I love my 2021. Drives like a dream, has the power when I need it and it can tow whatever to need. I test drove various other competitors and am more then glad I chose the XLT.
Wife and I bought our Explorer XLT two months ago and has just over 2000 miles on it. We didn't want the sport appearance package or leather, so ours cost just under 40k USD. Plenty of power for everyday use, snow mode is capable enough for the Tahoe snow, and decent fuel economy (we get about 22 mpg with 70/30 city/hwy driving). Now for comments on the transmission. In every mode except sport mode, it shifts like a mid size truck when starting off and buttery smooth after that. The only times it hasn't been smooth has been the few times we tried sport mode. Both upshifts and downshifts are jerky. While we're unsure of how this affects the longevity of the transmission, we don't put it in sport mode because of the jerky shifts. Everything else has been incredible about the vehicle. Amazing room in all three rows, the folding rear seats are easy to operate, and a surprising amount of fun to drive considering it's a midsize SUV. It's been a great vehicle so far and I can happily say I'd buy it again.
Interesting review of the 2021 Ford explore XLT which is the exact model I just bought and just to add an opposite opinion here’s my 2 cents. I wanted a new midsize SUV. I really really wanted the Cadillac xt6 but after test driving 2 I was so underwhelmed, it wasn’t comfortable nor luxurious enough for the 80k price tag . Then I looked at the Volvo CX90, nice but the reviews made it sound AMAZING and it was just ok. My third choice was a Mercedes Benz GLC which I totally liked but my sedan is a Mercedes and there wasn’t enough difference between my car and the suv except for size. I think I’m going to get a new C class or E class and keep my Benz purchases to the cars. Next I headed over to the Ford lot and immediately liked the 2021 explorer XLT 4x4. The seats are extremely comfortable and I love the new slate grey color. The turbo engine drives like a sports car this handles so well I can’t believe it it is so fun to drive and I don’t have that rattling all those issues you were having on your demo model. I really want it to like the Cadillac I could not justify $80,000 for an underwhelming SUV and I totally fell in love with the explorer
Been looking at the same vehicles as you did. Thank you, you’re opinion has been a lot of help as I’ve been feeling the same way through my search. Researching my next upgrade. Coming out of a 2015 Lincoln MKZ…. So have had great experience with Ford reliability for several years. The explorer will be my next test drive. I like the sounds of the “fun to drive” factor.
I got mine Explorer about 1.5 month ago .. and I can confirm almost everything that said in this video ! I got 700 miles and transmission is really straggling to find proper gear when driving in traffic below 25 miles per hour or going up hill .(it’s jerking )…door panels are resonating ( rattling)when music level is above 20… gaps between plastic panels are visible (I drove three jeeps grand Cherokee and they have much better sound quality.and transmission shifts much smoother) and when car going over concrete parts of bridges or highway internal panels making a some rattling noise.Plus….when I was installing dashcam I removed door entry panels and found couple of forgotten screws! Lol …But I car has plenty of power and really fun to drive! It is enjoyable to drive on a highway…ohhh.. I forgot.. the cupholders .. I don’t know who designed them!! They too shallow .. if you will put 12 oz glass bottle… it will not hold it and when you brake … Pepsi will be all over …
I have the same trim and options as your test vehicle but in the color of white and I have none of the problems you have with it. I have a very heavy right foot and never reset the mpg's from day 1 and drive city 90% of the time and still get 20.3 mpg. My transmission is buttery smooth. I tried just about all of the mid sized Suv's on the market before deciding on the explorer and to me it wasn't really a close race between the vehicle's tested and I'm not a Ford guy either. But every one has their own outlooks on things and thats OK. I did do my own do diligence on investigating and test driving and I think about 95% of all mid-sized Suv's I found that the 4 cylinder explorer had more power than most V6 vehicle's tested and yes some were more luxurious but got no where close the the mpg's of the explorer and most of the mid-sized Suv's that I would consider were at the same price point as the explorer. And none of them felt were as sporty as the explorer. Matter of fact most looked like something you're grandparents would drive. All and all I love my 2021 explorer.
Wow that's a lot of usable space. I've been looking at fun stuff like new bronco (not out yet), jeeps, and pickups, but this is super nice and comes in same or cheaper for more stuff than those. That back seat and fold to huge space can have two kids and bikes or whatever. And tows 5300lbs? Sweet! Please tell me that it is made at Ford USA..
Kind of a rubbish review but I guess cars in ole Canada are super expensive. In the states you can have that explorer for 37-38k walking away. Also XLT is not the base model there is an explorer base that can be had as well.
@@hotcars Excluding the base trim that is usually for fleet sales, the XLT (200a) trim is still very economical. I bought one for about $37,000 U.S. It deletes the sport package, moonroof and foglights I didn't need anyway. But still a very good value. I've had no issues with rattling or build quality.
You have an early assembly line, mostly hand-built vehicle before the fully automated process took hold. Almost every new model vehicle within 6 months of an assembly line is going to have build imperfections. That being said, the dash, infotainment and interior are horrendous for the price. It's typical Ford phoning-in to make it good enough to be a rental
Kia Telluride/Hyundai Palisade. hands-down. The best value mid size SUV in existence at the moment. Only real issue with the vehicle is that it drives like a living room couch in comparison, but that's more of a buyer preference than a legitimate issue
@@eyedunno8462 if you’re looking for a much smaller vehicle then the listed above would work. Switched from a telluride to an explorer and much more room and power.
Ford dealers are happy to sell you a vehicle but they can't currently repair cars due to a Ford parts shortage. Something they don't tell you when you buy a Ford. Ford blames COVID but according to my body shop (a nationwide chain) they have no problem getting parts for GM, Chrysler, Kia's etc. So if you're in a fender bender or a part fails on your Ford, it CAN'T BE FIXED. My 2021 Explorer has been sitting at a body shop for 2 months after we hit a deer and did relatively minor damage on it. Ford has no idea when they will be able to get parts and they refuse to pay for a rental car. They refuse to offer a loaner car. I'm currently in the process of filing a claim in Civil Court. The car may not be a lemon but the Ford product support and customer relations certainly is.
@@nicholasherrera3620 We were without our vehicle (which had less than 300 miles on it) for over three months. All because we were waiting for a radiator mounting bracket and another minor part. It's NOT being a Karen to expect some help getting the parts. I literally had to call around to find the parts myself. Ford corporate gave us the run around and was no help. If it were my dealership I would have canabalized another vehicle on the lot to get the parts for my customer. Thanks for feeling the need to offer your opinion. GM and Chrysler have parts according to my body shop, Ford didn't (do you think my body shop is lying?)... sorry if that fact got you triggered.
