I bought a new car for the first time. My current car was purchased by my partner. Before I write about my new Lincoln MKC, I have to make a comment about a somewhat-related Ford product, the fifth generation Ford Explorer. We collectively know it as the current preferred vehicle of police departments. It’s the car of authority. But it’s also the first great Explorer since the classic second generation in the mid 1990s. It’s not that the third and fourth generations were poor vehicles. They added many safety features and motor and transmission upgrades. But the cache of the nameplate was restored with the fifth generation. This Explorer got people excited about the Explorer again, and it didn’t need a two-tone Eddie Bauer edition (although that would have been sweet, and I have this feeling we’re going to see a two-tone Explorer in generation six).

2001 Ford Explorer, © Ford Motor Company

The U502 Explorer is basic, but ticks all the boxes for those who need a full-size SUV outside of big cites. It’s quiet. It has safety features and driver aids. It’s got comfortable seats and years of Ford innovation. It can tow. You can get it with a V6 or the mustang’s motor. It’s easy to own and maintain. The 6F35 transmission was reliable and stronger by the time it was put into the heavy Explorer. And it can go off-road to a fair extent, like the more expensive Range Rovers and Jeep Grand Cherokees.