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"ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com" (ita97) 05/14/2019 at 10:57 • Filed to: None

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My F-150 has gone to the dealership for a couple of recalls. Nothing big, just adding shields to the door latch assembly inside the door and trimming insulation around the seat belt pretentioners. I don’t really care much about either recall, but this will get Ford to stop sending me letters. I’ve got mixed feelings about it going into the shop, as this will be the first time since it rolled off the dealership lot with 6 miles on it that anyone other than myself has touched a bolt on it.

They gave me this thing as a loaner car. My quick Oppo review is “not bad.” 2019 Explorer, 3.5 V6, FWD. I guess I can see why these tall cars are popular. Drives like a car, roomy back seat (although lacking a center armrest) and lots of space in the back. I always thought these looked bigger than it turns out they actually are. I find it surprisingly small and narrow to drive and park.

The drivetrain does its thing with enough gusto, and it handles better than I was expecting. For a tall car, it is well composed around the twisty stuff. This isn’t a fancy one, but the interior is nice enough. Soft materials on anything you touch, and the rest is hard plastic that isn’t offensive looking or feeling. The dash and control layout is standard Ford fare. I’ve you driven any Ford vehicle made in the last 5-6 years, you’ve basically driven all of them in terms of controls and menus. The stereo plays noises.

There is one glaring problem, though. Actually, two. Someone appears to have spilled a drink on the climate control console, so only some of the buttons work.

Hello GPS tracking device, I’m assuming

What the fuck is this? A pedal operated parking brake? In 2019? I thought well got past this nonsense like 20 years ago even in ‘merican cars, and even 10 years ago in trucks. If my F-150 doesn’t have one of these, there’s no reason for a tall car to...

Overall, this is a vastly superior vehicle to the body-on-frame explorer of old. If you don’t need body-on-frame towing capability, or a legit 4WD system with a locking center diff and low range, and I’m pretty sure most folks don’t, this would be a fine family truckster.

412GTI > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 05/14/2019 at 11:10

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I’ve driven tons of these and they are pleasant enough to cruise around it. However, I am always let down by the interior packaging. It feel cramped to me with weird footwells and a tight rear seat for it’s size. I also hate how thick the A Pillars are. Excited to see how the new Explorer improves in that  regard.      

E90M3 > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 05/14/2019 at 11:12

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I’m pretty sure the rental Chevy’s I’ve driven had pedal operated parking brakes. Come to think of it, my mom’s 2014 RDX has a pedal operated parking brake.

Chariotoflove > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 05/14/2019 at 11:18

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My ‘15 Sedona has a pedal parking brake. Even though I have to do it by hand I don’t mind because it’s out of the way. If you’re used to driving with a third pedal I suppose it might mess with your normal reflexes. 

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 05/14/2019 at 11:21

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One thing about the explorer that really bothers me is a relatively small fuel tank and consistent 20 mpg’s. It results in a less than 300 mile range and that’s fumes. Drive in a state like Wyoming or Montana and you get range anxiety.

fintail > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 05/14/2019 at 11:22

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E-class through MY 2016 has a foot operated parking brake.  It has a handle release though, which can be oddly satisfying.

Arrivederci > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 05/14/2019 at 11:22

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Pedal parking brakes are pretty common - my 2011 Lexus GS has one and my wife’s 2017 Kia Sorento has one.

ranwhenparked > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 05/14/2019 at 11:40

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Honestly, on an automatic car, I kind of prefer a pedal parking brake, gets rid of one more piece of clutter in the passenger area. If we could also go back to column shifters, it would be even better. 

TheRealBicycleBuck > ranwhenparked 05/14/2019 at 11:59

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Base model 4x4 Silverado has a column shifter!

TheRealBicycleBuck > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 05/14/2019 at 12:01

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I prefer the pedal. Actually I prefer any mechanical parking brake over an electric one.  Our Explorer’s was electric as is the one in our Outback. Give me a handle to pull or a pedal to stomp, thank-you-very-much!

E92M3 > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 05/14/2019 at 12:05

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My 2019 Ridgeline has a pedal parking brake. I thought I’d be hitting my shin on it everytime I get in or out, but it’s actually far enough out of the way. 

DipodomysDeserti > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 05/14/2019 at 12:06

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I think GM trucks all still use a foot pedal parking brake. My favorite style is the old school horn shaped brake levers . Very satisfying to pull.

jimz > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 05/14/2019 at 12:40

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if it has a pedal it’s probably because the parking brake is the small “drum-in-hat” setup.  all of the electric-actuated parking brakes I’ve seen act upon the normal rear brake calipers. 

jimz > jimz 05/14/2019 at 12:50

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nope, I’m wrong, the parking brake uses the calipers.  I’m guessing they just didn’t want to spend the $ to change to electric actuation on a mid-cycle refresh. 

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > 412GTI 05/14/2019 at 13:10

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Now that you mention it, I did notice the footwells.  The A-pillar struck me as pretty par for the course on newer cars.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > TheRealBicycleBuck 05/14/2019 at 14:02

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My F-150 has one.