- 2011 Ford Explorer with the standard 3.5-liter V6 engine will start at $28,995.
- The top-of-the-line 2011 Explorer Limited starts at $37,995.
- Pricing on the optional EcoBoost engine, which will be available in early 2011, was not released.
DEARBORN, Michigan — Ford has adopted a controversial pricing strategy for its 2011 Explorer, which was officially unveiled on Monday. The 2011 Explorer with the standard 3.5-liter V6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission undercuts the outgoing model by $1,100, with a $28,995 base price. Pricing includes an $805 destination charge.
But expect 2011 Explorer buyers to pay a premium for the small four-cylinder engine when the vehicle goes on sale in December, according to Bloomberg. Pricing on the optional EcoBoost engine, which will be available in early 2011, was not released. The Explorer goes on sale this winter.
The pricing strategy for the redesigned Explorer — with a premium on the model with the smaller, more fuel-efficient engine — is curious, given that fuel prices continue to remain below $3 per gallon. On Monday, the AAA Daily Fuel Gauge report pegged the current average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas at $2.74. That is down from a high of $4.11 on July 17, 2008.
Ford said the midlevel 2011 Explorer XLT, which adds such features as a reverse sensing system and Sirius Satellite Radio, will start at $31,995. The top-of-the-line 2011 Explorer Limited starts at $37,995 and includes such features as MyFord Touch, Ford Sync and remote start, according to Ford.com.
The 2010 Explorer, with a 4.0-liter V6 engine and five-speed automatic transmission starts at $30,095, including an $815 destination charge.
The 2011 Explorer comes out of the gate priced at $2,000 less than the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, one of its chief domestic competitors. The 2011 Grand Cherokee Laredo 2WD starts at $30,995, including a $780 destination charge. But one of the Explorer's chief Asian competitors still slots in below the 2011 model. The 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe SE with a 3.5-liter V6 engine starts at $26,790, including a $795 destination charge.
Inside Line says: Will consumers really pay more for an Explorer with a smaller engine? That's the key question. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
Add A Comment »
rodger_victor says:
10:16 PM, 07/26/2010
Hyundai doesn't even compete with this. A Hyundai is a airport rental that has dirty carpets and smells like old cheesebuger wrappers. The new Explorer competes with Grand Cherokee and from the looks of it, Land Rover.
It puts the Fourrunner to shame. Well, that is if you want to risk you life in a Toyota product.
windsor5 says:
05:47 PM, 07/26/2010
The sante fe doesnt even get 3rd row seating I dont get why its being compared?
Some people might cross shop but not many
windsor5 says:
05:42 PM, 07/26/2010
I think the editor meant veracruz not santa fe the santa fe starts at 21,000 and competes with the escape
tp660 says:
05:40 PM, 07/26/2010
@nchousehunter: I couldn't agree more. That just makes no sense, paying more to get an engine that has less power and less towing capability. I get that Ford is expecting that customers will be willing to pay more to get better fuel economy but I seriously doubt that the average customer is going to look at it that way and over look the fact that they get a less powerful engine.
rrichf says:
04:40 PM, 07/26/2010
And your friend got a Santa Fe Limited V6 for $27K.
nchousehunter says:
04:39 PM, 07/26/2010
So to get less power and with the same towing capacity as a Honda Fit, you get to pay more? Sorry, I'll stick to the Ecoboost V6 in the Big Edge.
alman08 says:
04:27 PM, 07/26/2010
"The 2011 Explorer comes out of the gate priced at $2,000 less than the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, one of its chief domestic competitors. The 2011 Grand Cherokee Laredo 2WD starts at $30,995, including a $780 destination charge. But one of the Explorer's chief Asian competitors still slots in below the 2011 model. The 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe SE with a 3.5-liter V6 engine starts at $26,790, including a $795 destination charge."
----------------------------------------------------------------
Friend bought a Santa Fe limited V6 for $27k out the door.