Ford's Explorer Loses Its Way

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I, for one, can confirm the accommodation of the cabin whether two people are talking or seven. "Intelligibility," meanwhile, is subjective.

The Explorer boasts a list of safety features both impressive and horrifying—impressive for its breath, horrifying for the gruesome rollover recollections it conjures. Chiefly, for $560, an optional safety canopy will deploy in the event of a rollover to swaddle front- and second-row occupants, even if their heads are resting against the windows. Sounds neat. But, do you really want to be in a car that needs it?

The list of class-exclusive safety features is wholly impressive. And, the Explorer finally manages to achieve the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's highest score of "good" on every one of its tests. That should dispense with any lingering concerns over the rather poor performance of models from the 1997 to 2001 time frame.

Outside, the Explorer looks modern if slightly conservative. I like the stronger grill and masculine headlamps, though it isn't as bold as the new Expedition. A miniature version of the Expedition styling might have blurred distinctions between the two models, but could also have attracted a few more welcome buyers.

The Eddie Bauer edition I tested followed the bling trend, with the front decked out in shiny, attention-attracting metal. For my test vehicle, Ford threw in a stylin' set of chrome 18-inch wheels, unnecessary but pretty. Even with the added flash, the effect is still restrained, especially compared to the newest Lincoln Navigator and General Motors' Cadillac Escalade (GM).

The cabin is sure to be a point of pride for owners. Who says U.S. companies can't build a functional, tight, good-looking interior? Inside, the keyword is definitely macho. The shifter is so big it borders on ridiculous. Imagine an oversize corn dog that tastes like plastic and metal. The dash, meanwhile, is functional and well-made. The navigation system is particularly delightful, crisp, and easy to use as it is.

The only points of contention, interior-wise, are the funky door handles. A techy bank of controls sits above the pull handle: cool to look at but annoying to use. A friend broke not one but two nails mistakenly grabbing at the point where a door-pull ought to reside. It's a minor point of style-over-function and, luckily, just a small aberration in the otherwise excellent interior.

Buy It or Bag It? I'm tempted to compare the Explorer to the popular high school athlete who peaks early and sticks around remembering past glories an embarrassingly long time. But, I'm not sure I'd rather see the venerable model retired either.

Clearly, despite the Explorer's other great virtues, consumers haven't managed to forgive it its poor fuel economy. In its class, the Explorer dominates as it ought to, but the class is seriously troubled as well. I'm dubious, meanwhile, of how much the upcoming and much-lauded Ford Edge crossover can stop the bleeding. However, if it inherits the Explorer's newfound refinement, inside and out, it just might have a fighting chance.

If you must have a traditional, midsize, "real" SUV, this is the one to buy on quality, performance, and looks. Otherwise, all tempting deals aside, look to a fuel-efficient crossover or wagon available on the market today.

To learn more about the Ford Explorer, click here.

Matt Vella is a reporter for BusinessWeek.com in New York.