L
ls1fun
GUEST
Well i finally test drove one of these.
Now keep in mind that i have been driving my wife's 2002 Explorer lately since we have been carpooling.
First off i looked over the mid gate. Pretty cool, even though i had to show the sales droid that you can have the gate down with the window still in. But the seats don't seem to go perfectly flat and there are rubber bumpers so no adjustment possible. Still no problem, it's pretty flat.
The step in height: kinda high for my wife, probably would want the step/running board. Entry/exit much easier in the explorer. I was a little surprised at the entry height. A lot better than my old 4X4 though. Door openings are about the same it seemed.
Seat belts(in back seat): Came across my wife's throat. Needs to be adjustable ala ford explorer.
Pick up: The gas peddle is kind of strange. Seems like you really have to press on it a ways to get going. This was not the power adjust pedals. Overall pickup was okay for a heavy vehicle but the explorer V6 is better and easier for pickup and pedal control.
Ride/handling: The Av ride is smoother. It also corners flatter with less drama than the ford explorer. This surprised me as the Av definitely feels a lot heavier, which it is. The ride of the explorer while not as smooth is very acceptable. The width of the explorer does make it feel very manuverable and visibility is very good. The mirrors on the Av were very good though which compensated a lot for this. Parrelell parked the Av as a test. No big deal, it was a lot easier than i expected. Very easy. Parking and exit of course were easier in the explorer because it is almost 8 inches narrower (while still feeling roomy inside). And of course have independant rear suspension on the explorer does help it take some potholes and bumps a little better, but not neccessarily smoother which is surprising. GM does a good job with the Av 'old style' straight axle suspension.
Interior room/quality: The explorer is pretty roomy inside and felt like it had just as much room easily in the front buckets. The rear definitely had a little more width and maybe a little better depth in the Av. Comparing interior measurement specs confirms this. The Explorer actually has 43.9 inches of front leg room, more than most vehicles. Rear leg room is similar. However the interior console and materials are more luxurious on the Av for sure. It is sad that ford has such seemingly cheap interiors, even though they do work well. The leather explorer seats are pretty good, but not as wide, and nice as the Av. my wife finds the explorer seats great (5'4") while they are a little small for me (6'1") but still pretty good. Just not as nice as the Av's.
Drink holders: The Av and explorer both have 2 up front. The explorer also has a shaped map holder in the door that has a spot for a sport bottle. Nice feature that all vehilces should have these days IMO. Not hard to do either.
Tranny: The explorer has a 5 speed auto which is smooth and nice. The shifter is also easier to operate than the Av's, though neither is that easy to operate. I feel that the tranny in the Av is more 'durable' feeling, but a 5 speed would sure be nice.
Passenger space: Well the Explorer has a 3rd row seat. The Av's is pretty good though.
Loading/cargo: The load height of the Explorer and the ease is great. Either the window cutout or the whole tailgate lifts up. Also the space behind the 3rd row seat is perfect for a load of grocerys. However any seriously dirty stuff would definitely mess it up and contaminate the interior. So it depends on what you will be carrying.
It depends on your needs of course. They are both great family vehicles. As an everyday vehicle the explorer seems a lot easier to manage. But if you want to carry something tall, long or dirty the Av is better. The explorer will actually tow over 7,000 pounds with the trailering package and 3.73 gears which while not as good as the Av , is pretty good. But if you want to carry more people or seperate the kids, that 3rd row seat is worth a lot.
Admitedly it wasn't a long test drive and a test drive cannot compare to owning one for a while. So any comments on the day to day commuting and erand running and owning of your Av would be appreciated.
Now keep in mind that i have been driving my wife's 2002 Explorer lately since we have been carpooling.
First off i looked over the mid gate. Pretty cool, even though i had to show the sales droid that you can have the gate down with the window still in. But the seats don't seem to go perfectly flat and there are rubber bumpers so no adjustment possible. Still no problem, it's pretty flat.
The step in height: kinda high for my wife, probably would want the step/running board. Entry/exit much easier in the explorer. I was a little surprised at the entry height. A lot better than my old 4X4 though. Door openings are about the same it seemed.
Seat belts(in back seat): Came across my wife's throat. Needs to be adjustable ala ford explorer.
Pick up: The gas peddle is kind of strange. Seems like you really have to press on it a ways to get going. This was not the power adjust pedals. Overall pickup was okay for a heavy vehicle but the explorer V6 is better and easier for pickup and pedal control.
Ride/handling: The Av ride is smoother. It also corners flatter with less drama than the ford explorer. This surprised me as the Av definitely feels a lot heavier, which it is. The ride of the explorer while not as smooth is very acceptable. The width of the explorer does make it feel very manuverable and visibility is very good. The mirrors on the Av were very good though which compensated a lot for this. Parrelell parked the Av as a test. No big deal, it was a lot easier than i expected. Very easy. Parking and exit of course were easier in the explorer because it is almost 8 inches narrower (while still feeling roomy inside). And of course have independant rear suspension on the explorer does help it take some potholes and bumps a little better, but not neccessarily smoother which is surprising. GM does a good job with the Av 'old style' straight axle suspension.
Interior room/quality: The explorer is pretty roomy inside and felt like it had just as much room easily in the front buckets. The rear definitely had a little more width and maybe a little better depth in the Av. Comparing interior measurement specs confirms this. The Explorer actually has 43.9 inches of front leg room, more than most vehicles. Rear leg room is similar. However the interior console and materials are more luxurious on the Av for sure. It is sad that ford has such seemingly cheap interiors, even though they do work well. The leather explorer seats are pretty good, but not as wide, and nice as the Av. my wife finds the explorer seats great (5'4") while they are a little small for me (6'1") but still pretty good. Just not as nice as the Av's.
Drink holders: The Av and explorer both have 2 up front. The explorer also has a shaped map holder in the door that has a spot for a sport bottle. Nice feature that all vehilces should have these days IMO. Not hard to do either.
Tranny: The explorer has a 5 speed auto which is smooth and nice. The shifter is also easier to operate than the Av's, though neither is that easy to operate. I feel that the tranny in the Av is more 'durable' feeling, but a 5 speed would sure be nice.
Passenger space: Well the Explorer has a 3rd row seat. The Av's is pretty good though.
Loading/cargo: The load height of the Explorer and the ease is great. Either the window cutout or the whole tailgate lifts up. Also the space behind the 3rd row seat is perfect for a load of grocerys. However any seriously dirty stuff would definitely mess it up and contaminate the interior. So it depends on what you will be carrying.
It depends on your needs of course. They are both great family vehicles. As an everyday vehicle the explorer seems a lot easier to manage. But if you want to carry something tall, long or dirty the Av is better. The explorer will actually tow over 7,000 pounds with the trailering package and 3.73 gears which while not as good as the Av , is pretty good. But if you want to carry more people or seperate the kids, that 3rd row seat is worth a lot.
Admitedly it wasn't a long test drive and a test drive cannot compare to owning one for a while. So any comments on the day to day commuting and erand running and owning of your Av would be appreciated.