New Ford Explorer evolves into popular family choice

Celebrating 25 years on the market, the Ford Explorer has come a long way.

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.

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.