Each shift has an explorer. I would not own one.

I agree with foxvog 100%.

Slow Slow Slow

I would agree this vehicle is not great when traveling through the highways and city streets, but being in a jurisdiction of mostly forest and dirt roads the Ford Explorer is a great vehicle to have. It is great to drive this vehicle and not have it bottom out like our Intrepids did.

*

Good for PR events. No real application for patrol work. Probably great for K9 work to haul around your pup. Definitely NOT good for anything that involves Code 3 driving and/or pursuits.

slow, unreliable, handles worse than anything ive ever driven, lacks power..

HaHaHa, my department recently transitioned from the "Ford Exploder's" as we like to call them to 2006 Chevy Tahoes. The Tahoe is much better suited for police work. Sad part is out of the 4 Explorers we had not one was over 50k and they had all at least had one transmission replacement. In summary they are the most unreliable, slow ass, transmission slipping, pieces of shit on the road today.

slow, overweight, bad handling, and made by ford. good as a utility vehicle or vehicle to keep training supplies and go the range with

Like some other Officers, I live in an area with many opportunities to go "Off-road" with my unit. The Explorer offers me the ability to go after some of those hard to reach places. I agree it lacks acceleration and speed, but it makes up for that in durability and trailblazing capability.

I have an Explorer and I use it for several different tasks. I dont think it makes a good everday patrol unit, except for K9. I use it for recruiting, and for my tasks, it is excellent.

Completely agree with SWatson0008 and rest of the "one star" reviews - great for the K9 (who happen to use Tahoe's where I work), but I guess it's much better than one of the other vehicles my agency had but eventually got rid of, a 2002 Dodge Stratus (yep, not a typo - a Stratus).

PIECE of S!@t.... I miss my Crown Vic and those aren't that great either. I have a K9 in this and I would still rather have a Crown Vic. It is so slow, top heavy bad, and sits so uncomfortable. You feel like you're in a Peterbuilt semi truck. I've already been in several pursuits and it sucks bad. A Tahoe would be better. The only good thing I can say about my Expedition is that it's unmarked and I work the street that way. Patrolmen in unmarked cars any more seems to be a bad word. Why???? (Just dont give your f!@* up officer an unmarked car)

Junk! Nothing but problems.

IT A OK

Not my favorite vehicle to drive, but I don't have a choice. ...it sure has been in the county garage a lot! Definately not a patrol-type vehicle.

Dependable and Reliable vehicle. Not suitable for high-speed service, but excellent for hauling the gear & troops around. Newer models are somewhat less comfortable than previous body styles (generation 2). Ride is solid and when combined with the Bilstein shock system, this vehicle can hold its own on and off road.

roomy ,reasonably comfortable to be 4x4, had problems overheating, power problems,stable open road high speed but not nimble. don't like stiff rear axle travel-jacks up too easily, excellant on slick roadways, gas mileage not too great.

Although its a poor intercept vehicle it is great in adverse terrain when a RWD cruiser just can't make it (I.E. Snow, Mud, ETC.). During Snow storms or noreasters I prefer this over the vic.

I know they dont do much good in big citys, but in a place thats mostly city but has rural area all around it, like Blytheville, AR, its very helpful if you get into a pursuit off road. Another really great reason they are nice to have is for bad weather, when the streets flood in our area, they are mostly impasable to cars.

I agree with most of the postings. Slow in response and cramped compartment with Jotto desk control box in the center. Give me back the F150's

This vehicle is not verry effective as a patrol vehicle. If you need 4 wheel drive, its not that powerful, and if you don't need it a sedan is much better.

I have a 91 explorer 4x4 which handles very well off road. It has enough torque to get me up those hills and through the mud. Not the ideal pursuit vehicle unless offroad.

Being a railroad police officer, I have to patrol in many remote and "Off-road" areas. The Explorer offers me the ability to go after some of those hard to reach places. Great in durability and trailblazing capability.

FORD ! Hello... I am a Ford SUV CHICK :)

GREAT FOR PURSUIT ROLLOVERS IF YOU CAN ACTUALLY CATCH ANYONE.

We use the Ford Explorer too, everyday on the campus lots. We are patroling all day and it is great on gas, it's comfortable to ride in. Not that accomadating with room in the front seat for the laptop and/or anyother equipment we are using though.

slow, over steer, did I say "slow"

I have one as a patrol vehicle. Like it enough, I went out and bought one for my personal vehicle. Very rugged and reliable vehicle.

I've got a 2006 Explorer for my patrol vehicle. It's the V-6 model. Although it has decent power, I wish it had the V-8. So far it has about 70,000 miles on it. It is okay off road (I have 2 wheel driver) but being 6' plus, I wish it had a tad bit more room (mainly the width of the seats). With duty gear and all, it can get a bit cramped. It handles good for an SUV and is manuverable in tight spaces and is good for the rural areas I travel. I would probably opt for the expedition, just for the added room.

Good sturdy vehicle. Not enough driver seat room. If you are as broad across the beam as I am with all my duty gear it is easy to get hung up in the console and seat belt while trying to exit. You can get claustrophobic in the front seats. There also isn't enough room for your MDC and you.

Had one when I was Search Leader, worked ok for that till it hit the magic 80,000 miles.

Not a fan

F.....O......R........D
*********FOUND ON THE ROAD DEEEEEAAAAADDDDDDD**********

Other than that being a Expedition, the Explorer sucks as a pursuit/intercept vehicle. Along with the others here, its only real advantage, is its 4x4 ability....but most of the time when the sujbect your chasing goes into anytype of "offroad" enviroment, their looking to get on foot and lose the vehicles. Point being the fact you have 4x4 ability isnt going to get you far, ive seen Vics get into places i would have never taken my Explorer.

Great all weather vehicle.

I drive an unmarked Explorer, and with my job even though I'm in an Urban area there are sevreal places that the "off-road" ablity helps

POS, Not enough cabin space.

Mine is a V6. Smooth ride.

It is good for pulling atv trailers or a boat but that is about it

My deptment just bougth 36 explores and is getting rid of our Impalas. I drove one for the frist time last night on shift. It has no power, I had trouble catching up to a jeep wrangler. This vehicle is no good for patrol.

Although cheaper than the Crown Vic on our last bidding process, it hasn't proved itself yet. Great for bad weather and looks good striped up, but still not convinced that they should be used for every day patrol use.

Looks good Striped up, Slow when trying to catch up to people, Have to really watch when turning aroun on someone. Good for a command staff vehicle but have not made my mind up yet for patrol vehicle so far not lookin good

I agree with the rest of you, the Explorer is crap. I do drive one for patrol and I like it for our jurisdiction where we have no paved roads and.... the only way out of our town is by plane or by boat, so I dont have to worry about the high speed pursuits. I use to drive around in a crown vic, but its no match for our 4x4 country and large amounts of snow that we get in the winter. Another officer has a 2005 Chevy Trail Blazer and even though it has 4x4, it doesn't come close to the Explorer. And of course since i'm a dodge fan, i would prefer to have the new Jeep Grand Cherokees or the Dodge Durangos out here....

Special Service Vehicle = J U N K Good in bad weather, bad in good weather

The newer model does have a slightly wider track width giving it a little more stability. The V8 that we have in our unit is not bad, but again I would have prefered the Tahoe. A little larger, but it was designed to be a Patrol Unit.

THE VEHICLE PICTURED IS NOT EVEN AN EXPLORER THATS AN EXPEDITION!!!

Great for the long distance travels I have to do, great get up and go and handles great!

While it is no CV by any means it does work. Mine does not have a big engine but it is perfect for an administrative vehicle and light police duty. Mine is equipped with an led light switch panel, a siren box with auxiliary light switches, an 800 mghz, radio, and our primary radio - all fitted neatly into a jotto console. This vehicle is used by me and for my shift only at a daily operating fuel costs of $4.41! There is plenty of room in the back for evidence collection supplies and accident investigation tools. While this is not a vehicle designed for pursuits, it is great for getting around in inclement weather!

It is a good vehicle like was said before. The department that I work for uses one for the K9 unit.

Great for off-roading, love it in the snow!

I have a '95 Explorer as my personal vehicle and I love it... wouldn't trade it for anything. I have never had a bit of problems with it.

The Ford Explorer is a great utility vehicle not a great patrol vehicle. I drive one as my assigned vehicle having to transport lot of gear. The interior fits me well not leaving me cramped up as I am a big guy. It has lots of storage for equipment and easy access to any part of the vehicle. The vehicle handles well in 2wd and 4wd on and off road. It’s a good all around vehicle.

I have a 2006 model. I don't think it was a very good pick. Lots of room though

Excellent vehicle, altho I had the Ford Explorer PU, Took the passenger seat out so my K-9 had room to stretch and still had room for all my supplies and kits. Excellent for speed. I was in 2 accidents in it, one was a side-swipe the other was black ice, spun me round around a tree on the drivers side and threw me in an open field. I was amazed no one that was behind me stopped to see if I was ok or if I needed help...

The great thing about this vehicle is the view from sitting up higher than a car. You can see more of the traffic and have a greater vantage point. This said it is quite cumbersome to get out of with full uniform and gear. Definitely not a chase vehicle but does perform other jobs in law enforcement.

I would drive it

I have a 2003 Ford Explorer for my assigned unit and I love it

I owned one and had to sell it due to personal reasons...I must say I truly miss this machine took me from NJ to FL back and forth with no problems at all. I hope to get one sometime next year. =)