Looking to see how automobiles from each segment rate against each other. Then check out our Reviews section below and see who has the best design for 2020.
full size - CUV
For 2019 Ford has decided to give their full size CUV a mild makeover and we do say mild lightly. As this apparently new Explorer is hardly a change from the previous update. Sure you may notice a new grille, headlights and updated bumper. But next to that, that's all you have, as the rest of the model is still hardly change from the 2011 introduction. As the world keeps moving forward, it seems that some companies are still trying to slow that down. But when you consider how Ford shares their model with Changan, then you might see why they would want to update their own. Although they could have done a better job at updating the American Explorer, even if we don't see the Changan CS95 here.  Now taking a look around the new Explorer you might find a few updates that could make it new. But we will let you make that decision after you have seen it. Up front you do get a new grille and headlamp combination that does give you the impression that this model is new. But that is where it all ends as this new grille is a poor attempt to uplift this aging front end. Whereas it over uses its chrome features, which takes away from any edge accent lines. This makes the grille appear to be floating within the front end and does not blend well with its surrounding features. Add to that the horrible attempt to flow with the features around it and you have one of the worst grilles from Ford. Moving a bit lower you will still find the sport feel of the properly proportioned side gills complete with fog lights. This gives the front end a bit of that new age feeling with a splash of sport appeal. But they could have done away with the cheap plastic cladding which covers the lower air intake. This could have also used a nice steel skid plate to add in a bit of off-road appeal.  Out back not much has changed in the appeal of the vehicle, but a few features have changed for the worse. Seems Ford thought it would be a good idea to lose the wrap around chrome accent. This is a feature that use to break up the rear, but has now been replaced by a single license plate accent. And without that breakup, the indentation from the plate is now a horrible focal point of the rear, drawing your eyes to the oversized and heavy lines. Again this is something that has taken away from the overall design. Now add in some overuse of cheap cladding plastic and you have the makings of a bland rear end. Ford should have stayed with the previous generations lower bumper layout as it had properly integrated exhaust ports and a lower use of cheap plastic.  Along the side you will be happy to hear that there wasn't much of a change from the previous model. Sure we still have the indented plastic wheel well covers and horrible lower cladding. But we still have the smooth character lines which help bring out that smooth body roll which we have come to love about this model. Yet again we do have to complain about the lack of window and door handle accents. Two areas which do require a bit more to help bring out that wow feature. All around the new Explorer is a bit of a change, but again not much of one. Sure we are still heart broken that they moved this model away from the Ranger platform. But we can still love the fact that we get better gas mileage now. Everett J. #AutoLooks, @AutoLooks, AutoLooks.net
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