Due to the pandemic, my company approved a fully loaded ST. It has been a very fun vehicle and makes me smile every time I hit the gas. My gas mileage has been averaging 22-23mpg here in KY. More comfortable than I expected too.
We test drove a couple of Explorers two years ago and I loved the power out of the 2.3. There were some issues that were a no go. The wind noise at highway speeds was horrible. You almost had to yell at your passengers. Also my kids who would mostly use the rear seats(second row bench) hated them since they were not as comfortable as the our old pathfinder. We ultimately picked a 3 year old MDX which had better seats, fuel economy and has SH-AWD which works fantastic even in 8” of snow.
The way it’s integrated looks so cheap. This has to be the worst I’ve ever seen. And I initially thought people were complain about the screen placement of the 2021 Camry, but the Explorer takes the cake for the worst
I imagine that any vehicle, even a large one like this, is driven more often without a trailer than with. So the normal-driving fuel economy is much more important than the towing fuel economy.
I went to the local Ford dealer about 3 weeks ago to take a look at a 2022 Explorer King Ranch in Silver. The car looked nice but there was a piece of rubber molding on the left rear door that was buckled and wouldn't go back in place. Also the black trim on that door's quarter window had a big gash in it - not a good sign for a brand new vehicle. I decided to test drive anyway and was put off by the rather loud engine noise even under moderate acceleration. I don't know if this model has the engine noise piped in but I expected a rather tranquil driving experience and this was not that. The salesman kept saying some people like to hear the engine. My 2014 F-150 King Ranch truck (hence the interest in the Explorer KR) is much quieter in regards to the engine (I know different engine) that this KR. I crossed this one off my list.
The Explorer is an overpriced piece of junk. Test drove an S/T back when they first hit the market a couple years ago and couldn't believe how cheap the interior was in a $62K vehicle. The Palisade and Telluride might not have the engine power the Explorer does, but they are far better in every single other aspect, especially interior luxury and build quality at a $10K cheaper price point. I also have had a similar experience with brand new vehicles on a dealer lot with multiple broken items on them: they were both Lincoln Aviators (2020 and 2022); each had at least two broken things in them. Ford/Lincoln quality is absolute trash.
I saw a 2021 or 2022 Limited with a rubber seal clip falling out from the seal strip on the front passenger door. Usually it's the clip coming out from the metal frame, not the clip detaching from the rubber strip.
Yep these were designed to a low price point for the police market. These are $8-10k overpriced. Precoivd you could find them at these steep discounts. At that prices it’s more ok
From the spyshots I've seen, it looks like this will be better looking than the refresh. So if you're not a fan of this Explorer's styling, get any of the previous generations, or look at another brand.
Spyshots? You can look up 2023 Ford Explorer refresh and see what the final model looks like, and I think the refreshed look is nicer than this. Albeit, the Chinese will be getting it before we do.
I never understand why seat configuration 2/2/2 still exist! You go on vacation total six family members and their luggage, and you run out of luggage room since erecting the 3rd row seat becomes a must. At least the 2/3/2 configuration gives a chance to erect half of the 3rd row seat.
Ford is out of their damn mind with the pricing for this. It's not competing with the Palisade (which I would prefer to this) it's competing in price with the infiniti qx60. Not just no, hell no.
The Palisade is built on a mini van platform and is FWD bias. It's more of a soccer dad SUV whereas the Explorer is faster, handles better and is on a RWD bias dedicated SUV platform. The Explorer is more an enthusiast's car.
Wow!! This is one of my favorite Ford SUV'S out there and I will be praying that I will able to afford one of these SUV'S like this someday with the good price of course. But overall, fantastic job and review Alex.
if i could afford a new vehicle, the explorer has always been the one. and only the RWD version here in texas. no korean FWD could equal it. not even close. and the only other one i would consider is the pilot simply because its AWD system is so far superior.
You would have to be a real moron to spend $10K more for this cheap, plastic trash than getting a Telluride or Palisade instead, regardless of the Explorer's higher engine output.
At 7:12 it looks like the recline of the passenger front seat is different than the recline of the driver's seat, possibly making leg room less behind the front passenger. Or, it's just camera angle making it *seem* like the two front seats are reclined differently.
I thought the thumbnail was if the Lyriq and I was like, “YES!” Then I saw it was the Exploder and I was like, “Ok, I’ll still watch.” It’s a great looking and practical vehicle
If the ST engine is available in other trims, then imo, the ST shouldn’t even be called an ST. All the ST would offer at that point is suspension and looks. And that’s not what ST is all about
@@james2042 it was that way from when this current Gen explorer came out. But now starting in 2022, ford made all versions of the 3.0 400hp. Alex even says at 5:18
@@future62 because STs is a performance trim from ford. Focus ST, Fiesta ST, hell even the edge ST got their own performance engine compared to their regular counterparts. The early years of this current Gen explorer the ST made sense cause it had more power than the regular. But now it doesn’t. Therefore the ST trim shouldn’t exist, unless ford is trying to make the ST just an appearance package.
Test drove an XLT. Interior felt cramped and cheap. And the sales kid was telling us something about a recall with the gas cap so we couldn’t get one for 3-4 months. No thanks.
This vehicle is complete junk, as is the Lincoln Aviator based on it. Ford admitted as much with their apology after the horrible launch of both vehicles and all the recalls they required. So poorly built, too.
At 11:51 you bring yet more bad news, which is that Ford has still not worked to allow CarPlay to use the portrait display properly! I think it is Subaru that managed to do so, so what is Ford waiting for? Of course, if the pictures out of China reflect what will be in the 2023 Explorer in the U.S., all *should* be well... Actually though, in your Mach E, did CarPlay take up more room on the portrait display, or was it and the backup camera views forced into that small top area of the screen?
We have a 2020 Toyota HIghlander Hybrid model LE with All Wheel Drive with 3 rows of seats and 8 passenger seating. MPG is now the major issue as gas is $5+ per gallon here in the N/W Oregon Coast and a lot more in other areas. Our highlander averages over 35 MPG and I have achieved well over 40 MPG during summer. Hard to justify getting a Ford Explorer over a Highlander Hybrid, and our Highlander tows our 3,500 lb travel trailer with ease.
I like the exterior styling of this gen Explorer. However the dash design is awful. Would be a deal killer. Those center vent pods look cheap and dated with large matte black plastic. Don't know what Ford was thinking
I would take an X5 any day over this piece of junk or the more comparable, but equally junky, Lincoln Aviator. Both Ford products are just awful when it comes to build quality/materials.
Ford haters love to call them Exploders… back in the 90’s they came with Firestone tires that blew and caused roll overs. I think that is where it comes from. Correct me if I am wrong.
Does Ford let you substitute and 2nd row bench seat for the captain's chairs like they used to do in the ST model? Please "Like" this post if you too want the bench seat. At about 7:32 you share some bad news that no, in fact, only the base Explorer can have a bench seat. If you're right, I guess not enough people took the bench seat option in the ST, making it not worth their while. But wait, there's more! GOOD NEWS EVERYONE! In the Platinum AND King Ranch trim, you can substitute a bench seat for the captains chairs! YAY!
@@trenton737 built better? Than even a Highlander? I’ve heard people complain about the quality and some panel gaps. Not to mention the screen placement is really cheaply placed
@@naveenthemachine Must haven't seen new IIHS testing of the Pilot and Telluride/Palisade. Avoid putting your family in those at all costs. They're poorly built.
The only thing painful listening to your explanation is there is not chapter. And you keep jumping to a different format. Please use chapter so we can jump to what we are interested in. Thank you
The 2nd row bench seat is a no-cost option on all trim levels.
Yeah was about to mention it.
Due to the pandemic, my company approved a fully loaded ST. It has been a very fun vehicle and makes me smile every time I hit the gas. My gas mileage has been averaging 22-23mpg here in KY. More comfortable than I expected too.
22-23 is not that terrible.
@@imnotusingmyrealname4566 - That's really pretty reasonable if you're into the turbo all the time :-)
@@jsfbay1 Definitely.
We test drove a couple of Explorers two years ago and I loved the power out of the 2.3. There were some issues that were a no go. The wind noise at highway speeds was horrible. You almost had to yell at your passengers. Also my kids who would mostly use the rear seats(second row bench) hated them since they were not as comfortable as the our old pathfinder. We ultimately picked a 3 year old MDX which had better seats, fuel economy and has SH-AWD which works fantastic even in 8” of snow.
Am pretty sure that tablet is a deal breaker to many
The way it’s integrated looks so cheap. This has to be the worst I’ve ever seen. And I initially thought people were complain about the screen placement of the 2021 Camry, but the Explorer takes the cake for the worst
@@naveenthemachine The made it worse for the Camry and Idk why they had to do that. But what Ford did makes the Camry 's look excellently placed
@@arhamkhakwani5851 agreed. And to think there couldn’t be a worse screen placement haha. But we were wrong. There is
@@naveenthemachine The narrowness of the screen is the issue. The Mach E and the F150 lighting screens are far more usable.
That's the nice thing about the lower trims - they have a horizontal screen.
I imagine that any vehicle, even a large one like this, is driven more often without a trailer than with. So the normal-driving fuel economy is much more important than the towing fuel economy.
I live near the ocean and see not only Explorers pulling trailers with boats regularly but many SUVs and pickups pulling trailers on a regular basis.
I will say I really like Fords King Ranch interiors.
If I were to get an f150 one day I’d go king ranch over platinum.
I went to the local Ford dealer about 3 weeks ago to take a look at a 2022 Explorer King Ranch in Silver. The car looked nice but there was a piece of rubber molding on the left rear door that was buckled and wouldn't go back in place. Also the black trim on that door's quarter window had a big gash in it - not a good sign for a brand new vehicle. I decided to test drive anyway and was put off by the rather loud engine noise even under moderate acceleration. I don't know if this model has the engine noise piped in but I expected a rather tranquil driving experience and this was not that. The salesman kept saying some people like to hear the engine. My 2014 F-150 King Ranch truck (hence the interest in the Explorer KR) is much quieter in regards to the engine (I know different engine) that this KR. I crossed this one off my list.
The Explorer is an overpriced piece of junk. Test drove an S/T back when they first hit the market a couple years ago and couldn't believe how cheap the interior was in a $62K vehicle. The Palisade and Telluride might not have the engine power the Explorer does, but they are far better in every single other aspect, especially interior luxury and build quality at a $10K cheaper price point. I also have had a similar experience with brand new vehicles on a dealer lot with multiple broken items on them: they were both Lincoln Aviators (2020 and 2022); each had at least two broken things in them. Ford/Lincoln quality is absolute trash.
I saw a 2021 or 2022 Limited with a rubber seal clip falling out from the seal strip on the front passenger door. Usually it's the clip coming out from the metal frame, not the clip detaching from the rubber strip.
Yep these were designed to a low price point for the police market. These are $8-10k overpriced. Precoivd you could find them at these steep discounts. At that prices it’s more ok
The ST does have 275 width tires with the Street Pack. Ours has it, they are great!
That badly designed tablet screen use completely kills it for me. Too bad. The rest is decent. The aspect ration stuff is inexcusable.
From the spyshots I've seen, it looks like this will be better looking than the refresh. So if you're not a fan of this Explorer's styling, get any of the previous generations, or look at another brand.
Spyshots? You can look up 2023 Ford Explorer refresh and see what the final model looks like, and I think the refreshed look is nicer than this. Albeit, the Chinese will be getting it before we do.
That infotainment screen orientation and look is a dealbreaker for me.
I never understand why seat configuration 2/2/2 still exist! You go on vacation total six family members and their luggage, and you run out of luggage room since erecting the 3rd row seat becomes a must. At least the 2/3/2 configuration gives a chance to erect half of the 3rd row seat.
It's not necessary that you understand why I prefer the 2/2/2. In any event you can get one with 2/3/2; it's an option.
The “Oh shit slow down, oh wait it’s just a soccer mom” car
😂
Alex, when are we getting your review of the BMW IX?
Hopefully soon!
I just wish ford would make the big screens optional in all trims of all their vehicles
Ford is out of their damn mind with the pricing for this. It's not competing with the Palisade (which I would prefer to this) it's competing in price with the infiniti qx60. Not just no, hell no.
It is much better than the stupid Palisade in many ways tho
@@spacebound1969 Yeah…the cheap, plastic fantastic interior is just awesome. Fords interiors suck.
The Palisade is built on a mini van platform and is FWD bias. It's more of a soccer dad SUV whereas the Explorer is faster, handles better and is on a RWD bias dedicated SUV platform. The Explorer is more an enthusiast's car.
The future shot of the interior dash looks great and modern.
Seven seats keeps coming up but all Explorers have the option of a bench for the second row.
Only the base model comes with a bench seat (US).
@@craigs34 Looks like the XLT does too, but it is an option.
@@craigs34 All trims can be had with a 2nd row bench as a no-cost option.
@@baddriversofcolga my mistake, I see that now. Thanks
NO ONE is talking about the 4-5 recalls this car already has FROM THE FACTORY. Ford has had over 40-60 recalls since 1-1-22
Wow!! This is one of my favorite Ford SUV'S out there and I will be praying that I will able to afford one of these SUV'S like this someday with the good price of course. But overall, fantastic job and review Alex.
Did you end up being able to get one?
Ha! Perfect song for that CarPlay interface 😂
if i could afford a new vehicle, the explorer has always been the one.
and only the RWD version here in texas.
no korean FWD could equal it. not even close.
and the only other one i would consider is the pilot simply because its AWD system is so far superior.
You would have to be a real moron to spend $10K more for this cheap, plastic trash than getting a Telluride or Palisade instead, regardless of the Explorer's higher engine output.
I will always say no AWD system beats a Subaru's AWD system.
At 7:12 it looks like the recline of the passenger front seat is different than the recline of the driver's seat, possibly making leg room less behind the front passenger. Or, it's just camera angle making it *seem* like the two front seats are reclined differently.
I thought the thumbnail was if the Lyriq and I was like, “YES!” Then I saw it was the Exploder and I was like, “Ok, I’ll still watch.” It’s a great looking and practical vehicle
The cop version is definitely the coolest.
Looking forward to the Explorer Timberline review! I own one and love it so far.
If the ST engine is available in other trims, then imo, the ST shouldn’t even be called an ST. All the ST would offer at that point is suspension and looks. And that’s not what ST is all about
The 400hp version is only in the ST, the rest are like 360
@@james2042 it was that way from when this current Gen explorer came out. But now starting in 2022, ford made all versions of the 3.0 400hp. Alex even says at 5:18
Why does it matter
@@future62 because STs is a performance trim from ford. Focus ST, Fiesta ST, hell even the edge ST got their own performance engine compared to their regular counterparts. The early years of this current Gen explorer the ST made sense cause it had more power than the regular. But now it doesn’t. Therefore the ST trim shouldn’t exist, unless ford is trying to make the ST just an appearance package.
Still different tuning and suspension
I Have an Original 2020 Ford explorer Platinum with 21" Rims...which look much nicer then the King Ranch 20" rims in this video
I have the 2.3L 4 cylinder. It's plenty peppy, but you sure won't buy it for its sound. 😆
Ty
Test drove an XLT. Interior felt cramped and cheap. And the sales kid was telling us something about a recall with the gas cap so we couldn’t get one for 3-4 months. No thanks.
Does it come with an extinguisher?
I would still take an Atlas over an explorer. The reliability of the Exploders is notorious at my local Ford Dealer.
Atlas is literally the least reliable model in this segment.
Why would you get an Atlas if you want reliability?
Lol atlas is one of the most unreliable vehicles u could get for that price
That Exploder things was witty, oh, 15 years ago. Clever boy.
There is just no way to take this car seriously with that glue on tablet on the dashboard
What do you think about the timberline?
Personally not a big fan of the stormtrooper look. Hopefully the 2023 MY will have a sleeker front design
Why not bring a phev to compete with 4xe?
did they fix all the fit and finish complaints?
Too many issues requiring recalls
This vehicle is complete junk, as is the Lincoln Aviator based on it. Ford admitted as much with their apology after the horrible launch of both vehicles and all the recalls they required. So poorly built, too.
At 11:51 you bring yet more bad news, which is that Ford has still not worked to allow CarPlay to use the portrait display properly! I think it is Subaru that managed to do so, so what is Ford waiting for? Of course, if the pictures out of China reflect what will be in the 2023 Explorer in the U.S., all *should* be well...
Actually though, in your Mach E, did CarPlay take up more room on the portrait display, or was it and the backup camera views forced into that small top area of the screen?
What is 0-60 for the 2.3L engine?
Mid to low 6 second range from what i heard
Is the Timberline available with the V6? If so, that's the version I would want.
No
We have a 2020 Toyota HIghlander Hybrid model LE with All Wheel Drive with 3 rows of seats and 8 passenger seating. MPG is now the major issue as gas is $5+ per gallon here in the N/W Oregon Coast and a lot more in other areas. Our highlander averages over 35 MPG and I have achieved well over 40 MPG during summer. Hard to justify getting a Ford Explorer over a Highlander Hybrid, and our Highlander tows our 3,500 lb travel trailer with ease.
15-20% of car reviews are now about 'infotainment'
I like the exterior styling of this gen Explorer. However the dash design is awful. Would be a deal killer. Those center vent pods look cheap and dated with large matte black plastic. Don't know what Ford was thinking
I loved my Explorer St until it needed warranty work done. Ford provides some of the worst customer service . Traded in in 4 months ago.
What did you buy as replacement?
@@moloono1 A BMW X5
@@rdays1070 Nice, congrats!
I would take an X5 any day over this piece of junk or the more comparable, but equally junky, Lincoln Aviator. Both Ford products are just awful when it comes to build quality/materials.
Here at work we call them Ford exploders.
Hahahaha
Ahh shit lol do you work at a dealership or something?
Why?
Why
Ford haters love to call them Exploders… back in the 90’s they came with Firestone tires that blew and caused roll overs. I think that is where it comes from. Correct me if I am wrong.
Um where’s part 2 of this video?
Check out the end of the video
@@AAutoBuyersGuide I found it. I just wish there was a pinned link in the comments 😆
Hello CAFE?
Are these Explorers still unreliable?
Trying to stop ad
The reviews on the Explorer have been terrible. Why is Alex pushing this SUV? Seems very suspicious
Just because a lot of people say it sucks does not mean it's truly awful. It just means most people don't like it
He says the Explorer reminds him of an American BMW X5 in driving dynamics
What reviews have been terrible?
@@baddriversofcolga
ruclips.net/video/emrawH_HsFY/видео.html
And I own one lol. The hood peeled twice, the timing belt went and the steering column had to be replaced.
I don’t like turbo engines. Too much go wrong over time. I get a Telluride over this any day.
The Telluride is FWD bias, slow, bad handling soccer dad SUV built on a mini van chassis. Very popular with Ladies who Lunch around here.
Yes, and the world is flat Paul. Move into the current century and discover that turbos actually are reliable.
Did you get those shoes from Costco?
Does Ford let you substitute and 2nd row bench seat for the captain's chairs like they used to do in the ST model? Please "Like" this post if you too want the bench seat.
At about 7:32 you share some bad news that no, in fact, only the base Explorer can have a bench seat. If you're right, I guess not enough people took the bench seat option in the ST, making it not worth their while. But wait, there's more!
GOOD NEWS EVERYONE! In the Platinum AND King Ranch trim, you can substitute a bench seat for the captains chairs! YAY!
Too bad it gets ford car reliability
Ah yes, let's test out the third row and say how good it is without folding the second row seat back to normal. Dummy.
Why are people paying $60k for this... cheaply built rip-off
Certainly built better than a Telluride and Pilot.
@@trenton737 built better? Than even a Highlander?
I’ve heard people complain about the quality and some panel gaps. Not to mention the screen placement is really cheaply placed
@@naveenthemachine Must haven't seen new IIHS testing of the Pilot and Telluride/Palisade. Avoid putting your family in those at all costs. They're poorly built.
@@trenton737 you are making a fool out of yourself
@@trenton737 I don't think so
The only thing painful listening to your explanation is there is not chapter. And you keep jumping to a different format. Please use chapter so we can jump to what we are interested in. Thank you
Hm, this is the same format we've been using for 8+ years...
@@AAutoBuyersGuide yes, it's time to change for the better.
Why would they have the same engine from the ST?! And only have 6 seats?! Ford wtf