2003 Ford Explorer Review Summary
Read this professional review summery and road test of the used 2003 Ford Explorer with a complete test drive evaluation in all driving situations including an overview of the SUV's specifications, 21 hwy / 15 city fuel economy, safety features and more.
2003 Explorer Review Summary & Specs
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The modern American wagon.
2003 Explorer Review Summary & Specifications
The Ford Explorer has been America's best-selling SUV for 11 years. It helped usher in the era of the sport-utility as a family car, and was the first SUV to break into the list of the 10 best-selling vehicles in America, muscling into No. 7 position in 1991. The 5-millionth Explorer rolled off the Louisville assembly line in mid-September (2002). The man who bought it has owned three Explorers before. You can't go wrong buying a 2003 Ford Explorer. Redesigned last year, the new Explorer is a vast improvement over the previous model in every respect. Whether it's the best vehicle in this crowded class is subject to debate, but you could certainly argue that. It competes neck-and-neck for that title with the superb new entries from GM and the new 2003 Toyota 4Runner. The Explorer rides smoothly, handles well, and the interior packaging is well thought out and executed. It''s a great vehicle for long trips. Comfortable and convenient, it quickly becomes an old friend.
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| Vehicle Category | Sport Utility Vehicles |
| Editor | Mitch McCullough, editor-in-chief |
| Model Lineup | 2WD: XLS ($25,970); XLT ($28,745); Eddie Bauer ($32,670); Limited ($33,695) 4WD: XLS ($27,845); XLT ($30,710); Eddie Bauer ($34,635); Limited ($35,660) |
| Engines (standard) | 4.6-liter sohc 16-valve V8 |
| Transmissions (standard) | 5-speed automatic |
| Engines (optional) | 4.0-liter SOHC 12-valve V6; 4.6-liter SOHC 16-valve V8 |
| Transmissions (optional) | 5-speed manual; 5-speed automatic |
| Safety Equipment (standard) | ABS; driver and passenger dual-stage air bags with tailored deployment characteristics; seatbelt pretensioners and energy-management retractors; child safety seat attachments |
| Safety Equipment (optional) | AdvanceTrac stability control; Safety Canopy with side-impact curtain air bags and rollover protection |
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Assembled In | Louisville, Kentucky; St. Louis, Missouri |
| Manufacturer Phone | 1-800-392-FORD |
| Manufacturer URL | www.fordvehicles.com |
| Base Price MSRP | 25970 |
| Model Tested MSRP | Explorer Eddie Bauer AWD ($34,635) |
| Standard Equipment | air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, power mirrors, keyless remote, digital clock, cruise control, electric rear window defroster, luggage rack, power steering, tilt steering column, tachometer, Class II trailer towing receiver hitch, intermittent front and rear wipers; XLT adds special exterior trim, automatic headlamps, high-series center console, cargo shade, front and rear dome and map lights, second-row reading light, approach lights on outside mirrors, luggage rack, power outlets, CD stereo, sport front bucket seats, 5-speed automatic transmission; Eddie Bauer adds leather seating surfaces, special exterior trim, automatic air conditioning with dual controls, fog lights, Homelink garage door opener, message center, heated mirrors, 290-watt 6-disc stereo, dual six-way luxury seats, tilt/telescopic steering wheel, cast aluminum wheels, P245/70R16 tires |
| Destination Charge | 625 |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) | 4.6-liter V8 engine ($800); Safety Canopy air curtain system ($560); auxiliary air conditioning ($610); Reverse Sensing System ($255); third-row seat package ($670); running boards ($395); Class III/IV trailer package ($395); 290-watt audio with six-disc in-dash CD ($510) |
| Gas Guzzler Tax | |
| Price as Tested | 39455 |
| Layout | four-wheel drive |
| Horse Power | 239 @ 4750 |
| Torque | 282 @ 4000 |
| Fuel Economy | 14/19 |
| Wheelbase | 113.8 |
| Length/Width/Height | 189.5/72.1/71.4 |
| Track Front/Rear | 60.9/61.2 |
| Turning Radius | 36.8 |
| Seating Capacity | 7 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room | 39.9/55.0/42.4 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room | 38.9/54.2/35.9 |
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room | 39.0/45.3/34.8 |
| Trunk Volume | 81.7 |
| Payload | |
| Towing Capacity | 7000 |
| Front Suspension | independent with short and long control arms, coil springs |
| Rear Suspension | independent with short and long control arms, coil springs |
| Ground Clearance | 8.5 |
| Curb Weight | |
| Stock Tires | P245/70R16 |
| Brakes Front/Rear | disc/disc with ABS and EBD |
| Fuel Capacity | 22.5 |
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