With these optional seats, comfort for four adults on a long trip is debatable. Large greenhouse and upright seating produce an airy environment that afford excellent visibility. Front door sills have nice leatherette uppers, but they need more padding underneath. After less than two hours behind the wheel on a road trip, one tester complained about a sore elbow. With rear seats folded, you could throw a party in the back of this thing.
Seats are easy to fold, they fold flat, and the result is a six-foot loading floor.
Rear cargo cover should be mounted on the side of the cargo bay so that the bulky spindle wouldn't have to be removed each time larger cargo needed to be placed in the Explorer. At 3,000 miles, the driver's door hinge is squeaking rather audibly. On rough pavement, the Explorer shakes, rattles and rolls like a cement truck full of marbles. At 3,000 miles, the driver's window is making a horrible, metallic screech when being raised or lowered. Door handle release is a poor design.