2008 Ford Explorer

Ok, let's try this review again, we'll take it from the beginning. It all started the day dear hubby decided we needed a 'change'.... the minivan had to go, we had more miles on it than there should be and the typical maintenance problems were beginning to happen. Our family is a little different then the average family, as we have a handicap child and for that reason alone we need something we can depend on, a vehicle we can easily get her in and out of and a back seat that will accommodate both a special needs car seat and a standard car seat. We knew we didn't want another minivan and with the winter we just had in Michigan a 4x4 was a must have, so really our only option was an SUV. We looked at a couple different ones, but when our eyes met the Ford Explorer, we knew this was the vehicle for us! Sharp looking, right in our budget and SAFE! It had been a good 5 years since we went 'new car shopping' so it was pretty interesting to find all the standard options the Ford Explorer had to offer...for example,...air conditioning, power windows, single CD player, MP3 player, AM/FM radio with audio input jacks, message center...which includes outside temperature, this also tells you how many miles you have left on your tank of gas and how many miles you are averaging per mile, tilt steering, cruise control, 12-volt power point, power windows and door locks...these are just some, there are a few more I am forgetting. But seeing all this...they pretty much had me in the palm of their hand

Now let's talk safety... in a crash test the 2008 Ford Explorer couldn't have done better with a whopping 5 stars in all four crash test categories...driver side, passenger side, front occupant and rear occupant. And it's no wonder why...with all the added safety features. Remember when we had to 'pay' for that extra air bag or those side airbags?... well with the '08 Explorer they are standard features. The '08 Explorer comes with what is called 'intelligent safety system', to put it a little simpler, the vehicle airbag can detect the size of the person sitting in the seat, so instead of it coming out 'full force ahead', it is going to come out at a speed so if there is a small person (such as myself) sitting in the seat it doesn't break every bone in his/her body, it is basically tailored to the size/shape of the passenger. The safety system also includes side airbags on both front driver and passenger sides...pretty cool huh? If that doesn't put a smile on your face, the safety canopy is sure to. What is this you ask?...well it is like extra air bag coverage, that not only covers front and passenger side windows, but the back seat side windows as well. All of this is included as a standard feature on the new '08 models. It also comes with AdvanceTrac and roll stability control. Not exactly sure what this means...all I know is I was pulling out of Wal-mart in the middle of a snow storm,....it was dark, the roads were slippery and as I pulled out onto the highway, I started to slide, the advance trac kicked in and got me out of a tail spin. Not sure what scared me more....the slide or the save...lol. Once I calmed down...I realized it was a pretty cool feature to have.

Alrighty, lets move on to some of the fun bonus features, not standard on the XLT. I can't very well talk about the features I don't have, but I can talk about the ones I have and wish I had. First off, the adjustable pedals, now for those of us who are short, these things are great. I can have my seat back pretty darn far and with the touch of a button have the gas and brake pedals come forward! Never again do I have to sit so close to the dash. I LOVE this feature.

Hey, have you ever wondered what it would be like if you could talk to your car/truck and it would actually listen to you?...well 'wonder' no more....this is definitely an option I wish I had and it is called SYNC, a voice activated communication and media system. You just plug in your cell phone (has to be blue tooth) and talk away...for example you say 'call home' (or whoever you have programmed into your cell phone) and it listens, all...hands free and voice activated. It also works with your MP3 player...you tell it to play a song, it listens! If you want a little demonstration just go to www.syncmyride.com I am still dreading not having this option, the vehicles on the lot we had to chose from were not equipped with this option and I was in too big of a hurry for a new vehicle and didn't want to wait for them to hunt one down...oh well, my loss. Moving on....

Depending on where you live, a remote start is an EXCELLENT added option. The winter here in MI was so cold and snowy the last thing I wanted to do was run out side and warm up my vehicle. Well with a factory installed remote starter you don't have to. You just aim, push the button and bingo...she starts right up! No more freezing my butt off to warm up the truck. I guess this will work the same way with the hot, summer weather. I can 'ready, aim, fire' and a bit later go out to a nice cool air conditioned vehicle. Hey, this remote starter thing is looking like a full time feature!

Speaking of hot weather, how does a power moon roof sound? I have only been able to use mine once, but that 'one' time was oh so great! It has, with the push of a button, 2 settings...you can either just 'pop' it open or you can go all the way and slide 'er all the way back for a nice refreshing breeze. I am so going to love having this!! It also has a door you can slide shut if your having one of those days where you wish the sun wouldn't shine thru and it would just go away! Or maybe it is so dang hot out the sun roof is letting too much heat in. Regardless of the reason, you can close the cover all the way.

The final option I am going to talk about is again one I don't have and wish I did. That would be the 3rd row seats. Again, this wasn't available on the vehicles we had to chose from on the lot. We are only a family of four (well 5 actually, but one is away at college) so we knew we really didn't need it, but you know, there are some things that would be nice to have...just in case, that ONE time you needed it. I am thinking 3rd row seating is one of them, and I didn't get it! So I am a little bummed out about that. My advice to anyone who is even considering if they want 3rd row seats...GET THEM!!! You will regret it if you don't!!

All good things must come to an end. I've talked about how great the '08 Ford Explorer is, now I must burst the bubble and confess, it isn't 'all good'...I am talking the gas mileage. With the price of gas these days, that is a VERY important aspect people look for when purchasing a new vehicle. So do know, this thing doesn't get good mileage at all. With the fancy miles per gallon feature they added, it tells me I am only averaging 15.7 miles per gallon (YUK!!) I was hoping for closer to 20 at least.


The bottom line...overall, I love my explorer. I love the comfort, the ride, all the standard features it comes with, the safety, the fact that it is a 4x4 ...we had a horrible winter...I am sick of getting stuck and can't wait to put my 4x4 to use next winter (Ok, I am jumping the gun...I hate winter, but at least I won't get stuck anymore!!) oh and I forgot to mention, it also comes with 6 months free sirius satellite radio...with over 130 stations! So if you are considering purchasing/leasing a Ford Explorer....you have my vote...I say go for it. I'll recommend one any day :o)