2011 Ford Explorer finally revealed...

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by Sax1031

I'd say the negative feelings towards SUVs started more than 2 years ago.

Ah, eco-terrorists are perfect representatives of the average consumer

[Zabo]

Actually forwarded the article to my mom whose lease on the Edge ends at the release point of the '11 Exploder...

She wants one now.

First she wanted a Camaro but couldn't see out of it.. then a Taurus but didn't like being low in a car... now this. She did like the Enclave, maybe I should try to get her behind the wheel of a Traverse LS/LT (then again we have Z plan so..).

[motorhead]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

Well, at the time there was no such thing as a crossover either. But if I had to call a Grand Cherokee one thing or the other, I'd go with an SUV since it has the driving characteristics of one and not of a car based crossover.

Crossovers debuted about 10 years ago so I wouldn't say they're a reaction to the negative opinion about the SUVs that began about 2 years ago when gas prices went through the roof.

They might have debuted 10 years ago ,but they didn't get really popular until the last two years when the suv got their bad rap. I remember a lot of people making fun of them when they came out now where all driving them including me.
Either way, From what I've read about the explorer it's going to be more suv then crossover as far as the offroad side of things are concerned. I really think the darango is going to be a better unit than the explorer anyhow, because it's being built off the jeep platform. I love my new traverse ,but I wish it had a V-8 option like the Jeep and soon to be here Darango.

[syr74]

Originally Posted by Stew

I think this will sell well and probably end up killing the flex which basically operates in the same niche.

I too think the Flex may well die, although Ford continues to quietly insinuate that the Flex is accomplishing what they want it to bringing in conquest sales from the coasters with whom the import automakers have been continually strong (East and West coast buyers living in the cities along those shorelines)

Originally Posted by Stew

Syr74 I 100% disagree with the Escape being the last of it's breed, I see the Forrester, Patriot, and Suzuki VItara operating in the same market and the last 2 even offer low range gears for their 4x4 systems and even the base Patriot 4x4s have a 4wd lock feature that works really well. I also see the Toyota Rav4 in the same bracket as the Escape with more traditional SUV type styling, not to mention the escapes corporate twins the Mariner and Tribute (is the Tribute even still built?).

I may have done a poor job of making my point here, sorry 'bout that. My point wasn't that the Escape is a true suv, in fact I look at it as a cute ute even though Ford disagrees. My point was that I don't think there are really any true compact cuv's/suv's left outside of the Escape. Everything has grown large and more expensive with the only potentially legit compact contender I can think of being the Compass.

Originally Posted by DGthe3

Even if the old explorer wasn't that great off road, it's still going to be superior to this Taurus based crossover when leaving the pavement. Plus, minimum tow rating has dropped by 3000 lbs, and max towing by 2000. Sure, arguments can be made that most people don't need all that utility, but that ignores my point: the new Explorer is not an SUV, its a crossover.

Ah, I appreciate your stance on what is and what is not actually an suv, in fact I am a suv purist at heart myself having had a soft spot for the older Bronco and Grand Wagoneer since I was a kid. That said, you will see me refer to both traditional suv's and crossovers both as suv's because, from what I have seen, that is what the 'general consensus' seems to have swung to. It reminds me of the dilution of the terms roadster, pony-car, and muscle-car and deep down I don't like it, but I think in this case as in those the genie has already left the bottle.

[Georgie]

Flex is like their minivan--its one cool minivan imo

[syr74]

Originally Posted by Georgie

Flex is like their minivan--its one cool minivan imo

I like it myself, and I agree that it was obviously not meant to compete with crossovers like the Explorer but rather the minivans of the competition. That said, I do sometimes worry about the Flex' future and think the concept may have sold better if executed on a somewhat smaller scale.

[Sax1031]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

Ah, eco-terrorists are perfect representatives of the average consumer

I was just pointing out that the views of SUVs being big bad gas guzzlers was around well before gas went through the roof.

The only thing gas going up did was force people that didn't care about the environment to take a closer look at gas mileage.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by Sax1031

I was just pointing out that the views of SUVs being big bad gas guzzlers was around well before gas went through the roof.

The only thing gas going up did was force people that didn't care about the environment to take a closer look at gas mileage.

Point is, it was a minority of people back then not the typical consumer. Not that long ago, there were also people torching Priuses but that doesn't mean they represent any a large segment of the population.

[Sax1031]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

Point is, it was a minority of people back then not the typical consumer. Not that long ago, there were also people torching Priuses but that doesn't mean they represent any a large segment of the population.

I can agree with that.

[All-Or-Nothing]

We all have to remember this is a site full of car enthusiasts. (with some exceptions) Anyways our definition of SUV and CUV is vastly different from the majority of the buying public. Ford hit a home run with this new Explorer and it will be a BIG seller. I think the MyTouch will absolutely win alot of people over just by itself.


It's a Unibody blah blah blah. So is the Grand Cherokee and the extremely capable Land Rovers. Anyone who thinks this Explorer will not be a success is just a Ford hater and refuses to admit that this truck fits exactly where it should be for the buying public.

[motorhead]

Originally Posted by All-Or-Nothing

We all have to remember this is a site full of car enthusiasts. (with some exceptions) Anyways our definition of SUV and CUV is vastly different from the majority of the buying public. Ford hit a home run with this new Explorer and it will be a BIG seller. I think the MyTouch will absolutely win alot of people over just by itself.


It's a Unibody blah blah blah. So is the Grand Cherokee and the extremely capable Land Rovers. Anyone who thinks this Explorer will not be a success is just a Ford hater and refuses to admit that this truck fits exactly where it should be for the buying public.

[oldfriend]

Nothing new in there it is just like the Ford EDGE what a lost opportunity for Ford , just mine opinion anyway !!!

[motorhead]

Originally Posted by oldfriend

Nothing new in there it is just like the Ford EDGE what a lost opportunity for Ford , just mine opinion anyway !!!

The edge is a great vehicle. It will be even better for 2011 with the turbo V-6 from the taurus.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Interior...VERY nice!

Exterior........notsomuch. :(