2012 Ford Explorer Limited

The 2012 Explorer is Ford's mid-size SUV, the one that replaced the old truck-based model with a car-like unibody platform. On the road it feels more like a tall car than a truck, with a smooth ride and steering that's easy to live with day to day. The cabin is genuinely roomy, and the third row folds flat to open up a big cargo area when you need it. Some owners have had the Sync screen go blank or the paint bubble on the hood, though both were fixed under warranty. The Limited adds leather upholstery, heated seats, and a power liftgate over the XLT, plus the option of all-wheel drive. Its 3.5L V6 makes 290 horsepower and pairs with a six-speed automatic and all-wheel drive, giving you confident traction in rain or snow and 19 mpg combined.