Driving Experience
Includes acceleration and handling
What Owners Say
"The auto has excellent power and strong acceleration. It has the tightest turning radius I have ever seen in a vehicle this size."
JERRY S., MI (2003 Ford Explorer)"It has a V8, 4 wheel drive for the winter."
MICHAEL B., ON (2003 Ford Explorer)"I have loved the brakes since the day I bought it. At a stop sign I can put my foot on the brake and then let up on the brake so you never feel the forward and backward motion."
Anonymous, TX (2003 Ford Explorer)"4.0L with the (dreaded) 5R55S transmission. The Explorer is very agile considering the weight of the vehicle. I replaced the coil over shocks and it rides like a dream for a 4WD vehicle."
RONALD H., PA (2003 Ford Explorer)"Enjoy the ability to accelerate quickly if needed. Power and responsive handling are a definite plus. Better on gas mileage than one would expect from a large block V8 (depending on your driving habits."
EDWARD B., GA (2003 Ford Explorer)"For an SUV, it has plenty of power. However, the car was manufactured with NO quality control. So many of the peripherals have gone bad even in the first few months we owned it. From after the first oil change by the dealer, the car developed a flutter, which the dealer and the manufacturer couldn't correct and both ended up stone walling us. I will not purchase another Ford product after that treatment."
Anonymous, PA (2003 Ford Explorer)"Big solid ride"
Mark R., CA (2003 Ford Explorer)"I've had a few instances of "sudden acceleration"."
Anonymous, NY (2003 Ford Explorer)"Excellent for hauling camping trailer. Repairs to brakes transmission air condition suspension steering Makes this vehicle a definite do not buy."
Anonymous, ON (2003 Ford Explorer)"When you step on the gas to get on the freeway it flys"
Debbie C., ID (2003 Ford Explorer)"handles and accelerates nice"
Bruce B., VT (2003 Ford Explorer)"Car has worked very well for us for the 100,000 miles and 8 years we have owned it. However, we had to replace the engine at 85,000 miles and just replaced the catalytic converters at 173,000 miles. We love this vehicle."
Glenn O., NC (2003 Ford Explorer)"the acceleration with the 4.6L V8 is very robust. Handling is good for such a large vehicle. Brakes are just adequate and the automatic trans does get confused at times when up-shifting under full acceleration."
Jon C., VA (2003 Ford Explorer)"It's a heavy vehicle. Have to brake early, and it doesn't stop quickly. Acceleration is not too quick."
Anonymous, CA (2003 Ford Explorer)"Bet vehicle I have ever owned for handling and ease of driving. Steering is excellent and will turn on a dime which makes it great for parking. It has ALL the power I need when driving the freeways and handles beautifully at 70 mph and above!"
Sharon W., OH (2003 Ford Explorer)"It has always provided a smooth quiet ride. It is a mid to large size SUV so its handling is certainly not sports car like but it certainly more than exceeds my expectations"
Eric O., BC (2003 Ford Explorer)"Big V8 has plenty of get up and go, and as old as it is still drives smooth and handles the road great like it was new"
Anonymous, CO (2003 Ford Explorer)
"Hands down the best turn radius of any SUV I've experienced. V8 did an outstanding job towing 6000 lbs 2100 miles across while climbing the mountain passes in Wyoming and Utah."
ROY C., VA (2003 Ford Explorer)