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2002 Explorer. Mercurys upscale Mountaineer is similarly revamped, but with more-differentiated styling. Explorer offers V6 and V8 engines; the V6 teams...
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. Mercurys upscale Mountaineer is similarly revamped, but with more-differentiated styling. Explorer offers V6 and V8 engines; the V6 teams with manual or automatic transmission, the V8 with automatic only. With either, the automatic is a 5 speed. Available is rear-wheel drive or Fords Control Trac 4WD that can be left engaged on dry pavement and includes low-range gearing. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes are standard. Torso side airbags are unavailable, but curtain side airbags are optional and at midyear, added sensors designed to deploy them in a rollover accident. Also made available midyear on V8-equipped XLT, Eddie Bauer, and Limited models was an optional antiskid system. Rear-obstacle detection is also optional. Standard on Eddie Bauer and Limited are driver-seat memory, tilt/telescopic steering wheel, and power-adjustable pedals. Sold alongside this redesigned 4-dr wagon are the Explorer Sport Trac crew cab and Explorer Sport 2-dr wagon, both using Explorers 1995-vintage design (see separate entry).
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30 Reviews from Shopping.com
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Marked improvement in handling
| Author's Rating: |
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Pros: Excellent Handling and workmanship.
Cons: Mileage is 1 mile per gallon less than previous (1997) model
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The Bottom Line:
It is a well built American vehicle with excellent handling and driving characteristics.
This is the second Explorer I have owned. The first one was a 1997 Explorer with basically the same equipment as I have on the 2002, 6 cylinder engine and XLT package. In the 2002 model Ford has gone to a fully independent rear suspension system. This has made a huge improvement in the handling of the Explorer. It no longer has the feeling it is going to roll over in a turn and at higher highway speeds it is very stable. I would never drive the 1997 model at much more than 65 or 70 miles an hour. I just took the 2002 on a trip to Kansas City and could set it on 80 mph and it rode just like a Lincoln Town car.
Ford has also done some human engineering on this model. It has a place for your garage door opener, sunglass storage, a relocated 12-volt power supply, a rear storage compartment behind the wheel well and rear floor panels that lift up for storing smaller items.
Gas mileage is not the best but adequate for the power that it has. My 1997 model got 20 miles to the gallon and this one gets 19. The wife says that it would be nice with a little more leg room on the passenger side.
If you are looking for a well built American SUV you should give the Explorer a look.
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