Suburban Dad in Detroit: Ford Explorer America Concept

This is only a concept, but Ford tells us it's almost certain the next generation of the venerable Explorer SUV will be a unibody, not a truck/body-on-frame, vehicle — though it may not look exactly like this, inside or out. Ford also said it doesn't plan to soften the vehicle's stance, meaning it won't be a crossover; it should still have true offroad capabilities and other traditional SUV functionality.

All that being said, there were some things we really liked about the Explorer America, which virtually screams "family road trip!" — just not in the way most parents scream it.

There's a very cool globe-looking GPS system in the front, plus rows of seats that stack up to give you more storage space. There’s also a sliding door on the curb side only, so no one need ever utter that dreaded “minivan” word, and a table and seats that slide out from the back to create a work or picnic table for two. I certainly hope that if Ford ever puts this feature into a production car, it locks when the car is in any gear other than Park so some adventure-seeking teens don't find a new way to go street surfing.

More info and photos on the Ford Explorer America concept (Cars.com)

Comments

[Troy in Ft Walton Beach]

I like the new Explorer. However.... Please Ford... Please, please don't put the "donk" sized wheels on it.

For those of you unfamiliar with donks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donk_%28automobile%29

[Mart]

This whole Crossover issue is now confusing me. So this is going to be Unibody but NOT a Crossover?? I thought that was what qualified a vehicle as a Crossover and not and SUV? or is this getting diluted further and it now depends on how the car is STYLED?

[Dave T.]

Mart,
Most of it is marketing speak. They basically don't want to say SUV because the of the negative thoughts about mileage.

they're all unibody. meaning not truck. They're just battling over marketing terms to lure in buyers. DOn't blame us.

Mart,
I'm pretty sure an SUV can be unibody and still be called an suv- Toureg for example, they just can't tow as much as a body on frame SUV. So the "crossover" term does come from the styling and the mission of the vehicle. But you are right, it is very confusing, lol, I almost don't want to post this b/c I may be wrong, lol.

[L]

Oh I love the whole sliding door thing! I'm a minivan driver and I love minivans, but this could be an option. Those sliding doors are a godsend in tight parking spots and when you have young kids that no matter how much to tell them to watch the doors they still just fling them open without even looking!

[Vance]

I love this car/truck/suv??? I trade an suv for a car and this gives me a reason to trade my car for this car/truck/suv??? If they want to get back on top, this is one way to do it. They have to produce this Explorer!!!!!