I’ve been driving a Ford SUV for a solid year now at my job, and when chit-chatting with folks about cars, I mention that my work vehicle is a Ford Explorer, and that it isn’t very good. Apparently, I’ve been living a lie. At least about it being an Explorer. The not very good bit holds true still.
It’s actually a Ford Police Interceptor Utility. And it actually doesn’t say Explorer anywhere on it. I guess I never actually paid enough attention and just kind of always assumed it had the standard Explorer badging. But nope!
It does deviate from the standard Explorer in a few ways. AWD is standard, the shifter is on the steering column (because the whole center console is replaced with a radio stack and toggle switches for the light bar and beacon). It has larger brake discs, spotlights, an improved cooling system, and allegedly better ABS and traction control. The transmission, however, still vaguely sucks. Clunks like you wouldn’t believe and often has trouble finding the right gear to be in. The backup camera screen is in the rear view mirror, and has trouble with changing light conditions. The backup sensors also are a bit finnicky (in that they started beeping after I backed into a pole last year).
Acceleration and braking aren’t bad, but it seems to have relatively meh ground clearance considering it is an SUV. No real complaints about the EcoBoost V6. The sound isn’t exactly inspiring, but I guess it doesn’t need to be. Ford’s Sync system is alright. My personal vehicles are 10 and 19 years old, so I don’t have a whole lot to compare it to.
Let’s be clear though, it’s light-years better than the old Jeep Patriots, Dodge Rams, and Ford Fusions we had. I’ll probably still call it an Explorer anyway.
Ah, and no, I’m not a cop. I’d have to tell you if I was, right? Right?