Overview & Reviews

The 2005 Ford Explorer receives minor interior and exterior trim changes, and the AdvanceTrac stability control system is upgraded with roll stability control for better protection against rollover accidents.

• Excellent ride and handling characteristics for a truck-based SUV, strong optional V8, comfortable cabin with user-friendly layout and seating for up to seven, good crash test scores.

• Dull cabin design with some low-grade materials, low resale value, confusing controls on high-line models, lousy fuel economy.

User Reviews:

Showing 71 through 80 of 146.00

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  Awesome! - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By Acb - July 14 - 2:21 pm

  I was pleasantly surprised when I test drove my Ford. It has everything I need or want in a vehicle - with the exception of good gas mileage. I can now take my whole family on road trips! I traded in my 2005 Mustang for the Explorer and I am very happy - they get the same gas mileage anyway - and I will be safer in the winter when I can take full advantage of the 4WD and there is sooo much more room!

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  Eddie Bauer - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By Jim H. - May 15 - 2:09 pm

  This is my first SUV. The Eddie Bauer is a great looking truck, with great interior room and features. I like sitting high and the view over other vehicles.

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  Great dependable vehicle, bulletproof - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By JohnnyMartin - April 21 - 2:34 pm

  Well I sold my 1997 Ford Explorer with 292,000 that was an excellent car and bought an 05 with 4x4. My job is very hard on my car. I drive up the side of mountains, through mud holes, over steep sharp rocks, and through swampy areas. My Explorer has been in the Rocky Mountains, Nebraska fields, and Wyoming plains in winter covered in snow. I put an average of 40,000 miles a year on my Ford. I now have 62,000 miles and my Explorer has always gotten me home. I hit a large mudhole one night at 3am and spun the truck sideways and i hit a pole, nearly rolled it, smashed 2 windows, my hood, a fender, and 1 tire. I patched the tire and it got me home 30 miles. Very dependable.

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  ford explorer eb 2004 - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By ann hatton - February 28 - 1:06 am

  very good truck, rides like a car. priced a little high just because of eb package but the dealer was willing to deal.

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  The leather seats need to be recalled - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By Frost - February 22 - 6:41 pm

  Overall I enjoy my Explorer, however the leather on my seats is cracking and worn. The interior looks a lot older than a 2005 suv. It looks more like 1994. This is a problem for me because of my line of work and the clients I drive around from time to time. My exterior is always nice and clean. The cracking leather seat take away from my style.

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  Poor Quality Control - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By San Cooper - February 17 - 1:05 am

  Ford SUV was my 9th new var, first American car and first SUV. Initially I was very happy with the purchase. After the first service, It is one of the worst buys I have ever done. -Transmission cracked - Brakes failed (replaced pads, rotors resurfaced) - Leather of the seat replaced as it cracked. Number of miles on the SUV is 5800. Will never ever buy FORD vehicle. Very poor quality control.

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  Just Average - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By Jeff - February 7 - 5:32 pm

  I bought my Explorer about 6 months ago. Its a decent car for the money, though I do have my gripes about it. The biggest problem I have is that the leather seats have already worn a lot, and the car only has 8K miles on it. I had a 2000 Mountaineer with 80K miles on it and those seats were in better condition than this one already. Also, my mom has an SUV with a V8 and shes getting better gas mileage than me ... Ford could stand to take a few notes there.

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  Delight to drive - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By nopolsky - January 19 - 9:30 pm

  I was especially surprised how well the stability control worked in the snow. We got a ton of snow recently and when I looked out the window I began to regret not getting the 4x4 option. Anyway, out in the snow I went... The explorers RSC option kept the veh going in a straight line without swerving and tight in the corners without the rear going out. I was really pleased, why didnt Ford have this before.

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  Completely satisfied - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By Rob W - December 27 - 11:19 am

  I enjoy driving the Explorer when my wife lets me. This is our 5th SUV and 4th Explorer. I tested the Toyota 4Runner and Honda Pilot but chose this truck because I do some towing and have had great success with this model. We cart our 2 golder retrievers around a lot and they seem comfortable when we lower all the rear seats. Im not necessarily a Ford person since our other vehicle is a Toyota Matrix but I rely heavily on consumer magazines and websites when we are doing research for a new vehicle.

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  FIRST FORD SINCE 1965 F100 - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By Catherine - November 29 - 11:39 pm

  This is our first new Ford vehicle since 1965! Prior vehicle to this, 1994 Toyota T100 4x4. Prior to Toyota 1989 Chevy 2500 4x4. Chevy sent us to Toyota, problems galore on the Chevy truck, purchased Chevy, Toyota, and Ford new. Son suggested a Ford for replacement of our Toyota, noting past positive experience with Explorers at his job. Purchased under Ford "Friends and Family" program, Explorer was price of 06 Escape (was going to buy Escape, but no 05s left, and no deal on 06s). What a pleasant upgrade from other vehicles owned in the past. V6 4.0 has lots more power than V6 3.0 the T100 had, plus turning circle is much much tighter.