LONG WEEKEND WITH FORD EXPLORER TAKES YOUR WHOLE FAMILY ON GREAT ADVENTURES

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LONG WEEKEND WITH FORD EXPLORER TAKES YOUR WHOLE FAMILY ON THE OPEN ROAD AND TO GREAT ADVENTURES

Mont Tremblant is one of our favourite getaway destinations. Aside from Montreal, which we frequent all year long, we head to Mont Tremblant once every season, every year. Every season has something special to offer. Winter for fabulous skiing, spring for lovely hikes, summer for the sun and the sand (the beaches and the endless beach parties!) and fall for the changing of the colours. The fall foliage is one of the most gorgeous ones in Canada.

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However, going to Mont Tremblant or any road trip for that matter, presents a big issue for us. Since we are a big extended family and we’re like birds, those that have the same feathers, stay together kind of deal. We like to travel with the whole extended family. Which means, a regular sedan or even a 5-seater SUV just won’t do. Of course, we could take several cars but traveling in a convoy may mistake us for the Prime Minister’s family (not a bad distinction but I reckon, the security detail and a gaggle of assistants could get tiring, fast!) and it’s just not as fun cramped in one car!

Now, imagine a car that would NOT ONLY carry everyone in comfort, luxury and convenience, it also MASSAGES your back and your behind – the whole time!

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2016 FORD EXPLORER: THE CIVILIZED WAY TO RETURN TO NATURE

That’s right! I said it – a bum massage!

A bum massage with your entire family in the back, who leaves you in peace as the leather interior of your seat transforms into magical healing hands. The soft roll of the massage starts out kneading your muscles into relaxation as you mentally prepare for what would normally be a noisy and chaotic, ‘are we there yet kind of car ride’ for two hours or so. But just like the ocean waves that start with a gentle build up, the massage works itself into a gradual crescendo! It was heaven.

And that’s all you need to know about the 7-seater Ford Explorer.

Admittedly, I haven’t looked into the Explorer in the past but now, I wish I did. It was definitely the right choice of vehicle for our outdoor expedition to Mont Tremblant, exploring nature’s magnificence. It was more than a civilized way to return to nature.

According to Ford Canada, the Ford Explorer is, as a matter of fact, the most popular Ford SUVs with millennial buyers ages 25 to 34. Moreover, Explorer has become a hot seller with women in the midsize SUV category. The Ford Explorer is available in 5 trim models: Explorer, XLT, Limited, Sport and Platinum.

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The 2016 Platinum trim is a new addition this year. Equipped with the latest Ford innovation like front and rear 180 degree wide-angle lens cameras, Enhanced Active Park Assist, Hands Free Foot Activated Lift gate and a 500-watt Sony Audio System with Live Acoustics and Clear Phase, did I mention the driver’s and the front passenger seats are equipped with a super wonderful massage system?

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2016 FORD EXPLORER IS LUXURY, COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE ROLLED INTO ONE

Truthfully, SUV’s are not my choice of vehicle normally. However, I’m afraid my choices have changed recently. The rest of the auto industry has obviously embraced the SUV mania. In the early 1990’s, Ford Explorer started the whole SUV boom with truck-like styling and large cargo space. Now, space is exactly what I need from a vehicle as I am one of the worst packer there is. Not to mention the fact that there’s usually more than 5 of us traveling.

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INSIDE LOOK: THE COMFORT AND LUXURY OF THE 2016 FORD EXPLORER

With this year’s 2016 Ford Explorer, Ford overhauled the fifth generation Explorer with a new refined look, cutting edge technology, EcoBoost engine and luxurious interior. Firstly, there’s more leg space, secondly, the leather interior is quite upscale and fancy and thirdly, the technology is so smart, it can almost predict your needs. The handsome dashboard features satin wood accents and the steering wheel and seats are wrapped by soft leather. In line with FORD’s smart technologies in its fleet, the driver and passenger seats, which I’ve mentioned earlier, features a Multi-Contour with Active Motion system.

 

The Active Motion gives you lower back massage to help reduce muscle fatigue and that super awesome glute massage. I must mention this important detail – the Active Motion system can inflate and deflate an array of four air bladders within the seat to increase blood flow and help prevent back pain. Now, which other SUV does that?

With all these added features on top of its original offerings, the Ford Explorer is able to compete with the high end SUV segment at a reasonable price.For more information on the top of the line 2016 Ford Explorer Platinum, visit FORD CANADA’s website here.

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THE FORD EXPLORER IS FAMILY-ORIENTED SUV THAT’S A BIG HIT FOR KIDS

Okay, when I say kids, I really mean our little nephew Angelo. He’s 4 years old but I think his opinion is quite a composite of what kids would generally assess the new 2016 Ford Explorer. The first thing he said… there’s TV in your car Mayou (my nickname on top of ML, Em-Em and Malou!)… it’s SOOO COOL! In fact, he squealed it as he jumps up and down in delight!

It was probably the first time in forever (yes, borrowed from the movie FROZEN) that we’ve NEVER heard of the phrase “Are We There Yet?” during the entire time. The only thing? We’ve had to stop a few times as we had to fight over who’s getting massaged in the passenger seat. Nothing a fierce game of Rock, Paper, Scissors can’t solve!

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OFFESETTING THE CONS OF THE FORD EXPLORER WITH A WHOLE LOT OF PROS

While the all these amazing features are enough to dazzle you and make you run to the nearest FORD CANADA dealer (we got ours at Campbell Ford in Carling Road, Ottawa) and pick up a FORD EXPLORER for the long weekend, I have to point out that fuel consumption is a bit high with this SUV. It is what’s to be expected for a vehicle of this size and engine system.

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Powered by a twin turbocharged 3.5 litre EcoBoost V6 rated at 365 hp and 350 lb ft., the FORD EXPLORER delivers a similar performance of V8 with a fuel economy of a V6. Though fuel consumption is a consideration, note that this SUV is one of most fuel efficient engines with a rating of 14.9 city/10.7 highway/13.0 combined L/100km and can tow up to 5,000 pounds. It’s not a performance or a sports SUV but it can go from 0 to 100 kmh in 5.9 seconds.

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So how do you offset that con?

Consider the 3-row seating arrangement that can fit 7 passengers with plenty of head and legroom throughout the luxurious cabin. Instead of taking at least 2 cars, we only had to take one for a long weekend in Mont Tremblant. Now, that’s 2 car’s fuel consumption saved into one FORD EXPLORER SUV!

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SMART AND ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES FEATURED IN THE 2016 FORD EXPLORER

Aside from all the features mentioned above, the FORD EXPLORER also offers the following PROS (there are obviously a lot more amazing features of this SUV but here’s TOP 5 FEATURES on our short list):

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  • BLIND SPOT INFORMATION SYSTEM (BLIS) – Equipped with 2 wide angle cameras and 12 ultrasonic sensors, the FORD EXPLORER has the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), which will help you detect vehicles in your blind spot when changing lanes and Cross Traffic Alert will help you detect approaching vehicles while backing up.
  • ACTIVE PARK ASSIST – Not as much a problem with small size cars or mid-size sedans, the Active Park Assist system is especially helpful with SUVs as it scans for parallel or perpendicular parking space, calculate the trajectory, and automatically steer the car into the space. (I’ve tried this, it works and did  mention I was featured in CTV News because of it?)
  • SONY 500-WATT AUDIO SYSTEM – Love the opera and the concert halls of Amsterdam, Berlin and Vienna? Well, you can have a similar audio experience with the premium 500 watt Sony audio system that is only available in the Ford Explorer Platinum.
  • POWERFOLD THIRD-ROW SEAT – Now you can adjust trunk space to suit your needs. Whether you want to keep your seat in an upright position, lower the seat back for carrying cargo with the flat load floor, or tumble the seat and cushions for tailgate rear-facing seats, you can do it all with a simple push of a button.
  • FOOT-ACTIVATED HANDS-FREE POWER LIFTGATE – A quick kick of your foot under rear bumper, the liftgate detects the motion of your leg and opens or closes on its own. Just like MAGIC! Very handy when loading lots of cargo, groceries or shopping bags, in my case!

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Did I mention that FORD EXPLORER looks really, really good?

Oh it does and that’s why we LOVE it!

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