I own a 2017 version of this vehicle, about 2 weeks ago, those stability systems were tested when driving into work. A deer walked out in front of the car while doing 63 MPH on the highway (in the dark with only the LED low beam headlights lighting the road). Knowing that braking to zero in that distance was impossible and would result in hitting the animal, I swerved the car hard left to avoid making impact. The car did exactly as expected of it, the stability and traction systems kicked in to assist bringing the car back into control. Very pleased with the car and have had zero issues with it so far. Minus the changing of spark plugs due to it wanting to misfire on the cooler mornings.
I am always amazed at how durable the Vic is. We really drive them hard at EVOC and we only just retired out the 1999's about a year ago. Although the stability control is a good thing in the new vehicles in terms of safety, I will miss sliding the Vic around once they all get retired out of the EVOC fleet!
One word ecoboost!!! A crown vic simply CANNOT out do an ecoboost engine especially the 3.7L v6 which is a bored out 3.5L tt v6 now I'm not a ford guy at all too me there cheaply made and the new ones aren't built well at all (I used to work for ford) now the 4.6 the only thing it has on the explorer is that it's an all steel construction other than that it simply can't keep up with today's cars now a v8 that can keep up with or maybe out run the explorers are the new tahoes with the 5.3 or 6.2
@@bruteman45 So if you had the chance to buy a 2008 Crown Vic or a 2014 Explorer at a government fleet auction, which would you choose, if they went for around the same price, which I doubt they will? I've mostly driven GM cars, (Grand Prix, Chevy Caprice, Olds 88), and don't have much experience with Fords except for my mother's old 90's Taurus and '80 Mercury Marquis. I've never owned an SUV, but drive the Chevy 3/4 ton farm truck which sits a bit too high for me (I'm only 5'4"). I read the Explorer is about 4 inches lower. Would that be enough to make a difference?
@@RockinCowgirl1000 id probably go with an explorer with a 3.7 because theyre pretty damn reliable to but theres more of an aftermarket option for performance for them my buddy has a 14 3.7 stang has 800hp to the crank and has 110k miles on it another reason for the explorer to is im 6'3 and a vic would just be too i dont know what the word would be
I don't think anything will ever be as reliable as the Crown Vic. I loved that car! That said, Ford has been addressing those issues and making improvements every year. I want to do an updated video on this vehicle next year to talk about its evolution and improvements.
I'm really curious... This was 2013! I see alot of people bitching about the Explorer, but Mr. Dave Storton... how is the Explorer hanging? I think it's become a beloved police-vehicle..
CHP ended up bailing out on them after terrible performance and reliability at their EVOC facility in Sacramento. They told me that Ford could not help with the issues they were having, so they switched to the Charger. Other agencies have been happy so far, but we may see same issues that CHP had. EVOC puts years of wear on these in just a few months. Time will tell!
It will not pass this IIHS series of tests. I also feel like 1 more inch of ground clearance, updated engine and 6 speed trans could have made it a better car but it would have gotten even heavier to pass the tests.
Leon Springs Boys TV the crown victoria did not end production for stuff like it was too slow. New safety standards introduced in 2011 forced ford to completely re-design the crown Vic. Ford decided it was not worth it and on September 14, 2011. The last Ford Crown Victoria rolled off the production line.
You can say it's not an explorer all you want but it is an explorer, it just has revamped suspension and a few reinforcements. A few things have been removed like the center console but it's still the same chassis with the same powertrain.
Just telling you what Ford and the EVOC guys on the advisory board are saying. Either way, agencies are having issues with them. Don't want to argue semantics, I look for performance. So far, performance is not there for many agencies. I am being told the issues have been addressed in the 2019 model. We shall see.
cant stand these cars, especially the newest ones 2015-17. I dont know how people say that these things are roomy at all. I'm 6'1" and cannot get comfortable for the life of me. They run like crap, at least the 3.7 does, and break constantly. I miss you crown vic. I miss your 6,000 RPM scream, your couch like seats, your leg room, your red and green dashboard, and that look you give people's rear view mirrors just when they thought they got away...
I've driven the 97 era Crown Vics and the 96 era Caprice with the 5.7 in it. Both made excellent patrol cars. I recently spoke with a local officer and he said that the new charger police vehicles offer little room for the driver, making it hard to get in and out of in a hurry. Now Iv'e never been in one but he went on to say that they really miss the Crown Victoria's. I own a 2010 police vic, been a really great car. Been all over the east part of the country with it. Not having to work with the new explorer interceptor I'm looking on from the outside. But it just looks very small to me. I also don't understand why an engine replacement program is not available. We all know that engines get worn out from the use and idle hours. I looked for a long time before I found a good used patrol car from a resort town in upper Michigan. 65,000 miles and in very good shape. But if departments are worried about their engines and the rest of the car is in great shape, why not just swap the engine?
Hi Stephen. I liked the Caprice, but the only problem I had was it was difficult to keep control when driving in reverse at high speed. We have the V6 Chargers at the academy, and I do not like them. Space is an issue like you say. Also, they have no power. Some wanted to use them as a dignitary car, but you cannot do a reverse 180 in these without the computer freaking out - even if you turn ESC off. Ford does not want to support the Vic anymore, so engine replacements would be tough. There were some private companies who ran the numbers in refurbishing Vics for departments, but it was just not cost effective. There have been some big improvements in the Explorer, and I want to make a new video this year. I was initially not an Explorer fan, but I like what I am seeing with the newest versions.
My opinion is that the EcoBoost version of the Utility Interceptor is the best police car out there for 2015. It beats the Dodge Charger V8 hands down and the Chevy offerings don't even come close. The blind spots are a little bad when you look over the shoulder but it just takes a bit more awareness when driving around. Personally, I think there are just too many features electronically with the phone and audio control and all that. Cops don't need that. Too bad they killed the CVPI. I loved that car. They could have easily kept that car going with just a 6-speed transmission and bumped up the output to 320hp/350ft-lbs which is easy to do with a modern V8 while not stressing the engine one bit.
I agree, William. I am keeping an eye on some ESC issues that CHP has been having. It doesn't seem to be major, but they are malfunctioning sometimes. I will be posting more info when I get it. I may even do a follow up to this video in the not-too-distant future.
I have had both. The dodge is superior by a mile. 1 Ford v6 is gutless. 2 the dodge handles better. 3 its no roomier in the cab than the dodge and the dodge doors open almost a full 90. 4 the standard shit in The Dodges work, keyless entry, bluetooth hands free, ect. We live in the future, my ford has a back up camera, and I have to key the dam door cause it didn't come standard with fobs. Let's not even start about the deadly exhaust leaks.
Excellent video nice explanation of the evaluation process. It's funny that the P71 crown vic's didn't have traction control and most didn't get the optional LSD. Now the taurus and explorers come out and they have not only traction but stability control and backup sensors.
My P71 Vic has traction control and rear diff lock. Good set of tires and is very well maintained with low miles. I think it out handles the Explorer Interceptor that I drive. Feels faster too.
I'll take my 2010 CVPI forever. I'm gonna rebuild the engine and tranny when my current engine goes. Been looking at an AWD or 4x4 idea, we'll see. I want to get another one for my son when he gets older.
The newer Explorer has to be the same as the others. There requires major re-engineering to change the water pump issue which, Ford is not in a position to spend that kind of money to come out with a new engine and tackle the expensive water pump issue. Moreover, they will also have a major engineering issue to re-design the PTO to hold more oil and cast heatsink fins over the entire unit to help keep it cool. So, from my standpoint, the water pump and PTU issues will remain the same. If the PTU would have a proper drainage plug, easy-fill long-hose on top of the unit with a seperate vent so you can easily drain/fill the PTO, that would be a great help.
The plan for me in 2021 is to dive into all that with a new video, and I will have more feedback from CHP by then. The EVOC vehicles get heavy and hard use, so that will be telling. Maybe I am just an optimist, but I am hoping for good news on these. Thanks again for your comments. I will specifically ask about the issues you raised.
As much as I love the Crown Vic, The new Utility seems to be a great replacement. I will miss the V8 rear drive set up, but up here in upstate NY the new AWD vehicles are so much better in the snow. Our county is using the 3.7 non ecoboost and they seem to like them plus the AWD makes these very good for our harsh northern winters. I wonder how the 3.7 and the 6 speed auto in these things will hold up in the long run, I hope these will hold up as good as the old powertran in the Crown Vics did.
Considering the complexity of the ecoboost models I would doubt that it will be as reliable and tough as the crown Vic but for how long the police forces use them I'm pretty sure they will be just fine
The Explorers definitely look sharp on the roads. I first noticed the CHP using them & now I've noticed all the PDs have them as well. Is the CHP still going to keep using them, or are they moving on to the new Dodge Chargers?
CHP appears to be moving to the charger. They had some significant maintenance issues at their evoc facility. They are working with Dodge on design change recommendations that can reduce the blind spots they have on the current model Charger. I am keeping a close eye on this. I actually plan on taking this video down in the coming months and putting up a new one based on all the new information coming out as the Explorer has been on the road in service now for a while. Great question, keep an eye on my RUclips channel for a follow-up video within the next few months. Stay safe!
Dave Storton The "current" model Charger does not have visibility or maintenance issues. The older, LX (2006-2010) versions did. The Exploder was found to have very high operating costs, both maintenance/repair, and fuel usage. The CHP most certainly would *not* have entered into a multi-year contract with Dodge, if they felt the cars were unreliable.
@@MrEeeaddict Sorry for the delayed answer! I have a call into a good friend who works closely with Ford. I may be due to update this video. I hope they fixed the issues.
If you were fleet manager would have you purchased these or Chargers? Also I'm anticipating you doing a test of the current generation Ford Interceptors, to compare the two generations in an objective manner.
I would go with the Ford PUV over the Charger. We have been using the V-6 Chargers at the academy, and I am not impressed. I do not like the way they handle. From a protection driving standpoint (escape and evasion), you cannot do a reverse 180 in a Charger since the computer shuts things down. Sometimes it will give power back in about 5 to 8 seconds, and sometimes you have to turn the car off and restart it to reset the computer. I have plans to do review of the current generation PUV sometime next year. I also want to review the F150 Police Package.
@@DaveStorton I appreciate your insight. The V6 RWD Chargers don't have adequate power especially with the 5-speed. The AWD V8 would have had improved handling and power, however it looks like Ford did their homework and had the better handling package overall especially in an urban environment.
Not all of the PUs have the backup sensors -- anyone looking at a used one should make sure that it's equipped. The field of view through the back window is high enough that many cars can be there without being seen!
More specifically, the next-generation Ford Explorer, which will be the basis for the next Ford Police Interceptor Utility, is now on a rear wheel drive unibody architecture versus the previous front wheel drive unibody platform.
When I tested the Ford PUV, I also got access to the Caprice. Chevy did not even bring out a Tahoe for us to drive. Gilroy PD has Tahoes and they are very good. A captain there is also an instructor with me at The Driving Company (TheDrivingCompany.com) and he has a 2013 model. He loves it. Many California agencies go with whatever CHP gets since they can piggyback on the state order to save money, so they don't even test anything themselves. Los Angeles County Sheriff does extensive vehicle testing. They have not published anything for 2015 yet, but here is a link to 2014 results: shq.lasdnews.net/shq/vehicle_testing/2014_vehicle.pdf
Honestly Ford should have built a Taurus for police use. I know there is one but they’re not sufficient. They hold similar room in the passenger compartment as the explorer but leas storage space which let’s be honest, would still be practical. Taurus with a turbo 2.3 from the mustang would be quite a beast.
If you are looking for a versatile SUV check out the Toyota 4-Runner. Great for the family and super reliable. I have a Tacoma that I teach off road in (TheDrivingCompany.com) and it has 350k miles on it. If you don't want a pickup, 4-Runner is next best. One of my instructors has one, and he loves it.
How do you think these will hold up over time? I've noticed with some of our V6 chargers and Impalas that they can be quick but end up in the shop a lot because of the wear and tear. We're still trying to find a good replacement for the crown vic and haven't really settled on anything yet.
Time will tell, but I was so impressed with how durable the Ford CV was that I am hopeful that Ford put the same workmanship into these new police vehicles. The sedan interceptor had an overheating issue on the ones I saw tested before the actual rollout, but Ford seems to have solved that problem. If it were my decision as a fleet manager, I would go with Ford over the other models. The street cops seem to like the Utility best because of the room inside. The sedan can feel a bit cramped if you are a big or tall guy, which a lot of cops are (based on your screen name I am guessing you are Jake!). I would do transition training though since the vehicle handles differently and you can't see behind you well when backing. Definitely make sure you have backup cameras. They will be required by NHTSA in 2018 anyway.
No I don't, but I recommend Alameda County Sheriff's Department for anyone preparing to enter and academy if they are worried about EVOC. They have a great group of instructors there, and great classes to help you get ready.
CHP's have non turbo versions of these things. They are slugs, and they go through hella Catalytic converters. The Turbo ones most of the local police departments use go through Turbos. I still like driving the Crown Vics over the Explorers anyday.
agree john copello, the catalytic converter go on these because we leave them idling for so long. I agree, they are slugs compared to the crown vic or the dodge chargers we have. I want to like these but I just cant get behind it. I also feel the front seats are not comfortable at all
+Dave Storton I've not heard great things about the longevity of the Chargers. At least around here several larger departments are switching out of Chargers to explorers. I think the real story is nothing holds a candle to the old CVPI. Lol
Yeah I've heard similar out of the 300's not as durable as one might think.. Hemi powered cars with serious mileage sell for peanuts, if they go to 300k like a cv it's on board a trailer.
We did performance driving training in these and drove them pretty hard, but only with speeds around 55 miles per hour. We did not have overheating issues. I have heard through the grapevine about other agencies having some issue with that at higher speeds.
If anyone has got anything to say, reply when I say this: I want this SUV added into Forza Horizon 5. For the ones that don't know, Forza Horizon 5 is a 2021 racing video game developed by Playground Games and published by Xbox Game Studios. It is the fifth Forza Horizon title and twelfth main installment in the Forza series. The game is set in a fictionalized representation of Mexico. It was released on 9 November 2021 for Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. The game received critical acclaim and became a commercial success upon release; it launched to over ten million players in the first week, the biggest-ever launch for an Xbox Game Studios game. The game won three jury-voted awards at The Game Awards 2021, tying with Hazelight's It Takes Two for most wins.[4]
i understand there's a Potential Issue with 'Expensive' Water Pump Replacement 'issues'..when vehicle approaches 100,000 + miles?. any 'comment's' Please....
I have heard of other issues, but not specifically water pumps. This video is a bit dated, and I plan on doing a video with the newest ones. Ford has made big improvements over the last year or two, and I want highlight those changes. Previous issues included steering box, suspension, and exhaust leakage. My understanding is those problems have been remedied. I had not heard anything about water pumps though.
Blaine Bugaski well, yeah....the detuned version would be best suited as it's been developed to be more durable and reliable for heavier duty usage while being able to deliver decent performance....the regular version (non de-tuned) is purely for performance only.
No it does not have a reverse beeper. One issue we were concerned with is the backup sensor that beeps inside when you back up close to an ibstacle. If you are trying to be quiet and stealthy, this is an issue.
I rented an Explorer once, and my memories were that it was underpowered (even with the 3.5 V6) and it had a mushy suspension, which is why I'm surprised at how flat the PUV was cornering. I know Ford puts the 3.7 V6 in these instead of the 3.5. How fast do you put these through the slalom?
I had the same reaction when I first drove the prototype. The Ford rep said very little about the PUV is Explorer. They just used the Explorer as a base to work from. They said the only thing that is truely Explorer about the PUV is the skin. After driving it, I believe them. I have had a few civilian Explorers in my off road classes and they are terrible. They get cross-axled if you look at them wrong.
Dave Storton Based on what I experienced with my rental I'm not even slightly surprised. The one I rented dragged its nose on everything that was even slightly tall looking. I know Ford has had some reliability issues with the Ecoboost engines as of late (specifically with carbon build-up), would you happen to know what kind of reliability the police are getting out of the new Police Interceptors, especially the 3.5 twin turbos?
I have not heard any reliability issues through the grapevine, but these vehicles are still very new to the fleets. Time will tell I guess. I am hoping that Ford did as good a job on these as they did the Crown Victoria.The Crown Victoria was very very reliable. I can't believe what we put those cars through at EVOC and they still kept going. We had a good number of the 1999's in the fleet for 10 years beating them up at training over and over again. Even now we are getting cars donated from agencies with 100,000 miles on them and we have been using them for about two years now and they keep going too! Most of our EVOC cars are 2007 and they are still pretty solid. Also, when we get an explorer on the off road course, we often have to leave it in the staging area and have the student get in one of the instructor vehicles because the Explorers can't do some of our trails.
Dave Storton We have had lots of issues with them here. Transmissions blowing up at 20K miles, leaking, fuel pumps, and lots more. Many fleets up here are not happy with them, and are starting to buy 2015 Tahoe PPV's.
Ooh.... I bet I could make it under-steer or over-steer. Hah. Even though the new V6s are probably faster and more economical, I still would like to see them get a V8 only because they sound waaay more intimating...especially for a police vehicle.
As I mentioned in the video, you can easily understeer these vehicles, but you cannot oversteer them. I did a demonstration a few years ago in Tajikistan where I showed the dangers of lateral weight transfer in their armored land cruisers. Those are so heavy they do not oversteer but they will tip up on two wheels.I tried to do the same with the the Ford PUV but I just could not get it to go. It will not tip up, nor will it oversteer. It is so stable I can do a reverse 180 staying in the same lane just like a car. If you can get one to oversteer send me a video and let me know how you did it. I also love the sound of a V-8!
The 3.5 and 3.7 are the worst engines made. Water pumps will fail by 70,000 miles. It is timing-chain driven. Replacement is around $1,800.00. The AWD PTO will fail by 60,000 miles. If luck has it, it may fail under warranty. This is a $3,000 fix. Poor design. Part of a Class Action law suit which was just tossed out. The headlight are the worst in the industry according to the Insurance institute; ya, real bad. Stay away from the Explorer AWD, If you can get in in the smaller engine and FWD only, that would be good. You would then have to add extra driving lights.
I am planning to do a new video on the latest explorers. I am hearing good things about the upgrades and fixes Ford has done. Even CHP is going back to them. Hopefully I will have a new video in 2021. All great observations and info Joe! Many agencies have run into these problems.
"Stability - because it's a high center of gravity" - I'm sorry, what? Since when does high center of mass means the car is stable? The higher the center of mass is, the more likely the car is going to roll over.
What I said was that we evaluated it for stability because it is a high center of gravity vehicle. If it wasn't a high CG vehicle, we would not have had the need to evaluate it for stability. You are right that high CG is more likely to roll over, which is precisely the reason we evaluated it for stability.
Charger Pursuit is faster, handles better, and is more reliable. Unrelated: The driver could do with some advanced driver training. Notice how he shuffles the wheel and doesn't keep his hands at 9&3.
that 3.7L V6 definitely has a nice screaming sound to it when floored
I'm hoping to do an updated video in 2022 since many improvements have been made to this vehicle.
I own a 2017 version of this vehicle, about 2 weeks ago, those stability systems were tested when driving into work. A deer walked out in front of the car while doing 63 MPH on the highway (in the dark with only the LED low beam headlights lighting the road). Knowing that braking to zero in that distance was impossible and would result in hitting the animal, I swerved the car hard left to avoid making impact. The car did exactly as expected of it, the stability and traction systems kicked in to assist bringing the car back into control. Very pleased with the car and have had zero issues with it so far. Minus the changing of spark plugs due to it wanting to misfire on the cooler mornings.
Wow! Sounds like good driving too!
FORD
CROWN
VICTORIA
WILL
LAST
FOREVER
I am always amazed at how durable the Vic is. We really drive them hard at EVOC and we only just retired out the 1999's about a year ago. Although the stability control is a good thing in the new vehicles in terms of safety, I will miss sliding the Vic around once they all get retired out of the EVOC fleet!
Yeah, they really can hold up to a lot of abuse.
One word ecoboost!!! A crown vic simply CANNOT out do an ecoboost engine especially the 3.7L v6 which is a bored out 3.5L tt v6 now I'm not a ford guy at all too me there cheaply made and the new ones aren't built well at all (I used to work for ford) now the 4.6 the only thing it has on the explorer is that it's an all steel construction other than that it simply can't keep up with today's cars now a v8 that can keep up with or maybe out run the explorers are the new tahoes with the 5.3 or 6.2
@@bruteman45 So if you had the chance to buy a 2008 Crown Vic or a 2014 Explorer at a government fleet auction, which would you choose, if they went for around the same price, which I doubt they will? I've mostly driven GM cars, (Grand Prix, Chevy Caprice, Olds 88), and don't have much experience with Fords except for my mother's old 90's Taurus and '80 Mercury Marquis. I've never owned an SUV, but drive the Chevy 3/4 ton farm truck which sits a bit too high for me (I'm only 5'4"). I read the Explorer is about 4 inches lower. Would that be enough to make a difference?
@@RockinCowgirl1000 id probably go with an explorer with a 3.7 because theyre pretty damn reliable to but theres more of an aftermarket option for performance for them my buddy has a 14 3.7 stang has 800hp to the crank and has 110k miles on it another reason for the explorer to is im 6'3 and a vic would just be too i dont know what the word would be
I've been driving a 2016 Utility for 3 years and it has been one of the best cars I've driven. Sadly it's not quite as reliable as the crown Victoria
I don't think anything will ever be as reliable as the Crown Vic. I loved that car! That said, Ford has been addressing those issues and making improvements every year. I want to do an updated video on this vehicle next year to talk about its evolution and improvements.
The 2020 Version Is Better
I'm really curious... This was 2013! I see alot of people bitching about the Explorer, but Mr. Dave Storton... how is the Explorer hanging? I think it's become a beloved police-vehicle..
CHP ended up bailing out on them after terrible performance and reliability at their EVOC facility in Sacramento. They told me that Ford could not help with the issues they were having, so they switched to the Charger. Other agencies have been happy so far, but we may see same issues that CHP had. EVOC puts years of wear on these in just a few months. Time will tell!
This is my truck. mines a 2013 FPIU and it's been a great truck. well up until the time it's becoming a money pit. I miss my CVPI.
Nothing will top the CV!
ford should have just designed a drop in replacement engine with more power for the crown Vic instead of stopping production
It would have been cool to see Ford do a massive upgrade of the CV.
Some fella threw a damn Powerstroke in his Vic. Thing moves.
It will not pass this IIHS series of tests. I also feel like 1 more inch of ground clearance, updated engine and 6 speed trans could have made it a better car but it would have gotten even heavier to pass the tests.
Leon Springs Boys TV the crown victoria did not end production for stuff like it was too slow. New safety standards introduced in 2011 forced ford to completely re-design the crown Vic. Ford decided it was not worth it and on September 14, 2011. The last Ford Crown Victoria rolled off the production line.
4400lbs vs 3800lbs the vic body is 97% metal
You can say it's not an explorer all you want but it is an explorer, it just has revamped suspension and a few reinforcements. A few things have been removed like the center console but it's still the same chassis with the same powertrain.
Just telling you what Ford and the EVOC guys on the advisory board are saying. Either way, agencies are having issues with them. Don't want to argue semantics, I look for performance. So far, performance is not there for many agencies. I am being told the issues have been addressed in the 2019 model. We shall see.
cant stand these cars, especially the newest ones 2015-17. I dont know how people say that these things are roomy at all. I'm 6'1" and cannot get comfortable for the life of me. They run like crap, at least the 3.7 does, and break constantly. I miss you crown vic. I miss your 6,000 RPM scream, your couch like seats, your leg room, your red and green dashboard, and that look you give people's rear view mirrors just when they thought they got away...
dant387 these are much faster and safer than the crown Vic’s.
I've driven the 97 era Crown Vics and the 96 era Caprice with the 5.7 in it. Both made excellent patrol cars. I recently spoke with a local officer and he said that the new charger police vehicles offer little room for the driver, making it hard to get in and out of in a hurry. Now Iv'e never been in one but he went on to say that they really miss the Crown Victoria's. I own a 2010 police vic, been a really great car. Been all over the east part of the country with it. Not having to work with the new explorer interceptor I'm looking on from the outside. But it just looks very small to me.
I also don't understand why an engine replacement program is not available. We all know that engines get worn out from the use and idle hours. I looked for a long time before I found a good used patrol car from a resort town in upper Michigan. 65,000 miles and in very good shape. But if departments are worried about their engines and the rest of the car is in great shape, why not just swap the engine?
Hi Stephen. I liked the Caprice, but the only problem I had was it was difficult to keep control when driving in reverse at high speed. We have the V6 Chargers at the academy, and I do not like them. Space is an issue like you say. Also, they have no power. Some wanted to use them as a dignitary car, but you cannot do a reverse 180 in these without the computer freaking out - even if you turn ESC off.
Ford does not want to support the Vic anymore, so engine replacements would be tough. There were some private companies who ran the numbers in refurbishing Vics for departments, but it was just not cost effective. There have been some big improvements in the Explorer, and I want to make a new video this year. I was initially not an Explorer fan, but I like what I am seeing with the newest versions.
My opinion is that the EcoBoost version of the Utility Interceptor is the best police car out there for 2015. It beats the Dodge Charger V8 hands down and the Chevy offerings don't even come close.
The blind spots are a little bad when you look over the shoulder but it just takes a bit more awareness when driving around. Personally, I think there are just too many features electronically with the phone and audio control and all that. Cops don't need that.
Too bad they killed the CVPI. I loved that car. They could have easily kept that car going with just a 6-speed transmission and bumped up the output to 320hp/350ft-lbs which is easy to do with a modern V8 while not stressing the engine one bit.
I agree, William. I am keeping an eye on some ESC issues that CHP has been having. It doesn't seem to be major, but they are malfunctioning sometimes. I will be posting more info when I get it. I may even do a follow up to this video in the not-too-distant future.
It does not beat the V8 Dodge, especially the AWD Charger. Not even close.
I have had both. The dodge is superior by a mile. 1 Ford v6 is gutless. 2 the dodge handles better. 3 its no roomier in the cab than the dodge and the dodge doors open almost a full 90. 4 the standard shit in The Dodges work, keyless entry, bluetooth hands free, ect. We live in the future, my ford has a back up camera, and I have to key the dam door cause it didn't come standard with fobs. Let's not even start about the deadly exhaust leaks.
The exhaust leaks are not Ford's fault... Look it up
@@teeroux The key fob is a $6 part on ebay, can you not afford that?
Excellent video nice explanation of the evaluation process. It's funny that the P71 crown vic's didn't have traction control and most didn't get the optional LSD. Now the taurus and explorers come out and they have not only traction but stability control and backup sensors.
Thank you. Many departments are now going away from it to the Charger. CHP had so many problems with the Explorer that they dumped it.
My P71 Vic has traction control and rear diff lock. Good set of tires and is very well maintained with low miles. I think it out handles the Explorer Interceptor that I drive. Feels faster too.
I'll take my 2010 CVPI forever. I'm gonna rebuild the engine and tranny when my current engine goes. Been looking at an AWD or 4x4 idea, we'll see. I want to get another one for my son when he gets older.
Would love to see a pic of it when you are done!
The newer Explorer has to be the same as the others. There requires major re-engineering to change the water pump issue which, Ford is not in a position to spend that kind of money to come out with a new engine and tackle the expensive water pump issue. Moreover, they will also have a major engineering issue to re-design the PTO to hold more oil and cast heatsink fins over the entire unit to help keep it cool. So, from my standpoint, the water pump and PTU issues will remain the same. If the PTU would have a proper drainage plug, easy-fill long-hose on top of the unit with a seperate vent so you can easily drain/fill the PTO, that would be a great help.
The plan for me in 2021 is to dive into all that with a new video, and I will have more feedback from CHP by then. The EVOC vehicles get heavy and hard use, so that will be telling. Maybe I am just an optimist, but I am hoping for good news on these. Thanks again for your comments. I will specifically ask about the issues you raised.
U cant compare crown victoria with anything. Crown victoria is like a volvo from 86. Gratz america
+Oliver Sundström I agree Oliver! I admit I am a little sad that the Crown Vic is being phase out. It has been a great car, and a lot of fun at EVOC!
As much as I love the Crown Vic, The new Utility seems to be a great replacement. I will miss the V8 rear drive set up, but up here in upstate NY the new AWD vehicles are so much better in the snow. Our county is using the 3.7 non ecoboost and they seem to like them plus the AWD makes these very good for our harsh northern winters. I wonder how the 3.7 and the 6 speed auto in these things will hold up in the long run, I hope these will hold up as good as the old powertran in the Crown Vics did.
Considering the complexity of the ecoboost models I would doubt that it will be as reliable and tough as the crown Vic but for how long the police forces use them I'm pretty sure they will be just fine
The Explorers definitely look sharp on the roads. I first noticed the CHP using them & now I've noticed all the PDs have them as well. Is the CHP still going to keep using them, or are they moving on to the new Dodge Chargers?
CHP appears to be moving to the charger. They had some significant maintenance issues at their evoc facility. They are working with Dodge on design change recommendations that can reduce the blind spots they have on the current model Charger. I am keeping a close eye on this. I actually plan on taking this video down in the coming months and putting up a new one based on all the new information coming out as the Explorer has been on the road in service now for a while. Great question, keep an eye on my RUclips channel for a follow-up video within the next few months. Stay safe!
Dave Storton The "current" model Charger does not have visibility or maintenance issues. The older, LX (2006-2010) versions did. The Exploder was found to have very high operating costs, both maintenance/repair, and fuel usage. The CHP most certainly would *not* have entered into a multi-year contract with Dodge, if they felt the cars were unreliable.
@@DaveStorton Any updates coming soon?
@@MrEeeaddict Sorry for the delayed answer! I have a call into a good friend who works closely with Ford. I may be due to update this video. I hope they fixed the issues.
like to see the Crown Vic go though snow and the Explorer which one will Win?
Explorer
If you were fleet manager would have you purchased these or Chargers? Also I'm anticipating you doing a test of the current generation Ford Interceptors, to compare the two generations in an objective manner.
I would go with the Ford PUV over the Charger. We have been using the V-6 Chargers at the academy, and I am not impressed. I do not like the way they handle. From a protection driving standpoint (escape and evasion), you cannot do a reverse 180 in a Charger since the computer shuts things down. Sometimes it will give power back in about 5 to 8 seconds, and sometimes you have to turn the car off and restart it to reset the computer.
I have plans to do review of the current generation PUV sometime next year. I also want to review the F150 Police Package.
@@DaveStorton I appreciate your insight. The V6 RWD Chargers don't have adequate power especially with the 5-speed. The AWD V8 would have had improved handling and power, however it looks like Ford did their homework and had the better handling package overall especially in an urban environment.
Not all of the PUs have the backup sensors -- anyone looking at a used one should make sure that it's equipped. The field of view through the back window is high enough that many cars can be there without being seen!
And now they are getting RWD. Im curious as to how they will handle now
More specifically, the next-generation Ford Explorer, which will be the basis for the next Ford Police Interceptor Utility, is now on a rear wheel drive unibody architecture versus the previous front wheel drive unibody platform.
sounds pretty good for a ford
Great. Now I want one
I want one so bad
Why does no one test/evaluate the New 2015 Tahoe PPV?
When I tested the Ford PUV, I also got access to the Caprice. Chevy did not even bring out a Tahoe for us to drive. Gilroy PD has Tahoes and they are very good. A captain there is also an instructor with me at The Driving Company (TheDrivingCompany.com) and he has a 2013 model. He loves it. Many California agencies go with whatever CHP gets since they can piggyback on the state order to save money, so they don't even test anything themselves. Los Angeles County Sheriff does extensive vehicle testing. They have not published anything for 2015 yet, but here is a link to 2014 results: shq.lasdnews.net/shq/vehicle_testing/2014_vehicle.pdf
Honestly Ford should have built a Taurus for police use. I know there is one but they’re not sufficient. They hold similar room in the passenger compartment as the explorer but leas storage space which let’s be honest, would still be practical. Taurus with a turbo 2.3 from the mustang would be quite a beast.
I am not sure why nobody is buying them. www.ford.com/police-vehicles/police-interceptor/sedan/
They say it has not enough interior space
How have they held up over the years. thinking of buying a retired one and wondering if they have reliability issues
CHP had so many reliability issues, they switched to the Doge Charger. I would not buy a retired one.
Thank you for the reply. That's a shame I was really looking forward to getting one.. You may have saved me a lot of money.
If you are looking for a versatile SUV check out the Toyota 4-Runner. Great for the family and super reliable. I have a Tacoma that I teach off road in (TheDrivingCompany.com) and it has 350k miles on it. If you don't want a pickup, 4-Runner is next best. One of my instructors has one, and he loves it.
Dude, I just got one from my local CHP Auction.. had her for 3 days now and so far no issues.. it shows she was well taken care of..
Keep us posted on how it holds up. I am very interested after all the info I got from CHP EVOC. Thanks!
How do you think these will hold up over time? I've noticed with some of our V6 chargers and Impalas that they can be quick but end up in the shop a lot because of the wear and tear. We're still trying to find a good replacement for the crown vic and haven't really settled on anything yet.
Time will tell, but I was so impressed with how durable the Ford CV was that I am hopeful that Ford put the same workmanship into these new police vehicles. The sedan interceptor had an overheating issue on the ones I saw tested before the actual rollout, but Ford seems to have solved that problem. If it were my decision as a fleet manager, I would go with Ford over the other models. The street cops seem to like the Utility best because of the room inside. The sedan can feel a bit cramped if you are a big or tall guy, which a lot of cops are (based on your screen name I am guessing you are Jake!). I would do transition training though since the vehicle handles differently and you can't see behind you well when backing. Definitely make sure you have backup cameras. They will be required by NHTSA in 2018 anyway.
Ofc. Storton - do you teach in person classes to potential applicants/civilians?
No I don't, but I recommend Alameda County Sheriff's Department for anyone preparing to enter and academy if they are worried about EVOC. They have a great group of instructors there, and great classes to help you get ready.
+Dave Storton Thank you! I took a class with them last week. Have a good day sir
CHP's have non turbo versions of these things. They are slugs, and they go through hella Catalytic converters. The Turbo ones most of the local police departments use go through Turbos. I still like driving the Crown Vics over the Explorers anyday.
Agreed- I love the CV! As noted above, CHP had so many maintenance issues they are moving to the Charger is what I am hearing. Be safe!
agree john copello, the catalytic converter go on these because we leave them idling for so long. I agree, they are slugs compared to the crown vic or the dodge chargers we have. I want to like these but I just cant get behind it. I also feel the front seats are not comfortable at all
+Dave Storton I've not heard great things about the longevity of the Chargers. At least around here several larger departments are switching out of Chargers to explorers. I think the real story is nothing holds a candle to the old CVPI. Lol
How many PTUs and 6F55s do you go through?
Yeah I've heard similar out of the 300's not as durable as one might think.. Hemi powered cars with serious mileage sell for peanuts, if they go to 300k like a cv it's on board a trailer.
Brakes get real hot real quick.
We did performance driving training in these and drove them pretty hard, but only with speeds around 55 miles per hour. We did not have overheating issues. I have heard through the grapevine about other agencies having some issue with that at higher speeds.
Is there a way to reverse using the shuffle steering technique?
+Nestor797 yes, see my response on the Shuffle Steering video. Great question!
If anyone has got anything to say, reply when I say this: I want this SUV added into Forza Horizon 5. For the ones that don't know, Forza Horizon 5 is a 2021 racing video game developed by Playground Games and published by Xbox Game Studios. It is the fifth Forza Horizon title and twelfth main installment in the Forza series. The game is set in a fictionalized representation of Mexico. It was released on 9 November 2021 for Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
The game received critical acclaim and became a commercial success upon release; it launched to over ten million players in the first week, the biggest-ever launch for an Xbox Game Studios game. The game won three jury-voted awards at The Game Awards 2021, tying with Hazelight's It Takes Two for most wins.[4]
i understand there's a Potential Issue with 'Expensive' Water Pump Replacement 'issues'..when vehicle approaches 100,000 + miles?. any 'comment's' Please....
I have heard of other issues, but not specifically water pumps. This video is a bit dated, and I plan on doing a video with the newest ones. Ford has made big improvements over the last year or two, and I want highlight those changes. Previous issues included steering box, suspension, and exhaust leakage. My understanding is those problems have been remedied. I had not heard anything about water pumps though.
Needs 4.6 2 valve.
Can't disagree!
Blaine Bugaski my choice would be the slightly de-tuned 5.0 Coyote V8 from the F-150, as an alternative to the Ecoboost V6.
De-tuned? Insanity!
Blaine Bugaski well, yeah....the detuned version would be best suited as it's been developed to be more durable and reliable for heavier duty usage while being able to deliver decent performance....the regular version (non de-tuned) is purely for performance only.
5.3L
do you guys know how to change the floor shifter to a cloumn shifter??
The police version comes with column shifter
The 2020 Explorer Interceptor Utility Has A Hybrid Battery Engine Better Acceleration
I am about to take this down- dated now.
does this have a reverse beeper
No it does not have a reverse beeper. One issue we were concerned with is the backup sensor that beeps inside when you back up close to an ibstacle. If you are trying to be quiet and stealthy, this is an issue.
I rented an Explorer once, and my memories were that it was underpowered (even with the 3.5 V6) and it had a mushy suspension, which is why I'm surprised at how flat the PUV was cornering. I know Ford puts the 3.7 V6 in these instead of the 3.5. How fast do you put these through the slalom?
I had the same reaction when I first drove the prototype. The Ford rep said very little about the PUV is Explorer. They just used the Explorer as a base to work from. They said the only thing that is truely Explorer about the PUV is the skin. After driving it, I believe them. I have had a few civilian Explorers in my off road classes and they are terrible. They get cross-axled if you look at them wrong.
Dave Storton Based on what I experienced with my rental I'm not even slightly surprised. The one I rented dragged its nose on everything that was even slightly tall looking. I know Ford has had some reliability issues with the Ecoboost engines as of late (specifically with carbon build-up), would you happen to know what kind of reliability the police are getting out of the new Police Interceptors, especially the 3.5 twin turbos?
I have not heard any reliability issues through the grapevine, but these vehicles are still very new to the fleets. Time will tell I guess. I am hoping that Ford did as good a job on these as they did the Crown Victoria.The Crown Victoria was very very reliable. I can't believe what we put those cars through at EVOC and they still kept going. We had a good number of the 1999's in the fleet for 10 years beating them up at training over and over again. Even now we are getting cars donated from agencies with 100,000 miles on them and we have been using them for about two years now and they keep going too! Most of our EVOC cars are 2007 and they are still pretty solid.
Also, when we get an explorer on the off road course, we often have to leave it in the staging area and have the student get in one of the instructor vehicles because the Explorers can't do some of our trails.
Dave Storton
We have had lots of issues with them here. Transmissions blowing up at 20K miles, leaking, fuel pumps, and lots more. Many fleets up here are not happy with them, and are starting to buy 2015 Tahoe PPV's.
That is too bad. I will be touching base with CHP in March. I will see how their rollout is going.
Ooh.... I bet I could make it under-steer or over-steer. Hah. Even though the new V6s are probably faster and more economical, I still would like to see them get a V8 only because they sound waaay more intimating...especially for a police vehicle.
As I mentioned in the video, you can easily understeer these vehicles, but you cannot oversteer them. I did a demonstration a few years ago in Tajikistan where I showed the dangers of lateral weight transfer in their armored land cruisers. Those are so heavy they do not oversteer but they will tip up on two wheels.I tried to do the same with the the Ford PUV but I just could not get it to go. It will not tip up, nor will it oversteer. It is so stable I can do a reverse 180 staying in the same lane just like a car. If you can get one to oversteer send me a video and let me know how you did it. I also love the sound of a V-8!
Cool
My crown Vic will smoke this soccer mom car any day
Those cars aren't even intimidating lmao
CaLxRoyalty lol no it wont crown vics are so slow
CaLxRoyalty even the civilian ford explore can beat the slow crown Vic
It absolutely is... 3.7L V6 305hp 4.6L V8 250hp.. The Explorer is a much and MUCH more built for this work
You're an idiot. This car has over 50 more hp and weighs about the same.
The 3.5 and 3.7 are the worst engines made. Water pumps will fail by 70,000 miles. It is timing-chain driven. Replacement is around $1,800.00. The AWD PTO will fail by 60,000 miles. If luck has it, it may fail under warranty. This is a $3,000 fix. Poor design. Part of a Class Action law suit which was just tossed out. The headlight are the worst in the industry according to the Insurance institute; ya, real bad. Stay away from the Explorer AWD, If you can get in in the smaller engine and FWD only, that would be good. You would then have to add extra driving lights.
I am planning to do a new video on the latest explorers. I am hearing good things about the upgrades and fixes Ford has done. Even CHP is going back to them. Hopefully I will have a new video in 2021. All great observations and info Joe! Many agencies have run into these problems.
Not true mine is still holding up all I do is preventive maintenance.
Crown Vic center caps ?🤣
Not sure what you mean.
"Stability - because it's a high center of gravity" - I'm sorry, what? Since when does high center of mass means the car is stable? The higher the center of mass is, the more likely the car is going to roll over.
What I said was that we evaluated it for stability because it is a high center of gravity vehicle. If it wasn't a high CG vehicle, we would not have had the need to evaluate it for stability. You are right that high CG is more likely to roll over, which is precisely the reason we evaluated it for stability.
Ah I see, thanks for clearing that.
I own an ex police utility, I’ve actually took mine 50mph on a 25mph curve. No problems 👍
Charger Pursuit is faster, handles better, and is more reliable.
Unrelated: The driver could do with some advanced driver training. Notice how he shuffles the wheel and doesn't keep his hands at 9&3.
I completely agree. We have been using the v6 chargers at the Academy, and although they do okay I'm not that impressed with them. V8 much better.