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 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 |