What do you think about the Ford Explorer? Is it worth it or not?

How do people feel about the Ford Explorer? Does it hold up compared to similar SUVs? Are there certain model years I should avoid? Looking for honest thoughts from folks who have actually owned or driven one.

The reliability is pretty hit or miss, and it feels outdated. I generally like Ford (I own a Mustang), but the Explorer wouldn’t be my choice unless there’s something specific you need it for. It drives like a much bigger vehicle, which can feel awkward, and it’s expensive for what you get. A fully-loaded Explorer is close to luxury SUV prices.

You might want to check out alternatives like the Pilot, Highlander, Santa Fe, or even the Buick Enclave.

My girlfriend has one, and honestly, it’s terrible. It feels sluggish, drives like a much bigger SUV, and the terrain modes don’t seem to do much. The part-time 4WD isn’t great either, and for a ‘full-size SUV,’ it’s surprisingly cramped.

I usually like Ford—I’m a fan of the Edge and Escape—but the Explorer is overpriced, has bad mileage, and the transmission is a nightmare. I’d recommend looking at alternatives like the Grand Cherokee, 4Runner, Highlander, Pathfinder, or Santa Fe. Pretty much anything else.

@Brett
It’s not a full-size SUV, though. If you need space, go for an Expedition.

Ashton said:
@Brett
It’s not a full-size SUV, though. If you need space, go for an Expedition.

I get that, but it drives like one without actually being big. It just feels bulky.

@Brett
So you’ve driven the Edge? How does it compare?

Devon said:
@Brett
So you’ve driven the Edge? How does it compare?

The Edge feels more like a sportier RAV4. Ford’s Ecoboost engine lineup gives it a lot of options and decent performance.

The engine is solid, but expect to deal with transmission issues around 100K miles. Rebuilding or replacing it isn’t uncommon.

I’m also thinking about getting a Ford Explorer. Would love to hear more opinions from people who’ve had one.

I’ve got a few in our business fleet. The latest generation is more car-like and not really a traditional SUV anymore, so we mainly use them for highway trips. No big problems so far, and we run them to about 150K miles. The Ecoboost models have better performance and mileage, but I haven’t had them long enough to judge reliability.

It does feel a bit oversized for what it is. You might be better off with a Pilot, CX-9, or Highlander, depending on how long you want to keep it. If you’re set on the Explorer, buying slightly used could be a good option since they lose value quickly in the first few years.

My mom has one, and it’s good overall, but the engine hesitates if you floor it. There’s a delay before it kicks in and speeds up. Other than that, it’s been a decent SUV.

Dru said:
My mom has one, and it’s good overall, but the engine hesitates if you floor it. There’s a delay before it kicks in and speeds up. Other than that, it’s been a decent SUV.

The delay could be from the Ecoboost engine. That’s pretty common with turbo setups.

@Rory
Yeah, sounds like it. Turbo lag can make it feel sluggish at first.