1999 Ford Explorer XLT Eddie Bauer Edition review from North America

When I went to look at the vehicle at the dealership, there were Firestone Wilderness AT's still on it. I was quite worried so I got advice about checking the pressure every week to make sure it was at 28-30psi. But I bought the vehicle that night, and they said that I wouldn't have the new tires for a few weeks; But, the next morning, some tires arrived and I was on my merry way. Big thumbs up to the dealer for that!

Although I've had my Eddie Bauer for a few days now, I've got some good points and bad points.

The 5.0L V8 has that deep and throaty growl most Mustang 5.0L owners recognize. Its low down torque can make the vehicle glide effortlessly up steep hills. It also is not a slouch. If I need to pass someone on the highway or freeway, getting past is easy as pie. But the downside, is I'm only getting 14.8 mpg at best, and I've already went to the pump yesterday (Saturday, September 1, 2001), and I only took delivery on Thursday (August 30, 2001).

Interior appointments are plentiful. The Bose Premium Stereo System has no limits whatsoever to how loud music can be played, and the stereo is quite straight forward for the "Techno - Illiterate". Only thing I noticed, was the Radio Data System. I set mine, but I had to go through a bunch of sub menu's just to turn it on! In my other car, a 2001 Chevy Impala LS, Radio Data System is automatically turned on when an Radio Data System frequency is detected, and Radio Data System can be painlessly turned off with the touch of a button. Ford really needs to re-work that part of their system.

The leather seating arrangements are quite impressive. The leather seats have been designed the same way their predecessor's were when the very first Eddie Bauer Explorer came out in the early nineties. The seats are very comfortable. The coushiness is to a bare minimum, but this does not sacrifice comfort. Fore and aft support is top notch, and lumbar can be adjusted at the touch of a button.

Even I being someone who knows his way around computers and gadgetry, was baffled at first while trying to set the computer controlled climate system. I had to walk through the steps in just turning it on. Was not straight forward at all. Thumbs down to that.

My truck was equipped with All Wheel Drive and Limited Slip differential. The ride was quite bumpy going over bumps, and it seemed like you could feel every little one 10x worse, but what do you expect in a raised platform with big tires?!

In closing, if you're going to be towing a BIG trailer, the 5.0L V8 is for you. It's tough, and better on gas while towing than the 4.0L V6. Mainly because the torque of the V8 doesn't need to rev higher to pull the weight. As the V6 does. But for daily city driving, I don't recommend the V8. You'll notice that you will be making regular twice per week trips to the pump.