Thoughts on new Explorer vs Pilot?

[kasrhp]

Was wondering what the thoughts are of the new Explorer compared to the new Pilot. I have to say, I am very impressed with what Ford has done here. The ONLY thing I am disappointed about is the lack of cargo volume. They lengthened it, and widened it and somehow lost cargo volume. Other than that very nicely styled, amazing tech features, lots of bang for your buck.

Compare the Pilot Touring to the Limited Explorer:




I know its a newer vehicle and that nobody has done any extensive reviews yet. But I think Ford has completely leapfrogged the Honda Pilot with this. Don't jump on my case yet.....but the v6 has 40 more HP, more torque, real life towing capabilities and should return decent mpg. Terrain management system is a nice feature (admittedly probably no more capable than 4 wheel on Pilot).

The tech features are heads and shoulders above what Honda offers. Powerfold third row seat is very convenient. A remote start/climate control feature standard on the Limited which adjusts the temp and seat heater/coolers to the temperature outside (if cold puts heat on, etc). A nicer looking, updated and better interface for car entertainment (music, etc) even without the nav option. Better voice activated system with Sync technology (which Ford has been giving users firmware updates for FREE). HD radio and iTunes tagging, and to round that off a navigation system that actually looks and performs with the best of them (i.e.-3D views, traffic info, weather, gas station locations and prices, live sports scores and schedules, and theater locations with movie listings and times). And this is all controllable through steering wheel functions too. From Edmunds.com "Ten-thousand voice commands are preprogrammed, allowing drivers to make phone calls, play music and find restaurants and stores from behind the wheel. Simply saying, "I'm hungry" or "Find shoe store" is enough information for the system to start providing destinations."

The styling on the exterior and interior is very good looking. The materials look high grade, similar to what you would find in the new Taurus. optional 20" wheels (seems some people like them) is a pretty nice feature. Metal speaker grills on the interior with wood (looking probably) trim give the plastics a break. Nicely shaped cabin as well with the dash sweeping from and around you.

And the LImited also starts at about $1,500 below the starting price of the touring.

Please dont jump on my case for bringing this out, but I really think Honda might be in trouble with some future sales. The only thing Honda might have over this is a little better reliability rating, which Ford is sure getting rid of that gap. I do wonder why the walked away from the Eddie Bauer line. It was extremely popular.

Thoughts?

[KRiS1]

Hard to say without driving one, but on paper and in pics it looks like a winner. Assuming it drives as nice as it looks, and was available with the ecoboost V6, Id take one in a heatbeat.

Stuff Id like on the Pilot that the explorer has:
HID's
Cooled seats
MyTouch (the demo looks amazing)
6 speed trans

Priced out a fully loaded AWD Limited on the Ford site and it came to about 47k with all the bells and whistles.

[Hutch]

Looks very nice. I drove an Explorer for 11 years before buying my Pilot and never had any problems. I might have bought another if I didn't like the Pilot so much. Time will tell how this generation of Explorers performs long term.

I like that the Pilot is a true 8-seater. Not sure if that's the case with the new Explorer.

Driver leg room is a concern for me due to my height. There wasn't enough in my old Explorer and I'd be interested to know how different this generation is.

I suppose it doesn't matter since I intend to keep my Pilot for about 10 years.

[sdg319]

Hopefully no one will jump on your case for talking about the Explorer, it is hard to deny that Ford appears to have put together a very strong competitor to the Pilot. And anyone that says Ford is junk has not been paying attention to their quality the last few years, they have come a very long way.

I am still very proud of them for not taking taxpayer money and avoiding bankruptcy.

I built a pretty loaded XLT model, similar to what an EX-L Pilot would be. It came out to $38,660, or $2,285 more than the Pilot. But, this is what the extra two grand gets you:

40 more HP
6-speed automatic
I am guessing 1-2 more mpg (highway)
Dual Panel Sunroof
Trailer Sway Control
Built-in trailer harness
500 lb more towing capacity
Curve Control (part of stability control system)
MyFord Touch (customizable instrument panel and 8" center stack screen)
Rear view camera in the 8" screen
Reverse sensors
Ford Sync and USB ports
MyKey (for controlling your teenager's speed!)
18" wheels
Inflatable rear seat belts

Not too bad for the extra money, and of course if you are willing to ante up you can get adaptive cruise control, heated and cooled seats, active park assist, headrest DVD screens, blind spot system, collision warning system, intelligent access, 20" wheels, HD audio system, etc... all options that Pilot doesn't have (and to be fair, a loaded Pilot wouldn't be $41K anymore, it would be $48K, like a loaded Explorer is).

The Explorer is longer than the Pilot by 7", yet has less cargo room and seats 7, versus 8. It is a first year vehicle and will need a year or two to prove itself reliable and able to hold resale value (resale is a huge strong point for the Pilot). Otherwise, I think Ford has a potenital winner.

What could end up hurting Ford more though, is their own Flex, which is about 95% similar to the explorer. The Explorer has some better techy options, but in the Flex you can get the 355 HP ecoboost engine. Otherwise, they have the same seating and cargo capacity and probably drive similar to each other (considering they stem from the same platform).

[rocky]

I've been looking at the Explorer spec V Pilot V Flex as well.

My sense is that the price of the much narrower Flex has been pushed up to clear market space for the Explorer. The Edge sits below and over the Explorer pricewise. The Flex being more Minivanish, attracts a different type of customer to the Explorer.

Chassis of the Flex and Explorer is proven. The Haldex AWD system is proven and used on Fords here and in the EEC, Volvos, VW/Audis and countless other cars.The Explorer engine and auto box are proven. In so many ways the Explorer reminds me of the Taurus X/Freestyle, but with a much more macho outlook on life.

Yeah I like the Explorer. Much better styling than the current Pilot.

No I wont sell my Pilot for one. The Pilot is nicely run in and gives me no cause for concern. But if the Pilot was totalled....and the Explorer was available at dealerships, I could be really tempted if I was staying in the SUV/Xover buying mode.

There is also part of my that would go back to the 2WD Station wagon with snow tires....Yeah I miss my VW...

[1776]

The announced mpg on the new Explorer by far beats the Pilot!

[sdg319]

I didn't know there were official EPA numbers out yet.

The 2011 Edge (AWD) with the same 3.5 V6 gets 18/26, so I am guessing the bigger Explorer will probably get 17/25.

[HenryBravo]

Originally Posted by 1776

The announced mpg on the new Explorer by far beats the Pilot!

Please explain. What is the EPA MPG of the V6 4WD model?

I do agree the '11 Explorer is a sharp looking vehicle, inside and out.

[kasrhp]

Originally Posted by 1776

The announced mpg on the new Explorer by far beats the Pilot!

"No actual EPA figures on mileage as yet, but for the V6, Ford says the Explorer will "deliver an anticipated improvement in fuel economy of more than 20 percent versus the current Explorer," which averages 16mpg city/highway with the 2010 4.0L V6 Explorer, which would put the 2011's mileage around the 19mpg mark.

Ford does say mpg delivered by the new I4 is "Estimated... (to) improve by more than 30 percent (current V6 Explorer), putting the fuel efficiency... in line with sedans such as the 2010 Toyota Camry V6." Camry's mpg figure 22.5mpg."

So no figures yet. I could not imagine a 4 cylinder in an suv though.

[jl_ss]

Originally Posted by kasrhp

"No actual EPA figures on mileage as yet, but for the V6, Ford says the Explorer will "deliver an anticipated improvement in fuel economy of more than 20 percent versus the current Explorer," which averages 16mpg city/highway with the 2010 4.0L V6 Explorer, which would put the 2011's mileage around the 19mpg mark.

Ford does say mpg delivered by the new I4 is "Estimated... (to) improve by more than 30 percent (current V6 Explorer), putting the fuel efficiency... in line with sedans such as the 2010 Toyota Camry V6." Camry's mpg figure 22.5mpg."

So no figures yet. I could not imagine a 4 cylinder in an suv though.

A 4 cylinder in a heavy SUV is going to show decent mpg during the relatively easy EPA test cycle. In real life it is not going to achieve near that because you are going to have to have it floored all the time to keep up with and merge into traffic. We had an underpowered '99 CRV that got the same mpg has the Pilot currently gets even though the EPA est. was higher for this very reason. Along the same lines a V6 and I4 RAV4 get very close mpg in real life testing (CR etc).

[PilotDawg]

I'm new to the forum but have been lurking for a couple of months in anticipation of purchasing a new Pilot in August. I thought now would be as good of a time as any to chime in since the "New Explorer v. Pilot" issue is something I have been thinking about awhile. I'm still going with the Pilot.

I'm coming from a 1996 Ford Explorer and it has been a good vehicle. If the new Explorers were out and available now, it may be a harder choice for me. But availability is listed as "winter" which could mean October or January and I need to replace my current vehicle prior to November.

Personally, I like the exterior look of the Pilot better than the redesigned Explorer, although it is a good looking vehicle. It looks a lot like an Equinox or other crossovers. I agree that the interior of the Explorer is an upgrade over the Pilot (my one real ding on the Pilot is the cheap looking interior and overly-complicated looking center stack). The user-programmable LCD instrument panel is a brilliant move by Ford and will probably be replicated by other manufacturers if they are smart. Why no auto maker has come up with this before is beyond me.

As far as MPGs go, if they were putting the V-6 Ecoboost in the new Explorer to start with, they would be putting more pressure on Honda. However, the standard V-6 they are going with is only a MPG or two better than the Pilot's EPA ratings from what I understand. A four cylinder mid-size SUV is a ridiculous notion to me.

If, a few years from now, I am dissatisfied with my Pilot and Ford has worked out any kinks in the new Explorer and added the Ecoboost V-6, I may look at it again.

[sdg319]

If the 4-cylinder ecoboost was the standard engine, that would be a different argument...

But, it is an option you have to pay for over the standard (and more powerful) V6. They only offer it in front-wheel drive, and it has a 2000 lb towing capacity. I don't like having to pay for better mpg and be penalized by not being able to tow or have AWD capability.

Why not a 3.0L turbocharged V6, with about 300 HP and 300 lb-ft of torque, getting 25-26 mpg highway and still has AWD and can tow over 5000 lb? That is an option worth paying for... mpg and utility. (hint, hint, cough, cough... Honda)

[loithoi]

Originally Posted by sdg319

...

Why not a 3.0L turbocharged V6, with about 300 HP and 300 lb-ft of torque, getting 25-26 mpg highway and still has AWD and can tow over 5000 lb? That is an option worth paying for... mpg and utility. (hint, hint, cough, cough... Honda)

Yep! And instead of the current Pilot AWD, put in the SH-AWD 6-speed of the gen2 MDX...

[cwa107]

Love the design of the new Explorer. It's a much more sophisticated look altogether than the Pilot. I would have reservations about buying a first model year vehicle of any kind, let alone a Ford, but other than that, if someone offered to trade keys, I'd jump on it.

I'm really big on my iPod in the car, and it's been a struggle interfacing it to various Hondas. The Sync is the most compelling feature for me by far, followed closely by the overall design, 3rd row seat and projected mileage.

[hkellogg]

I would definitely give props to ford on this one, it offers more features than a comparable pilot at a lower price point a base 4wd explorer with towing package has better bang for the buck over the pilot in the same range