2006 Ford Explorer Review Summary & Specs
XLS Utility
New and improved for 2006.
Summary & Specs
reviewed by
Ford is a lot better at trucks than cars these days, and with the new Explorer, they have shown just how good they are at getting the basics right and getting the pricing realigned. They understand that today's customer is keenly aware of all the choices in this segment, is simply not willing to pay as much for a new SUV as they may have been five years ago, and that the new customer wants more goodies for the money or he or she will go elsewhere. This new Explorer is as much an exercise in cost accounting as truck design, and it succeeds on both counts. Overall, a great value.
New Car Test Drive correspondent Jim McCraw filed this report from Dearborn, Michigan.
Specs
| Vehicle Category |
Sport Utility Vehicles |
| Editor |
Jim McCraw |
| Model Lineup |
Ford Explorer XLS ($27,175), XLT ($28,870), XLT Sport ($30,845), Eddie Bauer ($30,845), Limited ($33,160) |
| Engines (standard) |
4.6-liter sohc 24-valve V8 |
| Engines (optional) |
210-hp 4.0-liter V6; 292-hp 4.6-liter V8 |
| Transmissions (standard) |
6-speed automatic |
| Transmissions (optional) |
5-speed automatic; 6-speed automatic |
| Safety Equipment (standard) |
electronic roll stability control, ABS, EBD; frontal airbags, side-impact airbags |
| Safety Equipment (optional) |
roof curtain airbags for second and third row |
| Basic Warranty |
3 years/50,000 miles |
| Assembled In |
St. Louis, Missouri; Louisville, Kentucky |
| Manufacturer Phone |
1-800-392-3673 |
| Manufacturer URL |
www.fordvehicles.com/ |
| Base Price MSRP |
$27,175 |
Specs as Tested
| Model Tested MSRP |
Ford Explorer XLT V8 AWD |
| Standard Equipment |
air conditioning, power steering, power disc brakes, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, console, cruise control, message center, trip computer, AM/FM/CD system |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) |
all-wheel drive ($2,225); quad bucket seats ($795); rear air conditioning ($650); Ultimate Convenience Package ($1340) |
| Destination Charge |
0 |
| Gas Guzzler Tax |
|
| Price as Tested |
$33,880 |
| Layout |
all-wheel drive |
| Horse Power |
292 @ 5750 |
| Torque |
300 @ 3950 |
| Fuel Economy |
|
| Wheelbase |
113.7 |
| Length/Width/Height |
193.4/73.5/72.8 |
| Track Front/Rear |
|
| Turning Radius |
36.8 |
| Seating Capacity |
6 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room |
39.8/59/42.4 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room |
38.7/58.9/36.9 |
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room |
37.4/53.1/34.9 |
| Trunk Volume |
85.8 |
| Payload |
|
| Towing Capacity |
7050 |
| Front Suspension |
independent, double A-arms, coil springs |
| Rear Suspension |
independent, trailing link, coil springs |
| Ground Clearance |
8.2 |
| Curb Weight |
4706 |
| Stock Tires |
P245/65R17 |
| Brakes Front/Rear |
disc/disc with ABS, EBD, EBA |
| Fuel Capacity |
22.5 |