Ford Explorer Platinum 2016 Review | TestDriveNow

[@tvm7588]

I really like your reviews. Concise, yet informative. Full of relevant info and commentary without much fluff. Keep up the good work!

[@stevehammes]

+T VM Thanks very much!

[@brianc7995]

I have to say, I like the way you give us your REVIEW, always fair and in a positive note. Great job

[@TJC450]

Every time I see an explorer sport I hit the brakes thats all the cops use around here.

[@jamelmoore4356]

Fantastic review Steve! Thanks for sharing! It appears that Ford has truly elevated this Explorer to a whole new level of luxury! I personally find this to be the most desirable vehicle in the segment; With the Grand Cherokee being a VERY close second!

[@travismcquaig6906]

Jamel Moore I agree

[@6ec6YRFPTcC]

i rented an Expedition with this engine and was very impressed at the power. I think I would like it even better in a smaller package

[@scottleech4428]

one of the best all round reviewers on the web

[@stevehammes]

+Scott Leech Thanks, Scott!

[@plutonium9]

+Scott Leech Yep, him and Tom Volk.

[@brorowcarwiz]

I realize that the two engines are in no way similar in terms of power etc, but our 4Runner with the 4.0 V6 gets far better average mpg's than that. I thought these unibody CUV's were supposed to save the world from is fuel guzzling self? Guess I'll stick to BOF.

[@TheGtracer1994]

+brorowcarwiz Want to hear something even funnier? My 81 CJ-5 with a 350 engine swap did 15 mpg recently (with softer cam in the works, it'll do even better). Granted, it weighs much less than the Explorer, but the 35 years difference should have given the advantage to the Explorer, right?

[@bUtMyRiGhTs]

+TheGtracer1994 I bet this 215ci explorer has 150 more WHP than your 350ci in your jeep. At this point though, these cars are just Mall Finders. Which is what I call my brothers Path Finder. His actually has taller sidewall tires than this explorer. My 2002 Explorer Sport took on hundreds of blizzards in the Chicago land area with no problem. It had the real truck tires on it though and not street flats.

[@TheGtracer1994]

+Chris P. Change of cam and adding aluminum heads will fix the power issue easily and the engine will be more capable of handling the power compared to the Ecoboost. The Ecoboost is impressive power wise, but I am skeptical about small turboed engines in large vehicles, but that's just me.

[@EvanderSmart]

Explorer has zero sex appeal, which is mandatory for 50 large. If you find the last Honda Pilot cool, this is right up your alley. This vehicle has had the same generic design and styling since it came out 25 years ago. A good value in the mid-$30s. The Durango and Highlander are sexier choices.

[@EvanderSmart]

snazari1994 The new Pilot looks like a swollen CRV. The Highlander is definitely edgy and sporty in comparison

[@justrandomthings319]

+Bitcoin Video University Lol. Durango is an unreliable piece of sh!t. My mum had one and it was one of the worst cars she's ever owned.

[@ponygt6629]

+Bitcoin Video University Explorer has its own unique strengths its styling aint for everyone but for the majority this is what seals the deal, look at sales chart, Explorer beats every other competition by a huge margin, that too for the past 5 years

[@TJC450]

Should have LEDS on the inside as well for that price.

[@TJC450]

+Tommy O'Leary I know. LEDs really need to start being standard. They last longer and look better. Car companies can shape them in any way.

[@BlisAx]

+TJC450 In 2013 The ford Fusion has used exclusively LED lighting for the interior. They say that eventually all of their vehicles are to be the same. They are getting there.

[@Veyronp87]

i like the explorer but not this trim level. 53k will nearly get you a pretty decent luxury crossover like an MDX or XC90

[@khunopie9159]

Is Helly Hansen a Testdrivenow sponsor? I'd like to see an Explorer HH edition, swaddled in rich Corinthian leather

[@stevehammes]

+Khu NoPie Yeah!!! Me, too!

[@thainguyen-jf5zu]

should I choose this or highlander SE because I like Toyota

[@mikem2253]

What's an Audi Q7 start at? For that kind of money id be looking upscale.

[@munzerahmed3490]

Thanks Steve. Appreciate that

[@76carmel]

Where was this shot at?

[@stevehammes]

+Billy Sou in Schoharie County, NY at the Old Fort Museum.

[@76carmel]

Nice.

[@baldheadlogic]

Great Review Steve. This is a nice CUV but seems over priced. Also, where is the new 10 speed transmission that should improve the fuel economy. Oh well..Maybe that will come by 17 or 18

[@bledzone231]

$54k it's seems to high price in my opinion. But indeed lots of features inside of it. And also cool looking interior and exterior design.

[@cameronclark3927]

bledzone231 I jus bough one for 36 thousand. Only had 30 thousand miles

[@chrissorreda4982]

Yeah. Ford still has a lot to learn when it comes to designing cars.

[@ponygt6629]

+Chris Sorreda But the sales proves that its the people who has to learn or U are wrong, cuz this is the biggest seller in its segment by a long shot

[@bUtMyRiGhTs]

+Ponygt 662 It looks like the smaller Range Rover Sport and has a smaller price.

[@ponygt6629]

Chris P. Yup I feel thats a great compliment for a Ford

[@canddmeyer]

+Chris Sorreda Thankfully Ford isn't taking designing cues from Toyota and Lexus.

[@gaphoogys]

thing looks like it came out in 2007 or something.. the front looks so boring, also the price should be around 30-40k max, not 50k+ the only impressive thing is the 3.5 twin turbo engine

[@TJC450]

+jessejames! Especially the dash board... Fords been doing that for a while now and it just looks cramped.

[@BTC909]

Wait for Sync 3.

[@RealtimeReviews613]

Steve...whats with the Instagram type filters? Not a fam

[@stevehammes]

+DoubleD 613 Sorry

[@coureurdebois]

looks like its from 2004 and the interior is full of fake woods, plastics, and the whole top dash is covered in injection mold... still behind the gmc acadia (which is over 8 years old) and durango.

[@bUtMyRiGhTs]

+justin bouche my 2002 sport was awesome. I loved my 2 door Explorer and it was loaded.

[@coureurdebois]

Chris P. i used to own a 1999 forest green one 4 door, almost looks the same as this new one lol

[@mfair4u]

+justin bouche No it's real leather , wood and brushed aluminum. We test drove one. Very impressive considering we drove a 2016 BMW X5 from Dallas, TX to Santa Fe, Flagstaff, Sedona and Phoenix. We put it through it's paces. U have to say a 2016 Explorer is not the same as a 1999 or 2004.

[@coureurdebois]

Miguel Fair you must not have test driven many cars in your life with real nappa leather then, if you think the pleather was real. *SMH* and shiny plastic is not aluminum, as plastic is not a metal. i think you may have been driving a GMC yukon or infiniti 80 if they had aluminums and leathers then. you sure you were in the right SUV?

[@BlisAx]

justin bouche Are you in the right SUV? BTW Nappa is not a brand of leather it is a grade of leather. Un mistakable. In our -40 weather the aluminum trim will give you frost bite, not plastic. Perhaps you should actually sit on one of these, and cover the Ford emblem and be unbiased. Just sit in it and pretend you are in a "Insert favorite brand here". Then you may say all the things you like.

[@handas2]

Take it off road?

[@stevehammes]

+handas2 Not much more than what you saw here...and I probably wouldn't feel comfortable with too much more.

[@herczeus9341]

Their Ford branded products more luxurious than their luxury branded Lincoln products imo.

[@justrandomthings319]

$53k is a lot for a Ford. It's a good car but I'd rather spend that on a used fully decked out Lexus GX or LX.

[@jaronsmalls3343]

But then you'll realize that ford is better than a toyota

[@ZStHope]

Yet no HUD?

[@jsiszero]

4:35 nice voiceover there... you're not fooling us!

[@stevehammes]

+Buck Futter Hey...sometimes things happen. ;-)

[@dannykelly3617]

I'd take a Durango citadel over this any day. Same price for a v8 engine with better towing, a beats audio system, and an actually adult size 3rd row. Explorer looks dated with no led turn signals or led overhead lights inside. I do like the wood and leather steering wheel and park assist, but I can live without that. Also my ford touch is horrible and u connect is great. Big discounts at dealers for Durango because it's being switched over to a jeep real soon.

[@heath71398]

The fact that the Durango is getting axed voids everything you just said about how it's supposedly a great car

[@coureurdebois]

+heath71398 fanboy fanboy what do i see, fanboy fanboy did you not see? fanboy fanboy ford sales are down fanboy fanboy why do you frown? www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2016/02/02/ford-motor-company-auto-sales-january-2016/79687094/ face it, the explorer has a worse interior than the GMC acadia from over 8 years ago, a worse interior than the durango, and it cant even compete with entry level luxury brands like acura or buick... fanboy fanboy why do you rage?

[@dannykelly3617]

It's not getting "axed" there switching the platform to jeep because sales will increase significantly. That's because there are people out there like you that can't accept that a dodge is better than a lot of other cars on the road. Jeep will make it more off road capable and change the body and interior to look like the grand Cherokee and that's it. The Durango is one of the best family SUVs on the road and A LOT better than a POS $50,000 ford.

[@heath71398]

A Dodge is better than a lot of cars on the road? LMFAO that's hilarious!! Must be why it's always ranked near to last on J.D. Power Quality & Reliability surveys.

[@dannykelly3617]

A car is more than reliability, for the record explorer and Durango are tied at average. The explorer looks and feels outdated. just watch consumer reports review on 2014 Durango they liked it a lot more than the 2016 explorer. Ive drove both and its so clear that the Durango is better. Explorer is low quality, 2015 explorer rear doors are all cheep feeling plastic while dodge wraps it in all high quality padded material. my friends 2013 explorers dash is rising up from the sun and the doors sound like crap when you close them. they are so disappointed with it thats why I avoid explorers. and Durango is more practical while being more fun to drive. Explorer is just meh, a disappointment.

[@RealtimeReviews613]

That leather is already worn really bad! Look at the dents and grooves in it already!

[@oussamahail1044]

it look like range rover, but i really like it

[@TheCarCrazyGuy]

Lose the MyFord Touch

[@randalldouggertt9848]

I'suppose good car.

[@dygardion9130]

53k? nope, I'll put my money towards a legit luxury brand

[@dygardion9130]

***** plenty of cars offer the same perks and more power.

[@TheKillerace900]

if u want somthing American ,trustworthy and cheap parts this is your car.:)

[@travismcquaig6906]

Good luck finding massaging seats for that in a new car

[@henry18hk]

If I have 50 grant, I will get a luxury brand instead

[@canddmeyer]

Ouch, too much moolah. Capable of towing 5000lbs yet it doesn't come with a hitch. DUMB. The 3rd row looks like a waste of space. Anyone who has one please chime in. Thank you for the review.

[@KhrissyDaDon]

Sooooooo, what's the point of Lincoln again?! Ford and Honda needs to stop trumping over their luxury brands. I understand people want alot for their money but geesh... sometimes I ask my what is point of Ford having Lincoln and Honda having Acura, if the Accord is just going to out luxury a TLX and the same with Ford why have the Fusion that's going to out luxury the MKz.

[@matthewgrayson8]

The Honda Pilot is better

[@ChristopherWalkenActor]

$53k for an explorer....... this is why Ford's stock is tanking. With the economy slowing down no one is going to be purchasing these $50k + explorers and F-150's.

[@shossain50]

Lmfao that's what ford calls "luxurious"? No American automaker can come CLOSE to luxury, performance, elegance and class as BMW, Lexus and Mercedes. I use American trucks for work, but for family and personal use I prefer something with a more respectable name than for, Lincoln, Cadillac or chevy. Call Lexus a Toyota all you want but no automaker can take their title of reliability and refinement. American cars are treating the average American consumer like the government treats them...like SHEEP... TRULLY disappointed at the poor quality of material used for an almost 50k FORD lmao!

[@heath71398]

Poor quality of material? Please tell me about the Explorer Platinum you own and drive. Oh, wait. People are so ignorant how they talk shit about a car when they've never been anywhere near it.

[@Moby_d-k9p]

Exactely

[@shossain50]

+heath71398 actually I drive a lexus LX 570 and before that iv owned two more LX470's Please forgive me for your low standards.

[@heath71398]

Oh, you drive a Toyota with leather? Please excuse me.

[@shossain50]

+heath71398 you drive a ford...enough said...

[@billpeirce7127]

Absolutely horrible gas mileage!!!!!! Should get 28mpg

[@jonathanmarquise422]

moron much?

[@fawadkhalid]

Too expensive

[@venom5809]

$54,000 for a Ford Explorer? No thanks.

[@brianmjmario]

The Honda Pilot is a better car than this! Your money it's well spend if your buying the pilot plus and the explorer doesn't hold their value at all!! Good luck with the negative equity.

[@travismcquaig6906]

Brian Vtec but pilots are extremely ugly