[crackerjack15]

We're on vacation in florida and have a rental 2023 Ford explorer xlt basic suv.

It's nicer than I thought it would be. The ride is decent. Feels like the x7 in sport mode. It's a little bouncy over ripples and louder inside, but not too bad. Seats are comfortable with a lot more legroom than the X7. I'm 6'6" and have to put the seat way up. It has a lot of room and 3 rows. The 4cyl ecoboost is not slow either with a lot of torque and runs at 1500 rpm while cruising. I am impressed by the handling too. I took it through a sweeping off ramp at high speed and it stayed pretty flat without any fancy swaybars. Lol.

Guess what else it has? An auto start/stop button to shut it off! Climate control buttons that are easy to use. And when you put it on max a/c it will blow your hat off.

Also you can grab any door handle and the keyless entry works, unlike the 23/24 x7.

My takeaway is this basic explorer has more storage area in the center console than the x7, buttons for basic funtions, several places to store your phone. Android auto/apple carplay(wired), auto hold at lights, lane departure warning, blind spot warning, rear a/c, 3 rows, manual rear seats that are fast to move, heated seats/steering wheel, Keyless entry keypad on door. Gets 28mpg and its under $40k

The X7 is nicer in every metric obviously, but is it worth 3 times the price?

[streborx]

Hard to argue that the Explorer is not the better value. If I was going to be hauling kids and/or dogs, I'd go with the Ford. I had BMW's pre-kids and now post-kids -- drove Pathfinders during kids.

[MystroX5]

This is the argument if you don’t get exactly what you want with all the options on a posh luxo SUV. If a luxo SUV is comprised too much with options not available or build quality cut backs you might as well buy way down market for a few years and save money. Why reward a luxury brand for making idiotic manufacturing decisions with your $$.

[crackerjack15]

I'm not trading the X7 for an explorer. The X7 is in another class of vehicle in every way. But, as a vehicle to travel in, the base explorer isn't as bad as I thought it might be. If I owned one, I could park anywhere I wanted instead of making my wife mad driving around the entire parking lot looking for a wide end spot to park. 🤣

On another trip we had a mercedes base GLB250 rental. That was a piece of crap. I was glad to get out of it.

[rjabend]

I traded in a Lincoln Aviator on my 2024 X7 and I would not go back for anything! Believe it or not, I found Ford Customer Service to be even worse than BMW! The Aviator is essentially a luxury Explorer. That said, my BMW is a disappointment in a number of areas; Previous post:

I thought I would share my updated assessment of the X7. In comparison, the Aviator has a much better HUD and while the BMW has much better overall Driver Assistance, it doesn't have automatic speed limit adoption. You have to press a "SET" switch on the BMW after it observes a new speed limit sign. The Highway Assistant feature on the X7 allows Hands Free Driving. Overall, I consider the X7 to be vastly superior to the Aviator. Feel free to comment or ask questions.


Love:
- Quiet drive
- Smooth ride
- BW audio
- Hwy Assistant (works even in complex construction zones) . . . . EXCELLENT! Not a vehicle fault, but I get nervous in close quarters
- Auto-Lane Change
- 5 MPG improvement over my Aviator & more power
- 0 reliability issues
- Other than an extremely minor door panel flaw, build quality is perfect
- Rough road ahead warning
- Braking for obstacles when parking
- Capacitive sensing steering wheel (No need to apply force to maintain assisted driving)

Dislike:
- Menu system
- Limited HUD data
- Oil filter access
- Owner's Manual
- No electronic rearview mirror
- Inconsistent dealer policies
- Unless Lock on Departure is set, interior lights stay on for a while
- Route related speed control option causes unwarranted slowdowns

Hate:
- Unlike other US vehicles new posted speed requires manual adoption in Speed Limit Assistant. Safety Hazard & Ticket potential
- No automatic lowering for entrance or exit; too high!
- Customer Service Refuses to answer emails, and won’t discuss corrective action applicability.

[MystroX5]

The same could be said for the new Jeep GC. For the money and if you just want to blend in, these offer reasonable upper mid-level luxury and safety features. They certainly are “not” a luxury vehicle by any stretch.

[sharp]

I personally got the X7 because I pay a lot of attention to detail. When I first got into it I immediately noticed that fit and finish as well as quality of materials is so much better in X7 compared to Ford Expedition, Wagoneer, new Toyota Sequoia, etc. Once I hit the road in the X7 I was pleasantly surprised how quite it is and how well it handles. None of the rivals I mentioned above gave me the same impressions. All were much louder and bouncier. In X7 I can have conversations with my family without having to raise my voice to talk over the road noise.

I know a lot of people won't notice these differences and that's okay. To me the difference is obvious and that's why I got the X7.

I was in a new rental Jeep Grand Cherokee L recently and drove it more than 300 miles. It was so loud and stiff I immediately wanted to change it for something else. X7 handled the same route much much better.

Again, if some people don't see the difference, they shouldn't pay more money for the car in my opinion.

[rjabend]

My error see above post.

[rjabend]

Originally Posted by sharp

I personally got the X7 because I pay a lot of attention to detail. When I first got into it I immediately noticed that fit and finish as well as quality of materials is so much better in X7 compared to Ford Expedition, Wagoneer, new Toyota Sequoia, etc. Once I hit the road in the X7 I was pleasantly surprised how quite it is and how well it handles. None of the rivals I mentioned above gave me the same impressions. All were much louder and bouncier. In X7 I can have conversations with my family without having to raise my voice to talk over the road noise.

I know a lot of people won't notice these differences and that's okay. To me the difference is obvious and that's why I got the X7.

I was in a new rental Jeep Grand Cherokee L recently and drove it more than 300 miles. It was so loud and stiff I immediately wanted to change it for something else. X7 handled the same route much much better.

Again, if some people don't see the difference, they shouldn't pay more money for the car in my opinion.

The Chicago plant (Note specifics in the comments section) where Explorers and Aviators are built is reported to have poor quality by dealers & the Ford CEO
https://fordauthority.com/2022/12/fo...ll-take-years/

[bagekko]

Every car seems nice new in 1st year, but in 3-4 years and 40k miles that Explorer will be a rattily POS and parts on Big3 cars start breaking at that point, where in the tons of BMWs I have had that doesn't start until 80-100k. Buddy's Jeep tranny just crapped out at 90k miles, I had a BMW auto tranny still working at 225k.

[blutob2]

Heck we owned a 2021 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy before the X7. It was actually pretty nice, had tons of features and good ride. It was only $50K but it was still a Hyundai...

I'm not buying a Ford or another Hyundai, haha!

[Bimmerfun82]

This thread is a joke, right?

[DSTJ99]

Originally Posted by bagekko

Every car seems nice new in 1st year, but in 3-4 years and 40k miles that Explorer will be a rattily POS and parts on Big3 cars start breaking at that point, where in the tons of BMWs I have had that doesn't start until 80-100k. Buddy's Jeep tranny just crapped out at 90k miles, I had a BMW auto tranny still working at 225k.

Our 2020 X7 has 40k now and is almost 4 years old. Still feels surprisingly newer. No rattles, everything works and Merino still looks fantastic. It’s been impressive.

[crackerjack15]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

This thread is a joke, right?

Not so much a joke, as to say that it's surprising what a "cheap" suv has, as features, and that the driving dynamics aren't all that bad. When a sub $40k suv has keyless entry on all four doors, but my $120k superior driving machine doesn't, plus other shortcomings, it sorta pisses me off.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by crackerjack15

Not so much a joke, as to say that it's surprising what a "cheap" suv has, as features, and that the driving dynamics aren't all that bad. When a sub $40k suv has keyless entry on all four doors, but my $120k superior driving machine doesn't, plus other shortcomings, it sorta pisses me off.

Just use your phone as key and change the settings. But the Ford exploder is a POS. Tell me how it drives after 20k miles v the X7. How about safety? How does it smell? How does it ride? How comfortable are the seats? Leather? How’s the transmission? Engine? Fuel economy? The list goes on. I remember when my high school friend flipped his exploder because of the crappy tires they put on the car. Yeah, not my cup of tea. Hence the term exploder, found on road dead etc. When you buy a ford, you’re paying excess labor costs and vertical lack of integration margins instead of R&D and quality.

[avi8tir]

Originally Posted by bagekko

Every car seems nice new in 1st year, but in 3-4 years and 40k miles that Explorer will be a rattily POS and parts on Big3 cars start breaking at that point, where in the tons of BMWs I have had that doesn't start until 80-100k. Buddy's Jeep tranny just crapped out at 90k miles, I had a BMW auto tranny still working at 225k.

This. I had a 2020 Explorer Limited as a company car and I was really really impressed considering that is was a 4 cylinder.... and that it was a Ford. 3 years and only 20k miles later I started having issues. Worse than the actual issues was dealing with the Ford dealership service department.... what a nightmare. So, now Im back with BMW.

[NGT2]

If you really want a domestic alternative, I the new GMC Acadia coming next year is going to actually beat out the Explorer in that class. For the first time ever, Ford Explorer has legit competition from GM. It’s basically going to be a mini Yukon, but not even THAT mini. It’s going to have Supercruise available on multiple trims, not just Denali.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by NGT2

If you really want a domestic alternative

The x7 is a domestic alternative

C&D gives a 5.5 rating on the 2024 Acadia

[bagekko]

LOL

Most of us may know that BMW is the largest exporter of vehicles out of the US. But did you know the country that exports the most vehicles to the US? I asked my friends at a card game; Germany, Japan, Korea, and Canada were the answers thrown out.... it is actually Mexico!

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

The x7 is a domestic alternative

C&D gives a 5.5 rating on the 2024 Acadia

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

The x7 is a domestic alternative

C&D gives a 5.5 rating on the 2024 Acadia

Haha true. You know what I meant. A US brand with a price tag under $70k.

The car isn’t event out yet. They introduced it a few weeks ago, maybe. It looks like it will really be a nice car. They’ve shit the bed on everything smaller than the Yukon/Tahoe forever. I’m glad they put some real effort into the segment.

No one compared it to an X7. I compared it to an Explorer. Which I also wouldn’t say is any comparison to an X7. I’m just commenting on the comments of others.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by bagekko

LOL

Most of us may know that BMW is the largest exporter of vehicles out of the US. But did you know the country that exports the most vehicles to the US? I asked my friends at a card game; Germany, Japan, Korea, and Canada were the answers thrown out.... it is actually Mexico!

I wouldn’t have guessed it. But when you say it, it seems obvious!

[blutob2]

My 2022 unlocks all doors as soon as I get close and then locks as I walk away. You serious that the 2023+ doesn't or do you just not have it set up correctly?