The SUV of tommorow!
- Thread starter JohnsD90
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Clemsonfan15
New member
Haha.
The new Explorers are a joke. I bet there are a few cars that have more ground clearance than them.
The new Explorers are a joke. I bet there are a few cars that have more ground clearance than them.
GottaBeTRD
New member
wow that thing is totally useless! i guess unless your a soccer mom and dont plan in driving in any kind of snow or terrain
The Explorer reminds me of a pickup I saw the other day - the suspension was lowered with the most insanely thin low profile tires and a skirt all round. A bag of dog food in the bed would have it grounded I suspect. Needless to say the gut wrenching bass pouring out of it just added to the whole ensemble. It's all looks over capability.
Oddly enough it was my teenager who was asking "why would you do that to a pickup?
Oddly enough it was my teenager who was asking "why would you do that to a pickup?
michael833
New member
this is why Fords are no bueno.
JohnsD90
New member
Since it's based on the taurus. Thats not even crossover status, thats let me put this big body on a midsize car and give it a name that implies something its not.
however this will be fine for 99% of suv drivers and they'll love how their "truck drives just like a car!!"
JohnsD90
New member
"Rusty" (my 97) thinks he is a small hatchback, i haven't the heart tell him he's a midsize SUV.
Thai
Elite Member
What do you think the Toyota Highlander/Venza, Honda Pilot, Mercedes GLK, Infiniti EX, Acura MDX, VW Tiguan, etc. are based on? These are all crossovers and they are all based on a car platform.
Remember, what you see is deceiving...the Explorer has a low air dam that is to improve fuel economy...and i believe removable. I am sure that it has a low front crossmember/support structure to prevent driving over your lowered Jetta in a front collision. So, before you laugh at it, you should remember that part of the reason that most SUVs (including 4runners) are low up front is to prevent crushing folks like YOU who lowers their cars beyond factory specs. As i now drive a normal car, i am thankful that these SUVs won't crush me in a collision! :thumb3:
BTW, officially, the Explorer has a ground clearance of 7.6", which is higher than all cars that i know of...and is on par with most other crossovers. Not so long ago, we all laugh at the 4th gen 4runner's 8.1" ground clearance!
Thai
Elite Member
Since we have lost another truck-based SUV to crossover status, i am hoping that Ford will go back to the truck-based SUV when it brings back "Bronco"!!!!!! :bravo: From rumors so far, it seems like Bronco will be just another Honda CRV/RAV4 fighter.
JohnsD90
New member
It may be lower, but they are factory springs off the high performance model, completley factory spec on a different model. Same as what toyota did with the 99 tall springs.
Thai
Elite Member
Ahh i see...same difference then...these new SUVs are designed not to rollover your and my butt in a front collision.
ChildrenOfBodom
Moderator
BEHOLD, CAPABILITY!
ALL OF YOU ARE WRONG!
:lmao:
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as capable as a 4Runner!!
(A 4Runner without wheels)
ALL OF YOU ARE WRONG!
:lmao:
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as capable as a 4Runner!!
(A 4Runner without wheels)
I do think it's a bit cheeky to call it "explorer" when its unlikely to be able to explore much beyond a mall car park - perhaps "Shopper" would be more appropriate. Now the ford "escape" is aptly named - the last time I sat in one, that was exactly the word that came straight into my mind.
Thai
Elite Member
I looked at one recently, along with the Forester because my brother is in the market of a small SUV. Anyway, it was OK. I would not take it any further than what you saw in the Explorer video. There is no protection underneath, not even a shield of any sort to prevent mud/water from spraying up into the engine bay. All sorts of stuff was hanging low. It was kinda disappointing...basically these are just cars on high heels...not much was done for off-pavement travel despite Subaru's claims.
Thai
Elite Member
The question is...can other crossovers do more? If not, then i am not sure why we are all pissing on the Explorer?? "Highlander" seems like the wrong name for what it is also.
But, i do have a problem with Ford SUVs...they are all very similar...so, i am having a hard time keeping up with them! Like Toyota, they have all sorts of crossovers for all sorts of jobs...Flex, Edge, Explorer, etc..
JB.
New member
Apples to apples. Officially, 9.1 to 7.6, but much more limiting to the Explorer are these numbers:
Approach Angle [deg] 21.7
Departure Angle [deg] 21.4
Ramp Breakover Angle [deg] 16.5
A Honda Pilot, for instance, has much better angles.
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