2011 Ford Explorer

Ford Explorers

All Ford Explorers feature the same 290-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6, which is rated at 17/25 mpg city/highway with front-wheel drive and 17/23 mpg with all-wheel drive.

The second row of this three-row crossover, nay, SUV, was where the Ford Explorer comes up short. The bench seat in my tester was short on legroom. (Dual bucket seats are optional.) You can check out a thorough review of the Explorer's ability to handle a variety of child-safety seats here.

At 21 cubic feet, cargo space is adequate with the third row in place, and maximum volume with the second and third rows down is 80.7 cubic feet. That compares with 24.4/116.4 cubic feet in the Traverse and 17.2/100.7 cubic feet in the CX-9.

The base model, called simply Explorer, starts at $28,190. Adding leather seats is an additional $1,000; they're available in a Comfort Package.

Not one Cars.com editor likes the My Ford Touch system. Rear dual headrest DVD screens are available for $1,995.

A similarly equipped Traverse without the safety suite is $44,170, so the Ford Explorer is fairly priced. A slightly more upscale three-row SUV, the Acura MDX, costs $46,255 with similar features, minus the safety suite.

The 2011 Ford Explorer is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick, the group's highest designation. The federal government has not yet tested the Explorer.

To do so, Ford has replaced the Explorer's truck-related mechanicals with anybody construction similar to that of the Ford Flex. In terms of size, the new Explorer is nearly 4 inches longer in overall length and 5 inches wider.

Overall, the new 2011 Ford Explorer is much more in tune with what today's crossover shoppers are looking for. The 2011 Ford Explorer is a large crossover SUV available in base, XLT and Limited trim levels (nope, no more Eddie Bauer). The Limited includes the XLT Rapid Spec items, plus 20-inch wheels, keyless ignition/entry, remote engine start, a 110-volt power outlet and a 12-speaker Sony sound system with HD radio. The Rapid Spec 301A package includes a power lift gate and a navigation system, along with the Luxury Seating package that adds an eight-way power passenger seat, ventilated front seats and a power-folding third-row seat. The Rapid Spec 302A package includes an automatic parallel-parking system, adaptive cruise control, collision warning and brake support, a blind-spot warning system, xenon headlamps and automatic wipers.

The 2011 Ford Explorer comes standard with a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 290 hp and 255 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive are standard. Ford-estimated fuel economy with two-wheel drive is 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway -- also average for the class.

Every 2011 Ford Explorer comes standard with stability and traction control, trailer sway control, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and My Key, which allows parents to specify limits for vehicle speed and stereo volume. The Explorer's stability control system also includes Ford's Curve Control, which can reduce the vehicle's speed if it senses that it's traveling too fast for a particular corner.

The 2011 Ford Explorer ushers in a new era of interior quality for not only the Explorer, but for the Ford brand entirely.

The 2011 Ford Explorer no longer drives like a truck and that's a great thing. The responsive steering is another example of Ford knowing how to tune electric power steering (which improves fuel economy and allows for an automatic parking system).

Improved fuel economy, adept performance and a comfortable interior once again make the Ford Explorer a great choice for a family vehicle.

The original Ford Explorer helped transform midsize SUVs from rugged work vehicles to family haulers. If reviewers have one complaint about the new Explorer, it’s the price. Reviewers often compare the Explorer and the Grand Cherokee, which starts at about $2,000 more than the base Explorer.

The Ford Explorer is a completely new vehicle for 2011. It comes in three trims: the base Explorer, Explorer XLT and the Explorer Limited. The Explorer can seat up to seven people.