Back before most people had even heard the term sport utility vehicle, Ford created a five-passenger family ride that looked rugged and stylish at the same time. The vehicle had its ups and downs over the years, but continued on as a popular choice among families.
For a new era, things obviously look a lot different. Since many buyers wanted three rows of seats, the Explorer has them.
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It also has optional gadgets galore, including things that weren't even on luxury cars back in the early 1990s. How about radar-guided cruise control and a forward camera to help with parking, just to name two.
Fuel economy is on most people's minds these days, so a new era for engines was born. This is the top choice: a 3.5-liter turbo-charged V6. Other choices include a turbo-charged four-cylinder with fuel economy numbers of up to 28 highway mpg, according to EPA tests.
For overall fuel efficiency and a nicer ride, an SUV that's like a car underneath makes more sense for most buyers.
It isn't just Ford, as other brands have done this too. For years, the Nissan Pathfinder was a truck-based SUV meant for rugged four-wheeling. But it too has evolved, becoming a new kind of Pathfinder that's more at home on the paved road and has more room inside.
If you do need to go off road or tow a trailer and wonder if this new-style Explorer is tough enough, keep in mind that Ford offers a police version called the interceptor utility, which is becoming increasingly popular with law enforcement.
It's a name that's been around awhile and likely will be for many years. Some will scoff that the Explorer isn't like it used to be, in a negative way, but more buyers and potential buyers are much better off with an Explorer built for modern times.