• Year: 2003
• Make: Ford
• Model: Explorer
• Trim: XLT
• Body style: SUV 4X4
• Mileage: 81676
• Engine: 6 Cyl. SOHC 4.0
• Trans: Automatic
• Exterior Color: Red
• Interior Color: Gray
• Stock: C10716
• VIN: 1FMZU73K33UC10716

The decision to add a third row of seating drove much of the design and engineering of the current Explorer. As a result, Ford has done an excellent job of making the third row as roomy as possible, while making it flip quickly out of the way when it isn't needed. The third row offers as much headroom as the second row, but legroom, shoulder room and hip room are significantly compromised. After flipping the second-row seat neatly out of the way, you can climb back there, fold the second-row seat back into position and slide your feet underneath, which provides somewhat tolerable legroom. It isn't comfortable for an adult, however. There's little shoulder room, and the seat itself is a bit hard on the outboard edge; it pushes you away from the outboard side toward the center. It'll work okay for small children, but if you need to carry six or seven adults on a regular basis, you may want to consider a Windstar or an Expedition.

It's smooth and stable on the highway and handles well on winding roads. The V8 engine offers excellent acceleration out of corners. The current Explorer offers substantial refinement over the previous (pre-2002) version, which rides like a buckboard wagon by comparison. Ride quality and handling were greatly improved, benefits of the Explorer's new frame, chassis and suspension system.

The Explorer now rides on a four-wheel independent suspension with coil springs all around. It's a sophisticated setup and it works very well. (Crude by comparison, the previous Explorer used torsion bars in front and a live rear axle on leaf springs.) The independent rear suspension offers better lateral stiffness yet more fore/aft compliance than a live rear axle. That means both ride and handling will be better.

The Explorer delivers a smoother ride on rough roads, and it handles better on winding roads. Bumpy corners doesn't upset its handling and it feels good in sweeping corners. The Explorer is very stable at high speeds and feels comfortably secure in bad weather. I felt safe and confident while pulling a trailer all day through Tropical Storm Isidore, running the length of Tennessee and into Arkansas. Just knowing it had had Auto 4WD and ABS was comforting when it was raining buckets. It's still a truck, though. Tire whir is heard; road vibration is felt. But the ride is more comfortable, less jouncy than, say, the Nissan Pathfinder.

Off road, the Explorer has never measured up to the Toyota 4Runner or Land Rover Discovery, and the new generation doesn't change that. The Explorer is not designed to tackle the Rubicon Trail or any other seriously rugged terrain. The current Explorer is better than the old one, however, and it is perfectly capable for off-highway driving on primitive roads. Ground clearance is increased by an inch over the previous Explorer, and shorter front and rear overhangs offer better approach and departure angles, all of which means you don't scrape the ground as much as before. If primitive roads and deep snow are the extent of your off-road driving, then the Explorer will serve admirably.

About 60 percent of Explorer buyers opt for 4WD, and the optional Control Trac four-wheel-drive system works great. We were surprised by the amount of grip the Explorer held on a muddy, snow-covered two-track in the Arizona high country near Sedona. Ford has refined this system to make it more transparent to the driver, while improving its abilities in limited-traction situations. The normal driving mode is Auto 4WD; there is no two-wheel-drive mode. In Auto 4WD, Control Trac directs power according to input from sensors that compare grip between the front and rear wheels. If the rear wheels lose traction, for example, the optimal amount of power is transferred to the front tires where there's more grip. Using a dedicated controller, the system checks for slipping tires 50 times a second and can anticipate situations, such as hard acceleration, that are likely to cause the wheels to spin. It feels secure on wet pavement, gravel, mud, and snow.

When the going gets rougher, press the 4WD HI button, which effectively locks the front and rear driveshafts together. This can be useful for severe off-road or winter conditions, though Auto 4WD does such a great job of transferring torque that 4WD HI is almost irrelevant in practical terms. Driving on a muddy, primitive trail, I couldn't tell the difference between Auto 4WD and 4WD HI. It may be possible to detect subtle slip in Auto 4WD on slippery, snow-covered surfaces, but the bottom line is that you can leave it in Auto 4WD for all but the worst conditions. 4WD Low works well for creeping over truly rugged terrain. We found it does a good job of engine braking down steep grades, and we suspect it would be helpful on slippery boat ramps.

Optional AdvanceTrac takes four-wheel drive to another level with a sophisticated traction system that adds stability by regula.

The modern American wagon.

The Ford Explorer has been America's best-selling SUV for 11 years. It helped usher in the era of the sport-utility as a family car, and was the first SUV to break into the list of the 10 best-selling vehicles in America, muscling into No. 7 position in 1991. The 5-millionth Explorer rolled off the Louisville assembly line in mid-September (2002). The man who bought it has owned three Explorers before.

You can't go wrong buying a 2003 Ford Explorer. Redesigned last year, the new Explorer is a vast improvement over the previous model in every respect. Whether it's the best vehicle in this crowded class is subject to debate, but you could certainly argue that. It competes neck-and-neck for that title with the superb new entries from GM and the new 2003 Toyota 4Runner. The 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.

The current Ford Explorer is the same length overall as the pre-2002 models, but it rides on a longer wheelbase (by 2 inches) and a much wider track. Pushing the wheels out toward the corners makes the Explorer more stable and more comfortable. Lowered frame rails keep its front and rear bumpers at about the same height as those of a Ford Taurus, improving safety for the non-SUV drivers around you. All new last year, this Explorer shares only its name with the pre-2002 models involved in the Firestone tire recall.

The Explorer's styling is fresh, contemporary. It looks solid and handsome. Smoothly integrated front and rear fascia are used in place of the traditional bumper treatments. Jeweled headlamps and tail lamps give it a sophisticated look. Yet this newly designed Explorer clearly evokes the previous-generation Explorer. No one will have trouble identifying it. Few will notice it at all. Don't expect people to turn and stare when you drive by. Turning heads is not always our objective, however, and the more time we have spent with the Explorer the more its looks have grown on us.

Approach lights are mounted on the bottoms of the outside mirrors, which enhance security and convenience. I dropped something next to the curb while getting out of the Explorer one dark night; hitting the button on the key fob illuminated the approach lights and I immediately spotted it. Uplevel models come standard with an illuminated keypad on the door for keyless entry. The keypad doesn't improve the appearance of the Explorer, but Ford says it's a popular feature among loyal owners.

The standard roof rack is designed to support up to 200 pounds. For messier cargo, there's a new NBX package ($1110), which includes a Yakima multi-use LoadWarrior cargo basket, special black exterior trim, special seat cloth, and 17-inch machined aluminum wheels mounted with B.F. Goodrich Rugged Trail T/A P245/65R17 tires.

(Show more reviews)