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1997 Ford Explorer User Reviews

1997 Ford Explorer Review Ratings

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Average Ratings from 37 reviews

  • Performance:3.6 out of 5 stars3.6 out of 5 stars3.6 out of 5 stars3.6 out of 5 stars3.6 out of 5 stars 3.6 / 5
  • Appearance:3.5 out of 5 stars3.5 out of 5 stars3.5 out of 5 stars3.5 out of 5 stars3.5 out of 5 stars 3.5 / 5
  • Build Quality:3.9 out of 5 stars3.9 out of 5 stars3.9 out of 5 stars3.9 out of 5 stars3.9 out of 5 stars 3.9 / 5
  • Overall:4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars 4 / 5

Review Highlights Click to filter reviews below

PROS
"power" 11 reviews
"ride" 10 reviews
"space" 6 reviews
"comfortable car" 5 reviews
"handling" 5 reviews
CONS
"fuel economy" 15 reviews
"power" 6 reviews
"brakes" 4 reviews
"handling" 2 reviews
"expensive car" 2 reviews

User Reviews

Displaying 1 - 10 of 37 reviews 1234 Next
StarCruiser writes:
1997 Ford Explorer 4 Dr XLT SUV Review
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Pros

Everything about it.

Cons

None.

StarCruiser
85

Love My Explorer! It's The Best!!! — This is my wife's vehicle. It has 245,000 miles and just keeps on going. Very dependable. She is the original owner and has had no trouble with it. She purchased the extended warranty and never had to use it. It still has the original tranny and engine. As far as maintenance, all we've done is change the oil and rotate the tires every 3k to 6k miles. With high mileage comes some replacement of parts, but they have been minor things like a new voltage regulator or an O2 sensor, but all things considered, you have to expect something to go wrong! Gas mileage is not bad at all, paint finish is good except we had to repaint the black strips between the windows. It's been a wonderful vehicle and we look forward to many more miles and many more years without a car payment!!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Steve writes:
1997 Ford Explorer 4 Dr XLT 4WD SUV Review
Appearance:
Performance:
Quality:
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Pros

good off road, never been stuck,

Cons

Not so great on gas.... 20-25 mpg at best on highway

45

Explorer — Its a tank with 167,000 miles..... Good Rescue car. Great 4x4, never gets stuck. Good for hauling people or small trailers. Ok on Gas, but not great. Good looking and not alot of rust on the truck. I would not trade it in for anything else right now. Its great for what I use it for.

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Joel writes:
1997 Ford Explorer 4 Dr XLT 4WD SUV Review
Appearance:
Performance:
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Pros

nice handling, decent interior, good cargo room, spacious front seats, suv-looks
4wd

Cons

wimpy giddiup on steep hills, center of gravity not low enough, needs more ground clearance, very aggressive tires needed for snow

65

Not Bad For A Truck, But It Could Use More Power, And A Lower Center Of Gravity — i think it's a nice vehicle overall. but due to a high profile and narrow stance, it does like to lean on fast turns. it has a decent-sized 4.0 v6 which is pretty good on acceleration for a truck but requires quite a push going up steep hills. the interior has well placed switches and a good display of gauges.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Hunter writes:
1997 Ford Explorer 4 Dr XLT AWD SUV Review
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Pros

power, awd, power everything

Cons

handles, brakes, performs like an suv

45

Good Suv — powerful, handles like an suv, brakes like an suv, it's an suv

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Randy writes:
1997 Ford Explorer 4 Dr XLT AWD SUV Review
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Pros

Decent work truck, wish it wasn't so rusty.

Cons

Crappy gas mileage. 14 on a good day, 11 in a head wind. I used to drive a Suburban with a 454 that did that...

435

97 Ford Explorer — Crappy gas mileage with the V-8, has full time 4WD. B.F. Goodrich All Terrain Radial T/A's on it, darned expensive tire, nearly $200 each. Finish wearing off aluminum alloy rims, not impressed. Has moonroof, has leaked, headliner all stained. No rust. Only 85,000 (supposedly) miles. Very rusty undercarriage (New York car)Added a leaf in each rear spring, saggy butt. Welded a crack in the catalytic converter shut, dumb thing has 4 catalytic converters at $200 each, and two mufflers. Over $1000 exhaust system on a $3500 truck. Leather interior nice, has the AM/FM/Casette/6 CD changer radio, crappy AM reception. Wish it had posi-trac like the last one I had.

Primary Use: Commuting to work

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Rafael writes:
1997 Ford Explorer 4 Dr XLT SUV Review
Back Seats:
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Fuel Economy:
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Pros

Durable

Cons

Hmm... More power?

35

Tonka Craftsman!!! — the best well spent 3000 bucks!!! I bought this used in 2007 and it worked great. Given the circumstances that it seems that it was crashed and fixed before selling it to me, It was very durable and trusty. I sold it a week ago... almost cried, hopefully next owner will restore her and have some fun.

Primary Use: Commuting to work

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Ridge writes:
1997 Ford Explorer 4 Dr XLT 4WD SUV Review
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Pros

over all so far its a good suv in my mind

Cons

price of fuel

25

If You Can Keep It Up To Date Its A Good Car Im Tryin My Hardest So Git R Done — i have a 1997 ford explorer xlt 4x4 with very few complaints so far knock on woods ladies and gents it is a ford after all and we all know the multipal things ford stands for. so all togeather its a grate off road and winter car

Primary Use: Utility (towing boats, transporting cargo, etc.)

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gigglepig writes:
1997 Ford Explorer 4 Dr XLT 4WD SUV Review
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Pros

they can be had for cheap and are reasonably reliable.

Cons

plastic parts break constantly

gigglepig
25

There Is Nothing Special About This Vehicle — It handles well for an SUV and is well powered. High marks for reliability and fuel economy. The exterior is nothing special and the interior is sparse. Off road the car is enjoyable but boring on road. Ride quality is nice but not excellent.

Primary Use: Commuting to work

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swede06 writes:
1997 Ford Explorer 4 Dr XLT SUV Review
Appearance:
Performance:
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Pros

Comfort, Space

Cons

Not the best mileage

swede06
25

Great Overall — Repairs-invested some money into it, but it's good to go and has been very reliable! It's a fun, comfortable, safe, spacious car to drive! I need to downsize to a small car soon and will defiantly miss it, don't want to sell it!

Primary Use: Commuting to work

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Blade writes:
1997 Ford Explorer 4 Dr XLT 4WD SUV Review
Appearance:
Performance:
Quality:
Overall:

Pros

You can carry your family and go any where you want.

Cons

She burns a lot of gas.

45

I Recomnened This Truck To A Family That Is Big. — I love this truck cause she has 225,500 miles on her and she still keeps on trucking. The truck has some minor problems her and there but not as many as the newer ones. The really cool thing about this truck is that it has a 6 disc changer.

Primary Use: Commuting to work

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Displaying 1 - 10 of 37 reviews 1234 Next
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Similar Cars Compared to a 1997 Ford Explorer

1997 Ford Explorer 1997 Ford Expedition 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Picture of 1997 Ford Explorer 4 Dr XLT SUV
1997 Ford Expedition 4 Dr XLT 4WD SUV picture, exterior
1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4WD, 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4 Dr Limited 4WD SUV picture, exterior
Cost $3,996 Average Instant Market Value $4,461 Average Instant Market Value $3,819 Average Instant Market Value
Gas Mileage (highway) 22 18 20
Horsepower 160 215 185
Crash Test Rating 4 4 3
Cargo Volume (cu. ft.) 32.6 40.9
Front Leg Room (inches) 42.4 40.9 40.9

Reviews From Other Years

2012 Ford Explorer Reviews

First Ford, So Far So Good. By codemannwo

I've only had the SUV for 24 hours, so only time will tell. I will keep posting updates with my impression of this vehicle as I drive and use more of it's expansive features. Just wondering if I nee... Read More

Read all 2012 Ford Explorer reviews

2011 Ford Explorer Reviews

Super Fun, Sporty Suv With The Looks To Boot! By gacowgirl79

So far this is my most favorite SUV I have ever owned. I have owned an explorer before but it was nothing compared to this one! With this one, I am just looking for a reason to get behind the wheel ... Read More

Ford Explor By BradMathiowetz

Great car overall, recommend. The MPG could be a little better, but it doesn't lack at all in the power category, we topped it out at 120 MPH which is astonishing for a car of this size, great buy for... Read More

Read all 2011 Ford Explorer reviews

2010 Ford Explorer Reviews

Lots Of Toys On The Limited Awd By goldy

Accelerator responsiveness with the 6 speed transmission and the v8 is lousy. The 6 speed wants to be in 2nd when starting and shifts very quickly to 6th even when going only 30mph.6 speed is only goo... Read More

Best Mid-sized Suv Out! By Billy

This is my 2nt Ford Explorer and definitely not my last! This vehicle is built Ford tough and is fun to drive. Comfortably seats 7 and the 3rd row seat is very roomy for a mid-sized SUV. I wish I wa... Read More

Read all 2010 Ford Explorer reviews

2009 Ford Explorer Reviews

This Is My 5th Explorer, Need To Down Size To Escape For Parking Situation By jsteve555

I have no complaints regarding car. I am selling it because of my parking limitations and I dont need a car with a tow package...I am planning to stay with Ford and go to an Escape size SUV, The car h... Read More

Good By Carlos

cost efective, space, confort, space, cargo area, tree rows, good gas millage,good apparence interior and exterior, exellent suspension,good braking, i lke separet controls for the a/c, it need a outl... Read More

Read all 3 2009 Ford Explorer reviews

2008 Ford Explorer Reviews

Good Show..!! By IRoq

Good Show..!! I Haven't Made A Repair Yet. Its Fun, & Has Pretty Good Pick Up. I Have A 4WD V6 & I Love Him.. MPG's Are Bad, But That's The Sacrifice You Make With A Big SUV. Visibility Is Great.... Read More

Great Family Car! By Explorer39

Overall, a very good SUV. Great power/performance, very good towing capacity/capability, lots of interior room, nice styling. It's great SUV because it has everything I need. The V6 is just enough for... Read More

Read all 9 2008 Ford Explorer reviews
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