Ford Explorer Euro NCAP crash test

5 stars. Overall excellent performance in crash protection and well equipped with comprehensive and robust crash avoidance technology

The passenger compartment of the Explorer remained stable in the frontal offset test. Dummy readings indicated good protection of the knees and femurs of the driver and passenger. However, a post-crash inspection revealed structures in the dashboard which might pose a hazard to the knees and femurs of occupants of different sizes and to those sitting in different positions. Accordingly, the score for this body region was penalised and protection was rated as marginal. In the full-width rigid barrier test, protection of all critical body regions was good or adequate, apart from the chest of the rear passenger. For this body area, dummy readings of chest compression indicated a marginal level of protection. In the side barrier impact, protection was good for all critical body areas and the Explorer scored maximum points. In the more severe side pole test, readings of rib compression indicated marginal protection of the chest, while protection of other critical body areas was good. Tests on the front seats and head restraints demonstrated good protection against whiplash injuries in the event of a rear-end collision. A geometric assessment of the rear seats also indicated good whiplash protection. The standard-fit autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system performed well in tests of its functionality at the low speeds, typical of city driving, at which many whiplash injuries occur, with collisions avoided or mitigated in every test scenario.

In both the frontal offset test and the side barrier impact, protection of all critical body areas was good for both the 6-year and 10-year dummies, and the Explorer scored maximum points in this part of the assessment. The Explorer automatically disables the airbag is it detects a rearward-facing child restraint in the front passenger seat. The system worked robustly in Euro NCAP's tests and was duly rewarded. Child restraints could be properly installed and accommodated in the front passenger seat and in the second row. The optional third-row seats are equipped with ISOFIX/i-Size anchorages. However, issues were found during checks of CRS installation in these seats.

The bonnet provided predominantly good or adequate protection to the head of a struck pedestrian, with poor values recorded at the edge of the bonnet surface. The bumper offered good or adequate protection to pedestrians' legs at all test locations. Protection of the pelvis was mixed, with some areas of good protection and some areas that were poor. The Explorer's AEB system can detect vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists, as well as other vehicles. In tests of its response to pedestrians, the system performed well, with collisions avoided or mitigated in most situations. The system showed a marginal level of performance in the more challenging cyclist tests.

The AEB system performed well in tests of its response to other vehicles at highway speeds. The Explorer has an intelligent speed assistance system. Digital mapping is used in conjunction with a camera to determine the local speed limit. This information is presented to the driver and the the speed limiter is adapted accordingly. A lane support system helps to avoid inadvertent drifting out of lane by warning the driver and gently applying corrective steering. A seatbelt reminder is standard for all seats.