2006 Ford Explorer Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

More V8 power, revised interiors and exteriors, and more safety features are 2006 updates for America's best-selling SUV. Explorer has a truck-type design and offers rear-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive that can be left engaged on dry pavement and has low-range gearing. Two engines are available: a 210-hp V6 and a 292-hp V8. The V8 gains 53 hp for '06. Both use automatic transmission; the V6 retains a 5-speed, the V8 trades its 5-speed for a 6-speed. The model line ascends through XLS, XLT, Eddie Bauer, and Limited trim. Offered on all but XLS is a 3rd-row seat for seven-passenger capacity; it's available for '06 with a power-folding feature. Front side airbags are newly standard. Again optional are curtain side airbags that cover the 1st and 2nd seating rows and include rollover deployment. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes are standard, as is traction/antiskid control with rollover sensors. Also available are 2nd-row bucket seats, DVD entertainment, sunroof, rear obstacle detection, and power-adjustable pedals. A navigation system is newly optional. Ford retrims the Explorer for sale as the Mercury Mountaineer.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Larger than Compact SUVs, Midsize SUVs offer a mix of car- and truck-type construction, V6 and V8 power, and up to 8-passenger seating. This class also includes crossover vehicles.

Our Best Buys include Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. Our Recommended picks are Dodge Durango, Ford Explorer, Ford Freestyle, Nissan Murano, Nissan Xterra, and Toyota 4Runner.

New or significantly redesigned models include Hummer H3, Jeep Commander, Pontiac Torrent, and Subaru B9 Tribeca.

News

Explorer and Mountaineer have just received an extensive redo, so expect no further changes of consequence for the next couple of years.

2006 Ford Explorer Road Test

Pros	Cons

Passenger and cargo room	Fuel economy

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

2WD Limited V8 w/18-in. whls.	4WD Limited V8 w/18-in. whls.	Class Average
6	6	5

No V6 Explorer or Mountaineer made available for test. V8 versions provide ample power. Test 2WD Explorer Limited did 7.4 sec 0-60 mph. Transmission changes gears smoothly, delivers quick part-throttle downshifts for fine around-town response. Some testers say full-throttle downshifts take too long, however. Towing capacity is 7300 lb.

Fuel Economy

2WD Limited V8 w/18-in. whls.	4WD Limited V8 w/18-in. whls.	Class Average
4	4	3.8

With 2WD, test V8 Limited averaged 15.1 mpg, with 4WD, 15.0 mpg. Mountaineer offers all-wheel drive and test AWD Mountaineer Premier V8 averaged 15.4 mpg. Both V6 and V8 use regular-grade fuel.

Ride Quality

2WD Limited V8 w/18-in. whls.	4WD Limited V8 w/18-in. whls.	Class Average
6	6	5.4

Explorer and Mountaineer among best-riding truck-type SUVs. Explorer compliant, even with optional 18-inch wheels, and is devoid of sloppy motions. Some testers, however, say Mountaineer suffers undue impact harshness and body oscillations over low-speed bumps.

Steering/Handling/Braking

2WD Limited V8 w/18-in. whls.	4WD Limited V8 w/18-in. whls.	Class Average
4	4	4.1

Typical of truck-type SUVs: some body lean in turns and delayed reaction in quick directional changes. Ford or Mercury, steering responsive, accurate, but some testers want more road feel. Good brake pedal feel, no undue nosedive in quick stops.

Quietness

2WD Limited V8 w/18-in. whls.	4WD Limited V8 w/18-in. whls.	Class Average
6	6	5.2

Among the quieter SUVs. Wind, road noise well-muffled. So is noise over bumps. Engines intrude only under full throttle.

Controls

2WD Limited V8 w/18-in. whls.	4WD Limited V8 w/18-in. whls.	Class Average
5	5	6.3

Explorer, Mountaineer cabin designs differ mainly in trim appearance. Both have large, clear main gauges. Transmission shift lever blocks easy access to climate controls. Dashboard is revised for '06, puts radio just out of easy reach. Turn-signal stalk mounted at awkward angle. Rear climate controls set into ceiling, are difficult to read. Interior materials mostly solid-feeling, despite presence of many hard plastic surfaces.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

2WD Limited V8 w/18-in. whls.	4WD Limited V8 w/18-in. whls.	Class Average
7	7	6.7

Plenty of room on comfortable seats. Front door pulls located too low and far forward for easy access or use--a constant irritant. Entry/exit complicated by fairly high step-in. Outward visibility hindered some by thick roof pillars, but 2nd- and 3rd-row headrests fold to reduce obstruction. Available rear-obstacle-detection system adds a measure of safety when backing up.

Room/Comfort (rear)

2WD Limited V8 w/18-in. whls.	4WD Limited V8 w/18-in. whls.	Class Average
7	7	6.2

Three adults can squeeze across in roomy 2nd row. Leg room tight only with front seats fully aft. Third-row seat cushion low to floor, pancake flat, and floor shape obstructs foot room. But 3rd-row head room expansive, leg space surprisingly good. Second-row seats tip forward with relatively little effort, but access to 3rd row is only for the limber. Mountaineer offers running boards that automatically deploy when a door is open, but they don't extend far enough to be as useful as they could be.

Cargo Room

2WD Limited V8 w/18-in. whls.	4WD Limited V8 w/18-in. whls.	Class Average
7	7	8.3

Separate-opening hatch glass handy, but hatch itself is weighty to open and close. Second- and 3rd-row seats fold nearly flat for ample cargo room, but leave gaps large enough for smaller items to fall through. Optional power-folding 3rd row a real convenience. Aside from large console box, interior storage meager.

Value within Class

2WD Limited V8 w/18-in. whls.	4WD Limited V8 w/18-in. whls.	Class Average
7	8	5.7

Explorer and its Mercury Mountaineer sibling are highly competent overall performers with an outstanding array of available features. These include front side airbags, curtain side airbags, traction/antiskid control, V8 power, seven-passenger seating, and a power-folding 3rd-row seat. Their truck-type chassis serves trailering needs without giving up much refinement to lighter-duty midsize SUVs with car-type construction. There's nothing of consequence the Mountaineer provides over similarly equipped Explorers, making the Ford version our Recommended pick for its broader range of model choices.

Total Score

2WD Limited V8 w/18-in. whls.	4WD Limited V8 w/18-in. whls.	Class Average
59	60	56.7

Scores for all Midsize Sport-utility Vehicles

Low Score		43
Average Score		56
High Score		66

2006 Ford Explorer Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 05/30/2006

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

2WD XLS V6 4-door wagon	$26,530	$24,252	$645

4WD XLS V6 4-door wagon	$28,755	$26,232	$645

2WD XLT V6 4-door wagon	$28,225	$25,761	$645

2WD XLT V8 4-door wagon	$29,425	$26,829	$645

4WD XLT V6 4-door wagon	$30,450	$27,741	$645

4WD XLT V8 4-door wagon	$31,650	$28,809	$645

2WD Eddie Bauer V6 4-door wagon	$30,200	$27,518	$645

2WD Eddie Bauer V8 4-door wagon	$31,400	$28,586	$645

4WD Eddie Bauer V6 4-door wagon	$32,425	$29,499	$645

4WD Eddie Bauer V8 4-door wagon	$33,625	$30,567	$645

2WD Limited V6 4-door wagon	$32,515	$29,578	$645

2WD Limited V8 4-door wagon	$33,715	$30,646	$645

4WD Limited V6 4-door wagon	$34,740	$31,558	$645

4WD Limited V8 4-door wagon	$35,940	$32,626	$645

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

XLS

Powertrain

4.0-liter V6 engine, 5-speed automatic transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags, front side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, antiskid system w/rollover sensors, tire-pressure monitor.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, cupholders, 2nd-row split folding seat, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, digital clock, tachometer, compass, outside-temperature indicator, variable-intermittent wipers, visor mirrors, map lights, cargo-management system, rear defogger, intermittent rear wiper/washer.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, rear privacy glass, roof rails.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

Class II trailer-hitch receiver, full-size spare tire, 235/70R16 tires, 4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case.

XLT adds to XLS:

Powertrain

4.0-liter V6 or 4.6-liter V8 engine, 6-speed automatic transmission (V8).

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather-wrapped steering wheel, front bucket seats w/lumbar adjustment, 6-way power driver seat, illuminated visor mirrors, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Fog lights.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

Alloy wheels, 4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, 235/70R16 white-letter tires.

Eddie Bauer adds to XLT:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather upholstery, 10-way power driver seat, keypad entry, automatic day/night rearview mirror, automatic headlights.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Running boards.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

245/65R17 all-terrain white-letter tires, 4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case.

Limited adds to Eddir Bauer:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Heated front seats, driver-seat memory, 6-way power passenger seat, dual-zone automatic climate controls, heated power mirrors, Audiophile AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer, steering wheel radio and climate controls.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

Chrome alloy wheels, 4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Sport Pkg.
XLS	$695	$591
Floormats, side steps, 235/70R16 white-letter tires, machined alloy wheels.

Convenience Group
XLT	$250	$213
Keypad entry, automatic day/night rearview mirror, automatic headlights.

Leather Heated Seat Pkg.
XLT	$990	$842
Leather upholstery, heated front seats, heated mirrors.

Luxury Pkg.
Eddie Bauer	$1,700	$1,445
Heated front seats, driver-seat memory, 6-way power passenger seat, Audiophile AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer.

Luxury Pkg. w/navigation system
Eddie Bauer	$3,695	$3,141


Ultimate Convenience Group
Eddie Bauer, Limited	$350	$298
Power-adjustable pedals w/memory, universal garage door opener.

Class III/IV Trailer Towing Prep Pkg.
Eddie Bauer, Limited, XLT	$150	$128
Special axle ratio, Class III hitch, 7-wire harness, 7- to 4-pin adapter. NA XLS.

Powertrain
Special axle ratio
V6	$50	$43


Safety
Front and 2nd-row curtain side airbags w/rollover deployment
Eddie Bauer, Limited, XLS, XLT	$560	$476


Rear-obstacle-detection system
XLT, Eddie Bauer, Limited	$255	$217


Comfort and Convenience Features
Navigation system
Eddie Bauer	$2,505	$2,129
Eddie Bauer w/Luxury Pkg., Limited	$1,995	$1,696


Rear-seat DVD entertainment system
Eddie Bauer, Limited, XLT	$1,295	$1,101
XLT, Eddie Bauer require AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer or navigation system and Convenience Group. NA XLS.

Rear air conditioning and heater
Eddie Bauer, Limited, XLT	$650	$553
Requires 3rd-row seat. NA XLS.

Power sunroof
XLT, Eddie Bauer, Limited	$850	$723


Power-adjustable pedals
XLT, Eddie Bauer	$120	$102


AM/FM/cassette/CD/MP3 player
XLT, Eddie Bauer	$150	$128
Eddie Bauer w/Luxury Pkg., Limited	$0	$0


AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer
XLT, Eddie Bauer	$510	$433


Satellite radio
XLT, Limited, Eddie Bauer	$195	$166
Requires monthly fee after 6th month.

Leather upholstery
XLT	$695	$591
Includes 10-way power driver seat.

Leather/suede upholstery
Eddie Bauer	$0	$0
Requires Luxury Pkg.

Folding 3rd-row seat
XLT, Eddie Bauer, Limited	$845	$718


Power-folding 3rd-row seat
Eddie Bauer, Limited	$1,340	$1,139
Requires rear air conditioning and heater.

Quad captain chairs
Eddie Bauer, Limited	$795	$676
Requires folding or power-folding 3rd-row seat.

Cargo cover
Eddie Bauer, Limited, XLS, XLT	$80	$68
NA w/folding 3rd-row seat.

Appearance and Miscellaneous
Running boards
XLT	$450	$383


Side steps
XLT	$375	$319


Chrome side steps
Limited	$150	$128


Roof rack cross rails
Eddie Bauer, Limited, XLS, XLT	$60	$51


Special paint
Limited	$275	$234


Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
245/65R17 all-terrain white-letter tires
2WD XLT	$290	$247


18-inch chrome alloy wheels
Limited	$450	$383
Eddie Bauer	$595	$506
Includes 235/65R18 white-letter tires.

2006 Ford Explorer Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Ford Explorer 4-door wagon

Wheelbase, in.	113.7

Overall Length, in.	193.4

Overall Width, in.	73.7

Overall Height, in.	72.8

Curb Weight, lbs.	4615

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	85.8

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	22.5

Seating Capacity	7

Front Head Room, in.	39.8

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.4

Rear Head Room, in.	38.7

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	36.9

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	sohc V6	sohc V8

Size, liters/cu. in.	4.0 /245	4.6 /281

Horsepower @ rpm.	210 @ 5100	292 @ 5750

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	254 @ 3700	300 @ 3950

Availability	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

6-speed automatic	--/--	14/20

5-speed automatic	15/20	--/--

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Ford Explorer 4-door wagon

Front Impact, Driver	5

Front Impact, Passenger	5

Rollover Resistance	3

Side Impact, Driver	5

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	5

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	None/--	5/100,000 on Focus. 8/100,000 on Escape Hybrid components.

Bumper-to-bumper	3/36,000	--

Corrosion	5/Unlimited	--

Free roadside assistance	3/36,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: USA

Drivewheels: 4-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive

Tester's Comments

(what's this?)

Vehicle Evaluated: 2006 Ford Explorer
Trim Level: XLT
Arrival Date: 10/10/2005
Engine: sohc V8
Bodystyle: 4-door wagon
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
4WD/AWD: Yes
Base Price: $31,650
Price as Tested: $38,475
Mileage at Beginning of Test: 1261
Mileage at End of Test: 1664
Total Measured Miles:
Total Fuel Used: 26.26 gals.

Major Options: Safety Canopy, Power Moonroof, Trailer Tow Package Class III/IV, 6-CD MP3 Capable Audiophile Stereo, Adj. Pedals, Auxiliary Climate Control, Reverse Sensing System, 50/50 Fold Flat Third Row Seat, Lux Bkt w/Lthr Seats, Rear Seat Entertainment w/DVD, Convenience Group (Electrochomatic Mirror, Auto Lamp Headlights, Key Pad)

Consumer Guide® Fuel Economy: 15.35 mpg (what's this?)

Problems During Test: None

From The Back Seat
Chuck Giametta Quite well equipped, this 7-seat Explorer XLT with 4WD and the V8, came in at a not-too-tough-to-swallow $37,830. Biggest extra was the $1295 rear DVD entertainment, though parents won't take any convincing to know that's money well-spent about mile 100 of the 450-mile drive to grandma's house. Overall, this is about as good as a truck-type SUV gets. It's remarkable how refined and quiet and solid it is. But it doesn't really beg to go off-road, like a Toyota 4Runner seems to, so unless you need to tow 7000 lb, a Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander is still the better choice for daily commuting and around-town driving ease.

Tom Appel This early champion of the SUV movement remains true to its truck-type roots, but still serves the family buyer well. Mileage is middling, but ride and drivability are commendable given this trucks heft and towing capability. Explorer isn't the stand out it once was, but it's still a fine piece, and worthy of a Recommended stamp.

< 2006 Ford Explorer Photos

Also in the 2006 Ford Explorer Review:

Ford Explorer

Ford Explorer Road Test

Ford Explorer Prices & Equipment

Ford Explorer Specs & Safety

Ford Explorer Photos

Ford Explorer Full Review

All Ford Explorers

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