Interior
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This is a sport-utility vehicle, so there is some climbing to be done getting in. But entry height is not a serious problem. Shorter folks may find optional running boards helpful.
The overall design of the interior is quite good, featuring the flowing shapes and soft-edged buttons and controls now favored by Ford. The various controls are king-size, making them easy to operate when the vehicle is moving, and we give the overall appearance of the instrument panel top marks. This is perhaps the best-looking and most functional layout in the business. Floor consoles have been redesigned. Higher trim levels boast rear cupholders and a storage bin. The optional moon roof has a one-touch-open feature.
Seating is a big plus. The front buckets are covered in high-quality cloth with an attractive, subdued pattern. The seats are among the most supportive in this class, with aggressive thigh and side bolsters.
The Explorer's other strong suit is its best-in-class roominess, perhaps the key element in its popularity.
Safety is improved this year with new optional side air bags. Housed in the outer side bolster of the front seats, they deploy within 30 milliseconds of impact.
A new Homelink system can operate up to three remote controls to open garage doors and turn on house lights, which improves safety and convenience. And Travelnote provides the driver with an electronic message recorder and play-back system.
Three engines are available: a 4.0-liter overhead-valve V6 rated at 160 horsepower, a 4.0-liter single overhead-cam V6 with 210 horsepower, and a 5.0-liter V8 that makes 215 horsepower.
Deciding to buy an Explorer is not too difficult. Deciding which Explorer with which engine and which transmission may take an afternoon of brochure browsing. The lineup ranges from the $20,590 two-door, two-wheel-drive XL to the four-door, four-wheel-drive Limited priced at more than $35,000. In between are the Sport, XLS, XLT and Eddie Bauer. New for '99, the XLS is designed to bring some of the sporty appearance of the two-door model to the four-door body at a price below the four-door XLT.
Our $29,355 four-door XLT 4x4 sits in between the extremes and comes loaded with standard features. The only option on ours were the $390 side airbags, which come with sport bucket seats.
The XLT comes with the popular 4.0-liter sohc V6. This is the best engine for most folks. It provides plenty of power for passing and tackling long grades, yet it's inexpensive and delivers good fuel economy. It also comes with the five-speed automatic transmission, which does a gret
The V8 is the best choice for anyone who tows a trailer. With the trailer-towing package and four-speed automatic, it costs an extra $1600.
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