2004 Ford Explorer Review Summary & Specs
XLS Utility
America's best-selling SUV.
Summary & Specs
reviewed by
The Ford Explorer helped usher in the era of the sport-utility as a family vehicle, and was the first SUV to break into the list of the 10 best-selling vehicles in America (in 1991). Ford Explorer rides smoothly, handles well, and the interior packaging is well thought out and executed. It's a great vehicle for long trips. Comfortable and convenient, it quickly becomes an old friend.
Specs
| Vehicle Category |
Sports Cars |
| Editor |
Mitch McCullough |
| Model Lineup |
Explorer XLS 2WD ($26,285); XLS 4WD ($28,510); XLS AWD ($28,510); XLT 2WD ($29,025); XLT 4WD ($31,250); XLT AWD ($31,250); Eddie Bauer 2WD ($33,100); Eddie Bauer 4WD ($35,325); Eddie Bauer AWD ($35,325); Limited 2WD ($33,975); Limited 4WD ($36,200); Limited AWD ($36,200) |
| Engines (standard) |
4.6-liter sohc 16-valve V8 |
| Transmissions (standard) |
5-speed automatic |
| Engines (optional) |
4.0-liter SOHC 12-valve V6; 4.6-liter SOHC 16-valve V8 |
| Transmissions (optional) |
5-speed automatic |
| Safety Equipment (standard) |
ABS; driver and passenger dual-stage air bags with tailored deployment characteristics; safety belt pretensioners and energy-management retractors; child safety seat attachments |
| Safety Equipment (optional) |
AdvanceTrac stability control; Safety Canopy with side curtain air bags and rollover sensors; tire-pressure monitoring system |
| Basic Warranty |
3 years/36,000 miles |
| Assembled In |
Louisville, Kentucky; St. Louis, Missouri |
| Manufacturer Phone |
1-800-392-FORD |
| Manufacturer URL |
www.fordvehicles.com |
| Base Price MSRP |
$26,930 |
Specs as Tested
| Model Tested MSRP |
Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer AWD ($35,325) |
| Standard Equipment |
air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, power mirrors, keyless remote, digital clock, cruise control, electric rear window defroster, roof rails, power steering, tilt steering column, tachometer, Class II trailer towing receiver hitch, intermittent front and rear wipers; XLT adds special exterior trim, automatic headlamps, high-series center floor console, cargo shade, front and rear dome and map lights, second-row reading light, approach lights on outside mirrors, fog lamps, front and rear power points, cloth front bucket seats with 6-way power driver seat and manual driver/passenger lumbar support; Eddie Bauer adds leather seating surfaces, special exterior trim, automatic air conditioning with dual controls, Homelink garage door opener , message center, heated mirrors, 290-watt 6-disc stereo, dual six-way leather-trimmed luxury seats, color keyed leather wrapped steering wheel with audio/climate controls, cast aluminum wheels, P245/65R17 tires, tire-pressure monitoring system |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) |
4.6-liter V8 engine ($800); Safety Canopy air curtain system ($560); auxiliary air conditioning ($610); Reverse Sensing System ($255); third-row seat package ($670); Class III/IV trailer package ($395) |
| Destination Charge |
645 |
| Gas Guzzler Tax |
|
| Price as Tested |
$39,260 |
| Layout |
All-Wheel-Drive |
| Horse Power |
239 @ 4750 |
| Torque |
282 @ 4000 |
| Fuel Economy |
14/19 |
| Wheelbase |
113.8 |
| Length/Width/Height |
189.5/72.1/71.4 |
| Track Front/Rear |
|
| Turning Radius |
36.8 |
| Seating Capacity |
7 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room |
39.9/55.0/42.4 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room |
38.9/54.2/35.9 |
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room |
39.0/45.3/34.8 |
| Trunk Volume |
79.9 |
| Payload |
|
| Towing Capacity |
7000 |
| Front Suspension |
independent with short and long control arms, coil springs |
| Rear Suspension |
independent with short and long control arms, coil springs |
| Ground Clearance |
8.5 |
| Curb Weight |
4434 |
| Stock Tires |
P245/65R17 |
| Brakes Front/Rear |
disc/disc with ABS and EBD |
| Fuel Capacity |
22.5 |