| Year Make Model | 2011 Ford Explorer Limited 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 6A) |
| Vehicle Type | 4WD 4dr 7-passenger SUV |
| Base MSRP | $39,995 |
| Options on test vehicle | Red Candy Metallic paint ($395); Dual Panel Moonroof ($1,595); Rapid Spec 302A ($4,810 -- includes power-folding third-row seats; perforated leather-trimmed seats; multilevel heated/cooled front seats; eight-way power front passenger seat with power lumbar support adjustment; voice-activated navigation system with in-dash touchscreen, SD card slot for map and POI [point of interest] storage and integrated Sirius Travel Link with real-time traffic and 6-month prepaid subscription [not available in Alaska or Hawaii]; power liftgate; Active Park Assist; Adaptive Cruise Control and Collision Warning with Brake Support and head-up display; rain-sensing front wipers; BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross Traffic Alert; HID (High Intensity Discharge) headlamps, Rapid Spec 302A package discount credit (-$810). |
| As-tested MSRP | $45,985 |
| Assembly location | Chicago, Illinois |
| Configuration | Transverse, front-engine, four-wheel drive |
| Engine type | Naturally aspirated, port-injected, V6, gasoline |
| Displacement (cc/cu-in) | 3,497cc (213 cu-in) |
| Block/head material | Aluminum/aluminum |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, four valves per cylinder, variable intake + exhaust-valve timing |
| Compression ratio (x:1) | 10.8 |
| Redline, indicated (rpm) | 6,500 |
| Horsepower (hp @ rpm) | 290 @ 6,500 |
| Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) | 255 @ 4,000 |
| Fuel type | Regular unleaded |
| Transmission type | Six-speed automatic with console shifter and manual mode |
| Transmission ratios (x:1) | I = 4.484, II = 2.872, III = 1.842, IV = 1.414, V = 1.000, VI = 0.742, R = 2.882 |
| Final-drive ratio (x:1) | 3.39 |
| Suspension, front | Independent double-wishbones, coil springs, stabilizer bar |
| Suspension, rear | Independent multilink, coil springs |
| Steering type | Electric-assist, rack-and-pinion power steering |
| Steering ratio (x:1) | 15.7 |
| Tire make and model | Hankook Optimo H426 |
| Tire type | All-season front and rear |
| Tire size | P255/50R20 104H (cold spec: 35 psi) |
| Wheel size | 20-by-8.5 inches front and rear |
| Wheel material | Painted alloy |
| Brakes, front | Ventilated disc with two-piston sliding caliper |
| Brakes, rear | Ventilated disc with single-piston sliding caliper |
| Acceleration, 0-30 mph (sec.) | 3.2 |
| 0-45 mph (sec.) | 5.4 |
| 0-60 mph (sec.) | 8.3 |
| 0-75 mph (sec.) | 12.5 |
| 1/4-mile (sec. @ mph) | 16.3 @ 86.6 |
| 0-60 with 1 foot of rollout (sec.) | 8.0 |
| 0-30 mph, trac ON (sec.) | 3.3 |
| 0-45 mph, trac ON (sec.) | 5.6 |
| 0-60 mph, trac ON (sec.) | 8.4 |
| 0-75 mph, trac ON (sec.) | 12.7 |
| 1/4-mile, trac ON (sec. @ mph) | 16.3 @ 86.4 |
| 0-60, trac ON with 1 foot of rollout (sec.) | 8.1 |
| Braking, 30-0 mph (ft.) | 31 |
| 60-0 mph (ft.) | 122 |
| Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph) | 58.5 |
| Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph) ESC ON | N/A (non-defeatable ESC) |
| Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g) | 0.77 |
| Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g) ESC ON | N/A (non-defeatable ESC) |
| Sound level @ idle (dB) | 40.5 |
| @ Full throttle (dB) | 73.1 |
| @ 70 mph cruise (dB) | 65.0 |
| Engine speed @ 70 mph (rpm) | 2,000 |
| Acceleration comments | Fairly uneventful and unexpectedly consistent runs. It didn't matter whether traction control was on or off, or if I used a little or a lot of pedal overlap. Engine sounds a little thrashy in upper revs. Upshifts are quick with a bit of harshness. |
| Braking comments | First stop was shortest, with the third stop 6 feet farther -- but held constant thereafter. Moderate dive, medium-firm pedal that remained so throughout. No drama, no anomalies, average performance. |
| Handling comments | Skid pad: Highly regulated by non-defeatable stability control that takes the throttle away. Steering feels appropriately weighted at this speed and offers some feel. Hard to know what the true balance is with ESC keeping the runs sub-limit. Feels neutral as is. Slalom: Despite the very high driving position, the Explorer feels exceptionally composed and confident -- right up to the moment the non-defeat ESC started brake-checking at every cone. Turn-in is crisp, transitions are good, and it just feels more capable than the 58.5-mph run would indicate. Probably very nice out in the real world. |
| Test date | 11/9/2010 |
| Test location | California Speedway |
| Elevation (ft.) | 1,121 |
| Temperature (°F) | 67.7 |
| Relative humidity (%) | 21.9 |
| Barometric pressure (in. Hg) | 28.8 |
| Wind (mph, direction) | 6.5, headwind |
| Odometer (mi.) | 2,749 |
| Fuel used for test | 87-octane gasoline |
| As-tested tire pressures, f/r (psi) | 35/35 |
| EPA fuel economy (mpg) | 17 city/23 highway/19 combined (manufacturer estimate) |
| Fuel tank capacity (U.S. gal.) | 22.5 |
| Driving range (mi.) | 0 |
| Stereo description | Sony-branded AM/FM stereo with single-CD player and 12 speakers |
| iPod/digital media compatibility | Standard iPod via USB jacks (2), SD card reader |
| Satellite radio | Optional Sirius |
| Bluetooth phone connectivity | Standard |
| Navigation system | Optional, SD-card based map/POI storage, real-time traffic, Sirius Travel Link |
| Smart entry/Start | Standard |
| Parking aids | Optional front/rear parking sonar, back-up camera, automated self-parking system, rear cross-traffic detection |
| Blind-spot detection | Optional |
| Adaptive cruise control | Optional |
| Collision warning/avoidance | Optional |
| Curb weight, mfr. claim (lbs.) | 4,695 |
| Curb weight, as tested (lbs.) | 4,872 |
| Weight distribution, as tested, f/r (%) | 54.3/45.7 |
| Length (in.) | 197.1 |
| Width (in.) | 78.9 |
| Height (in.) | 71.0 |
| Wheelbase (in.) | 112.6 |
| Track, front (in.) | 67.0 |
| Track, rear (in.) | 67.0 |
| Legroom, front (in.) | 43.9 |
| Legroom, rear (in.) | 39.8 |
| Legroom, 3rd row (in.) | 33.2 |
| Headroom, front (in.) | 39.1 |
| Headroom, rear (in.) | 38.3 |
| Headroom, 3rd row (in.) | 37.8 |
| Shoulder room, front (in.) | 61.3 |
| Shoulder room, rear (in.) | 61.0 |
| Shoulder room, 3rd row (in.) | 50.8 |
| Seating capacity | 7 |
| Max cargo volume behind 1st row (cu-ft) | 81 |
| behind 3rd row (cu-ft) | 21 |
| Tow capacity, mfr. claim (lbs.) | 5,000 |
| Ground clearance (in.) | 7.6 |
| Approach angle (degrees) | 21.7 |
| Departure angle (degrees) | 21.4 |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Corrosion | 5 years/Unlimited miles |
| Roadside assistance | 5 years/60,000 miles |
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