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Aside from the development of plug-in electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, the slow march towards better fuel economy, especially in larger vehicles, has been simply: slow. However, the incremental improvements continue and the last big family vehicle to have a shade of darker green is the new Ford Explorer for 2020.
Now featuring a rear-wheel drive architecture that it shares with the Lincoln Aviator, the Explorer is moving to its sixth generation with a hybrid and high-performance model. The most environmentally friendly solution, unlike the Aviator, is not a plug-in proposition. Fuel saving gains are therefore limited. It is up to the buyers to decide whether the recently published EPA figures are worthwhile.
In a rear-wheel-drive version, the 2020 Explorer hybrid has an EPA rating of 27 mpg in city, 29 mpg in highway and 28 mpg in combination. Compare that with the figure 21 mpg / 28 mpg / 24 mpg applied to his only petrol brother.
Available as a Limited model but not as an entry-level XLT, the Explorer Hybrid is equipped with a 3.3-liter V6 coupled with an electric motor and a 10-speed automatic transmission, identical to that proposed by all 2020 Explorers. The power reaches 318 horsepower and 322 lb-ft of torque. Give up the hybrid component and a regular Explorer Limited uses a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Thus, on paper at least, the Explorer Hybrid has a slight power advantage, although its onboard battery (nestled under the back seat) and its more powerful engine can load a little more weight.
We have not yet planned to run a 0 to 60 km run between Explorer Limited from both ranks.
Add four-wheel-drive mode to the equation and the economy of the hybrid model will drop to 23 mpg city / 26 mi / combined highway / 25 mpg combined, compared to the 20/27/23 rating of the model to gasoline only. Obviously, those who practice the most driving in the city will benefit most from the V6 assisted Explorer Hybrid.
Ford is proud of its feat, even though it does not break the 30 mpg mark, claiming that the hybrid makes it possible to travel 800 kilometers without refueling, while offering the same towing capacity (5,000 lbs, when properly equipped) that a 3.5 liter engine 2019 Ecoboost model. Indeed, it advances by leaps and bounds in front of the explorers of today. A 2000 rear-wheel-drive Explorer equipped with Ford's 4.0-liter V6 returned a miserable 16 mpg on the combined cycle (15 mpg when equipped with four-wheel drive).
A decade later, nothing had changed.
It should be noted that 10 years ago, a non-hybrid Escape was not close to 28 mpg combined. A Focus 2010 matched the combined economy of the 2020 Explorer Hybrid. And even though it's always nice to have better MPG available, potential buyers will likely be looking for the calculator before signing. Starting at $ 52,780 after the destination, an Explorer Limited Hybrid is not really an economical runabout, its gasoline-electric powertrain gives it $ 3,555 compared to an Explorer Limited.
A Toyota Highlander Hybrid AWD is capable of gaining 1 mpg more for less money, but is lagging in power and towing capacity. 1500 pounds behind, when Ford Class III towing group enters the room.
[Images: Ford]
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