Safety ratings for this model were also very high with the NHTSA giving it a five-star score and has maintained the standard to date.Ģ020–present, ST/Police Interceptor Utility Also, there were now selectable drive modes which were: Normal, Mud and Ruts, Sand, and, Grass/Gravel/Snow mode all through a mode selector.
It managed 17/23 MPG for city/highway driving versus the inline four’s 18/25 MPG figures, the previous gen could only do 13/19 MPH city/highway. This was a big benefit for the new Explorer since the previous versions weren’t so economical. Everyone preferred the more powerful V-6 since it offered more power and not much sacrifice to fuel economy. All versions came with a six-speed automatic transmission. The four-cylinder made 240 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque while the 3.5 V-6 made 290 horsepower and 355 pound-feet of torque with all-wheel drive. This generation also saw the most engine choices (five) available from a 2.0-liter inline-four front-wheel drive to a 3.5-liter twin-turbo Ecoboost. It was an Explorer-like no other coming to reclaim its throne. There was also a host of new tech added to the Explorer which included a push button and remote start, power tailgate, adaptive cruise control, active park assist, rain-sensing wipers, High-intensity discharge headlamps (HID) and LED tail lamps, and many more. Two engine choices were available, there was the updated four-liter V-6 from the previous generation and a new 4.6-liter modular V-8 used in the Crown Victoria and various Ford trucks. For the first time, the Explorer had third-row seats which meant sitting for seven people. In addition, the Explorer had dual front and side curtain airbags and seatbelt tensioners for protection in the event of an accident. ABS, traction control, stability control, and YAW control to reduce rollover risk were all standard. The front and rear axles were widened for better stability with independent rear suspension for better road compliance. Better safety features and improvements were also made to combat the rollover hazards from previous generations. A decline in sales of two-door SUVs also meant this Explorer was four-door only. It had also undergone a major redesign from the previous two generations. The Third generation Explorer was all new with its platform which was developed specifically for this vehicle. With this, the nearly 100-year relationship came to an end. This led to lawsuits from owners and a legal battle between Ford and Firestone with Ford winning the case. The probable cause was linked to the Firestone tires fitted from the factory. They were more prone to rollovers than any other SUV, this problem was present in the first gen but got worse with the second gen and its bigger dimensions. But this generation also had a major flaw that threatened to end the Explorer. Ford later made a pickup version of the Explorer which ran from 2001-2005 only offered with the V-6 engine. Only 300 examples of the XP8s were made which was the agreement but Saleen also made lesser-known versions of the V-6 known as XP6. It received some aero body parts, Recaro seats, better brakes, and carbon fiber hood options. This was a supercharged version of the V-8 Explorer which now made 286 horsepower and 333 pound feet of torque. Saleen also made go-fast editions known as the Ford Saleen XP8 supercharged. Sales were high with over 400,000 units sold each year and other variants like the Eddie Bauer edition and Mercury Mountaineer were also available.
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V-8 versions were automatic only but the V-6 version had the option of a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. Over a million first-gen Explorers were sold in the four years of production which gave Ford a reason to build another one.
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It even featured as the tour vehicle in the Jurassic Park movie with that livery still being replicated today. The Explorer was so popular that it was rebranded by Mazda as a Navajo but only as a two-door. Its off-road prowess was aided by the fact that it was based on the Ranger pickup. You could also have it as rear-wheel drive or an optional four-wheel drive which meant a vehicle for your daily commute with off-road capabilities. It had a 160-horsepower V-6 paired with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. It was offered as a two-door sport and four-door SUV with the four-door being the preferred choice.
When it went on sale it was a success as many families wanted to buy one because of its blend of utility and practicality. It was a different offering since it was a four-door SUV whereas the outgoing Bronco was a two-door.
The first generation Ford Explorer hit the streets in 1991 and was a replacement for the Bronco II.
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