2013 Ford Explorer 2011 2014

Pros

Comfortable

Cons

Fuel Hungry

Purchased As New

I bought a brand new Ford Explorer last November. This is actually my first car. No issues so far. My family loves it!

Pros

Stylish looks, roomy, awesome MyFord Touch system

Cons

Fuel economy

Purchased As New

Just purchased a 2013 charcoal gray Ford Explorer XLT 2 weekends ago from Frontier Ford (Santa Clara, CA) and I'm completely in love. Got a great deal from Frontier ($7,000 off MSRP) plus I had a trade-in. It couldn't have been a better purchase, and the car is unreal. First off, the driver/passenger seats are very comfortable, and the light tan leather is soft to the touch. The 2nd row has plenty of leg room and seats are very comfortable. My father (who's 6'1") reported plenty of room and comfort during a ride from the 2nd row. Although the 3rd row is a bit tight (and realistically is only set-up for kids) works great for our 2 and 4 year old boys complete with car/booster seats. The 3rd row headrests are a bit large however, and present a bit of a challenge by reducing rear view mirror vision. The SUV rides smooth on city streets and on the freeway, and seems to handle incredibly well when cornering considering its larger size. The MyFord Touch and SYNC features are absolutely awesome, although if you're not tech-savvy you'll need some assistance with a few useful things (ie: voice commands, using the USB thumb drive/SD card reader, etc...). Steering wheel controls are great, and cup-holder/storage is convenient. Only con from me would be the gas mileage, but if you're able to afford a $30,000 car in the first place, the cost of gasoline is most likely not of great concern especially since its not much worse than other vehicles in its class....read morehide

Cons

Gas mileage isn't quite what I expected but not too far off.

Purchased As New

I had driven every other mid-size SUV on the market, and the Explorer blew them all out of the water, in fact, a Ford wasn't even one I intended to drive, once I did, I was hooked. The options coupled with the over all look and drive of the vehicle, made it impossible for me to pass it up. It was a bit pricier than a few others and will, over time, cost more in gas, however, it's worth it-I spend a lot of time on the roads and am happy to be doing it in the Ford Explorer!...read morehide

Pros

Good fuel economy, smooth ride, comfy

Purchased As New

I drive at least 60 miles a day commuting and I love this car. I bought it about two months ago, the ride is smooth,the seats are comfortable, and I haaven't had a problem with anything. I drive ALOT and the gas mileage is surprising, I get about 16 -17 mpg, I have to fill up about once a week and it only costs about 45 dollars....read morehide

Pros

comfortable seats

Cons

road noise, gas mileage not what expected, bad navigation system, rattle trap

Purchased As New

Had problems with the navigation system and radio from the beginning. Been in the shop twice for the same problem and took Ford 5 days to fix so was without my vehicle. Also had problems with a buzzing noise and was in the shop again for several days. Ford said they fixed the problem but as soon as I drove the car home the buzzing noise was back again.
took it back 3 times before they found and fixed the problem. The car is a rattle trap and I am very disappointed in this vehicle. I will be getting rid of it before my warranty runs out and will never buy another Ford again. Should have kept my Chevy Tahoe. That was the best vehicle I have ever owned. Had it for 12 years and never a problem with it. Traded it in for a better gas mileage vehicle but the Explorer is not much better. Live and learn....read morehide

Pros

Fuel Economy, seat comfort, cargo volume

Cons

Voice command software, moving seats up/down is very difficult

Purchased As New

We purchased a 2013 XLT 4WD leather about a month ago. Originally, we looked at the Buick Enclave but could not get a good deal on one. The Enclave is by far more comfortable and quiet (you literally can't hear anything outside the vehicle), but not to say that the Explorer isn't a good second!

After a week of driving the vehicle, it was leaking transmission fluid... Not normal on a brand new vehicle! Ford fixed the problem and delivered the car to our house - over an hour away from the dealership. Great.

Otherwise, the vehicle is good so far. Our XLT model has automatic lift gate, 4WD, blind spot monitoring system, heated seats, leather seats, and Navigation. The Ford Touch software is not very user friendly, but it probably just takes some getting used to. The blind spot monitoring system comes in handy as the Explorer has a few small blind spots. Nothing major. The seats are comfortable and supportive. Rear leg room is decent, but could be better. We are getting around 20-21mpg on average - EXCELLENT!

One thing that I find annoying is that the second row seats do not move/slide forward or backwards. They just recline. Also, moving the seats forward to enter the third row is NOT user friendly at all. Compared to competitors, entering the third row is nearly impossible! The seats in the Enclave/Mazda CX-9 are easy - you just pull a lever and they slide forward. In the Explorer, you have to pull a couple levers and force the seat down. And even then you have barely enough room to crawl back. Not good for people with kids that access the third row frequently. Another gripe is the steering wheel height in the drivers seat. It is telescopic and everything, but my knee is constantly brushing against the bottom of the steering wheel shaft. I guess it's not a big deal to me, but could be for some. Bluetooth connectivity to an iPhone is choppy - maybe I am doing something wrong!

Overall, the look of the vehicle is excellent. The inside fit/finish is luxurious. It is choppier than the Enclave, but it still delivers a quiet and comfortable ride. Great value as we got many rebates from Ford. Would recommend!...read morehide

Purchased As New

Odor problem with A/C in recirculation mode. See http://nyti.ms/Q2QGaH
My wife thought I was crazy- nasty smell and why should I have to pay for this dealer defect?!

Pros

Smooth, quiet ride with 4x4 power

Cons

None

Purchased As New

This was our first Ford car. We have previously owned Honda Accords, Toyota Camry/Corolla, and Chevy Silverados. This is by far the best car we have ever purchased. It drives with the smoothness and quietness of a car, has all of the amenities of a luxury vehicles, and has the power of my Silverado. We purchased with tan leather interior and pearl white exterior. We get compliments on the paint job since it has a metallic sparkle to it - and absolutely love the options that come with the XLT, including the auto-close back-door, heated front seats, and dual climate control. Multiple 4x4 traction settings have not been tested out yet, but we hope to use during our vacation this summer. Also purchased the tow package and recently bought a cargo carrier for our trip to the beach. Tons of space - perfect for a family. Back seats fold down so fast that we were shocked to see how quick we can get 2 strollers in the car....read morehide