Clean Run Magazine - May 2006 - 73

Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer The 2006 Explorer is a midsized,
truck-based SUV with upgraded safety features that may be beneficial to
the frequent traveler. In the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration New Car Assessment Program crash tests, the Explorer earned
the highest government crash-test ratings. Based on Ford's internal test
results, the Explorer has more standard safety features than any vehicle
in its class. Front-side airbags are standard and head-protecting
curtain-side airbags are optional for the first and second rows of
seating. Most models have an optional third-row seat for seven passenger
seating capacity. This row has 50/50 split seats that fold flat with an
optional automatic folding feature. The second SPECIFICATIONS row splits
60/40, and can be folded down or tipped forward to increase storage space.
In Data may vary based on the year and model. the seven-passenger
configuration, owners can fold down the second- and third-row seats for
access to a large cargo space with a flat floor. Second-row bucket seats
are also available. Ford Explorer Many possible seating configurations
make storage and arrangement of crates and gear very flexible. A
navigation system is optional on some trim levels as are other items, such
MPG: 14-15 city and 20 highway as a DVD player. DRIVE SYSTEM: Four-wheel
drive, rear-wheel Owners like their Explorers, so much so that they buy
them again and again. According to drive Ford, more people have made Ford
Explorer their repurchase choice than any other SUV in CARGO VOLUME: 85.8
cu ft for 5 passenger; its class, based on repurchase numbers among
'93-'04 new vehicle buyers. Ford also claims 83.7 cu ft for 7 passenger
that the Explorer is the best selling SUV for the last 14 years. OVERALL
LENGTH: 193.4 There is a Sport Trac version that combines a four-door,
five-seat SUV cabin with a 4' OVERALL WIDTH: 73.7 long pickup-truck bed.
OVERALL HEIGHT: 72.8 The Mercury Mountaineer is the same vehicle dressed
up. Mercury advertises the PRICE RANGE: MSRP for 2006 model $26,530
Mountaineer as a luxurious driving experience. to $35,940; used vehicles
$700 to $24,800 and up. Mercur y Mountaineer MPG: 14-15 city and 20
highway DRIVE SYSTEM: All-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive CARGO VOLUME:
85.5 cu ft for 5 passenger; 83.7 cu ft for 7 passenger OVERALL LENGTH:
193.5 OVERALL WIDTH: 73.5 OVERALL HEIGHT: 72.8 PRICE RANGE: MSRP for 2006
model $29,150 to $35,500; used vehicles $4,000 to $26,000 and up. COMMENTS
Susan Abrahamson has owned her Explorer Canadian Maureen Clements says of
her and my dog getting hurt in the back since since 1997: There is lots of
width in back Explorer, It's roomy and safe with four- his crate is there.
I like that I have enough between wheel wells, so my rectangular wheel
drive. But there are things about room for a crate in the back and I still
have metal crate, with the door on the long side, this SUV that Clements
doesn't like: Even all my passenger seats if I need them. And I will fit
so I can open the door toward the with modifications it heats up too much
for like that I can pop open that back door, put hatch. The entire hatch
goes up, or just the dogs to be left in it for any time in hot reflective
tarps on my vehicle and leave my the window, which is good for those days
weather. It also gets poor gas mileage. dog in the his crate in the car.
Of course, I when I crate in the SUV. Before I bought it, wish it was
roomier and yet still got better Belgian Tervuren owner Carolyn Wilkerson
I considered several SUVs and this one had gas mileage! However, I think
those two has had her Explorer for seven years: Since the most total cargo
space. Abrahamson features are mutually exclusive. Also, since it it is a
four-wheel drive SUV, I don't have to dislikes the placements of the
secondary A/C is an older SUV, it drives more like a truck. I worry about
getting stuck in the mud or and heat vents because she would prefer a wish
it drove more smoothly like a car. snow. I like that it rides higher than a
car better airflow in the back and also feels that because I worry about
being rear-ended the system is mediocre in general. | May 06 Clean Run 73
Clean Run Magazine - May 2006

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