ISU_Cyclone said:
...it's getting RAVE reviews by every car magazine out there...including it's off road capabilities. You judge it's looks from a picture, but don't seal it's fate before you try it.
Thats odd, I have the March 2011 edition of Automobile magizine and they put it on a test with the new Jeep Grand Cherokee. That is until it came to going off road. They couldnt take it on the trials that they took older Explorers on, let alone follow the Grand Cherokee. There is no low range gearing, and the front and rear body hangs too far from the wheels. Motor trend said the same thing. On the road, of course it is going to get great reviews, the Volvo platform that the Taurus, Flex and Explorer are built on is a great platform for cars. For dirt roads and average trails, I'm sure the 2011 Explorer is great with the different levels of traction control offered from the knob. Its a city vehicle, and works out great as such. It does tow 5000 lbs, same as my 2000 V6. I take my 2000 4 door 2wd all over my parents ranch in the hill country of Texas. Places the 4wd Colorado cant climb and the 4wd Ram 3500 cant fit are no problem for my Explorer. I like the 2011 Explorer, it drives nice, and has alot of nice creature comforts. If I stayed on paved roads, I wouldnt hesitate to get one with the 4 cyl turbo. But becaue I do go off road frequently, I would buy the Jeep Grand Cherokee, or even better, the 2011 Dodge Durango (same as the Cherokee) 4wd.
As for upfitter equipment, the
PPV is not due out until next year so I wouldnt expect to see much from any of the brands until then. However, Ford says that consoles and other equipment from the Crown Victoria will fit the Taurus interceptor package, and the Explorer interceptor package is built from the Taurus, so I would assume that the equipment will be mostly the same. Which means Crown Vic consoles will fit in both 2012 Ford
PPV's. As for the civilian versions, remember that the
PPV's will have not have cosole shifters, so there might not be equipment consoles for the non
PPV cars from Ford.