Acceleration
"No V6 Explorer or Mountaineer made available for test. V8 versions provide ample power. Test 2WD Explorer Limited did 7.4 sec 0-60 mph. Transmission changes gears smoothly, delivers quick part-throttle downshifts for fine around-town response. Some testers say full-throttle downshifts take too long, however. Towing capacity is 7300 lb. "

Value
"Explorer and its Mercury Mountaineer sibling are highly competent overall performers with an outstanding array of available features. These include front side airbags, curtain side airbags, traction/antiskid control, V8 power, seven-passenger seating, and a power-folding 3rd-row seat. Their truck-type chassis serves trailering needs without giving up much refinement to lighter-duty midsize SUVs with car-type construction. There's nothing of consequence the higher-priced Mountaineer provides over similarly equipped Explorers, making the Ford version our Recommended pick."

Ride
"Explorer and Mountaineer among best-riding truck-type SUVs. Explorer compliant, even with optional 18-inch wheels, and is devoid of sloppy motions. Some testers, however, say Mountaineer suffers undue impact harshness and body oscillations over low-speed bumps. "

Economy
"With 2WD, test V8 Limited averaged 15.1 mpg, with 4WD, 15.0 mpg. Mountaineer offers all-wheel drive and test AWD Mountaineer Premier V8 averaged 15.4 mpg. Both V6 and V8 use regular-grade fuel."

Noise
"Among the quieter SUVs. Wind, road noise well-muffled. So is noise over bumps. Engines intrude only under full throttle."

Comfort - Front
"Plenty of room on comfortable seats. Front door pulls located too low and far forward for easy access or use--a constant irritant. Entry/exit complicated by fairly high step up. Outward visibility hindered some by thick roof pillars, but 2nd- and 3rd-row headrests fold to reduce obstruction. Available rear-obstacle-detection system adds a measure of safety when backing up."

Comfort - Rear
"Three adults can squeeze across in roomy 2nd row. Leg room tight only with front seats fully aft. Third-row seat cushion low to floor, pancake flat, and floor shape obstructs foot room. But 3rd-row head room expansive, leg space surprisingly good. Second-row seats tip forward with relatively little effort, but access to 3rd row is only for the limber. Mountaineer offers running boards that automatically deploy when a door is open, but they don't extend far enough to be as useful as they could be. "

Controls
"Explorer, Mountaineer cabin designs differ mainly in trim appearance. Both have large, clear main gauges. Transmission shift lever blocks easy access to climate controls. Dashboard is revised for '07, puts radio just out of easy reach. Turn-signal stalk mounted at awkward angle. Rear climate controls set into ceiling, are difficult to read. Interior materials mostly solid-feeling, despite presence of many hard plastic surfaces. "

Cargo Room
"Separate-opening hatch glass handy, but hatch itself is weighty to open and close. Second- and 3rd-row seats fold nearly flat for ample cargo room, but leave gaps large enough for smaller items to fall through. Optional power-folding 3rd row a real convenience. Aside from large console box, interior storage meager."