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AUTO REVIEW
every way, is selling very well. In addition to The Explorer is fine to drive, but it’s something there that you like. Naturally,
providing the aforementioned safety and fuel hardly a sports car wannabe. Whether you the prudent buyer will call Phil Hornbeak
efficiency enhancements — 17 city and 24 select the above mentioned normally aspi- at the BCMS office to discuss options and
highway for the base model Explorer with a rated V6 base engine, the 230 HP 2.3L Eco- pricing before he or she even steps foot in
290 HP 3.5L V6, by the way — the Ex- boost four-cylinder motor, or the top-dog a dealership.
plorer gives customers an excellent interior. 365HP 3.5L V6 Ecoboost powerplant —
While neither Lexus nor Mercedes owners which my test vehicle had — acceleration is The new Ford Explorer is a fine modern
— let alone Range Rover customers — will adequate but uninspiring. For the record, family vehicle that’s on par with competitors
feel at home behind the wheel of Ford’s pop- Ecoboost means turbocharged with direct such as the Chevy Traverse, Honda Pilot,
ular family conveyance, it can hold its head injection. and Toyota Highlander. If you think it looks
high in the company of competitors such as more stylish than those vehicles, as I do,
the Chevy Traverse, Honda Pilot, and Toy- Handling is about what you’d expect for a thank the kind designers at Range Rover.
ota Highlander. The materials and fit-and- family vehicle with three rows of seats that They probably had something to do with it.
finish are impressive, and all the tech you weighs around 4,500 lbs. I think it’s fair to
might want is either included or available as describe the Explorer’s driving dynamics as If you’re in the market for this kind of ve-
an option at a reasonable price. Most Ex- sturdy and trustworthy, but unless you drive hicle, call Phil Hornbeak at 210-301-4367.
plorers are sold off the lot with popular op- a tractor trailer everyday, no way will you
tions and packages, so many that you’ll find quiver with excitement when you get in and Steve Schutz, MD, is a
at your dealership will have keyless entry/ig- drive one to work. board-certified gastroenterolo-
nition, Satnav, dual-zone climate control, gist who lived in San Antonio
blind spot protection, and parking sensors, As noted earlier, you can find many well in the 1990s when he was sta-
with expected transaction prices in the $40- equipped Explorers on every Ford dealer’s tioned here in the U.S. Air
45,000 range. lot, and since the vehicles dealers order tend Force. He has been writing auto reviews for
to include the options that most buyers San Antonio Medicine since 1995.
prefer, there’s a good chance you’ll find
visit us at www.bcms.org 41
