but CR are the idiots that did the suzuki samurai roll over 'sensationalism' by trying to drive one like a ferrari.

and can't recall who did the whole 'roll over' thing with ford explorers. even though i had a generation AFTER the one during that 'scandal', i could not rent a uhaul trailer because they said my vehicle wasn't safe.

my explorer was surprisingly stable and flat around corners.

as KJG92 rightly points out - one should drive vehicles as they're intended to be used. a behemoth like an excursion should be driven like a suburban, or peterbilt not a camry.

 

I agree. I looove the way how they how look, esp. the black escalade with dark window tints.

On seating AND cargo space, you can't beat these full size 3-row suvs.

But since I don't tow, I have my sienna for a road trips and lots of storage in the back with plenty of passing power

That is the main reason I like the escalade over the yukons

 

Lots of people, especially young inexperienced drivers, were hurt or killed in Samurais. At one time, it led all American-market vehicles in auto-related lawsuits....and that wasn't necessarily from everyone trying to drive them like Ferraris. They would flip under conditions that even some other small SUVs could safely handle.

Remember the Daihatsu Rocky, the Samurai's closest competitor? (as close as you follow the car market, I'm sure you do). They saw what happened with the Samurai, and deliberately widened its front and rear tracks several inches for the American-spec versions, to make it more stable. (Japanese-market Rockys had a very narrow track, like the Samurai). In the U.S., the Rocky never had anywhere near the Samurai's problems with the tipsies, even though Daihatsu was ultimately not successful in the U.S..



You have a point there....post-scandal Explorers not only got a better suspension/steering, but better tires and better PSIs as well.

The Explorer was not an Excursion, though, by any means. I found the Excursion I test-drove to be downright scary. It required extreme caution for even what many would consider normal cruise. When I took it back and turned in the key and plate, I felt as tired as if I had been driving all day......which I find rare with modern vehicles.

Agreed.....And I respect his opinion as an owner. But, in my (admittedly) limited experience, even trying to drive Expedition like you would a Suburban (which I generally did on the test-drive) produced stability problems. I'm not an engineer, but, from what I could make out and what automotive knowledge I do have, the curb weight just seemed too heavy for the suspension and chassis.