2012 Ford Explorer Reviews

2012 Ford Explorer

2012 Ford Explorer current class-leading V6 fuel efficiency, the addition of EcoBoost power and a 28 highway rating now puts Explorer over the top. On the highway, Explorer now beats Honda Pilot and Jeep Grand Cherokee by five mpg, Chevrolet Traverse by four mpg and Toyota Highlander by three mpg

The all-new 2012 Ford Explorer delivers exactly what today’s SUV buyers are looking for, combining the capability, convenience, performance and technologies they want with the fuel economy these times require, said Bill Gubing, Ford chief program engineer. 2012 Ford Explorer adds refinement to redefine what a modern SUV can be.

Reengineered from bottom to top and revealed last summer, Ford Explorer enters the 2012 model year with an expanded color palette and is the first Ford model in North America to offer an all-new Ford EcoBoost™ four-cylinder engine delivering class-leading fuel economy and responsive performance.

New 2012 Ford Explorer exterior colors for 2012 include Ginger Ale Metallic, Dark Blue Pearl Metallic, Cinnamon Metallic and Black.Driven by the commitment to give customers unsurpassed fuel efficiency with each newly launching vehicle; Ford has sweated the details to further increase 2012 Ford Explorer fuel economy: 2012 Ford Explorer’s standard engine is a 3.5-liter Ti-VCT V6 delivering 290 horsepower and 255 lb.-ft. of torque.

2012 Ford Explorer Modern interpretation of the SUV
The all-new Explorer rides on a unibody platform derived from the automaker's D3 platform rather than the separate frame of the outgoing model. With a road-oriented fully independent suspension and Ford's optional intelligent four-wheel-drive system, the Explorer isn't likely to challenge the body-on-frame Toyota 4Runner or similarly unibody-based Jeep Grand Cherokee for off road prowess. Offering snow, sand, mud and normal modes, the system simply requires a twist of a knob to properly set up the Explorer's all-wheel-drive and stability control systems for various types of terrain. Ford says that fuel economy is up 30 percent over the outgoing Explorer V6. The naturally aspirated V6 also features direct injection and twin independent variable camshaft timing, which Ford says helps boost fuel economy by about 20 percent compared to the outgoing Explorer. With the V6, Explorer owners can tow up to 5,000 lbs. and the V6 is available on both front and all-wheel-drive Explorers.

All models also feature electric power steering to reduce fuel consumption and assembly complexity. Ford will also offer the Explorer with its automatic parallel parking system that first debuted on the Ford Flex.
Part of the new Explorer's signature look, it also adds rigidity to the SUV's body structure. Ford says that the Explorer features its highest quality interior.

Ford offers the 2011 Explorer in three configurations, starting with the base model, equipped with 17-inch steel wheels with wheel covers, a 4.2-inch LCD screen to display vehicle information, cruise control, power windows and locks and a tilt and telescope steering column. The Explorer will be exclusively produced at the automaker's Chicago assembly plant.

2012 Ford Explorer design – inside and out – is executed with world-class craftsmanship. Quietness – another significant advancement in the reinvented 2012 Ford Explorer – also signals quality to customers.