2002FordExplorerFord Explorer2002 Ford Explorer XLT 4WDSport UtilityWagon4WDLouisville, KY/St. Louis, MOFord has overhauled their Explorer for model-year 2002 in an attempt to make it more car-like than ever before. Among the improvements are a 2.5-inch wider stance and 2-inch longer wheelbase for improved handling and roominess, a new independent rear suspension that improves ride and handling, while at the same time accommodating an optional third row of seats, larger door openings with a lower step-in height, an optional side curtain airbag system and an optional Reverse Sensing System.Available third-row seating, independent rear suspension, powerful engines, attractive new exterior design.Baa Baaah - everyone and his uncle has one, driving characteristics are still pretty truck-like.Ford's Explorer has dominated the SUV market since its introduction in 1990. Designed to appeal to the broadest spectrum of buyers possible, Explorer's proven to be a goldmine for the Blue Oval folks. Still, it was getting a bit long in the tooth during the last couple of years. Thus, a complete redesign for 2002. There are four trim levels available: XLS, XLT, Eddie Bauer and Limited. The majority of Explorers sold are XLTs. If you want your Explorer to be as special as possible, step up to the Eddie Bauer or Limited. These models come standard with added luxury feature content like heated leather seats, automatic climate control and an in-dash six-disc CD changer. Standard safety features on all models include ABS with electronic brake distribution and a Securilock passive anti-theft system. Safety options worth considering are side curtain airbags and a Reverse Sensing System. Explorer comes with either a 4.0-liter V6 making 210 horsepower or a new 4.6-liter V8 pumping out 240 ponies. Both engines are mated to a five-speed automatic transmission and the V8 offers copious, refined power delivery, but unimpressive mileage numbers. Explorer has been made over inside and out, and the results are pleasing. Outside, it sports larger, clear lens headlights, integrated bumpers and blacked-out B- and D-pillars, giving it a cleaner look. But the most significant changes are found inside and underneath. An all-new independent rear suspension featuring a unique porthole-in-frame design debuts this year. This setup allows the rear floor to drop 7 inches - thereby making room for an optional third-row seat - while increasing ground clearance to 9.2 inches. Cargo volume is 88 cubic feet with the five-passenger configuration and 81.3 cubes with the third-row seat installed. The all-new suspension also pays off in improved ride and handling characteristics. The Explorer now feels more stable on the road and exhibits flatter cornering capabilities. A 2.5-inch wider stance and 2-inch longer wheelbase improve handling even more, while increasing interior room. Other nifty improvements for 2002 include larger door openings with a lower step-in height for ease of entry and exit, a stiffer body shell and a lower front bumper for better crash compatibility with smaller vehicles. Later in the model year, rollover protection sensors and a new AdvanceTrac traction/stability control system will be available on Explorer. Ford's bestseller may have fallen on hard times with the Firestone tire scandal in 2000, but this year's thorough redesign should go a long way in keeping America's favorite sport-ute at the top of its game. Chevrolet BlazerJeep Grand CherokeeMercury MountaineerMitsubishi Montero Sport336,000336,000336,0005UnlimitedNANANA64 litersV6210 hp @ 5250 rpm255 ft-lbs. @ 4000 rpm81 cu.ft.1501 lbs.7000 lbs.189.5 in.72.1 in.71.9 in.4344 lbs.113.7 in.36.7 ft.9.2 in.39.9 in.38.9 in.NANANANA43.9 in.37.2 in.5StandardStandardNot AvailableOptionalNot AvailableNot AvailableNot AvailableRating = Not TestedRating = Not TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot Tested22.5 gal.Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not.$27,193$29,7457.35%$600N/A3% of the Total MSRPXLS 2WD (5M): 4.0L V6 SOHC SMPI 12-valve engine; 5-speed OD manual transmission; 650-amp battery with rundown protection; HD radiator; 130-amp alternator; rear-wheel drive, limited-slip differential, 3.73 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust; front independent suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, HD front shocks, rear independent short & long arm suspension with anti-roll bar, rear coil springs, HD rear shocks; rack-and-pinion, power-assisted steering; steering fluid cooler; 4-wheel antilock disc brakes; 22.5 gal. capacity fuel tank; side impact bars; liftback rear cargo door; class II towing, trailer hitch; roof rack; front and rear colored bumpers with rear step bumper; colored bodyside molding; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite halogen headlamps; driver's and passenger's power remote black folding outside mirrors; 16" x 7" silver steel wheels; P235/70SR16 OWL A/S tires; full-size steel spare wheel; air conditioning, rear heat ducts; AM/FM stereo w/clock,seek-scan feature, cassette player, 4 speakers, fixed antenna; steering-wheel-mounted cruise control controls; power door locks with 2-stage unlock, remote keyless entry, child-safety rear door locks, remote rear window release; 2 power accessory outlets, front lighter element, retained accessory power, ashtray; instrumentation display includes tachometer, oil pressure gauge, water temperature gauge, volt gauge, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, battery, lights on, key in ignition, door ajar; driver's and passenger's front airbags; ignition disable, panic alarm, security system; deep tinted windows, power front and rear windows with driver's 1-touch down function, fixed 1/4 vent windows; variable-speed intermittent front windshield wipers, sun visor strip, flip-up rear window, fixed-interval rear wiper, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 5, front captain seats with fixed headrests, center armrest, driver's and front passenger's seats include 4-wayadjustment; 60/40 folding rear bench seat with tilt headrests; height-adjustable front and rear seatbelts with pretensioners; cloth seats, full cloth headliner, full color-keyed carpet floor covering; interior lights include dome light with fade, front reading lights, illuminated entry; steering wheel with tilt adjustment; passenger's side vanity mirror; day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, glove box with light, front cupholder, driver's and passenger's door bins; carpeted cargo floor, cargo tie downs, cargo light, concealed cargo storage; colored grille, black side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black rear window molding and black door handles.
XLS 4WD (5M) (in addition to or instead of XLS 2WD (5M) equipment): Automatic full-time 4-wheel drive, auto-locking hub control and electronic shift.
XLT 2WD (5A) (in addition to or instead of XLS 4WD (5A) equipment): 5-speed electronic OD automatic transmission; rear-wheel drive, 3.27 axle ratio; fully automatic headlamps; single-disc CD player; instrumentation display includes compass, exterior temp; front sports seats with adjustable headrests, center armrest with storage, driver's seat includes 14-way adjustment (6-way power seat), lumbar support, passenger's seat includes 4-way adjustment; interior lights include front and rear reading lights; dual illuminated vanity mirrors; full overhead console with storage, front and rear cupholders; body-colored door handles.
XLT 4WD (5A) (in addition to or instead of XLT 2WD (5A) equipment): Automatic full-time 4-wheel drive, auto-locking hub control and electronic shift, 3.55 axle ratio.
EDDIE BAUER 2WD (5A) (in addition to or instead of XLT 4WD (5A) equipment): Transmission oil cooler; rear-wheel drive, 3.55 axle ratio; running boards; clearcoat lower accent two-tone paint; delay-off headlamp feature; additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; driver's and passenger's power remote black heated folding outside mirrors; 16" aluminum wheels with P245/70SR16 OWL A/S tires; dual-zone front air conditioning with climate control; 6-disc CD changer, amplifier, steering-wheel-mounted radio controls; garage door opener; instrumentation display includes compass, exterior temp, systems monitor, trip computer, trip odometer; warning indicators include water temp, low fuel, low washer fluid, trunk ajar, service interval; heated-cushioned front bucket seats with adjustable headrests, passenger seat includes 14-way adjustment (6-way power), lumbar support; leather seats; driver's seat memory includes 3 settings; leather-wrapped steering wheel; auto-dimmingday/night rearview mirror; chrome grille, body-colored door handles.
LIMITED 2WD (5A) (in addition to or instead of EDDIE BAUER 2WD (5A) equipment): Front and rear body-colored bumpers; body-colored bodyside cladding, body-colored fender flares; 16" Limited aluminum wheels; clearcoat monochromatic paint.
EDDIE BAUER 4WD (5A) (in addition to or instead of LIMITED 2WD (5A) equipment): Automatic full-time 4-wheel drive, auto-locking hub control and electronic shift, 3.55 axle ratio; front and rear colored bumpers with chrome bodyside insert, colored bodyside cladding, colored fender flares; clearcoat lower accent two-tone paint.
LIMITED 4WD (5A) (in addition to or instead of EDDIE BAUER 4WD (5A) equipment): Front and rear body-colored bumpers.