You probably can't go wrong with either one, although posting on this board will probably get you some biased opinions. One reason I'm choosing to stay with the Lambda's is the higher tow rating. The Explorer only has a 4,500lbs tow rating, vs. the Acadia/Traverse 5,200lbs with the factory tow package.

 

Yeah towing is not much concern for us. I have a truck and the new car will be mostly a baby hauler and the wife's commuter vehicle.

 

What kind of commute does she have? I dont know what the MPG is of the explorer but the Acadia City MPG will be around 14-16. Straight highway will be much higher

 

To my wife and I the Explorer seemed too small inside. Outside the two vehicles are similar in dimension. We also found the seats to be more comfy in the Acadia. However, it hard to deny that Ford has done a great job with styling, features and driving experience. All are excellent in the Explorer.

So for us the Explorer won on styling (interior and a bit of exterior) and features (bells & whistles). Acadia won on practicality and comfort. You see which one we took home. But, I'm sure either will treat you well.

 

Yeah by looking at both it feels like the Acadia is a little bigger inside. I have heard complaints about the Acadia's rear seats feeling too low? Not sure have not personally sat back there. I do like the center captain chairs in the Acadia as it seems easy for little ones to get back and forth (without the center console). The more I stare at the Explorer the more Im leaning that way. It just looks sharp!

 

Nah, rear seating in the Acadia is FAR superior in both 2nd and 3rd rows. And the Acadia is MUCH larger inside. I think the Explorer has about 80 cu ft of space with all rows folded whereas the Acadia has 117. That's almost 50% more space and vehicles are very similarly sized on the outside.

 

Nah, rear seating in the Acadia is FAR superior in both 2nd and 3rd rows. And the Acadia is MUCH larger inside. I think the Explorer has about 80 cu ft of space with all rows folded whereas the Acadia has 117. That's almost 50% more space and vehicles are very similarly sized on the outside.

I just saw that on the Edmunds spec sheet and you are correct. However I dont suspect we will have all of the chairs folded down all that much. The rear cargo area with all seats folded up is 24.1 for Acadia and 21 for Explorer. About 3 more cu foot which doesnt sound like much but probably is all things considered.

 

To me the Explorer looks almost identical to an Acadia.

I will likely get an Explorer next, I'm not a fan of the new Acadia.

I'm not happy to hear interior space is smaller in the Explorer.

We keep the third row of our Acadia down most of the time, the three kids fit accross the middle bench. I would never get captains seats in the middle unless I only had 2 kids, seems like such a waste to have two in the middle and one in the back. Our cargo area is so full of stuff all the time, hockey bags, strollers, dog, boxes, luggage, groceries...

The entire reason I got the first Acadia was due to the fact that the middle row could handle three car seats. My Dodge Caravan was useless for that, always had to use all three rows, could never haul anything but a few grocery bags and the kids.

 

"The entire reason I got the first Acadia was due to the fact that the middle row could handle three car seats".

So 3 car seats in the center bench is doable? I just figured they would never fit. So I wonder if 2 booster seats and one baby carrier would work?

 

Depending on how old your kids are they aren't going to be comfortable in the 2nd row of the Explorer for too long. Its the entire reason we had to pass on the MDX, just too ****** small inside. 7 adults in that vehicle would be a nightmare for everyone except those up front.

 

Depending on how old your kids are they aren't going to be comfortable in the 2nd row of the Explorer for too long. Its the entire reason we had to pass on the MDX, just too ****** small inside. 7 adults in that vehicle would be a nightmare for everyone except those up front.

Funny you mention the MDX. I totally had my heart set on one until we looked inside. Completely not practical. With the captain chairs we figured infant in one, 4 year old in the other, and 6 year old in the 3rd row.

 

I don't know what the Explorer's repair record is, but the Acadia's is dismal at best. That should be a huge consideration.

 

If I was buying again, I'd get a Pilot. It's bigger than the MDX. A bit smaller inside than the Lambdas cargo wise, but comparable for passengers and more reliable. I love the design of my Outlook, but I'm nervous that I'm headed for a major repair bill at some point with all the steering racks, timing chains and transmission wave plates failing.

What engine is in the Explorer you're looking at? I like the fact that it's available with the Ecoboost turbo 4 cylinder, good for a 20/28 MPG rating. Oh, and Ford's web site says it's good for 5K lbs towing, although I'm sure that requires the V6.

I took a look at an Explorer when they were new. Definitely smaller inside, I was surprised how much so especially in row 3. The rear cargo area didn't seem much different, and the numbers above bear that out. I didn't sit in it or drive it, however. I had already bought the Outlook, so there wasn't much point.

 

I actually put a down payment for a 2013 Explorer a couple of months ago. I really liked the tech as well. It cost us some $ but we ended up backing out of the deal. Ultimately, my wife and I decided it was a little too small for us and we'd prefer having the extra cargo space and 3 seats in the back row that you get with the Acadia. Plus, the 2013 Acadia appears to be on par tech wise.

My wife actually prefers the styling of the both the 2012 and the 2013 Acadia over the Explorer, so that played a big part in our decision as well.

 

If I was buying again, I'd get a Pilot. It's bigger than the MDX. A bit smaller inside than the Lambdas cargo wise, but comparable for passengers and more reliable. I love the design of my Outlook, but I'm nervous that I'm headed for a major repair bill at some point with all the steering racks, timing chains and transmission wave plates failing.

What engine is in the Explorer you're looking at? I like the fact that it's available with the Ecoboost turbo 4 cylinder, good for a 20/28 MPG rating. Oh, and Ford's web site says it's good for 5K lbs towing, although I'm sure that requires the V6.

I took a look at an Explorer when they were new. Definitely smaller inside, I was surprised how much so especially in row 3. The rear cargo area didn't seem much different, and the numbers above bear that out. I didn't sit in it or drive it, however. I had already bought the Outlook, so there wasn't much point.

We are definantly going with the V6. I have read the 4 cylinder is under powered for such a big vehicle. I have also read that Explorer's MPG is a little better and closer to EPA estimates unlike the Acadia. I also fear that if I buy a 2012 Acadia the first 2013 I see I will be kicking myself and wish I would have waited. I hear you guys on the interior space though. And like I said we need every bit we can get...

 

"The entire reason I got the first Acadia was due to the fact that the middle row could handle three car seats".

So 3 car seats in the center bench is doable? I just figured they would never fit. So I wonder if 2 booster seats and one baby carrier would work?

I had one rear facing and two forward facing 'full' size car seats. Now I have two forward facing and one booster. My oldest is almost 8 and wants out of the booster, but she is so tiny (only 41 lbs) and will be very upset with me because I'll keep her in the booster for awhile still. She just got out of the carseat a couple of months ago (need to be 40 lbs minimum in Ontario to move from a carseat into a booster) and 8 yrs old or 80 lbs to move into the regular seat.

 

my golfing buddy bought a new explorer and after driving it the biggest difference that I saw and he agreed was the ride, handling and performance. The Acadia was much better plus that additional cargo space. That said the explorer is a nice veh. loaded with tech stuff and some really nice color selections. Ford has never been my choice but they make a fine product and they also know how to make $$.

 

Definitely, DEFINITELY, new Acadia!

 

Well lucky for us we have some time. Baby 3 isnt due to end of January so our Accord will hold us over until then. My only other (well in addition to the others!) dilemma is weather or not to wait for the 2013. I still cant decide if I like it but will definitely have buyers remorse if I love it and am "stuck" with the old body style. Then again the GMC 0% for 72 months financing expires on 10/31. Decisions, decisions...

 

If you have good credit I would take the rebate and get a "normal" loan. I got 1.9% for 60 months when I bought mine. Chances are you won't see either incentive for a new model.

 

What kind of warranty would you get with the Explorer? With the new Acadia, you get 3yr/36k miles bumper to bumper and 5/100k miles on the power train. Something else to add to the mix when making a decision.

 

Yeah the warranties are a good point. With a Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Explorer you get 12 mo / 12k bumper to bumper and 7 year 100k powertrain which is pretty good.

 

If you have good credit I would take the rebate and get a "normal" loan. I got 1.9% for 60 months when I bought mine. Chances are you won't see either incentive for a new model.

Yeah I was wondering about that. Is it a better deal to take the $2000 rebate over the 0% financing. I wonder how much you come out ahead (or behind) with the rebate???

 

I tried to wait on the New Explorer (I used to have the 1st Gen model, then an Expedition) and the new Durango, but we couldn't so we went with the Out look with 2nd row Captians for our Twins. I though the styling of both the Durango and Explorer were handsome, but the Explorer has directly copied many cues from the Outlook and Acadia, but that normal in the industry (ie. Audi's LED' lights). But as many have stated, the Explorer looks likes its a similar size from the outside, but the inside is very cramped imo.

Really look at the third row in all three vehicles, Acadia, Explorer and Durango, i think thats the real difference. The Acadia (Lamda's) are the only one's that will actually fit 3 adults in the third row. Lastly, any SUV with a 3rd row has to have Captains Chairs for me, nothing more humiliating than asking adults to sit behind a wall of 2nd row seats and be disconnected from the rest of the cabin. Plus its not so bad in the 3rd row when one passengers can stretch there legs through the gap. It also why almost every minivan went away from the 2nd row bench and now have captians seats, especially if you have two kids in car seats for awhile, we never need to unlatch them to get our passengers in to the third row. Just my experience.

 

With 3 kids -- Acadia hands down. Far more space inside -- and depending on the ages of your other 2 children the dreaded minivan might actually be more "space practical" near term with strollers, etc.