Opinions on Explorer Sport vs Jeep GC Altitude

Jeffs FRC

TCG Elite Member
Aug 10, 2006
6,187
10,381
Lakemoor, IL
So the wife and I went to see [MENTION=4923]The Beast[/MENTION] and [MENTION=1504]Renesis07[/MENTION] today to look at the vehicles mentioned above.

The Explorer Sport was pretty much a no option Sport and stickered for 47ish. They come with more options than I know what to do with so I'm very ok with the stripper Sport. The Altitude we're looking at has sunroof, tow package, and premium sound(41k sticker) and it's very comparable to the Sport in terms of options/tech. Incentives for the Explorer are 0%\72 and 1k cash. Incentives for the Jeep are 2k cash.

We're honestly kind of torn which one we like better. I think the Jeep might have a little nicer interior in terms of layout and quality. Explorer is a little more roomy and is a touch quicker. The Altitude can only be had with the 3.6 V6. They both look great on the exterior so that's a wash.

Looking for opinions from anyone who has any experience with these SUV 's. Resale pretty comparable? Any known issues?
 

01Cobra

Johnny Cobra
May 3, 2006
8,662
3,099
From test driving them they didn't feel too far apart. Did a quick check and the Explorer is about a half second quicker. I thought the Explorer would be quicker, but it seems that they're only good for very high 14's stock.

Prob was the 8spd in the jeep making you think that. It's pretty pokey with the v6 and the hemi isn't much better. My uncle has a 13 sport and it's super comfy with the 2nd row captains chairs. Very quick. Livernois has a tune that will put it in the 13s. Performance wise and functionality the explorer gets it done.

If you want to fit in with the rest of the millenials when you stop for morning Starbucks with the wife get the Jeep. :)
 

Jeffs FRC

TCG Elite Member
Aug 10, 2006
6,187
10,381
Lakemoor, IL
Isn't the Jeep approx 100 less HP?
Jeep is 70 less, but is 4-500 lbs lighter
Prob was the 8spd in the jeep making you think that. It's pretty pokey with the v6 and the hemi isn't much better. My uncle has a 13 sport and it's super comfy with the 2nd row captains chairs. Very quick. Livernois has a tune that will put it in the 13s. Performance wise and functionality the explorer gets it done.

If you want to fit in with the rest of the millenials when you stop for morning Starbucks with the wife get the Jeep. :)

Once the Whipple goes on the Mustang I will have my Livernois tuner free to use...hmm? Lol. The 2nd row captains chairs were the only option on the Sport we test drove.

Performance I'll give the nod to the Explorer. Functionality they are really both the same imo, except the Jeep is rated 1500lbs higher towing capacity for the rare times I tow something.

No Starbucks coffee here. I'm a Dunkin guy!
 

TCG Member 5219

TCG Elite Member
Mar 22, 2005
12,447
18
We got a 2017 explorer XLT with the little ecoboost. Its a blast to drive. I've never driven the Jeep GC, but Im sure its nice. The explorer has been great over this last winter. Snow driving was easy with the AWD. It seats our family of 5 very well. Two adults and three under 7. We put our younger boys in the middle row, and our 7yo daughter in the way back. We load her through the tailgate because its easier than trying to fold down the middle seats to get her back there. Mainly because we have car seats in the middle row. But other than that, its been great. No issues really. Gets great mpg, and feels quick when you want it. Our little ecoboost explorer is also a highway monster. For some reason when you roll on it from 60, it simply rockets to 100 with almost no effort. Its quite surprising. I can only imagine what the big ecoboost feels like with all that extra hp for activities.

I say get what makes your eyes happy. Both are great SUVs.
 

Chet Donnelly

TCG Elite Member
TCG Premium
Aug 19, 2004
18,379
38,863
Jeff...stop acting like money matters to a union guy like yourself. Buy the damn Explorer Sport, throw on a tune, and have a 13 second SUV.

It performs better, is safer, and looks better than the Jeep.

We've been nothing but happy with ours and have had no issues. Resale on the Explorer Sport seems to be pretty solid from what I've seen. I'd definitely recommend the bucket seats in the second row also.
 

jason05gt

TCG Elite Member
Jan 17, 2007
15,307
7,195
Naperville
I looked at both of these vehicles and it's a tough choice. I'd venture towards the Explorer as I am skeptical of FCA's quality. I liked the GC Overland that we test drove and the interior is very nice, but there's definite cost cutting in certain areas. The Explorer Sport is quicker, but in my opinion the chassis and brakes felt kind of numb. The Jeep has a more Germanic feel to it, which I am sure dates back to the Mercedes partnership.

Another option-If you don't need a third row, look at the Ford Edge Sport. It's a newer platform, has a nicer interior, and performs better.
 

Blownbyyou

TCG Elite Member
TCG Premium
Mar 27, 2008
3,879
3,986
im unsure

i just know the flex's feel much bigger inside than the explorers.

Just glanced and they are about the same cost.....at that point I like the look of the explorer much better. But to each their own....

On a note, I love my ecoboost SHO, with a tune it really makes the car pull like a freight train. Its quite deceiving actually, plus you can have a BOV which is awesome/childish.
 

Chet Donnelly

TCG Elite Member
TCG Premium
Aug 19, 2004
18,379
38,863
flex isn't an option OP?

I love me the look of the flex, but flex's are the same money as explorers aren't they?

If so I would go explorer..

im unsure

i just know the flex's feel much bigger inside than the explorers.

Brand new the Flex with 3.5L ecoboost starts around ~$1k less than the Explorer Sport. Used, the Flex seems to be a cheaper option.

I tried to talk the wife into a Flex Ecoboost when we got our Explorer and she hated the Flex (I personally love it). Seems like its a love/hate styling with that car.
 

Yaj Yak

Gladys
TCG Premium
May 24, 2007
122,206
87,807
Niche score of 2,363
Just glanced and they are about the same cost.....at that point I like the look of the explorer much better. But to each their own....

On a note, I love my ecoboost SHO, with a tune it really makes the car pull like a freight train. Its quite deceiving actually, plus you can have a BOV which is awesome/childish.

the flex's are just so much more functional to me. the back seat is actually incredibly comfortable for adults, compared to the taurus or explorer

Brand new the Flex with 3.5L ecoboost starts around ~$1k less than the Explorer Sport. Used, the Flex seems to be a cheaper option.

I tried to talk the wife into a Flex Ecoboost when we got our Explorer and she hated the Flex (I personally love it). Seems like its a love/hate styling with that car.

my fiance just had to drive a flex ecoboost and see how well they used the space inside of them for her to get past the appearance.

a black one with black wheels looks good too

27678-2013-Ford-Flex.jpg



[MENTION=396]Mike K[/MENTION] :nutz: some flex's back in the day
 

Blownbyyou

TCG Elite Member
TCG Premium
Mar 27, 2008
3,879
3,986
the flex's are just so much more functional to me. the back seat is actually incredibly comfortable for adults, compared to the taurus or explorer



my fiance just had to drive a flex ecoboost and see how well they used the space inside of them for her to get past the appearance.

a black one with black wheels looks good too

No disagreement on any of that, but looks are subjective and I am stereotyping here, but I am guessing 99.5% of women would rather an explorer than a flex. Shit I would prefer and exploder over the flex! But if I could save 5-7k by driving the flex I would!
 

TCG Member 5219

TCG Elite Member
Mar 22, 2005
12,447
18
No disagreement on any of that, but looks are subjective and I am stereotyping here, but I am guessing 99.5% of women would rather an explorer than a flex. Shit I would prefer and exploder over the flex! But if I could save 5-7k by driving the flex I would!

I showed my wife the flex before we got her the explorer, and she was like "No way that thing is fugly". I agree.
 
Old Thread: Hello . There have been no replies in this thread for 90 days.
Content in this thread may no longer be relevant. Consider starting a new thread to get fresh replies.

Thread Info