Like them or not, you have to give props to Ford Philippines for keeping those sales numbers up. Considering the local lineup isn’t exactly expansive, the American automaker sits in the top three in the Philippine sales charts. Not bad for a company that really only has three volume products.
All in all, Ford Philippines sells seven models here. It’s the Ranger, Territory, and Everest that’s doing all the heavy lifting here. That said, the other offerings in the country do well for themselves, albeit not in the same volumes as its three top sellers. And that brings us neatly to the Ford Explorer.
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See, the Explorer was one of the pioneers of the SUV boom in the US around the late-‘80s and early-’90s. It was the right car for the right time and helped Ford establish a strong foothold in the SUV market. 33 years and six generations later, we arrive at its current iteration. Even though it’s not as huge of a seller in the US anymore, it remains a vital product in its portfolio. It’s the favorite of police fleets there, too.
Locally, the Explorer is a bit of an odd duck. It’s safe to say that most don’t know just how significant this model is, especially in its home market. We’ve had Explorers since the third generation (who remembers the Eddie Bauer models?), but its positioning is rather strange.
It’s not exactly a luxury car, even if some people consider it to be one, but it sits just above the threshold of what’s considered premium in the Philippines. So, why buy one if the Everest already exists? That’s what we’re here to find out.
Styling
Evolutionary is a safe way to describe its design. One can still see elements from the previous generation model present on this one. It’s not an entirely bad thing, though, as this one has better presence on the road compared to its predecessor.
It looks sharper and more purposeful, at least for this writer. Its lines are smooth and crisp, avoiding sharp lines and acute angles that’s guaranteed to polarize opinions. Sure, it’s no stunner, but we reckon this will age gracefully.
Interior
We’ll be blunt here and say it’s a bit of a mixed bag inside the Explorer. On one hand, it’s an exercise in function over form. We appreciate the logical ergonomics, the simple layout, and the easy to use user experience. Heck, we’re glad that it has buttons on the center console. You don’t really need to bring out the owners manual to figure things out.
On the downside, cabin materials aren’t exactly brilliant. Yes, most touch points feel good, but some plastics feel downmarket given its price point. That said, the Explorer’s home market doesn’t see the Explorer as a premium or luxury vehicle. Over there, it’s seen the same way we see Everests.
Interior room is good, but we were honestly expecting more given its size. That said, there’s still more than enough for, um, Filipino-sized passengers. There’s an abundance of space at the front, less so in the second row, and not much left in the third. It’s typical in any midsized crossover, to be honest. Thankfully, the second-row slides back and forth for more wiggle room in the third row.
Where the Explorer gains back points is in the cargo area. There’s 1,264 liters of space behind the second row, easily making this one of the most capacious loading bays out there. Flip the third-row up and there’s still over 500 liters back there. No wonder cops in the US buy these in droves.
Engine performance
Under the hood of the Explorer Limited is a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine. Sadly, there’s no more twin-turbo V6 option available and it’s reserved for the ST model. Still, the numbers it makes are good at 300hp and 420Nm of torque. That engine is then paired with a ten-speed automatic.
Early examples of the sixth-gen Explorers seem to be plagued with a jerky drivetrain. Three years on, it seems that those kinks have been ironed out. Our experience with it was smooth with no hesitation from the transmission, seamless shifting from one gear to another.
In terms of power delivery, there is a hint of lag like all turbocharged engines, but it gathers speed well once it’s spooled up. Getting to highway speeds is an easy and effortless task for this crossover. The engine can sound a little gruff at times, but we’re willing to forgive it because of the performance it offers.
It’s an EcoBoost, so it should be, um, eco, right? For something at weighs over 2,000kg and has 300hp under the hood, it’s not too bad. Heavy traffic yielded 5.5 to 6km/L, while more forgiving conditions netted 7km/L. Go for an easy cruise on the highway in it, and you’re looking at 12.4km/L.
Ride and handling
Truth be told, we were expecting the Explorer to be a soft and flabby driving and riding experience. To our surprise, it was far from that. Over rough surfaces, body control was kept in check without much in the way of lateral swaying. It’s surprisingly composed and stays level for as long as it can. There’s no heaving at higher speeds, and it doesn’t feel too floaty, either.
The bigger shock here is its driving dynamics. Okay, it’s no Mustang, but it’s good for what it is. The light steering dulls any form of feedback, but there is good roadholding and it’s responsive enough to inspire some degree of confidence on twisty roads. Its brakes were commendable, too, providing a firm and solid feel through the pedal. Perhaps it also helps that the new Explorer uses a rear-wheel drive-based chassis.
Extra features
If there’s one thing we’re missing, it’s the power adjustable pedals. Sadly, Ford removed it from the sixth-gen Explorer. That’s a bit of a shame as it was one of the pleasant surprise and delight features of past Explorer models.
Some folks might also complain about the lack of 360-degree view cameras. As a workaround, it does have sensors at the front and rear, along with a reverse camera. At this point, you’re probably thinking the Philippine-spec Explorer is bare and barren, but that’s not entirely true.
Seat ventilation is standard, so is, tri-zone climate control. The third-row seats set and stow with a push of a button, and there’s a gigantic sunroof to let more light into the cabin. Its Bang and Olufsen sound system should please most people, and advanced driver assist systems are thrown in the mix. Infotainment is as contemporary as it can be with wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. For those who are feeling more adventurous, the Explorer comes with a terrain management system that, surprisingly, activates a rear locking differential if sand mode is engaged.
Verdict
At P3,498,000, the Explorer Limited is nearly a million pesos more expensive than the other SUV in the Ford Philippines stable, the Everest Titanium 4x4. So, is it worth the extra cash?
The seemingly cop-out answer here is it depends on who you’re asking. Everest and Explorer buyers and owners come from completely different demographics. The more logical comparison is to put it together against more similar vehicles.
We’re talking about models such as the GAC GS8, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Mazda CX-90, Subaru Evoltis, and the recently revealed fifth-generation Hyundai Santa Fe. For us, the three of the toughest competitors the Explorer has to face are the CX-90, GS8, and the redesigned Santa Fe.
But back to the Explorer. Yes, we're aware of the reliability shortcomings of the 2020 and 2021 models (the C-virus and supply chain issues took a toll on assembly), but it seems that things have been improving steadily over the last couple of years. If you're willing to roll the dice, then it's worth reading the last few sentences of this review.
We say it’s for those who would like their SUV to be refined, comfortable, and not come with diesel power. Let’s just say it’s a more elevated experience compared to midsize truck-based SUVs, one that’s worth paying an extra (near) million to achieve.
SPECS: 2024 Ford Explorer Limited 4WD
Price: P3,498,000
Engine: 2.3-liter turbopetrol
Power: 300hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 420Nm @ 3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Layout: All-wheel drive
Seating: 7
Score: 8/10
