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2016 Ford Explorer receives cosmetic and powertrain updates
Long gone are the days the Ford Explorer single-handedly dominated SUV sales charts like it used to in the 1990s. Today’s shopper has an abundance of modern crossover choices, and the Explorer doesn’t stand out the way it once did. Amid such competition, Ford has updated the Explorer for 2016, including several tweaks to make its appearance less truck-like.
More importantly, there’s a new available engine: a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 280 hp. This EcoBoost powerplant is shared with the Mustang and Lincoln MKC. Thanks to plenty of torque, it does a pretty good job pulling around the Explorer, even with the optional all-wheel drive. It doesn’t sound all that refined, though. The standard engine remains a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 290 hp, but the 2.3-liter four cylinder actually has more torque. Top-trim Sport and Platinum versions gild the lily with the 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 and exclusive interior and exterior enhancements.
Ford retuned the suspension, but this family bus still feels rather big to drive with reluctant handling. Most rivals are much more sedan-like in their reflexes, particularly the Dodge Durango, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Toyota Highlander. To its credit, ride comfort remains mostly settled and the cabin is quiet, except for the raspy engine.
An update can only go so far given the basic architectural shortcomings, and there are lots of them on this dated platform. Outward visibility is problematic, with massive front windshield pillars and a small rear window. It doesn’t help that it feels like you’re sitting deep in a pit inside, surrounded by high door sills. There’s tons of wasted space between you and the door. With all of that room, you’d think the narrow-feeling seats could have been made wider. The left foot rest is pushed so far inboard that it makes you sit crooked, and over time, you begin to feel that in your lower back.
This Explorer has the MyFord Touch infotainment system, which is convoluted and can be frustrating to use. Explorers fitted with the simpler Sync 3 system most likely won’t be on sale until later in the 2016 model year. Either way, the Sony stereo now gets regular buttons to replace the horrible touch-sensitive flush switches from before, but did they have to cram all of these buttons into a two-inch high strip?
On the plus side, there is plenty of passenger room inside, even in the third row. And like other Fords, there are some clever options here, like a surround-view camera system and inflatable rear seat belts. And not only will the SUV find a parking spot and slot itself into it automatically, it also knows how to get itself out of it. Impressive trick.
Ultimately, even with the updates, it feels like Ford is buying time with this late-life update until a complete redesign arrives, likely based on the much more modern Fusion-based platform.
—Tom Mutchler
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