Why is the Ford Explorer Hybrid in Last Place?

The 2021 Ford Explorer Hybrid is in last place among hybrid SUVs, according to U.S. News & World Report. The vehicle received no major ... Skiptocontent Advertisement Home/Trucks&SUVs/SUVs The2021FordExplorerHybridisinlastplaceamonghybridSUVs,accordingtoU.S.News&WorldReport.Thevehiclereceivednomajorchangesforthenewmodelyear,thoughitwasnewin2020.ThereareloadsofhybridSUVsnow,meaningthere’satonofcompetition.Unfortunately,theFordExplorerHybridisatthebottomoftherankingsonjustabouteveryreviewer’slist. What’ssobadabouttheFordExplorerHybrid? FordExplorer|Ford TheFordExplorerHybridisn’tallbad.It’sagoodvehiclethatlacksinplacesmakingitworsethanitscompetitors.Oneofthosethings,inparticular,isfueleconomy.Gasmileageisoneofthemostimportantthingsforanybuyerlookingathybridvehicles,soifthehybrid’sfueleconomyisbad,soisthevehicle. TheExplorer’s3.3-literV6engineandelectricmotorcombinefor318horsepower.Thetwocombinefor23cityand26highwaympgwithfour-wheeldrive.Thoughthosenumbersdooutperformmostnonhybrids,theyputtheExploreratthebottomofthelistforhybridSUVs.Comparatively,theToyotaHighlanderhybridgets35-36cityand34-35highwaympg. Ithasacheapinteriorcabin 2021FordExplorerInterior|Ford TheinterioroftheFordExplorerhybridisforlackofabetterword,unimpressive.U.S.Newsnotesthelargenumberofplasticmaterialsthroughout,makingitfeelverycheapforavehiclethatcostsupwardsof$50,000.Hardplasticmaterialsarewhat’susuallyfoundinmuchlesscostlyvehicles,whichputsabadtasteinyourmouthabouttheExplorerhybrid’spricetag. WhattheExplorerhybridlacksinqualitymaterials,itmakesupforincargospace.Itoffersclass-leading87.8cubicfeetofspaceafterfoldingdownthesecondandthirdrows.Unfortunately,itisn’tleadinganyclassesinpassengerspace.Itcanfituptosixpassengers,butthethird-rowpassengerswillbeuncomfortable.Thelegroomistight,seatsarelowtothefloor,andthey’rejustnotverycomfortabletositon. HowwelldoestheFordExplorerHybridperform? FordExplorer|Ford Thepowerandaccelerationofthevehicleareverygood,buttransitionsbetweengas-poweredandtheelectricenginearenotsmooth.Likemosthybrids,theFordExplorerhastheabilitytoturnitsgasengineoffwhenstopped.Manyolderhybridvehiclesfeltlikeareallyroughshiftwhenacceleratingagain.The2021FordExplorerHybridisnodifferent. Sinceevenoff-roadSUVsaregettinghybridoptionsnow,itneedstobenotedtheExplorerisn’tthebestinthatcategoryeither.Wedon’texpectittocompetewiththeJeepWrangler,butitcoulddefinitelybebetter.Thoughwithfour-wheel-driveandthetractionmanagementsystemitisalittlemorecapablethansomeSUVs. Howdothecriticsrateit? AccordingtoU.S.News,criticsgivetheFordExplorerHybridascoreof6.7outof10.Itsperformancegetsa6.1andinteriora6.7.Thesearetwoofitsweakestpoints,butreliabilityisn’tmuchbetter.J.D.Powergaveitan81/100forqualityandreliability,whichisn’ttoobadcomparedtomostothervehiclesinitsclass. ModelJ.D.PowerQuality&ReliabilityRating2021FordExplorerHybrid81/1002021ToyotaHighlanderHybrid82/1002021KiaSorentoHybrid77/1002022HondaCR-VHybrid84/100 Overall,the2021FordExplorerHybridisn’tabadhybridSUV.Itdoeslackqualitymaterialsandpassengerspaceonitsinterior,makingitlessthanluxuriousforitshighpricetag.ThepoorfueleconomyhurtsittremendouslysincethoseshoppingforahybridSUVareseekinghighgasmileage.ThosearethereasonstheFordExplorerHybridisinlastplaceagainstsimilarlysizedhybridSUVs. RELATED:TheFordExplorerHybridGivesYouFuelEconomyWithoutSacrificingTowing