What do medium and large SUV users care about most? The appearance should be domineering enough, the space should be spacious enough, this is the most basic demand, and in these aspects, Volkswagen Tuang has done a good job. In contrast, the Ford Explorer can only be regarded as a passing level, at least it does not seem to be a glance. However, the upcoming new Ford Explorer seems to change the past moderate temperament, the shape, interior to the just released Ford Mondeo to match, the use of a new shape, especially the interior of the use of large screen, full of technology. So after the replacement, the Ford Explorer has the ability to win over Tuang and have a breakthrough in sales?
Replace the through-type large screen, the sense of science and technology to the "new forces" to align?
The Ford Explorer was born earlier, but it was not until the fifth-generation model that it was sold in China as an import in 2013, and the sixth-generation model was launched in 2019, and it was domestically produced by Changan Ford.
【New Explorer】
The domestically produced Ford Explorer is large and full of aura, which is very domineering unique to American cars. But regarding the chrome net of the Explorer hexagon, some users still feel that it is still a bit dull, at least not as attractive as the Volkswagen Tourone.
The new explorer has made adjustments in terms of appearance, although the overall style is not completely sporty like Ford Mondeo, but it has made great progress compared to before, using the popular through-led daytime running lights, the night lighting effect is more stylish, and the light group at the rear of the car has also changed. Overall, this expedition was more receptive than Tu Ang while retaining its atmosphere and stability.
【Current Explorer】
The interior of the current explorer has been criticized a lot of places, of which in addition to the slightly rough workmanship, the 12.8-inch central control screen is too abrupt, although the central control screen is used by Baidu and Ford jointly developed SYNC + intelligent car machine system, voice function, Internet ecology, etc. are basically complete, but compared to the current mainstream car machine central control screen, whether the visual effect or the degree of fluency, it is difficult to be satisfied.
【Volkswagen Tuang】
The interior of the new Explorer has changed greatly, the through-line central control screen is very eye-catching, almost extending from the dashboard to the front of the co-pilot, and the Ford EVOS that was listed not long ago is somewhat similar, and this piece does not have any partition in the middle of the screen, and the integrity is very strong. In addition, according to our previous experience on Ford Mondeo, it is no accident that the new explorers will also use THE SYNC+2.0 Intelligent Mobility connected car machine system, and will be fully enhanced in terms of fluency, resolution, voice control, and Internet ecology. Of course, we do not have the luxury of expecting it to reach the height of science and technology such as the "new force of car building", but it is more scientific and technological than Volkswagen Tuang, more convenient and easy to use, I believe there is no problem.
Three rows of space is small, the new model is not easy to change, seat massage will be retained?
Users who choose medium and large SUVs generally have high requirements for space, in this regard, the current Explorer's length, width and height dimensions are 5075/2004/1778mm, wheelbase is 3025mm, and Volkswagen Tuon's length, width and height are 5052/1989/1773mm, and the wheelbase is 2980mm. From the data point of view, the current explorers in all aspects ahead of Tu Ang, but the actual riding performance is another matter, especially in the third row, Tu Ang longitudinal legroom still has a lot of margin, and even reached the level of some MPV, the current explorers are not performing well, the ride is more cramped.
In terms of the comfort of the current explorers in the second row of seats, many consumers are not very satisfied with the current explorers, although the padding is thick and soft, but the cushions are too short and lack support, and Tuang's performance is better. However, the current explorer is still very powerful in terms of seat configuration, more than 359,800 yuan of models equipped with front seat heating, ventilation, but also equipped with the same level of rare rear seat electric reclining, more than 379,800 yuan of models equipped with seat massage, better than Tuon performance. In addition, from some of the information exposed by the new explorers, the new car is not expected to change much in terms of size, so there will not be much change in space, but if the seat function can be retained, then the new explorer still has an advantage.
The Explorer continues the 2.3T power, but the driving texture needs to be strengthened
In terms of powertrain, the new Explorer will continue to be equipped with a 2.3T turbocharged engine with a maximum horsepower of 276 hp and a maximum torque of 425 N·m, matched by a 10-speed manual transmission. Volkswagen Tuon is equipped with a high- and low-power version of the 2.0T engine, the maximum horsepower is 220 horses, 186 horses, respectively, there is a more powerful 2.5T V6 engine, the maximum horsepower of 299 horses, the whole series is matched with a 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission.
According to the current explorer's power performance, the fastest zero hundred acceleration given by the official is 7.6 seconds, while the volkswagen Tuon 2.0T high-power official zero hundred acceleration time is the fastest 8.4 seconds. According to our actual experience, it is basically in line with expectations, that is to say, the acceleration performance of the current Explorer is slightly better than that of the Volkswagen Tuon 2.0T model, but compared with the Volkswagen Tuon 2.5T model, the power performance is still much inferior.
In addition, in terms of driving, the volkswagen Touron chassis comfort is good, more driving texture, the current Explorer chassis is not as holistic as Tourang, many users reflect that when passing through the ditches and bumps, the chassis is somewhat loose. However, the explorer's driving performance has always been good, the steering wheel steering feels real and delicate, driving is relatively calm, and there will be no driving the feeling of driving a boat like Volkswagen Tuang.
epilogue:
From the new Explorer, we can see a lot of changes, the appearance is more youthful and sporty, the interior of the large screen is quite sci-fi, and even began to align with the "new forces", which is very rare in the same level of medium and large SUVs. However, volkswagen Tuon is still good in terms of space and comfort, and the 2.5T power performance is also better. Therefore, whether the new explorer can play the advantages of more high-tech and younger sports on the basis of continuing to be cost-effective and win more users may be the key to whether they can win over Tuang in the future.