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2002 Ford Explorer Now, here’s a fresh approach: An article on the Ford Explorer that has nothing to do with nasty tire recalls.
In fact, the only finger pointing you’ll get in this piece is a thumbs-up for this brand new Explorer that gets a truly remarkable makeover for 2002.
And not a minute too soon, I might add. Barring any conclusive proof that the previous model was at fault in the rollover scandal, Ford is more than ready to put this controversy behind them.
The all-new Explorer gives them exactly what they need to do that. This generation is very different from the old one in all the right ways. It’s bigger, quieter, more substantial, more accommodating, friendlier, easier to drive: All the things that inspire driver confidence.
I recently spent a week in a 2002 Explorer Eddie Bauer, which tops the Explorer’s four trim packages. Here’s what I found.
The Good News My first reaction getting into this Explorer was that someone had made a mistake. Surely, I thought, this is an Expedition. From its beefier seats to its increased interior room that now allows for a third seat, this Explorer feels like a much bigger vehicle. Yet it’s no longer overall than the old one, meaning manageability doesn’t suffer. It is, however, almost two inches wider and has a longer wheelbase and wider track. These factors largely account for a significantly roomier front seat area, a more comfortable middle seat and, for the first time, a third seat. That third seat is easily accessed and is actually comfortable, adjectives I can’t apply to the Chevy Tahoe’s third seat. What’s more, the Explorer’s easily folds perfectly flat to open up exceptional cargo space. This Explorer is built on a brand-new chassis that leaves behind the rough-and-tumble Ranger pickup chassis of yore. It is still a body-on-frame design, however, mostly for towing capabilities. Properly outfitted, this new Explorer tows 7300 pounds versus 5800 for the previous one. The new flat frame also made it possible to add the third seat as an option, increase cargo room slightly and line up front and rear bumpers to better meet car bumpers in crashes, thus minimizing the annihilation factor that has been such a huge complaint among the anti-SUV crowd. Heretofore, only Mercedes M-class met that standard. Other safety features include the availability of side curtain air bags as option and larger disc brakes as standard. An air bag system that protects in rollovers and a stability-control system that helps prevent them are on their way. This Explorer’s new structure is also stiffer than the previous one for a more solid ride, and a brand new independent rear suspension setup ushers in several advantages, not the least of which is better composure. There’s none of the skittishness over waffling pavement I found in the old one. I hesitate to use the overworked term “carlike,” but this Explorer’s road manners are definitely more refined. But its rugged side has not been ignored, either. Approach and departure angles have been increased by a few degrees, and this Explorer now clears the ground by 9.2 inches instead of 8.5. Mine was not equipped with four-wheel drive, but that push-button system remains largely unchanged. Also remaining largely unchanged is the basic powertrain. Mine came with the basic 4.0-liter V6 that outputs the same 210 horses as last year, with slightly more torque (250). In the two-wheel drive model, the power seems adequately matched to the load. But laden with the four-wheel drive system on top of the new Explorer’s added weight, I can see where this V6 could struggle. Luckily, there is the 240 horse/280 lb-ft of torque 4.6-liter V8 as an option. Most of all, I love the way this new Explorer looks. As an artist friend noted, it has gone from being one of the most non-descript looking SUVs to being one of the most handsome. Abandoning the thin, square, truck lines for softer, more exaggerated sculpting helped dramatically. Then there are the things you don’t necessarily see, but that add to its friendliness. Things like lower step-in height, taller doors, thicker seats, a dash and console layout that make sense. Add Eddie Bauer luxury extras, pedals that adjust to driver’s height (a smart little trick pioneered in the Lincoln Navigator), a steering wheel that tilts and telescopes and it’s hard to find someone who doesn’t feel at home here. The Bad News I really find little of significance with which to quibble here. I did feel slightly underpowered on the highway, but not enough to plunk down the extra $700 for the V8. The automatic transmission couldn’t quite make up its mind about the gear it wanted once or twice; I had to fumble around too much to get the key in the ignition and to adjust the driver’s seat; and my child fussed that the automatic locking/unlocking didn’t automatically unlock the back seat doors, something that likely can be reprogrammed. But none of these things I consider major drawbacks. Gas Mileage EPA rated at 16 mpg city/22 highway for the 4X2 Price Manufacturer’s base, $32,090; Price as tested, $35,160 Is it worth it? I was somewhat startled by a two-wheel drive Explorer creeping into the price range of the more upscale sport utes, like Land Rover Discovery, Acura MDX, Lexus RX300, even the Mercedes. Granted, the Explorer’s loaded price meets the base price of most of these, but it’s still a consideration. That said, I am thoroughly impressed with this 2002 Explorer. I think its myriad improvements are right in keeping with its carpool-toting market. It looks and feels more massive and therefore more comforting to drive, yet is still agile and very user friendly. The third seat works beautifully, immediately outshining its domestic competition, and, last but not least on the largely-female-consumer meter, it’s much better looking and features more safety measures than before. All these things will go a long way towards erasing unhappy publicity. And, in case you must know, mine wore a nice set of Goodyears. Beth Stein is a life-long car buff and free-lance journalist living in Nashville. She has reviewed new vehicles in print for 12 years as a weekly columnist for Nashville’s daily newspapers and on television for Road Test Magazine and Motor Trend Television. Currently, her reviews appear nationally on Car And Driver Television. [] 
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