Applies to 2011-15 models
| Overall evaluation |
G
|
| Structure and safety cage |
G
|
| Driver injury measures |
| Head/neck |
G
|
| Torso |
G
|
| Pelvis/leg |
G
|
| Head protection |
G
|
| Rear passenger injury measures |
| Head/neck |
G
|
| Torso |
G
|
| Pelvis/leg |
G
|
| Head protection |
G
|
| Side crash test ratings can be compared across vehicle categories. |
The Ford Explorer was redesigned for the 2011 model year and now shares the same basic design as the Ford Flex. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Ford as part of side crash test verification.
Injury measures
Driver — Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.
Passenger — Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.
Head protection
Driver — The dummy’s head was protected from being hit by any hard structures, including the intruding barrier, by a side curtain airbag that deployed from the roof and a side airbag that deployed from the seat.
Passenger — The dummy’s head was protected from being hit by any hard structures, including the intruding barrier, by a side curtain airbag that deployed from the roof.
Tested vehicle specifications
| Tested vehicle |
2011 Ford Explorer XLT 4-door 4wd |
| Weight |
4,604 lbs. |
| Side airbags |
standard head curtain airbags for all three rows of seats and standard front seat-mounted torso airbags |
| Wheelbase |
113 in. |
| Length |
197 in. |
| Width |
79 in. |
| Engine |
3.5 L V6 |
| EPA ratings |
17 mpg city / 23 mpg highway |
How this test is conducted
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Test ID |
VTS1013 |
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline. |
-23.5 |
Driver injury measures
| Test ID |
VTS1013 |
| Head HIC-15 |
69 |
| Neck |
| Tension (kN) |
1.0 |
| Compression (kN) |
0.0 |
| Shoulder |
| Lateral deflection (mm) |
22 |
| Lateral force (kN) |
1.4 |
| Torso |
| Maximum deflection (mm) |
18 |
| Average deflection (mm) |
16 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) |
3.60 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) |
0.10 |
| Pelvis |
| Iliac force (kN) |
1.8 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) |
1.4 |
| Combined force (kN) |
2.8 |
| Left femur |
| L-M force (kN) |
0.2 |
| L-M moment (Nm) |
74 |
| A-P moment (Nm) |
23 |
Passenger injury measures
| Test ID |
VTS1013 |
| Head HIC-15 |
46 |
| Neck |
| Tension (kN) |
0.0 |
| Compression (kN) |
0.4 |
| Shoulder |
| Lateral deflection (mm) |
23 |
| Lateral force (kN) |
1.4 |
| Torso |
| Maximum deflection (mm) |
17 |
| Average deflection (mm) |
14 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) |
2.40 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) |
0.18 |
| Pelvis |
| Iliac force (kN) |
0.2 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) |
1.7 |
| Combined force (kN) |
1.8 |
| Left femur |
| L-M force (kN) |
0.1 |
| L-M moment (Nm) |
56 |
| A-P moment (Nm) |
18 |