Poor Reviews Haven't Hurt Sales of the 2021 Ford Explorer
Lisa Steuer McArdle
· 3 min read
So far, the
Ford Explorer
is the best-selling midsize SUV of 2021. But if you read the Consumer Reports review, that fact might come as a surprise.That’s because Consumer Reports actually gave the Ford Explorer an overall score of 42 out of 100, a middle rank among three-row midsize
SUVs
. 
The 2021 Ford Explorer has a lot going for it
Consumer Reports
notes that the Ford Explorer’s agility, control, and interior room are high points. Its infotainment system is said to respond quickly and is easy to use. It’s also an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
(IIHS) ‘Top Safety Pick +.’In a road test, the all-wheel drive Ford Explorer was found to have responsible steering and firm suspension. With a 300-horsepower turbocharged engine, the Ford Explorer gets up to speed quickly.
Overall on its road test, Consumer Reports gave the 2021 Ford Explorer 78 out of 100. It got 4 out of 5 for routine handling, acceleration, and braking.
Inside, the Ford Explorer offers plenty of headroom and a wide range of seat adjustments. Its front and rear seat comfort were both ranked 4 out of 5. Consumer Reports also notes that the Ford Explorer’s seating and cargo areas are easy to reconfigure.
Factors that contributed to the low score from Consumer Reports
Even though the Ford Explorer has responsible steering and firm suspension, Consumer Reports suggests the ride quality is not up to par with rivals. The vehicle has a noisy engine, "clunky" transmission, and there is frequent jiggling in the cabin.
The review also pointed out that the Ford Explorer does not have a fuel economy advantage over some of its competitors, and that low-speed shifts from the 10-speed automatic transmission are "noticeably rough."
While its front seat and rear seat comfort ratings are good, the third-row seat comfort only scores 1 out of 5. This is because the third-row seat is low, which forces the knees to bend uncomfortably and offers no leg support for adults.
Perhaps worst of all, in terms of predicted reliability, Consumer Reports only gave the Ford Explorer 1 out of 5.
Save on car insurance for your 2021 Ford Explorer
Despite the negatives cited by Consumer Reports, the 2021 Ford Explorer has a lot going for it and remains popular in the market. It just goes to show that sometimes there is a disconnect between what critics and drivers are looking for.
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