Ford is taking nothing for granted in the battle for sport utility vehicle market share supremacy. Introduced in 1990 as a 1991 model, Ford's Explorer took the car-buying public by storm. In calendar year 1991, Explorer sales topped 250,000 units, claiming the title of best-selling sport utility vehicle. Explorer's success is attributed to combining four-wheel-drive durability with family-oriented amenities. Explorer was the forth best-selling truck in the U.S. in 1994. Ford's F-Series pick-up, Chevrolet's C/K pick up and Ford's Ranger pick up ranked first, second and third respectively. Through April of this year, the new-look Explorer sold 36,359 units, making it the forth best-selling vehicle among all cars and trucks. Explorer outsold its closest competitor, the Jeep Cherokee, by more than two to one in April. Explorer has ranked number one in annual sales among sport utility vehicles since the 1991 calendar year. This year marks the first time Ford has redesigned Explorer since its inception. Ford updated the exterior with new head and tail lights, fenders, front bumpers and grille. Dual air bags, four-wheel disc brakes, rack and pinion steering and four-wheel anti-lock brakes are standard in all '95 trim levels. Explorer is available in two-or four-door versions. The XL, Sport and all-new Expedition trim levels are available in two-door models. Four-door trim levels include XL, XLT, Eddie Bauer and Limited. Four door models represent approximately 85 percent of Explorer sales. Base price for a two-door, two-wheel drive XL version starts at about $18,000. Our four-door, four-wheel drive, XLT model, with Oxford White exterior and charcoal gray cloth interior, had a base price of $25,000. With options and destination charge, the bottom line was $28,360. Drivers have a good view of the road inside Explorer. The gear shift is mounted on the steering column, opening up room between the front bucket seats for additional storage areas and dual cup holders. The large, deep, flip-top storage bin includes a change holder for quarters, dimes and nickels. The dashboard has been redesigned. All controls are within easy reach of the driver. In addition to plenty of leg and head room, back seat travelers have control of their environment. A mini control panel enables back seat occupants to increase or decrease fan speed. The radio can also be operated from the back, and headphone jacks enable kids to listen to music without disturbing mom and dad. The back seat is built with a 60/40 split. Off-road enthusiasts will enjoy Explorer's Control-Trac four-wheel drive option. Control-Trac offers three separate settings: two-wheel drive, four-wheel-drive auto and four-wheel-drive low. The two-wheel, rear-drive mode is recommended during routine highway driving and on dry surfaces. Switching to four-wheel drive auto sends power to the front axle as well. This mode is useful during inclement weather, or on ice or snow. Drivers can switch from two-wheel-drive to four-wheel-drive auto at any time, even when the vehicle is moving. Four-wheel-drive low is used for off-roading at lower speeds. It must be activated from a stopped position. Under the hood, Explorer is powered by the same 4.0-liter, 160 horsepower, electronically fuel injected, V-6 engine found in last year's models. Ford announced earlier this month that 1996 Explorers will offer a 5.0-liter V-8 engine as an option. Explorer's suspension and handling have been greatly improved. Ford discontinued its twin I-beam suspension in favor of more efficient system. The spare tire is stowed under the cargo area, leaving more room inside the vehicle for storage. A manual cranking mechanism easily raises or lowers the spare from its compartment. Another convenience feature, available in models with power locks, is a rocker switch located in the back cargo area. This enables all doors to be locked or unlocked from the rear of the vehicle. Drivers who find the owners manual rather dry reading will enjoy Ford's 34- minute video, describing safety, light maintenance and accessory features. Every Explorer comes with a video cassette, found next to the owners manual in the glove box. Explorer utilizes one key for ignition, glove box and door locks. This is a departure from years past when one key was used exclusively for the ignition. Explorer won't win any metals in the fuel mileage Olympics. Ford estimates mileage at 15 mpg city, and 20 mpg highway for Explorers equipped with automatic transmissions. Our test model registered 16 mpg combined city/highway driving. Four-door Explorers holds 21 gallons of unleaded fuel. Ford Assembles Explorer at its Louisville, Ky and St. Louis, Mo. assembly facilities. |