If you've followed the introduction of the 2011 Explorer, Ford is headlining it as an SUV, not a crossover. Of course, they're not saying it's not a crossover, which it is. Ford freely admits that the Explorer is related to the 2010 Ford Taurus. If you ask enough questions, they'll tell you what's been upgraded over and above the Taurus and other D-platform cousins, the Flex, Lincoln MKS and MKT.

The upgrade list is substantial.

Changes were made to improve chassis strength, especially regarding lateral suspension loads. Off-roading exerts more severe side-loading on a chassis than on-road driving, so upgraded components include the front and rear sub-frames, bushings, lower control arms, steering knuckles, jounce bumpers and steering gear. To help meet Ford's internal standards for towing performance (the Explorer is rated to tow 5,000 pounds), the brakes are also larger than the base Taurus.