What vehicles are comparable to the ford explorer

So, you want a Ford Explorer. It would seem an ideal time; although it looks similar to the 2019 model, the 2020 Explorer actually is all-new. There are new powertrain choices, an all-new chassis, and inside, new tech. In an about-face in normal circumstances, where greedy automakers try to make the same ol’ look completely new, Ford has taken something truly newborn and tried to make it look like it’s a mature adult.

We’ve also had an advance preview of the Explorer’s goodness, having previously spent a week in Lincoln’s Aviator equivalent. So, is the new Explorer any good? Is it solid alternative to the new mainstream players, like the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride? And if you like the shape and size of the Explorer, should you also be shopping the Lincoln Aviator?

The answer, to all three questions, is a resounding yes.

1/23 2020 Ford Explorer Photo by Chris Balcerak /Driving ▲ 1/23 2020 Ford Explorer Photo by Chris Balcerak /Driving ▲ 1/23 2020 Ford Explorer Photo by Chris Balcerak /Driving ▲ 1/23 2020 Ford Explorer Photo by Chris Balcerak /Driving ▲ 1/23 2020 Ford Explorer Photo by Chris Balcerak /Driving ▲ 1/23 2020 Ford Explorer Photo by Chris Balcerak /Driving ▲ 1/23 2020 Ford Explorer Photo by Chris Balcerak /Driving ▲ 1/23 2020 Ford Explorer Photo by Chris Balcerak /Driving ▲ 1/23 2020 Ford Explorer Photo by Chris Balcerak /Driving ▲ 1/23 2020 Ford Explorer Photo by Chris Balcerak /Driving ▲ 1/23 2020 Ford Explorer Photo by Chris Balcerak /Driving ▲ 1/23 2020 Ford Explorer Photo by Chris Balcerak /Driving ▲ 1/23 2020 Ford Explorer Photo by Chris Balcerak /Driving ▲ 1/23 2020 Ford Explorer Photo by Chris Balcerak /Driving ▲ 1/23 2020 Ford Explorer Photo by Chris Balcerak /Driving ▲ 1/23 2020 Ford Explorer Photo by Chris Balcerak /Driving ▲ 1/23 2020 Ford Explorer Photo by Chris Balcerak /Driving ▲ 1/23 2020 Ford Explorer Photo by Chris Balcerak /Driving ▲ 1/23 2020 Ford Explorer Photo by Chris Balcerak /Driving ▲ 1/23 2020 Ford Explorer Photo by Chris Balcerak /Driving ▲ 1/23 2020 Ford Explorer Photo by Chris Balcerak /Driving ▲ 1/23 2020 Ford Explorer Photo by Chris Balcerak /Driving ▲ 1/23 2020 Ford Explorer Photo by Chris Balcerak /Driving ▲

For one thing, the Explorer — at least in Platinum trim — is plenty peppy, its 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 good for a healthy 365 horsepower and an even more impressive 380 pound-feet of torque. It scoots from pillar to post with alacrity, passes with punch, and sounds like a sports car. In fact, it may sound a little too much like a sports car, the exhaust a tad hyperactive, always imploring you to punch the loud handle a little harder. Friends who called me [You have friends? — Ed.] were constantly mistaking my ride for a Jaguar or Porsche, so insistent was the exhaust note. That sounds great, but it might wear on you after a while. The good folks at Consumer Reports actually took issue with the same tonality, complaining that it was more annoying than enticing. Beware, then, that the Explorer may be a little sportier a utility vehicle than you really want.

The same is true of the handling. Again, it’s impressive, the Explorer steering mighty well for a 2,150-kilogram, three-row sport-ute. But what Ford’s suspension engineers giveth, so do they take away; the Explorer is a bit of a buckboard when the roads get rough. Oh, it’s not as rough a ride as a Super Duty, but it’s not as family friendly as you might expect.

The rest of the Explorer, however, truly fits the bill. The interior, for instance, is supremely roomy. The seats, more basic than the multi-adjustable units in the Aviator, are just as comfy — in the first two rows, at least. The third row, that which is supposed to render this SUV minivan-like, is vestigial. This is definitely a five-plus-two seating arrangement, as opposed to seven adults. As for technology, Ford’s latest Sync 3 infotainment is impressive, especially projected onto the Platinum’s 10.1-inch, portrait-oriented touchscreen. Not quite as large as Tesla’s display, it’s nonetheless informative and intuitive enough. I especially like the split-screen that allows both Apple CarPlay and Sync to be viewed simultaneously. And like the Aviator, the seat functions — massage type and strength, for instance — are all readily accessible. After all, a buried sub-menu is an unused sub-menu.

You’re looking at Kia’s new sport-ute. Then hustle on down to your local Kia dealer and set up a test drive in the new Telluride. Now, to be sure, the Telluride is no powerhouse — there’s a 3.8L V6 on board, but it isn’t turbocharged and its 291 horsepower is actually less than the 300 boasted by Ford’s entry-level 2.3L turbo-four. To be perfectly fair, it’s smooth, quiet, and adequately muscled, but it doesn’t boast the excess power the Explorer always has at the ready. On the other hand, the Telluride rides better, is just a tad roomier, and the interior is positively Mercedes-like compared to the Explorer. The Telluride was one of Kia’s surprise hits of 2019; it really does deserve a look if you’re shopping for a large-ish, three-row SUVs.

But, of course, you’re also shopping Toyota’s new Highlander. One of the leading lights among three-rowers, the Highlander has also been refurbished for 2020. There’s a new exterior and interior, and one thoroughly revised powertrain. Speaking of drivetrains, in the non-hybrid segment, the Ford dominates the Toyota; like the Telluride, even the Explorer’s base EcoBoost four-cylinder out-muscles Toyota’s stalwart V6. Throw in the Explorer Platinum’s steroidal EcoBoost V6, and Toyota has no answer. The Ford is also rated to tow a few more precious kilograms.

1/8 2020 Highlander Hybrid Platinum. Photo by Andrew McCredie ▲ 1/8 2020 Highlander Hybrid Platinum. Photo by Andrew McCredie ▲ 1/8 2020 Highlander Hybrid Platinum. Photo by Andrew McCredie ▲ 1/8 2020 Highlander Hybrid Platinum. Photo by Andrew McCredie ▲ 1/8 2020 Highlander Hybrid Platinum. Photo by Andrew McCredie ▲ 1/8 2020 Highlander Hybrid Platinum. Photo by Andrew McCredie ▲ 1/8 2020 Highlander Hybrid Platinum. Photo by Andrew McCredie ▲ 1/8 2020 Highlander Hybrid Platinum. Photo by Andrew McCredie ▲

On the other hand, the Highlander’s cabin sports much better materials, and short of the third row, they’re roughly equally as roomy. The Explorer, however, has much more cargo space in all seating configurations, and despite the Toyota having a larger infotainment touchscreen, I prefer Ford’s portrait-oriented Sync 3 system.

The Highlander gets it all back when it comes to hybrids. Seriously, I don’t get Ford’s electrified Explorer at all. Adding an electric motor to a non-turbocharged V6 not only doesn’t match the EcoBoost motors for urge, but the fuel economy isn’t much improved, either. The Highlander, on the other hand, matches a 2.5L four-cylinder with Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system. Its 240 horsepower can’t match the Explorer Hybrid’s 318, but it’s more than adequate and the Toyota’s 6.9 L/100 kilometre fuel economy rating seems positively Prius-like compared to the Ford’s extravagant 9.6.

1/8 2020 Lincoln Aviator Photo by Nadine Filion /Driving ▲ 1/8 2020 Lincoln Aviator Photo by Nadine Filion /Driving ▲ 1/8 2020 Lincoln Aviator Photo by Nadine Filion /Driving ▲ 1/8 2020 Lincoln Aviator Photo by Nadine Filion /Driving ▲ 1/8 2020 Lincoln Aviator Photo by Nadine Filion /Driving ▲ 1/8 2020 Lincoln Aviator Photo by Nadine Filion /Driving ▲ 1/8 2020 Lincoln Aviator Photo by Nadine Filion /Driving ▲ 1/8 2020 Lincoln Aviator Photo by Nadine Filion /Driving ▲

May we also suggest the Lincoln Aviator? Having also tested Lincoln’s version of the Explorer, the 2020 Aviator, we loved it. Also blessed with a mighty EcoBoost V6, the Aviator’s engine is quieter, its suspension softer, and interior more luxurious. I didn’t miss the ‘vroom’ noises, the tradeoff between ride and handling was acceptable, and, wow, the interior was beautiful. Where the Explorer’s cabin could be a little plasticky with a few noticeable gaps between overlapping panels, the Aviator’s trim was more luxurious and better constructed. The cabin was also much more inviting, the Lincoln décor superior even to an Audi, while the Explorer’s trim bits looked a little Honda Pilot-ish. The Lincoln is more money, but if you’re looking at a top-of-the-line Explorer, you really do owe it to yourself to visit Ford’s sister dealership.