• Torque - 346 Nm at 4000 rpm
• Gearbox - 6-speed automatic
• Drive - full with a multi-plate clutch in the rear wheel drive
• Front suspension - independent, spring, McPherson
• Rear suspension - independent, spring, multi-link
• Maximum speed, km/h - 175 (limited)
• Acceleration time from 0 to 100 km / h, s - 8.7
• Fuel consumption per 100 km, l
• Urban cycle - 14.9
• Country cycle - 8.8
• Mixed cycle - 11.0
• Gasoline - AI-92-95
• Tires - 255/50 R20

Photos from the test drive

Whole photo session

But in general, the 340-Nm torque of the "Explorer" motor is impressive. It is realized at 4000 rpm, and this seems to be true. Only for confident acceleration, the big Ford needs some time to “wake up”, it does not tear right off the bat. However, acceleration from zero to 100 km / h takes him, according to the passport, in less than 9 seconds. So if you wake up...

No, he will not wake up his colleagues along the stream with an animal roar of the exhaust. Own riders too. With an acoustic picture in the cabin, everything is open, enjoy music or conversation with fellow travelers to the fullest. Moreover, the engine revs are only required for acceleration, you can maintain a high pace even when it is running on the "lower end", a speed of 100 km / h approximately corresponds to 2000 rpm on the tachometer scale ... if you can see it.

Do you need to look? It turns out - yes! If on the highway or in the city you can completely trust the machine, then on the Ciscaucasian serpentines you involuntarily remember the manual gear selection mode. It’s not that the powerful motor frankly “withers”, but sometimes you want a little more dynamic ... I choose manual mode - and I find myself in front of a difficult choice. In second gear, the engine roars unnecessarily, in third it does not pull. The situation is explained simply: we climbed to a height of 2000 m, and here you clearly feel the lack of air, especially if you move too fast. Probably, the engine does not like the rarefied atmosphere either.

On descents, when engine braking is desirable, the Explorer doesn't impress either. The gear selection button on the gear selector handle takes some getting used to, and there are no other ways to change gears in the car. The selector itself is not intended for this, there are no paddle shifters. But, in general, an inexperienced driver in such conditions can rely on the machine. And, of course, on the brakes, which the “American” has discs on all four wheels and are very powerful.

It is noteworthy that in the corners the tall SUV does not heel so much. Far from what they did during the tests of the Chevrolet Tahoe and especially the Acura MDX. Maintaining a high ride smoothness, the Explorer is noticeably “collected”. The buildup is not about him. It's nice that he responds to the actions of the steering wheel with clear reactions, he is not late. This allows you to quickly go around sharp stones that have fallen from the cliffs onto the serpentine canvas.

Habitual habitat

From the asphalt, we turn onto a gravel road, along which we have to drive thirty kilometers in a row. Here it is better to keep the maximum distance between the cars, as the stones fly back from under the wheels at the speed of large-caliber bullets. Moreover, the SUV is able to lift larger boulders, which inflict strong blows on the bottom. Actually, only these two moments limit the speed of movement on gravel. If we exclude them, on such, so to speak, coverage, you can safely bring down, slowing down only in front of especially deep pits, as well as in front of herds of cattle grazing along these roads.

The new Ford Explorer is offered in Russia in three trim levels: XLT, Limited and Limited Plus. “Technically” they are identical, all cars are equipped with a 3.5-liter 249-horsepower V6 gasoline engine, a six-speed SelectShift automatic and all-wheel drive with an interaxle clutch. The salons of all versions are seven-seater, with leather upholstery. The cost is 2,719,000, 3,022,000 and 3,222,000 rubles. The price of the updated car is now lower than the previous one by 100 - 180 thousand rubles.

If you missed the hole, the blow will be loud, but without breakdown of the suspension. She stoically endures these tests. On convex bumps, the Explorer's front wheels can “click off” in the longitudinal direction with a characteristic sound, which indicates the relative softness of the silent blocks. Try to jump over the "speed bump" at speed - you will hear. And after that, colleagues call the suspension of the updated SUV tough? No, of course, it is denser than that of the “American” competitors, which we have already mentioned, as well as those who are aimed mainly at the overseas market (Kia Sorento Prime). But it is very far from real European rigidity. Ford Explorer in this regard is practically the middle ground between the two automotive "worlds", and this is its great advantage.

Perhaps, the control of the intelligent all-wheel drive system can also be called a plus, including its organization in the form of a washer with symbols highlighted when selected. During normal driving and the selection of the "Normal" mode, the main moment is transmitted to the front wheels, but part of it is constantly transmitted to the rear axle too. And this part is easy to increase. How does it manifest itself? On dry pavement - almost nothing, but on gravel, when you add "gas" or a sharp turn of the steering wheel, you may well feel that the rear wheels "played" slightly to the side. I wouldn’t recommend indulging in this, all the more so by turning off the stabilization system: the crossover is massive, has a high center of gravity, and does not show sports inclinations at all. Adjusts the driver to a calm rhythm of movement in space.

Which of the off-road modes could be useful for the Explorer on gravel - "Mud", "Snow" or "Sand"? Yes, in fact, “Normal” is quite enough here, as long as the pebbles under the wheels are dry and large enough so that the wheels do not dig into them at the start. If they were smaller, the Sand mode would have been suitable, providing maximum traction in low gears. And on wet stones - we were able to feel it - the "Snow" mode came in handy. Plus, the road turned out to be wet with a significant slope, on which the electronic assistant brilliantly performed its function when driving downhill. A separate mode is provided in the car for mud, it reduces traction on the wheels, preventing them from spinning and thus plays the role of a "lower". Unfortunately (or fortunately) we did not encounter any dirt on the rocky mountain slopes.

In general, I would call our circular trip in the vicinity of Mineralnye Vody and Pyatigorsk actually optimal for the Ford Explorer. This "Explorer", of course, is not capable of steep off-road conditions, on which Land Cruisers and Land Rovers would not have saved. But remember that buyers often purchase the Explorer as ... a family minivan, additionally possessing certain "skills" to overcome difficult conditions. By the way, its ground clearance is declared very good - 211 mm. True, the rear overhang is too long ... But the clearance under the exhaust system, located below everything under the bottom, turned out to be even more than the nominal one - 230 mm. And under the steel standard crankcase protection, I measured even more - 245 mm.

So, if you are a lover (or lover) of long-distance road trips, Ford Explorer is in your garage. We introduced you to some of its capabilities in natural conditions. We add that in passing cities you will be helped by such devices as the control of "blind" zones with indicators in the exterior mirrors (by the way - huge ones), traffic lane control and a collision avoidance system with loud audio - and a bright visual signal on the windshield. Front and rear view cameras, 12 parking sensors along the perimeter of the body and automatic parallel and perpendicular parking systems will turn out to be indispensable helpers - single competitors can boast of such a “pair”.

And what will the updated Ford Explorer boast in front of them? Yes, to be honest, nothing particularly outstanding. This was my first acquaintance with this model, and, I must say, it did not impress me with any of its “competencies”. But, in aggregate, the big "American" offers, in general, a very good ratio of quality, quantity (we read - equipment level) and price. Just now, if I had to choose / buy this type of car, I would not be able to pass by the Explorer. The comparison table would be replenished with one more “player”, quite a “field player”, that is, showing abilities not only on asphalt. It's much more (and more travel-friendly) than family minivans. Of course, you can hardly put it on the same board with the LC Prado, a crossover, even a large one, is no match for a real SUV. In addition, for comparable money, the “pro” will not be richly equipped, you will actually get one of the basic versions. But among the large crossovers, the Explorer has several almost equal rivals. Or offers rivalry to them.

Specifications Ford Explorer
DIMENSIONS, MM	5019 x 2291 x 1788
WHEELBASE, MM
GROUND CLEARANCE, MM
CARGO VOLUME, MIN. / MAX., L
CURRENT WEIGHT, KG
ENGINE'S TYPE	floor, petrol
WORKING VOLUME, CUBE CM
MAX. POWER, HP, AT RPM
MAX. TORQUE, NM, AT RPM
TRANSMISSION	automatic, 6-speed
MAX. SPEED, KM/H
ACCELERATION 0 - 100 KM/H, S
AVERAGE FUEL CONSUMPTION, L / 100 KM
TANK VOLUME, L

Author Andrey Ladygin, columnist for the portal "MotorPage" Edition site Photo photo of the author

Today in the review is the updated Ford Explorer 2016, although of course it is worth recognizing the fact that it is not completely new - the model has rather undergone significant changes. The popular SUV in Russia has got a slightly modified front end, and also received a number of technical innovations designed to make the model more functional and versatile...

Ford Explorer began to look even more brutal. In the form of the 2016 Ford Explorer, smooth outlines and roundness have noticeably decreased. They have been replaced with straight lines and angular details that give the car a more aggressive and lean appearance.

Explorer is ideally suited to Russian conditions, thanks to the intelligent Terrain Management all-wheel drive system, adaptation to cold climates and the wide possibilities of transforming a seven-seater saloon. I drove it on all road surfaces, it did not let me down everywhere.

By the way, the updated crossover for the Russian market is being assembled in Yelabuga, and there is buyers' interest in the new model - sales growth of the new Ford Explorer is 7% higher compared to the first six months of 2015.

The localization of assembly in Russia made it possible to avoid a double increase in prices due to the economic crisis, as happened with many German brands. So, the new Ford Explorer 2016 is available at a price of 2,599,000 rubles, before the crisis, the model cost from 1,798,000 rubles.

In terms of price and equipment, the Explorer really has very few competitors. For that kind of money, the "Germans" will sell you an empty car, right there - a leather interior, electric seats, heated / ventilated seats, massage, diode low beam headlights, adaptive cruise, marking reading, keyless access, sensory opening of the tailgate (by foot), third row of seats (with electric folding).

Compared to the previous version of the SUV, the changes in the interior are minor and are noted in a different steering wheel, some decorative elements on the center console of the front panel. Due to the special acoustic glass and seals in the doors of the cabin, the developers were able to significantly increase the level of sound insulation.

When it's cold outside, it's raining or it's snowing, a warm and comfortable atmosphere awaits you in the new Ford Explorer. The system of electric heating of the steering wheel, as well as the rear and front seats will allow you to warm up in a matter of minutes. And the electric heating of the windshield and side mirrors will help you quickly and easily get rid of ice or snow.

By the way, increased legroom for passengers in the second row of seats!

And why do not all manufacturers make 220V sockets in cars? It's so convenient...

The use of new modern high-quality materials in the interior trim has contributed to the fact that in terms of comfort the car can probably be attributed to the premium class.

In Russia, the Ford Explorer is available with a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine, which now develops 249 hp. And the Sport package is available with a turbocharged version of the engine, which already develops 345 hp. Both motors work with a 6-band automatic. The engine with a capacity of 249 horses showed consumption in the city at the level of 12 liters per hundred.

In general, the car began to behave more stable at high speeds than the pre-styling version. But I was especially pleased that the efficiency of the LED dipped beam headlights has been significantly improved, as a result, the level of illumination of the road has increased. On the previous version, the headlights were three points, sometimes even in the city it was necessary to turn on the high beam - now this issue has been removed from the agenda.

My conclusion: thanks to the improvements and the Russian assembly, the Explorer's competitiveness has become higher! Ideal as a car for all occasions.

"What a big one!" I thought when I first got into the cabin of the new Ford Explorer. No, I have encountered large machines before. Last summer I rode on, which is comparable in size to the Explorer. And after me it is difficult to surprise the dimensions of the car. Here is something else. Inside the Explorer, size feels different. Not physically, but psychologically or something. This is a car for big people, and it's not just about the body :)

Explorer was at my disposal for about two weeks. I managed to ride it a little around St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region, and then they tested the car on a long journey - on the way to and back. Below is a detailed overview of the car.

Let's start traditionally with appearance. And he's good, right? The previous Explorer looked like a troll with a double chin in front, due to the "heavy" front bumper. The new front looks lighter and faster, but lost in personality. Someone does not like it, they liked the old Explorer just because of this heaviness and brutality.
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If you bring up the question of the similarity of the exterior to other cars, then ... The shape of the headlights of the old Explorer were quite recognizable, but on the newcomer they are similar to several other crossovers. Well, for example, there is something from the Jeep Grand Cherokee:
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LED running lights in the shape of a lying letter P look interesting. The rear lights are also LED. But the near and far - the usual bi-xenon, not even lensed.
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Behind the new Explorer has not changed much:
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Huge 20s wheels with 255/50 R20 tires. It's scary to think how much such a set of wheels costs :)
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I don't have much more to say about appearance. Those who were intimately familiar with the previous Explorer would say more. Although... wait, what's that on the front bumper? Oh camera! And not a simple camera, but with a washer! The car has two cameras, there is also one in the back, and it also has its own washer nozzle. Very convenient, no need to constantly wipe the lens from adhering dirt. The nozzles are activated together with the windshield and rear window washers, respectively.
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Inside is much more interesting. To get there, just grab the door handle, they have built-in touch sensors. And on the outside of the handles, a button is built in, pressing which closes the door locks. You don't need to take the key out of your pocket.
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I have already written about the internal volume above. Lack of space around will not be felt even by people of large complexion. And I, with my modest forms and 170 centimeters of height, looked a little ridiculous behind the wheel. At least that's how it seemed to me at first. Then I got used to it :)
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The trunk is also impressive with its volume - 1343 liters with the third row rear seats folded down. By the way, about this. The Explorer, as you know, is a seven-seat car. The third row of seats is folded into a flat floor. Out of habit, I began to look for levers or handles to raise the third row - I did not find it. Then they showed me 4 buttons that were on the left wall of the trunk. It turns out that the third row of seats is fully motorized, and each of the two seats has three positions. You press a button, and the floor smoothly unfolds into seats. You press again - the backs and seats fold up and rise up, forming a "pit" in the trunk. Well, the third position is basic, with a flat floor. Moreover, each of the two seats can be controlled separately, or both together. All is well, only you need to remember to put away things in the trunk before laying out the third row. And then it can "chew".
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More about the trunk. The fifth door is equipped with interesting technology: it opens / closes if you wave your foot under the bumper. This feature was introduced in the new Ford Kuga. A cool idea if you need to load something into the trunk with your hands busy. True, the impression of this technology spoils two things. The first is a slow electric drive of the fifth door itself, which opens and closes for a long time. The second is that the door opening / closing sensor can be triggered by careless movement of the foot under the bumper. Imagine digging in the trunk, and then you hear a sudden “beep-beep-beep” and you feel that the door is coming at you :) In a panic, you climb into the trunk, press the button on the tailgate so that you don’t get hit.
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The second row is also spacious. Three passengers were sitting quite freely, not feeling cramped. The designers of the restyled Explorer made the front seats thinner to add the coveted millimeters for the knees of the rear passengers, and they succeeded. In addition, one part of the rear seat can move forward and backward. Why only one is unclear.

To close the topic with the back rows, I will mention two USB connectors for charging gadgets and one 220V socket. And our Explorer had three-zone climate control, second-row passengers have their own climate control panel. Air was supplied to them not only from below, but also from the ceiling. They are not deprived and heated seats. For complete happiness, they lacked the massage function, because only two front seats are equipped with them.
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The most interesting thing in this car, of course, is the driver. First of all, I would like to note the convenience of landing. Still, because in this car at the driver's seat, just EVERYTHING is regulated, moreover, on an electric drive. What is the seat in all directions, what is the lumbar support, what is the steering wheel in height and reach, and even the pedal assembly, and that is controlled by buttons. This allows you to adjust the driver's seat for a person with any requests to the seat and the position of the controls. A nice bonus is a two-section panoramic glass roof. In the cabin, it is closed with a tight damper, it opens in two stages. And above the front seats there is a roof in the form of a hatch, which can open a gap as high as an index finger.
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There are also plenty of amenities for drivers. Lots of niches and pockets. Two USB connectors, one of which is above the gearshift lever, and the second in a deep glove compartment in the armrest. Heated and ventilated seats, heated steering wheel and windshield. The front seats, in addition to standard adjustments, have the ability to extend or remove lumbar and back support. Moreover, the backrest adjustments are carried out in three parts, each of which has as many as seven positions! In general, Explorer gets five plus for the convenience of landing!
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The car starts, of course, with a button. The instrument panel reads well, everything is large and legible. There are some complaints about the fact that there are a lot of buttons on the steering wheel and dashboard, and their location is not always intuitive. This is especially true for climate control. Just like with the Ford Mondeo, a lot of things are hardwired into the SYNC2 system, which is famous for its not-so-thought-out menu organization and thoughtfulness. You have to go through many steps until you get to the desired setting.
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On the go, the car only pleases. You soon get used to the considerable dimensions, parking sensors help in this in a circle along with cameras in front and behind. The car, despite the large weight, responds quite quickly to the gas pedal. A sharp acceleration occurs with a very juicy and tasty roar, which, however, sounds muffled in the cabin due to good sound insulation. The engines are the same as on the old Explorer. I had a 3.5-litre petrol variant on a test drive that made 249 horsepower (kudos to Ford for that figure, don't overpay the tax). Acceleration to hundreds in 8.7 seconds. On the track, the lack of power in overtaking was not felt. The automatic transmission shifts gears smoothly and in a timely manner, does not cause irritation. Fuel consumption is quite tolerable for a car with such characteristics: in mixed mode, it turned out about 15 liters per hundred. If the forces are not enough, then you can take a complete set with the top Explorer EcoBoost engine. The volume is the same, but the power is already 340 hp.
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We had an Explorer in the top configuration LIMITED PLUS. There are many interesting electronic features. The most interesting is the active cruise control, which, coupled with the lane tracking system, turns the car into an almost robotic car. You set the speed limit, the minimum distance to the car in front, turn on the marking control - and you can release not only the pedals, but also the steering wheel :)
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The car drives itself, keeping the distance between the front cars, and taxis itself if there is a clear marking. Cool! It is not worth trusting automation completely, of course, you never know ... For example, the markup will disappear or become invisible. And if the front car stops abruptly, then another system will work - collision warning. In a matter of seconds and centimeters to the bumper of the front car, the Explorer will emit a loud signal, turn on a bright red strip of light on the dashboard (right in the driver's eyes) and apply emergency braking. We previously tested this system on the new Mondeo before the launch of sales. They accelerated to 40 km/h and drove straight to the wall made of cardboard, on which reflective elements were pasted. It was difficult not to press the brake pedal, but if you refrain from this, the system itself stopped the car. In the city, such a system will be especially valuable, otherwise many accidents are due to the fact that someone gaped in a traffic jam and drove into the back of a neighbor in front.
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There are two small screens built into the dashboard on either side of the speedometer. The right one displays information from the audio system, navigation or control of the phone connected via Bluetooth. On the left screen, in addition to the usual on-board computer data, you can display more interesting numbers and pictures. For example, tire pressure readings. I also liked the screen that shows the degree of effort on each axis. It is noticeable that if you drive smoothly, then almost all the traction falls on the front axle. With intensive acceleration, especially on slippery surfaces, the rear one also smoothly connects. Well, off-road traction can walk between the axles spontaneously.
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By the way, about the drive. The gearshift lever has a round mode selector: mud / rut, sand, grass / gravel / snow. These modes change the nature of the operation of the all-wheel drive, accelerator and electronic systems. To be honest, I did not notice much difference in the behavior of the car in different modes. Off-road Explorer is hardly ready for big, and even average heroism. Do not forget that this is just a big and heavy crossover. But. It was not possible to test the descent assistance system, but a suitable slide was found. But there is no doubt about it.
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In addition to the positive, some oddities were noticed. The first is connected with the trunk opening mechanism with the help of a wave of the foot under the bumper. Above, I wrote that the tailgate can suddenly start to close when someone is digging in the trunk. That's not all. Once I stopped at a gas station, filled in fuel and went to pay. Came back and noticed that the tailgate was open. None of my fellow travelers opened it. Later this happened again. It turned out that the opening sensor can work even if a person just walked past the fifth door. Apparently this is due to contamination of the sensor in slushy weather.

The second oddity was the method of notifying that the driver got out of the running car along with the smart key. My Nissan just makes a quiet, repeated beep. The Explorer in this situation... horns twice. Just imagine, you drive into a quiet courtyard late at night. We quickly left the salon to give something to someone. You slam the door with the engine running and a loud FA-FA is heard throughout the yard! Why??? Why couldn't there have been a much quieter way to notify the driver? Unclear.
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Fortunately, both this horn warning and the tailgate control sensor can be disabled. If the first can be done with great relief, then the second is done with some regret, because the chip is convenient. The Ford Russia office said that they were aware of this problem, and the company's engineers were going to fix it.

Prices for the new Ford Explorer start at 2,864,000 rubles - this is for the XLT package. If we take into account all the discounts and bonuses, then the minimum price drops to 2,599,000 rubles. Our car, which is discussed in this post, will cost 3,145,000 rubles. And the coolest one, with an EcoBoost engine, costs 3,360,000 rubles. If you compare Explorer with competitors, you get an interesting situation. This is the best car in terms of price / equipment ratio. Competitors with roughly the same features will cost significantly more. And even the top competitors do not have some Explorer chips. A good alternative to expensive Range Rover and Toyota is obtained.
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