2008 Ford Explorer Safety Review [ 2007 ]
Based on analysis of 45 Explorer reviews and test drives.
Safety - What the Auto Press Says
The 2008 Explorer boasts a long list of standard safety features and good scores in crash tests. The Explorer earns a top five-star rating in front and side impact government crash tests and the highest rating of "Good" in tests by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. The Car Connection writes, "If there's such a term as 'safety run rampant,' the Explorer is one of the few SUVs to really earn it."
U.S. News' Rick Newman agrees, noting, "Ford has loaded the Explorer with standard safety features, to put to rest concerns that have dogged the Explorer since the Firestone Tire rollover scandal of the last decade." Many reviewers draw the same safety conclusions. MSN writes, "Lingering concerns exist because of the Explorer-Firestone tire rollover controversy of several years ago. Ford thus has stepped up and given the Explorer a standard AdvanceTrac anti-skid system with class-exclusive Roll Stability Control."
The 2008 Explorer receives an average rating of three stars in the government's rollover tests, which doesn't exude as much confidence as Ford would like buyers to have in its rollover prevention and protection.
Accident Avoidance
With traction control coming standard, a standout feature is AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control, which senses an impending tip over and manipulates the throttle and brakes to prevent it. "None of the safety/driver aid systems was particularly intrusive," says the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which also notes, "The anti-lock brakes produced fade-free stops."
Crash Protection
The 2008 Ford Explorer comes standard with driver and front-passenger air bags, front-seat side airbags, and an adaptive energy-absorbing steering column, which lessens the impact during crashes.
Suggesting that the Explorer's "engineers and designers are justifiably proud of its advanced safety features," The Auto Channel states, "Seat belts now adapt to occupant size and crash severity; they allow tension, then limited forward motion. Front seats recognize five categories of passenger: none, child, small adult, medium adult, and large adult. This information is part of the adaptive seat belts, and instructs dual-stage air bags how much cushion is needed (the passenger's air bag has a fabric tether that can keep the airbag small when needed.)"
