Now in its 16th year, the Ford Explorer is among the country’s most enduring vehicles. It didn’t have many competitors when it was introduced as a 1991 model in March, 1990. But little could be further from the truth today in the increasingly crowded class. Still, the Explorer continues to evolve and remains remarkably popular with more than 5.5 million sold to date.
For my weekly drive, I drove the redesigned 2006 Eddie Bauer 4×4 edition, one of 14 available Explorer configurations that feature four trim options and two engine sizes. With its 4.6-liter, 292-horsepower engine, the Eddie Bauer edition is formidable. Its power, increased from 239 horsepower in the 2005 model, is impressive. It takes you authoritatively wherever you wish to travel on the road or off road, particularly if there’s a need to do some extra work. (The Explorer’s maximum towing capacity is 7,300 pounds, more than twice as much as other SUVs.)
Key Takeaways
- Test vehicle: the Eddie Bauer 4×4 with a 4.6-liter, 292-horsepower engine, up from 239 horsepower in 2005, and a six-speed automatic.
- $33,625 base price; options bring the final price to nearly $44,000, including the $3,695 Luxury Group, a $1,340 powerfold third-row seat and a $1,295 rear-seat DVD entertainment center.
- 7,300 pounds maximum towing capacity.
- 14 mpg city and 20 highway on the original EPA label; 13 and 18 under the EPA’s revised ratings.
- Seating: 7 passengers, with standard front side and side-curtain airbags.
- Space: The Explorer is also ruggedly handsome inside and outside and offers superior space for passengers as well as a vast cargo capacity.
Competitors and Equipment
The Explorer is matched against a host of top competitors, most notably the Dodge Durango, Honda Pilot and Toyota 4Runner. And while many of the current SUVs are also seemingly nearly indistinguishable, the Explorer has also found a unique identity. The reasons include the combined benefits of 7-passenger seating, standard front side and side-curtain curtain airbags, a DVD entertainment center and the nice accouterments of a power-folding, third-row seat, a rear-obstacle detection feature and a standard anti-skid system.
The Explorer is also ruggedly handsome inside and outside and offers superior space for passengers as well as a vast cargo capacity. It also gets better marks for quietness and ride quality than many vehicles in its class.
The Eddie Bauer Package and Price
The Explorer’s early success blossomed with the introduction of the Eddie Bauer signature edition, which became a status symbol throughout the 1990s. The 2006 version features a lot, and it should for $3,695. The optional package, known as the Luxury Group, includes a navigation system (new for ’06), leather upholstery, 10-way power driver’s seat, keypad entry, automatic day/night rearview mirror, automatic headlights, running boards, 17-inch, all-terrain tires and dual automatic heat and air conditioning controls.
My test vehicle, a 6-speed automatic, also included two additional expensive options, the powerfold third-row seat ($1,340) and the rear-seat entertainment center with DVD player ($1,295). Add a half-dozen other options and the Eddie Bauer’s final price is nearly $10,000 more than its base retail price and approaches $44,000.
2006 Ford Explorer Verdict
Few SUVs are economical, and the Explorer’s estimated 14 mpg in city traffic will empty wallets rather quickly. But thrift-conscious buyers are not likely considering the Explorer anyway. But for those looking for a sturdy, well-designed, spacious and attractive SUV, the Explorer is fine consideration, especially if you’re seeking a workhorse that doesn’t forsake finesse and style while getting the job done.
Facts & Figures: 2006 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Base Price | $33,625 |
| As-Tested Price | Approaches $44,000 |
| Engine | 4.6-liter V8 |
| Horsepower | 292 hp |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | Four-wheel drive |
| Fuel Economy (original EPA label) | 14 city / 20 highway mpg |
| Fuel Economy (EPA, revised) | 13 city / 18 highway / 15 combined mpg |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| Seating | 7 |
| Towing | 7,300 pounds maximum |
| Luxury Group | $3,695 |
| Airbags | Dual front and side |
| Warranty | Bumper to bumper 3 yr/36,000 mi; corrosion 5 yr/100,000 mi; 24-hour roadside assistance 3 yr/36,000 mi |
James Raia
A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida. An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.
