2011 Ford Explorer Earns IIHS Top Safety Pick

After praising the Explorer for its safety features and explaining that this particular chapter is mostly aimed at families, Ford is once again bringing the SUV in the spotlights after the IIHS crashtested the 2011 version of the car. Just as expected, the new Explorer earned the Top Safety Pick, scoring Good in all tests, offset frontal, side and rear, as well as in roof strength evaluations.

“The Ford Explorer sets a new standard for high-tech safety innovation,” said Sue Cischke, Ford group vice president of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. “The Explorer offers several new innovative technologies, including available industry-first production rear inflatable seat belts, and Curve Control, which can help drivers maintain control of a vehicle if they enter a curve too quickly.”

The Explorer comes with a wide array of standard features and the customer demand clearly shows that Ford has done a good job offering so many options of the 2011 range.

For example, 22 percent of the first 19,000 orders requested adaptive cruise control with forward collision warning, active park assist and rain-sensing wipers, while 40 percent of the buyers wanted the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with cross traffic alert.

“Explorer has a history of safety innovation, from side-curtain airbags to AdvanceTrac with RSC (Roll Stability Control), and now offering the world’s first production rear inflatable seat belts,” said Craig Patterson, Explorer marketing manager. “Explorer customers value safety and security. Safety features are one of the top reasons customers cite for their purchases of Explorer and SUVs in general.”