The Ford Explorer is powered by a Twin-Turbo 3.5 Liter V6 engine. This engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. This combination of the 3.6L powertrain and the 6-speed gearbox under this SUV does justice to the hefty Explorer. The power delivery is smooth and linear and being a V6 motor, it revs cleanly without any lag. The performance of this car is sporty indeed
The 6-speed has perfec gear ratios for this car, and with the peak torque kicking in the middle rpms has helped the Explorer deliver a punchy and bosted performance.
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Models
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Ford Explorer
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Chevrolet Traverse
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Toyota Highlander
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GMC Acadia
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MSRP
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$31,160
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$28,700
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$32,680
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$41,450
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Engine
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3.5 L V 6 cyl
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3.6L V6 cyl
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3.5L V6 cyl
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3.6-liter V-6 engine
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Transmission
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6-Speed Automatic
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6-Speed Automatic
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8-speed Automatic
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6-Speed Automatic
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Horsepower
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290 HP @6500 rpm
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281 HP @6300 rpm
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295 HP @6600 rpm
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310 HP @6600 rpm
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Torque
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255 lb-ft @4000 rpm
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266 lb-ft @3400 rpm
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263 lb-ft @4700 rpm
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271 lb-ft @5000 rpm
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Amongst the competition, most of them come with a standard V6 producing the power around the 300 horses with turbos introduced in their higher trim levels to make most out of those engine blocks. The Traverse takes a lower spot in the list with just 281 HP being produced from a 3.6 liter V6. GMC tops the list with its Acadia, which produces 20 horsepower more than the Explorer.
2017 Ford Explorer Acceleration Performance
The 2017 Ford Explorer is no dragster. It is not designed to accelerate as quickly as possible from one traffic signal to another. The base 3.5L V6 takes its own sweet time to push this 5000-pound heavy beast to 60 mph and it won't ever intimidate any driver. The Ford Explorer races from 0-60 mph in 7.7 seconds.
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Models
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Ford Explorer
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Chevrolet Traverse
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Toyota Highlander
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GMC Acadia
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0-60 MPH
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7.7 sec
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6.7 sec
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7.0 Sec
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6.3 sec
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Quarter mile
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16.0 sec
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16.0 sec
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15.5 sec
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15.0 sec
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Top speed
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143 mph
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132 mph
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N/A
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115*
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Engine
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3.5L
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3.6L
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3.5 L
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3.6L
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On paper and on the drag strip, Explorer is quite slower than the Chevrolet Traverse and Toyota Highlander. Nevertheless, the GMC Acadia with a bigger 6.3-liter engine does 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds. The Chevrolet Traverse sets the 0-60 mph mark in 6.7 seconds, the second best among the four. The Highlander takes 7 seconds for the 0-60 mph run.
How good is the handling of the 2017 Ford Explorer?
Ride and handling in the 2017 Ford Explorer SUV feel synchronized to give you an impressive driving experience. Although the steering lacks a sense of feedback, the electric-assisted rack is quick and light enough for activities like driving through a congested car park. Ride it over bumps or potholes, the heavy-duty glides over it. Cornering is smoothly handled as well.
However, it feels heavy when pottering around town. The suspension is nicely tuned but around the bends, it rolls like a pig due to a high riding stance and heavy curb weight. it surely lacks the poise of other crossovers in the segment and feels more like a traditional SUV in the way it drives and handles. That being said, it scores high on ride comfort.
What about the braking system on the 2017 Ford Explorer?
Brakes on the 2017 Ford Explorer SUV are confidence-inspiring, to say the least. The pedal feels soft and easy to use. The SUV reacts positively to sudden braking maneuvers and under hard braking, the electronics make sure that the SUV maintains composure at all times.
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Model
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Ford Explorer
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Chevrolet Traverse
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Toyota Highlander
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GMC Acadia
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Brake Front
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12.8"
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12.8"
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12.9"
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17.0"
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Brake Rear
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12.8"
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13.0"
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12.2"
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17.0"
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Curb Weight
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4443 lbs
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4713 lbs
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4370 lbs
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3956 lbs
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60-0 MPH (ft.)
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127 ft.
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135 ft.
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126 ft.
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126 ft.
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Being a heavy SUV, the car manages to slow down from 60 mph to a standstill in just 127 feet, which is still better than the Chevrolet Traverse which covers 135 feet of distance before coming to a standstill from 60 mph. Highlander and Acadia have curb weight lesser than the Explorer and still cover the same distance for 60-0 mph.
Also Read:
- The Ford Explorer's dimensions are worth exploring
- The crash-test fit car?
