Overview & Reviews

The 2016 Ford Explorer gets revised exterior styling, a new engine option, updated safety features and a new top-end trim level.

• Abundant high-tech features
• Upscale cabin
• Expected improvement in fuel economy from new turbo engine.

• Less cargo room than many rivals
• Third row only seats two passengers.
• Current model feels big behind the wheel

User Reviews:

Showing 21 through 30 of 97.00

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  They hit it out of the park! - 2016 Ford Explorer
  By Jack M - June 30 - 5:00 pm

  The Platinum trim takes an already outstanding SUV well into the luxury class. I had planned to buy a Limited, but decided to go all in for the Platinum since I wanted most of the advanced features anyway. What a nice upgrade! In addition to all of the features, the interior is replete with stitched leather. My other vehicles are Mercedes and BMWs and I have to say that this vehicle experience is on par with those marques. A friend of mine said he preferred this leather to that of his high-end BMW. Multiple valets have favorably compared the vehicle with Range Rovers. Included with the Platinum is the 3.5L Ecoboost engine from the Sport. That engine is smooth and very powerful, almost telepathic. Acceleration is butterly smooth and you get to your desired speed almost as soon as you think of accelerating. I do not understand the other reviews that complain about the seats. My wife and I feel they are quite comfortable. They can even massage the knots out of your back. However, I do wish there were more room for my left foot. The wheel well intrusion may be uncomfortable for some people. I suggest that you evaluate that yourself. Particular likes: - Performance of the 3.5L Ecoboost engine - Styling - Interior treatment - Auto high beams - Adaptive cruise control - Quite ride Dislike: - Limited left foot space for the driver. I am very happy with this vehicle so far. It has far exceeded my expectations.

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  Another Great Explorer - 2016 Ford Explorer
  By Dennis Sivells - May 2 - 5:13 am

  This is the third Explorer I have owned and is the best so far. I got a Limited which is loaded up and it has not disappointed me in any way. Love it!

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  SERIOUSLY? - 2016 Ford Explorer
  By Johnny H - January 3 - 7:32 pm

  I purchased a 2016 XLT in white platinum with dune leather, moonroof, 20" polished wheels. The dealer said it had every available XLT option other than 4WD. MSRP was around $42,500. I test drove the car during the day and then purchased it at night a couple days later just as the dealership was closing. As I drove off the lot, I realized the car was very dark inside. The ceiling is black, the interior lighting is minimal and the visibility is poor. I have a 2014 Expedition and it has much better visibility and is easier to manuveur than this Explorer (I noticed Car and Driver expressed similar complaints about the Explorer in its review of the 2016 model). The Expedition also has beige colored ceiling, which makes a huge difference, as well as a lot more interior lights. Why would Ford put black panels and ceiling inside a car with tan leather? Speaking of the leather, its very cheap, and instead of making it uniform in color, the fronts of the seats are tan and the back are black. The door panels are also primarily black, giving the interior a very cheap look. It gets worse. When I got home, I realized it did not have a universal garage door opener, and when i called the dealership about this, they advised me that one could not be added. $43K and no universal garage door opener? Give me a break. It never even crossed my mind to check if it had one because every car i have owned since 1996 has had one. The stereo is also a joke for a $43K car; it sounds like a one-speaker radio. In summary, the Ford Explorer XLT, even when loaded with all available options, is bare bones and clunky and I could never recommend it to anyone. Come on, Ford!

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  Brand new car, still no peace of mind - 2016 Ford Explorer
  By Michael P. - December 20 - 5:11 pm

  My second Ford Explorer. We leased a 2014 now we have a 2016. We loved them....up to the point where my wife and 4 year old daughter almost had a horrible accident in traffic during 4th of July. Where to begin...Like most of you, my vehicle, a Ford Explorer exhibited similar issues. Whats different is that my truck is a 2016 with roughly 7400 miles on it. My wife and 4 year are in 4th of July traffic in the Washington DC area on the inside lane. Her exit is coming. So shes about to change lanes when all of a sudden..she has no power to the gas pedal. A wrench light comes on and shes freaking out because traffic was heavy. Several cars narrowly avoid rear ending her. Thankfully she makes it to the shoulder of the road unharmed. Fast forward to today...we finally get our truck back after almost a week. Everyone in the service department nonchalantly brushes aside the fact that lives could have been lost. Now, I have to figure out what to do because wife is so traumatized that she doesnt want to drive, or even step foot in the vehicle anymore for fear of them replacing it with the same part and it happening again. She has contacted her Doctor to help deal with the anxiety she is dealing with. This issue started with the escapes years ago. Obviously they are purposely still using faulty parts. I need help.

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  comfortable and silent cabin - 2016 Ford Explorer
  By Paul - November 30 - 7:18 am

  Excellent handling and comfort. Better shift quality than other available competition.

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  Horrible drivers seat! Hurts my Back and Butt. - 2016 Ford Explorer
  By Sheila K. - October 17 - 12:37 pm

  Make sure you test drive this car. My butt falls asleep, the length of the seat is too short and puts pressure on your thighs the back of the seat is hard and the way the lumbar is built puts pressure on my back. My back actually hurts when Im not even driving in it now. The arm rest console is too far back so I cant rest my arm when driving either. Its also hard to get in and out because there isnt enough room between the steering wheel and the seat. Its really hard to see out of also. Also the phone charger wont charge the phone when you arent in the car. It has an extra mirror for blind spots and it annoys me because it seems like its in the way of the full view of the mirror. And it seems like too much thinking to look in both mirrors. Also only the large part of the trunk opens, so you cant open the smaller window part. Which is annoying when you have tons of groceries about to fall out of the trunk and you just want to open the window so you can grab the stuff thats about to fall out. Really disappointed in this SUV.

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  Watch out for the throttle body!! - 2016 Ford Explorer
  By Peggy Frazier - September 21 - 2:43 am

  Apparently, the throttle body on a 2016 Ford Explorer goes out, on average, at 8100 miles. Mine went out in the middle of a very busy interstate at 8200 miles. Ford Roadside Assistance very kindly contacted a towing company and said they would have it towed to the nearest dealership in Jackson, MS. After driving a limping car to the side of an extremely busy exit, I received a computer generated call saying the towing company would reach me in 1 hour and 15 minutes!!! In the meantime, cars are whizzing by me. I took it upon myself to call the towing company who said they had a man 5 minutes away from me. Sure enough, he was there in 5 minutes. Then, when I reached the dealership, they had no idea what I was talking about and acted more or less unconcerned that there was a tow truck driver sitting in their parking lot wanting to know where to put my car. I assumed that Ford Roadside Assistance would have contacted the dealership and given them a heads up. Not the case. After waiting in the service department lounge for a while, I was told that my car would not be looked at until the next day. But, Ford would rent a car for me in the meantime. Then I learn that Ford, apparently, uses only Enterprise Rentals and the only car they would put me in was a Ford. Unfortunately, all of the Ford cars in Jackson, MS, at Enterprise Rental, had been sent to Texas in the wake of a hail storm. One car remained - a Mustang. I am a 62 year old woman with a not so good back. I thought I would be using it for, at the most, a day, so I could stand it since I had no choice. The next day, I was told that it would take a week for the new throttle body would be in. At that point, I told the dealership that I needed to go home, 3 1/2 hours away, and that I needed another car. Terribly sorry but nothing else is available. I did drive the mustang home and I was given (after insisting) another Ford car by the Enterprise Rental Company in my home town. Today I learn that the throttle body is back ordered for AT LEAST TWO WEEKS! Supposedly due to some catastrophe. I have to wonder if the catastrophe is that the part is so defective that Ford is having to replace so many that they are back ordered. Also, will I ever trust my car again? Will the new throttle body fail after 8100 miles???

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  THROTTLE BODY ISSUE - 2016 Ford Explorer
  By Rachael - September 17 - 11:35 am

  I have a lease with less than 6,000 miles on the vehicle. I was on a major highway with my 3 year old child when going from 80 mh the car just completely came to a complete stop. I was hysterical crying. The manager at the service dealer informed me shut the car off and restart the vehicle I did it multiple times till finally it started again, he informed me to try and drive it and or call the tow truck i called the tow truck and was informed over an hour wait. so i proceeded to drive to get off the major highway, the vehicle shut off another 5 times before getting off the major highway. The dealer had my vehicle for exactly 17 days waiting on the part. i was hoping it fell under the lemon law being its a lease. My service manager stated he cant guarantee it not happening again. I really am not comfortable driving this vehicle not knowing if this problem would occur while the road with my family.

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  Grannies ride - 2016 Ford Explorer
  By Diann Eve - September 4 - 9:46 am

  If shopping on line verify color and price before going to test drive. Also, availablity.

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  Dont buy. - 2016 Ford Explorer
  By George Georgie - July 14 - 6:32 pm

  Do not recommend, not a big bang for your bucks, Go with twin turbo charge platinum.