2010 4Runner vs 2011 Explorer

[harper7]

Because I'm bored here at work on a slow night......I just priced a 2011 4wd Limited Explorer comparable to mine on their website and it was $43,610 and that wasn't even all the options. All options was close to $48 grand.

Ford IS making Explorer offroad comparisons to the 4Runner and GC's.Hav'nt you seen all their commercials lately? They are all based on "GO DO" and show them offroading and are very simular to the 4Runner "YOU IN" commercials.

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[DaveS]

Since getting a record breaking amount of snow this winter, I've come to the conclusion that the offroad ability in a real truck, like the 4Runner, makes them great for extreme weather. Lets see some comparisons in two feet of snow.



Koz

I had a Highlander before my 4Runner and to me the difference was dramatic - the 4Runner has always felt more "planted" on the road in winter conditions - maybe its the weight of the thing or the more sophisticated drivetrain - I don't really care to be honest. The driving characteristics tend to shape my driving habits to be safer in snow as well I suspect. There are studies out that indicate the easier (and supposedly safer) a vehcile is to drive, the more risks a driver will take in fact - the Runner strikes a good balance between keeping me careful and being there with safety features when I need them.

 

[scanny]

Why? The previous generation Explorer had very poor ground clearance and an IRS. While it had low range, it wasn't exactly very capable offroad, nor were the majority of them purchased for that reason. It did have a reasonable tow rating when equipped with a V8, but like any midsized SUV (4Runner included), the relatively short wheelbase is not ideal for towing heavy loads.

I agree that some people will like new Explorer, I haven't seen it live but I'm sure it's a nice vehicle. But I think that most of the people who bought Explorer liked the fact that is was more truck than a car. Build on frame with low range, high range and auto 4x4 setting, with over 8" ground clearance. Not as offroad capable as Jeep or 4Runner, but still has off-road capability as well as towing capability. Now Ford has stripped all that off. I guess they had their reasons, probably there are not that many people around who like real SUVs. Personally I think that Ford will loose potential Explorer buyers to Jeep and Toyota but maybe they hope to get more new buyers looking specifically for CUV. Well, at least they lost me for sure. I drove Fords for the past 10 years and I was seriously considering Explorer last August when my Escape lease expired. There were no any '10 Explorers left so I statred looking at other makes and I'm glad I found 4Runner for myself. Like it way more than '06 Explorer I drove in the past.

 

[4RBob]

so....the XJ Cherokee was a unibody vehicle. is this not a SUV? IMO, one of the better 4dr off-road vehicles ever made. of course, it has solid front and rear axles.

is the Sequoia a SUV? it does not have even a solid rear axle.

so does an SUV have to have a solid frame, a solid axle, 4Lo?

just food for thought.

 

[steelhead]

I really like the way you grayed out the chrome. Where did you get the paint and what color is that? Thanks

Guess what I parked next to on the hill today.....:whipping2

 

[Quentin]

so....the XJ Cherokee was a unibody vehicle. is this not a SUV? IMO, one of the better 4dr off-road vehicles ever made. of course, it has solid front and rear axles.

is the Sequoia a SUV? it does not have even a solid rear axle.

so does an SUV have to have a solid frame, a solid axle, 4Lo?

just food for thought.

RWD based drivetrain and low range are two "must haves" to be an SUV, IMO. Solid rear axle isn't totally necessary, nor is body on frame. The reason I say this is because these vehicles with a FWD based 4WD system typically aren't designed for very much stress on the drivetrain. Their clutch or viscous style transfer cases leave them 2WD when the going gets tough. A true SUV will allow you to lock the center diff or engage the transfer case where torque is split evenly front to back. 4Lo is obvious.

Again, CUVs are better for your average SUV buyer. But if you have any desire to take it offroad, a real SUV is the way to go.

 

[BLACKANDSILVER]

I am waiting for the day I see a 2011 Explorer that the owner saw that commercial and thought he could go mudding. Hopefully they have good recovery points on them.

 

[M1911]

I agree that some people will like new Explorer, I haven't seen it live but I'm sure it's a nice vehicle. But I think that most of the people who bought Explorer liked the fact that is was more truck than a car.

I disagree with that very strongly. Most people who bought Explorers used them like minivans, but didn't want the stigma of driving a mommy-mobile. They didn't tow or go offroad.

Not as offroad capable as Jeep or 4Runner, but still has off-road capability as well as towing capability. Now Ford has stripped all that off.

The new Explorer has the same tow rating as the 5th Gen 4Runner -- 5000 lbs.

I guess they had their reasons, probably there are not that many people around who like real SUVs.

Look at the sales figures for midsize, truck-based SUVs compared to crossovers. The sales of midsize, truck-based SUVs have tanked. People are still buying crossovers.

Personally I think that Ford will loose potential Explorer buyers to Jeep and Toyota but maybe they hope to get more new buyers looking specifically for CUV.

Which Jeep? Your average soccer mom isn't going to buy a 4-door Wrangler, and the Grand Cherokee is smaller than many of them want (only two rows).

I really wish the new Explorer had more offroad capability, but I don't kid myself that most buyers are like me. The vast majority of SUV buyers don't take their SUVs offroad, so offroad capability is a waste for them. That's why Ford left it out.

 

[M1911]

I am waiting for the day I see a 2011 Explorer that the owner saw that commercial and thought he could go mudding. Hopefully they have good recovery points on them.

Even a 4Runner doesn't have good recovery points.

 

[adrift]

Yeah but the Explorer can't make to the mud hole if it's stuck in the dealers garage trying to get fixed.:redbrick::lmao:
I'll never let my wife by a ford again.:whipping2

 

[scanny]

I disagree with that very strongly. Most people who bought Explorers used them like minivans, but didn't want the stigma of driving a mommy-mobile. They didn't tow or go offroad.

Well if you're right than new Explorer will be a good thing for those people then. Although I think that people you are taking about logically should have bought car based crossovers. For a crossover the new Explorer looks quite good providing it won't have reliability problems. Ford had some failures in the past with Taurus-X and Freestyle we'll see if Ford get it right this time.
I hope Toyota won't follow Ford example and 4Runner will stay the way it is althouhg it's scary how few new 4Runners I see on the road.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I did see a road test of the new Explorer and they did take it beyond what 99% of their buyers would take it and they did abuse it a bit but it did everything shown in their commercials and it'll go further off the beaten path than the most 2wd SUVs but it isn't a true SUV and does join the crossover segment which in the real world is what sells as witnessed by the lack of what we consider SUVs that are available on the market right now.

It's definetly not a rock crawler by any means but it'll handle a rough road and a little puddle jumping but how many Explorer owners will even go that far.

 

[snow&surf]

I really like the way you grayed out the chrome. Where did you get the paint and what color is that? Thanks

Lol, it looks gray because of the lighting but it's actually flat black. I used plasti-dip.