The 2006 Ford Explorer has been a very smart purchase for myself and my family. While lacking in a few of the more luxurious features, it is straight forward and has the necessary components for a comfortable and useful vehicle. Let's face it, all those bells an whistles can get quite confusing, so having something effective and with less small parts to break down, is very much a plus. The engine has been getting slightly louder as the years have moved on -- making this SUV sound more like a truck -- making me have to speak up and turn the radio on a little louder, but this is not a deal breaker for me. However, if you are looking for quiet, "can't tell you are even in a car" type vehicle, then this is not the one for you.