2012 Ford Explorer First Drive and Review

( www.TFLcar.com ) The 2012 Ford Explorer Limited 4WD is the new face of the American family hauler. Just like the Chevy Traverse and the Dodge Durango, the Explorer is available in all-wheel-drive, it seats seven, and like the other Crossovers, it has plenty of room to haul you and all of your stuff. In this first drive video review Dave spends a week with the 2012 Explorer Limited 4WD and he even takes it on a road trip to evaluate the new big family rig from Ford to see just how well it works in the real world.

[@rylieboll7745]

My family of 7 had a Ford Expedition, but when the oldest moved out we got an explorer which we love

[@kidsgames7682]

I may be a little late but my dad owns a 2012 Ford Explorer Limited 4wd and we love that car. We Don't have any complaints about it, it looks nice, rides nice, and have had it for more that 100K miles.

[@coydog7902]

It’s such a nostalgic Vechile and it has the legendary Taurus V6. This blows the 2020 facelift out of the water!!!!!!

[@1guyin10]

These mid-size SUVs are still a very, very strong market. Between the Explorer, Edge and Escape Ford has this market well covered. They have a B segment offering (based on the Fiesta platform) that is offered elsewhere and could be offered here if a market for it develops.

[@VToldsMotoShow]

The same case is with the new Infiniti QX56 - folding back seats takes ages. I guess they force you to hold the button to avoid the situation when somebody or something pushes it accidentally and the seats start squeezing passengers who may be sitting there.

[@Vanuatoo]

I'm 6 foot tall and when I tried the rear seat my head was touching the ceiling. I was not comfortable until I reclined the seat. The car feels so big outside but it's really sad that it's cramped inside. Cargo area is really good and really like the stowing 3rd row seats, but it would be great to also have old-style 2nd row folding seats when you have completely flat flour.

[@76carmel]

In 2013, the new Explorer Sport will have 3.5L EcoBoost V6 from the Taurus SHO and F-150. Hopefully, it will help the lack of power in the base V6.

[@hejmuesli]

That was an absolutely great review. Good job, Dave.

[@edace1231]

No i own one myself and its a great car! i had a ford mechanic come too my house but because he needed too install a new version of my touch on my explorer might that be the problem? havent heard anyone have a problem of the explorer since working at my ford dealer?

[@MahoganyRaven]

i want this as my first car

[@coydog7902]

Same or a Toyota FJ Cruiser

[@jojotag5344]

just bought it today first car:)

[@NFox6]

my ford touch isnt hard to get used to and once you are used to it you have far more control options than you do in other cars. i hear ya on the footrest though, i have the same problem and i hope that Ford can fix that in next years explorer model. I don't see what you mean with the driving characteristic, it handles fantastically for a suv and is very responsive. what it might be is that you aren't getting any road feel from the steering wheel because it uses an epas system.

[@indepthcarreviews4796]

It can also be offered with a 3.5 V6 EcoBoost with a far from under powered 365hp. It gets it from 0-60 in just about 7 seconds.

[@Transam941]

The rear seatbelt airbags are neat.

[@omarns]

i can swear that the myford touch is one of simplest in car system to use all you have is four corners a phone, climate, map and music corner can it really get any simpler than that

[@1guyin10]

No. Google the B-max, which is somewhere between a crossover and a minivan. Kind of an interesting design. It would compete with things like the Fiat 500L that is coming out next year. Ford also has the less minivan-ish Ecosport which is based on the same B-platform as the Fiesta and B-max. They do not feel there is enough demand for that size vehicle to warrant tooling them up for North America at this time.

[@gene978]

I am 6'1" and you opened my eyes on that left foot rest. What are they SMOKING!? I heard the Durango is having its last year thanks to the Fiats Chairman.

[@victorfrey7459]

if you get the eco boost it has the power of a small V8

[@brihamlin1]

My only beef with the Explorer is the price...the cost to lease or buy seemed very high and the dealer had a take it or leave it attitude (sales must be good). Overall a very useful review...thanks.

[@hifihometheater]

youre the only person to point out that foot stop. I dont like it either! Not a lot of foot room in the drivers seats. thanks

[@samueljames8877]

I really don't think a review should have a personal 'If it were my money' opinion. It should be completely unbiased and leave the consumer to decide based on what the review said.

[@walrusking14]

Dave reminds me of michael from burn notice

[@OnusofStrife]

I think its just to get people to think they are not driving a station wagon. Seems to be the evil word. I don't see it as a problem seeing as most suvs were just wagons before the word SUV came along. Most people don't need the heavy duty aspect sadly, and complaints about fuel economy put us where we were. Station wagons were going on there way out when i was a kid but the few i was in were very very cool. I Loved the reverse facing seat in the trunk.

[@boberson33]

No actually less power than that, the Ecoboost has 4 cylinders, even the 6 cylinder turbo is still slightly less powerful, I checked

[@pointandshoot757]

ford is coming out with the C-Max this fall, which is a mini mini-van. is that what your talking about?

[@camshaft53149]

i like this car just for the price id buy a crew cab f150 or a fully loaded flex.

[@grandemage]

I for one like the MFT and Sync systems and have no problems using it. Really didn't take more than a day for me to know all I needed to use it so I really don't know why reviews are always calling it complicated when really its not. =\

[@racer776690]

Very well put at the end

[@TheHamm91]

Expedition/EL compete with Tahoe and Suburban, Explorer is against the Traverse for now

[@SayCheeseDXB]

Dodge Durango?? Imo, Ford Explorer beats it by resale value, servicing and looks.

[@TheMagicPiggy]

alianisz lol it goes for about 12k now all cars loose a lot of value

[@mrhighway]

Do a Explorer vs Durango

[@SilbarPR]

Sorry but I love my 2014 Explorer (XLT). As others have noted below, the My Ford Touch is SO EASY to use. Four smart quadrants. You'll figure it out in minutes. There's also a free My For Touch iPhone app which let me learn how to use the system as I awaited the arrival of my car.

[@cornbread70s4]

SilbarPR ....I just bought an explorer and I LOVE it!! Looks....ride...tech..... all terrain capable...it is perfect for me and my family.

[@mrspeaspod]

i had a 04 land rover discovery before buying the '12 explorer and its NOTHING like the land rover!!!

[@madjak30]

I don't think Dave has kids...the third row is almost a necessity if you have more than one (I have 4?), so saying he'd prefer the Edge...not feasible...

[@ryansvloggingit5492]

is it reliable

[@PhuocNguyenCanada]

thanks

[@dulceypeligroso]

Dude, the My Ford Touch is NOT that complicated. Four color coded quadrants marked with tabs on a screen - how friggin' difficult is that to operate? Seriously, are you a Luddite?

[@traintownofcowee]

Ford Explorer is a great vehicle but the Dodge Durango is way better.

[@boberson33]

Man...the Explorer was a V8 family hauler with actually offroad ability and towing of up to 7400lbs (when properly equipped) now it has 4 cylinders and erectile disfunction.

Wrong

[@maratthmola]

i want simpler? !?! Its not that difficult.

[@mb013962]

does this compete with the tahoe and suburban?

[@racer776690]

I love how some critics try to defend the 5th gen explorer when they haven't even seen its MSRP and how its a rip off from Range rover.

[@bobalobalie]

It's a rip off from Range Rover? LOL! The newest gen Range Rover is actually a rip off of the Explorer. The newer body styled Range Rover came out it 2013. This generation of Explorer came out in 2011. As well, Ford used to own Land Rover. So, the similar terrain knob and icons are Ford's anyways. Lastly, whats' wrong with it's MSRP? Nothing sells for MSRP but, it is in line with it's direct competitors. Educate yourself.

[@A_guan]

seronto??

[@95thRiflesOCI]

Only 80 cubic feet in total, that's nothing, the highlander has around 90+ with all seats folded.

[@WhiteGravey]

thats a buttload of space i can live back there.

[@insidertrading1]

This would look great with the new Fusion's front design... Over priced. Durango or new Pathfinder

[@boberson33]

LOL the new Ford Explorer, i mean, Ford Focus Crossover, only tows 5000 compared to 7400 lbs, and "the ice cold air leather seats", the fuck does that mean? Ice cold air leather seat? let me remind you of the fact that real explorer offers both of those, ever heard of a reply button? And, Microsoft sync is notorious for being impossible to use and treacherous. 2010 Explorer is perfect on road and off. PS. Just looked it up the new explorer even w/ top engine less has hp than the '09

[@boberson33]

But lets see it actually go offroad as well as the previous one, lets see a transfer case, the old explorer had more 3rd row legroom, more cargo space, a bigger fuel tank...and better towing capacity

[@vwmatt33]

Soranto??!! To funny!!

[@FrapsYou]

looks more like a land rover discovery.

[@jonajs98]

And Toyota Highlander.

[@grandemage]

I would have to agree, everything Ford is doing lately is so light duty and badly over priced compared to its competition (even after rebate incentives). I too would choose the Dodge Durango for the large SUV choice (along with a few others). All these V6 (or smaller) "SUV's" are nothing more than gas guzzling, inefficient, mini vans instead of the true 4x4 medium/heavy duty vehical they should be.

[@SarayuMecha]

nice

[@mlps93]

Ford is still rather unreliable my neighbour had one of these and I saw a Ford Mechanic van outside their house working on the vehicle a few times within a 1 month period. Also, myfordtouch is probably the worst interface system ever.

[@maxthehulk]

i think honda pilot is better choice than ford explorer

[@melrichardson2392]

Always loved Ford but they do stupid things and customer service sucks it's terrible take your money and run who are you ,Ford pirates.

[@FrapsYou]

I am not talking about yours. Just google it. Phss....

[@ItsMercerBaby]

Looking like a Range Rover huh???

[@peng2732]

Damian Cooper the newer white one fr look like range rovers from the side

[@kdog18ful]

YEAA dodge Durrango !! Lol

[@boberson33]

Lol u actually don't even have a drivers license, the new explorer looks like it was designed by disney in the 1960s, talk about cheap material this things a crossover no offroad, no towing, no v8 enough said, goodbye

Shut up weirdo 💀

[@FrapsYou]

Trolo lo lo lol lol laww trololol lawww..

[@FrostedCold]

Buy it while you can. It's discontinued.

[@Aligums]

Kia sorento!!??? The traverse??? Crazy, KIA stands for Killed in action and the definition of traverse is shitty minivan not SUV