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As detail photos of the upcoming 2011 Ford Explorer continue to trickle out, and as Ford announced updates for the 2011 Edge, we had to wonder: Will Ford soon have too many similar SUVs in its lineup to suit potential buyers?
No, it’s not as if this is the first time Ford has offered a menu of SUVs. The current Explorer and Expedition truck-based SUVs represent the latest versions of the vehicles that helped define the segment in the 1990s. Although the giant Excursion and wagon-esque Freestyle/Taurus X are no longer part of the lineup, the giant from Dearborn isn’t lacking in SUV offerings.
But how different are the unibody SUVs, really? Would a buyer interested in the square-bodied Flex be interested in the performance of the new 3.7-liter Mustang V-6 installed in the Edge Sport? Is the Explorer ad campaign intriguing enough to steer buyers from the Flex, its mechanically similar cousin? (Or are you going to wait for your 2011 Fiesta to arrive?)
Today’s Snap Judgment:
Which would you choose: the Ford Edge, Explorer, or Flex?
Let us know what you think in the comments section.
I would go for the EcoBoost Flex, I am wondering why they are not offering the 6 cylinder EcoBoost in the Explorer.
Edge fully trimmed, please. The Flex is too boxy for me to believe it’s a great seller. It just doesn’t fit in the lineup. Now, if it had a Merc badge on it and they were pushing it as a niche vehicle on a niche nameplate, I think it might work better. The new Explorer looks nice, but I think that market segment in general is getting tired. The Expedition needs an update badly. The Excursion I think was a missed opportunity to really outdo the Suburban; overall a nice looking vehicle, but not quite big enough.
I think it’s worthwhile having multiple choices. Better a Flex than Excursion (which I liked but was unsuitable for most buyers). I hope that Ford brings in the Kuga but not as an Escape replacement. I’d rather have the global Ranger than the Kuga though.??I think GM is more glut with too-similar SUVs than Ford.
That being said, I’d pick the smallest: Edge, in Sport trim. Second choice: Flex Titanium if someone else were paying.
I think it’s worthwhile having multiple choices. Better a Flex than Excursion (which I liked but was unsuitable for most buyers). I hope that Ford brings in the Kuga but not as an Escape replacement. I’d rather have the global Ranger than the Kuga though.??I think GM is more glut with too-similar SUVs than Ford.
I, too, would pick the Flex. It’s worth noting that Toyota also currently offers a million-and-one utility vehicles.
Of the 3, I’d pick the Flex. That said, I’d really rather have the Kuga over all of them.