Chances are that in some point in your life you've either owned a Ford Explorer or know somebody who did. For a stretch in the 1990s, it was like a modern-day Moses had trotted out of the Mall of America with an 11th commandment: "Thou shalt own a Ford Explorer SUV." The things were everywhere.

But as with so much in life, the boom couldn't last. Because of the Firestone tire/rollover debacle and changing consumer desires, Explorer sales have oppressively trended downward for the past decade. So for this new decade, Ford wants you to largely forget what you know of the past when you check out the 2011 Ford Explorer.

This new Explorer shares little with last year's model other than its name. Gone are the truck-related mechanicals; underneath, its unibody construction is similar to that of the Ford Flex. The upside is more carlike driving dynamics and safety; the downside is reduced maximum towing capacity. In terms of size, the new Explorer is nearly 4 inches longer in overall length and 5 inches wider. Ground clearance, at 8 inches, is about the same as before, and Ford has tossed in a new "Terrain Management System," which electronically matches the operation of the four-wheel-drive system to specific road conditions.

Massive changes are also in store for what's under the hood. The standard 2011 Ford Explorer engine is a new 3.5-liter V6 available in either front-wheel- or four-wheel drive. It's good for 290 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque and is said to be 20 percent more fuel-efficient than the previous 292-hp V8. For even better mpg, front-drive Explorers can be optioned with a turbocharged four-cylinder (yes, really) rated at 237 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic is standard for all models, but four-wheel-drive models will no longer have low-range gearing.

Step inside the new 2011 Ford Explorer and you'll still see three rows of seating. The cabin is roomier now, with increased shoulder- and hiproom. The interior looks considerably more modern, and Ford has thrown in all its latest technological goodies, including Sync, MyTouch and MyKey. On the safety front, the Explorer gains inflatable second-row seatbelt airbags (a first for the automotive industry) which promise to improve safety for smaller occupants. Also new is Ford's Curve Control, a system designed to enhance braking if the SUV exhibits signs of excessive speed while turning.

Summed up, the new 2011 Ford Explorer is much more in tune with what today's crossover shoppers are looking for. It drives well, gets good fuel economy for its class and still retains the versatility that made people like SUVs in the first place. But of course the Explorer isn't the only game in town like it used to be. Other competitors like the Honda Pilot, Hyundai Veracruz, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Toyota Highlander will likely be on your shopping list. We'll know more on how the Explorer stacks up once we get closer to its on-sale date in early calendar-year 2011.