2002 Ford Explorer Recommendations

. Mercurys upscale Mountaineer is similarly revamped, but with more-differentiated styling. Explorer offers V6 and V8 engines; the V6 teams with manual or automatic transmission, the V8 with automatic only. With either, the automatic is a 5 speed. Available is rear-wheel drive or Fords Control Trac 4WD that can be left engaged on dry pavement and includes low-range gearing. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes are standard. Torso side airbags are unavailable, but curtain side airbags are optional and at midyear, added sensors designed to deploy them in a rollover accident. Also made available midyear on V8-equipped XLT, Eddie Bauer, and Limited models was an optional antiskid system. Rear-obstacle detection is also optional. Standard on Eddie Bauer and Limited are driver-seat memory, tilt/telescopic steering wheel, and power-adjustable pedals. Sold alongside this redesigned 4-dr wagon are the Explorer Sport Trac crew cab and Explorer Sport 2-dr wagon, both using Explorers 1995-vintage design (see separate entry).