Used 2017 Ford Explorer Sport 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A) Consumer Reviews
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Still loving my Explorer after 2yrs
greatwhiteowl, Bolinas, CA, 10/13/2018
updated 10/18/2021
Ford Explorer Sport 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A)
24 of 24 people found this review helpful
It's my cross country car. Fuel economy was not a priority; I get low 20's mpg. I chose the Explorer because I wanted an AWD car with a big windshield high off the ground. Something with enough space to let me stretch out flat if I want to skip the motel that night. Something fun to drive. My other car is a Porsche and while I didn't expect this to be Porsche-like, I didn't want to drive a boring slug either. The Eco-boost V6 has amazing power with minimal turbo lag and will launch this puppy quite nicely, although if you floor it, you wanna be on top of the torque steer. Steering is unexpectedly quick for a big SUV, and the handling and brakes are surprisingly good. It's very comfortable! Extremely quiet; even the glass has its own sound insulation! It's a nice cockpit with nice materials. I have no issues with the Sync3 head unit, unlike the MyFordTouch offering that people hated in previous models. The sound system is amazing. What I don't like: sometimes Ford thinks it knows what you want better than you do. You can't escape the lights on entry/exit.. guess the designers never went car camping. Sometimes you get a double honk if you did something the sensors didn't expect. Sometimes the sensors do things you don't want, such as opening the rear hatch when you're trying to put on a car cover, or activating the panic button which is way too sensitive. So you're that jerk who is always flashing his lights or honking his horn for no reason. Overall, I love this car and am happy I bought it. UPDATE: Have now owned my Explorer for five years. Still love it. Here are a few criticisms I can offer: 1) The battery was seriously underprovisioned for this car. If you don't drive it all the time, it runs down. If the battery is not fully charged and you use the electronic actuators (move your seats, cycle your moonroof, etc) you may be out of luck when you try to start it again. I now carry a Jump'n'Carry in the car at all times. 2) Ford is a nagging nanny. Listen to the radio for more than 10 minutes with the power off, and the radio shuts off. This is infuriating. They have the battery % charge information; they could use this to leave the radio on longer if there's plenty of charge left, but they don't. If you are sitting in your car watching the sunset, you have to repeatedly turn the radio back on. Also, Ford turns on the cabin light whenever you open the door, whether you want it to or not. Usually I don't. At least give me the option. 3) I wish I could disable the double honk. Even after having owned the car for years, I find it still goes off in unexpected circumstances.. sometimes the doors lock themselves and when you try to open a back door, the alarm goes off. Sometimes you have the key in your pocket and unintentionally trigger the panic button. It's kind of a mess. 4) Make sure after you get an oil change that the mechanic has replaced the shield he removed from under the car in order to access the drain plug and filter. It would be fabulous if Ford had designed the car to allow easy owner oil changes, but no such luck. It is easy for the mechanic to forget to reinstall the shield, and it discourages owner oil changes. 5) I've never had to use the spare tire. But looking at the layout and checking out the directions for doing so, I hope I never do. 6) Don't go on a trip with only one key. If you lose it, you're looking at a tow to the nearest Ford dealer to reprogram you a new key. $$$ Keep an extra key in the car, but wrap it in foil so the car doesn't sense it, and hide it well because whoever finds it can take your car. Overall, the electronic interfaces are in their infancy. Clumsy and far from perfect. Ford (and probably every other car mfr) really needs to put a lot of thought and effort into improving these. Other than that, have to say I still really enjoy driving this beast!
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Who doesn't want twin-turbos in their family car?
Nate Jenkins, Midland, TX, 12/26/2016
Ford Explorer Sport 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A)
24 of 28 people found this review helpful
Excellent vehicle. This is our second Explorer since the major changes and redesign in 2011. Our first was the limited model with every option. The car pretty much could drive it's self, just keep your eyes open. We test drove the Durango and the Acadia, but neither had as much technology and features to make it easy to load and unload 3 kids daily. Now we just purchased a 2017 Sport model, with the same features as our previous Explorer plus the addition of the twin-turbo engine. My Father-in-law traded his 2013 Corvette for a 2016 Platinum model and still doesn't regret it. So that is 3 reviews in one for you!
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Dependable Road rattling roadster
Dale Carraher, Atlanta, GA, 08/26/2017
updated 09/09/2021
Ford Explorer Sport 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A)
17 of 20 people found this review helpful
Old review: Just the bad stuff (because there is so much good to say about the complex sport also). At a cost just north of $51k, I am so disappointed in the dash board rattling, so irritating! The cheap sloppy feel of the door handles, and the front doors sound like they are about to fall off when closing. Everything else is great. The dash board noise may drive me to get rid of it early. SO IRRITATING and it PISSES ME OFF daily. (update: at 15k miles: dashboard rattle has settled in and is not nearly as bad after tire replacement) Oh and on occasion the mirrors quiver like they are trying to adjust during start until you turn adjustment toggle off & on (has never happened again). I am a Quality professional and could not be more disappointed in Fords quality on a high cost vehicle. Yup, I'm ashamed to mention the issues to my friends and colleagues because of what I paid...… I have fallen in love with my twin turbo coup. Update, Im at 33k miles now, the rattling went away as soon as I replaced the tires at 25K with Bridgestone oversize tires within the 3 % aspect ratios. Rides and handles like a real sport. Key point, I have never had a warranty claim problem with this vehicle. My roof rail blew off on the interstate at 20,000 miles, had a hell of a time getting them replaced. Cost me several hundred dollars....only to find out there is a recall to fix them now. Still love my Explorer, would buy another. Update at 40000mi: Still love my Sport, the paint is bubbling on the hood front and side in spots. The electronics spazes on occasion, but a quick key off/on reset has remedied it every time. The climate control has a mind of its own ie not as responsive as it was new. I have had 3 or 4 recalls but bottom line very dependable, fun to drive and would still buy another but can no longer afford retired. Hope the Sport holds out for years to come by maintaining service to the letter. Fingers crossed.
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Front seats are horrible.
AB, Brookline, MA, 06/25/2017
Ford Explorer Sport 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A)
62 of 84 people found this review helpful
I am surprised that Ford offers front seats that are very very uncomfortable. They are short and narrow and they do not hold your body (I am 5'8, normal weight). During my first test drive I was moving my body around trying to find a sweet spot - I did not find it. Sales person was very helpful in adjusting the seat but we both failed to make it comfortable. I made two more test drives specifically trying to figure out where the problem is. Made some research and it looks like this is a design flaw. By the way Ford is very proud of its seats. The company recently reduced the number of unique designs and ended up with a generic design that "fits" all. Ford is trying to convince buyers that these seats are the best in the industry. My body says a different story. I planned to buy Explorer Sport for longer trips. I feel sorry that a great car has something that cannot be fixed. I switched my attention to Toyota Highlander - a step down in terms of performance but two steps up in terms of a seat comfort. My advice to Ford - if you cannot do it yourself - just replicate others. Highlander 2017 has an expandable front seats that could be extended in length by almost 2 inches. What a great feature plus seats are very comfortable. Love them. Here is an article posted by Ford about the chair architecture. It is funny that Ford thinks that they can use the same chairs in Focus and F-150 and all other models in between. They use the right words when they describe Ford's chairs but they do not deliver what they promised. I found the name of the guy who is behind new seats design - thank you Dan Ferretti. You spoiled my fun and I did not bring my money to Ford. Ford should let Dan Ferretti who is Ford's global seats senior technical leader and his team go. [HTML removed]
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I am a Toyota or a Honda Guy
Prakash Viswanathan, Aurora, CO, 10/02/2017
Ford Explorer Sport 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
Yes my title says it all. I owned Honda CRV and then Toyota Highlander. Believe it or not, I wanted to get another Highlander after I gave my old car to my daughter got her license. Both Highlander and Pilot though very reliable they looked more like a van. Both the new models. I was looking for a mean machine with some power. I am glad I test drove Explorer Sport. I fell in love with it immediately. I had this vehicle for about 3 months now, I have nothing to complain. Hmm, well sometimes I hear some noise on the dash and I have no clue what that is. Other than that I am so glad I got the Explorer. It looks awesome, very comfortable ride and if you have turbo, trust me you own the road.
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